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My husband and I are looking to move from Southern Ca to somewhere in between Rochester & Olean because of family. We want to be close, but not too close. I had my eye on possibly Ithaca. My husband works for walmart and would be transferring. I have two children, 5 & 8. So schools are important. We would like to rent first and then possibly own if we like the area. The population is similar to where we live now. We are looking for easy shopping, not to expensive housing and an endocrinologist(in or around area). Also security in low crime rates. We will be possibly visiting Ny in mid June. Any help would be great.
I can't offer very specific help, since I know the Ithaca area only generally. But I can say that I think you're making a superb choice if you do choose Ithaca. Though there are fine places between Rochester and Olean, Ithaca is top-notch in so many ways, especially for a young family. Open-minded but traditional in the best ways, great schools, lots to do, beautiful setting, etc. (But do avoid moving into student-dense areas. Even Cornell students, who are pretty well-behaved by modern college student standards, can be insufferable barbarians during The Drinking Hours: Thursday-Saturday nights, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. And your home value will suffer if you buy next to a student rental place.)
If you're interested in a smaller town very near Ithaca where you might get more for your housing dollar (though you'd have fewer choices), look into Trumansburg, just up the road from Ithaca. Very lovely little place, full of kids running around being kids. Nice mix of small-town and college-artsy feel.
We're moving to central NY ASAP ourselves, largely because we're very sure it'll be a great place to raise our two younger kids (our two older ones are heading off to college).
Nearer Olean, you may want to look into the small town of Angelica--truly, a splendid little gem--and, if you want a little-Ithaca, Hammondsport, a great little town right on a Finger Lake, just up in Steuben County. Both are very kid- and family-friendly, though Angelica might be *too* peaceful for some.
(Of course, all this assumes you have job-mobility; the job-market is much better in Ithaca/Trumansburg than nearer Olean.)
Good luck in your move and I hope you'll post your experiences and opinions once you settle in!
I think a lot will depend on two issues for you. First the medical issue you mentioned and second your husbands actual location to which he can or is transferred. The latter may be the dictating factor. If being closer to Rochester and the medical facilities is possible with your husbands tranfer since he works for Walmart then I might tend to direct you more towards the Rochester area (assuming the family you mention may live in Rochester area). There are many smaller town South of Rochester such as Conesus (where I lived once) that offers the possibilty of being within reasonable commuting distance to both cultural and medical facilities (more possibiltites). Ithaca is a beautiful area with much "nature" areas right at hand, the Buttermilk State Park and Watkins Glen which I have visted more than once are must visit attractions if move anywhere in the area you have outlined. Letchworth State Park also a must see all with breath taking vistas and picnic etc possibilties for the family. My children, who are now grown up, live to this day in this region of NY. One is a Naturalist/Biologist and the area offers much in both in and out of school "educational" possibilties. Excellent environment for family with small children.
Just a additonal Tid Bit FWIW. There is a post on this forum dated around 29 Jan from someone who lived Ithaca and to which same native (former) Ithaca residents posted a response. Might be worth looking at if you haven't already seen it. Recall subject Line was Native to Ithaca or something similar but a search on "Ithaca" would retrive the thread quickily I assume. Again just passing this info on.
If you're looking to move to NY, I recommend either the Ithaca area or the Binghamton area. Ithaca is a unique town with many opportunities due to Cornell University...however, travel in and out of Ithaca is difficult, as there are no major highways in or out of the city, just country roads that become difficult in the winter months. Another good option would be somewhere in the Binghamton area. It has good transportation with an airport, and 3 major highways. It also has opportunities due to Binghamton University, and it has 3 hospitals offering cutting edge medical care. I'm unsure as to what the medical care is like in Ithaca. There is also very low crime in Ithaca as well in the Binghamton area (which includes Endicott, Johnson City, Vestal, and Endwell). Another plus is the outstanding school system for your children in Endicott or Vestal which are both about 10 miles from Binghamton.
I hope this was of help to you and both Ithaca and Binghamton are very good options for your move (except for the snow in the winter).
One other thing...there is a walmart in both Ithaca and near Binghamton (actually in Vestal which is about 10 miles from Binghamton)
I agree with djm. The Binghamton area has alot more to offer than Ithaca in regards to medical and easy access to highways and in my opinion, just about everything. I live between both, although i'm closer to Ithaca, I prefer going to the Binghamton area for everything.
Your husband being in retail probably does or will get transferred to new store every couple years. There are far more WalMarts in and around Rochester area meaning you could a) be near top rated medical facilties b) close but not on top of the relatives you mentioned and c) have the possibility of transferring but "staying put" as far as living south of Rochester in commuting distance. Nothing wrong with Binghamton, nice area, just think it might fit your three criteria better...assuming your husband has some choice as to where he is first going to work (i.e.stores location).
Wow! Thanks for all the feedback. All this is worth concidering and well informative. We are possibly going back in June. Hopefully the weather is nice. For the medical problem I have, it is an endocrine, thyroid disease. So I would be looking for and endocrinologist. My husband is also into cartooning in the comic indusrty. So looking to do some schooling to further his education is important as well. We have family that live in Olean, Wellsville and Hilton. Thank you all again.
I live on the PA side of the border near Elmira, but have also lived in Binghamton while a grad student at BU. Ithaca is great, but I'm not sure it would meet your requirements in terms of medical. Being hypothyroid myself, I can tell you it's not easy to find an endo in the region whose specialty and calling isn't focused on diabetes. There's one at Guthrie in Sayre, PA which is located on the state border, along the interstate in between Binghamton and Elmira who's very good...actually involved in clinical trials, publishing, etc. I've also heard good things about a couple Endo's in Binghamton, particularly at the UHS facilities. The Sayre area is rural and the population is smaller, but there's a Wal-Mart that's in the planning stages to become a supercenter and a lot of other commercial growth has been going on. The taxes, utilities, and housing is substantially less than just across the border in NY. However, Sayre is still only 15 miles from Elmira, roughly 30-40 minutes from Ithaca or Binghamton. The new racino/casino is 15 miles east in Nichols if that's of interest.
Ithaca is great on cultural activities, best downtown, the lake, wineries, etc but Cayuga Medical Center is the sole hospital and it's not on par with what you find in Elmira, Sayre, or Binghamton.
A brand new, HUGE super Wal-Mart just opened in Elmira and there's been discussions of opening a second one in the Binghamton area. The Vestal (Binghamton) one is constantly a zoo. The other locations that would be of interest to land you in the region would be Ithaca, Painted Post, Mansfield (Pennsylvania), Watkins Glen...and one is in the planning stages to open in Bath, NY.
If you are looking at the Rochester area, here is a list of some endocrinologists...
My father is a diabetic and we are currently looking for a decent on ouselves...
Dr. Robert Bingham
222 Alexander St Ste 5500
Genesee Health Service End
Rochester, NY
Dr. Laura Calvi
601 Elmwood Ave # 693
Endocrine Practice Group
Rochester, NY
Dr. William Cave
601 Elmwood Ave # 693
Endocrine Practice Group
Rochester, NY
Dr. Zsolt Depapp
990 South Ave Ste 207
Geriatrics & Medicine Assocs
Rochester, NY
Dr. Zachary Freedman
222 Alexander St Ste 5500
Genesee Health Service End
Rochester, NY
Dr. Ervin Szoke
990 South Ave Ste 207
Geriatrics & Medicine Assocs
Rochester, NY
Dr. Alvin Ureles
601 Elmwood Ave # 693
Endocrine Practice Group
Rochester, NY
Dr. Steven Wittlin
601 Elmwood Ave # 693
Endocrine Practice Group
Rochester, NY
Last edited by skbs; 04-04-2008 at 02:21 PM..
Reason: add info
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Moving to NY
