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There are a lot of threads comparing the larger cities in Upstate NY, but what is your favorite smaller city? The list doesn't include Ithaca because he honest, Ithaca would likely dominate the poll.
Seriously, I've lived in a few other places, in and out of New York, and a lot of them have positive things about them, too, but Jamestown and Chautauqua County have truly become "home" for me although I'm a transplant. About the only two things that I'd change about the place is a little less cold and snow in the winter and quicker access to I-90 east (going up to Buffalo) because Route 60 is a PITA.
Jamestown is big enough to have city amenities like jobs/hospitals/doctors/dentists/shopping/restaurants/entertainment but small enough to have a real small town feel. A lot of people like the anonymity afforded by living in a large metro but I like feeling a part of a neighborhood/community where I can go to places around town and run into people I know. I also like the slower, laid back pace of life here where there's less traffic, less scratching and clawing to get ahead, etc. Good manners, even among young people, are much more common than one would expect.
Part of Jamestown's laid back attitude is reflected in its tolerance. Long before it became "okay" or "fashionable" to be accepting of gays and lesbians, like 15 years ago or so, Jamestown elected an openly gay man to be president of the city council -- and he's still there. That's not to say that there aren't bigots around because, of course, there are, but bigotry isn't a community thing. Maybe people in Jamestown and Chautauqua County are too polite or maybe they don't see Blacks or Hispanics as "threats" that it seems that they're considered in some places around the country, big and small. Maybe it's hard to blindly follow stereotypes when you know people from high school or from your neighborhood or from work.
Seriously, I've lived in a few other places, in and out of New York, and a lot of them have positive things about them, too, but Jamestown and Chautauqua County have truly become "home" for me although I'm a transplant. About the only two things that I'd change about the place is a little less cold and snow in the winter and quicker access to I-90 east (going up to Buffalo) because Route 60 is a PITA.
Jamestown is big enough to have city amenities like jobs/hospitals/doctors/dentists/shopping/restaurants/entertainment but small enough to have a real small town feel. A lot of people like the anonymity afforded by living in a large metro but I like feeling a part of a neighborhood/community where I can go to places around town and run into people I know. I also like the slower, laid back pace of life here where there's less traffic, less scratching and clawing to get ahead, etc. Good manners, even among young people, are much more common than one would expect.
Part of Jamestown's laid back attitude is reflected in its tolerance. Long before it became "okay" or "fashionable" to be accepting of gays and lesbians, like 15 years ago or so, Jamestown elected an openly gay man to be president of the city council -- and he's still there. That's not to say that there aren't bigots around because, of course, there are, but bigotry isn't a community thing. Maybe people in Jamestown and Chautauqua County are too polite or maybe they don't see Blacks or Hispanics as "threats" that it seems that they're considered in some places around the country, big and small. Maybe it's hard to blindly follow stereotypes when you know people from high school or from your neighborhood or from work.
I did find it interesting that Jamestown had 2 or 3 Black members on the City Council at the same time for a city that is about 4-6% Black. I believe that all of them are natives too. So, that is a good point about how knowing/growing up with people could make a difference.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 06-08-2015 at 02:44 PM..
I did find it interesting that Jamestown had 2 or 3 Black members on the City Council at the same time for a city that is about 4-6% Black. I believe that all of them are natives too. So, that is a good point about how knowing/growing up with people could make a difference.
What does this have to do with anything? Why aren't you answering the OP's question?
I was responding to Linda_d's post. That is what that post is in reference to.
That doesn't answer the OP's question. You call me out on that all the time, when I respond to someone. You should be more consistent if you are going to call others out.
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