Is New York (State) more similar to Pennsylvania or New England? (cost, largest)

[Boston Shudra]

The two states and the region have similar-ish populations (19.5mil in NY, 14.8mil in New England, and 12.8mil in PA). They have a shared history and both PA and New England have large borders with New York State.

I know that, to a certain degree, New York State matches more closely with the closer state. That is, Pattsburgh definitely feels more like New England while Elmira is probably more like PA. But on the whole, would you say that NY is more similar to New England or PA.

On one hand, even the eastern NY cities like Poughkeepsie and Troy tend to have brick architecture which is more like PA than New England's typical wood vernacular. PA's largest city is also closer to NY's largest than the latter is to New England's largest. On the other hand, I believe that the New England/ New York Border is more densely populated than the Pennsylvania/New York Border. Many of NY's large cities are also linked to Boston via I-90. NY and PA share some Amish culture, but PA also has the Allegheny culture that NY lacks.

Here are a few potential criteria: culture, topography, industries, cities, accents..that's all I can think of at the moment, but feel free to introduce your own if you think of some good ones!

[masssachoicetts]

You really have to break it down:

Long Island: New England
New York City: Pennsylvania
Westchester; New England
Hudson Valley: New England
Capital Region: New England
North Country: New England
Central New York: Pennsylvania
Southern Tier: Pennsylvania
Western New York: Pennsylvania

5:4 NE to PA Ratio.

[ckhthankgod]

This is tough, as you can find crossover in some regions too. This could be due to people from New England settling various parts of NY. A village like Skaneateles SW of Syracuse or Clinton SW of Utica could fit in well in New England or PA. Skaneateles: https://goo.gl/maps/qKi6s7aKCL4RwYyZ6

Clinton: https://goo.gl/maps/FEKGm3RH4jGcPKMk8

There are quite a few places like these across the state.

NY has an “Allegany”(different spelling in NY) in its Southern Tier.

Some of the bigger Upstate cities are also linked to PA via I-81, I-390/Route 15, I-88(to I-81 at Binghamton), Route 219 and I-90/I-86(Erie area). So, it is connected to both via major highways/routes.

Actually, the Capital Region(Albany-Schenectady-Troy area & adjacent counties) has row homes like many cities in PA.

[masssachoicetts]

I actually retract on the Capital Region comment. Albany and Troy feel like a good mix and the surroundings to the west are definitely more PA feel. I think Saratoga and Schoharie County feel more New England.

Schoharie County feels very New England.

A lot of North a country, Upstate and even the Capital Region think they are New England. New England sports fans, anti NYCism, proBostonism, etc. It skews your view a bit.

But on an overall I think it goes a bit towards Ne

[Boston Shudra]

Originally Posted by masssachoicetts

New England sports fans, anti NYCism, proBostonism, etc.

PA sports also tend to be anti-NYC.

[Roanoke2]

I'd say east of Syracuse is more like New England. West is more like Pennsylvania.

[aries4118]

Pennsylvania.

[Boston Shudra]

Originally Posted by Roanoke2

I'd say east of Syracuse is more like New England. West is more like Pennsylvania.

So Rochester and Buffalo are more like PA cities than New England cities?

[jpdivola]

Originally Posted by Boston Shudra

So Rochester and Buffalo are more like PA cities than New England cities?

Rochester and Buffalo are more like Pittsburgh than Boston or Hartford. But they aren't exactly like Pittsburgh either.

I would actually say Buffalo and Rochester are like North East Ohio with the great lakes, flat accent, gentle topography, wood framed detached houses, and noncostal light blue politics.

I guess maybe a bigger Erie PA?

[Boston Shudra]

Originally Posted by jpdivola

Rochester and Buffalo are more like Pittsburgh than Boston or Hartford.

Don’t Rochester and Boston have a lot in common with Kodak & Polaroid?