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Time for a reality check folks, I'm 70 have lived in EVERY part of the US as well as Japan,Germany,Scotland and Poland.
If you REALLY want to find "Bedford Falls" try a small village in Poland.
The USA simply doesn't produce the type of people to poupulate a place like that(really didn't at the time,I was there).
Want to visit cooperstown. Love baseball. Just curious. I live in northeastern NJ not too far from Rockland County NY. How long would it take me to drive to Cooperstown?
The mythical village of Bedofrd Falls, made famous in "It's A Wonderful Life," is indeed, supposed to be in New York State. However, it is not based on Seneca Falls as a poster has stated earlier. It is based on a Buffalo-region village as deducted by the song in the movie, "Buffalo Gals" (Can You Come Out Tonight?).
Hmmm, I do believe that Rochester and Elmira were mentioned in that movie as well. "Elmira Gal, won't you come out tonight . . . ? Nah, doesn't have the same ring.
I think we are looking for something, in one way or another. But in the movie, and in retrospect, Bedford Falls was a town with a lot of issues. The only thing that made it warm and fuzzy was the genuine caring and love most of the towns people had for one another, and for George Bailey, in particular. I think that probably still exists in a lot of small towns across America. But the town needs to be small (under 2,000) in order for everyone to really know one another.
True, Bedford Falls had its troubles. Remember the mention of how half the town had been thrown out of work when the old tool and machinery works had closed? And how would you like for everyone in town to have to bow to that Potter dude? But, l4h has it right here. It's the way the regular folks in town all looked out for each other that made this film. It would need to be under 2,000? I dunno. Downtown Bedford Falls looked like a bigger town than that. Whatever, the genuine, caring neighborliness was what this one was all about.
Definitely check out Angelica. It's a beautiful place with an embracing community that takes pride in its heritage. The hills in this particular part of the state are rolling and gorgeous as opposed to the flatter regions in the northern Finger Lakes. Check out: Moderator cut: website advertising for a more intimate look at this village. Oh yeah, the real estate here is quite inexpensive and the school is great! Come for a visit the first full weekend in August for the Heritage Days celebration...you'll surely get a taste of Angelica and what it's about.
I saw their site, was temporarily closed and also saw it was for sale but taken off market. Is their new owners or another issue. Looks like a pretty inn to stay at.
The village of Katonah has some of that feel. Stores that still sell penny candy, on an active passenger train line, ice cream shops, great hardware store.
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