Western New York???

1sttimemom · #1 05/13/12, 11:23 AM

Anyone homestead around that area? Mt hubby family is from outside Buffalo (Lockport, Gasport, etc) so we've considered moving to that area. Any info on small farm prices, economy, jobs, etc would be appreciated.

Harry Chickpea · #2 05/13/12, 11:34 AM

Before you consider further, take a look at the amount of sun you will get there and the "lake effect" snow. I turned down a job in Rochester years ago because I was trying to get away from the cloudiness in Vermont, and it was reputedly even MORE cloudy there. You literally couldn't pay me to live there.

Coming from Colorado, it will seem like moving into a cave.

Pelenaka · #3 05/13/12, 12:34 PM

Ouch Harry, so whattayasaying huh? Yeah it's cloudy but if you family in the area then it might be a good decision for the OP.

I know Lockport scored the Yahoo Data Center deal. Nothing about Gasport. You don't say what job market your interested in unless you just mean the general local economy & employment. That's easy enough to do an online search as is real estate. Don't forget to check out tax sales on the counties websites that you are interested in.

It's a catch 22 go where land is cheap but the generally means high unemployment. For years hubby has been smitten with Allegheny county, Angelica & Cuba area but we'd have to have an independent source of income to sustain us.

Not sure if you generate any income online ... As far as I know internet service would only be through cable but there's a NYS gov bill or committee encouraging companies to invest the money to provide wifi/dsl to rural counties.

~~ pelenaka ~~

Raven12 · #4 05/13/12, 12:39 PM

I have lived and vacationed in Southwestern New York. It is one of those places that I wish I would have been smart enough to stick with. People will complain that it is a terrible place with a high cost of living, high taxes, terrible economy, crime, drugs, and tough winters. The outdoor opportunities are all worth it. The area is a snow sports haven and big boating region. As far as homesteading, you learn to adjust to the Lake Effect and prepare for it.

Harry Chickpea · #5 05/13/12, 01:26 PM

"Ouch Harry, so whattayasaying huh? Yeah it's cloudy but if you family in the area then it might be a good decision for the OP."

I don't disagree, but as someone who suffers from SAD, I feel that the heads-up is appropriate for someone going from one of the sunniest states to one of the least sunny areas of N.Y.

One other caveat about such a move - western N.Y. has a few hills, but isn't mountainous like CO.. It took me a few years, but moving from mountainous areas to south Florida eventually became an issue for me, to the point that we had to vacation in the mountains so I could see some rocks, streams, and hills and not get crazier than I already am.

Moving close to family is a whole different ball of wax. For many people, it turns out great. For some others, not so much.

Yvonne's hubby · #6 05/13/12, 01:29 PM

Long cold winters.... incredible high taxes. Other than that... its mighty pretty in the summer... If I remember correctly thats august 22 thru 25th.

1sttimemom · #7 05/13/12, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

"

One other caveat about such a move - western N.Y. has a few hills, but isn't mountainous like CO.. It took me a few years, but moving from mountainous areas to south Florida eventually became an issue for me, to the point that we had to vacation in the mountains so I could see some rocks, streams, and hills and not get crazier than I already am.

.

LOL! I am in north east colorado- no mountains here at all. Flat, hardly any trees, and the wind blows strong almost year round!! We are interested mostly for the family connection. It's been very difficult at times to nota have any support system close to us. I have NY visited a few times to see hubby's family but not enough to get a feel on what things are like. The weather I think isn't a big issue, but I wonder about how welcome this lifestyle is? Keep chickens, goats, horses, etc?

Harry Chickpea · #8 05/13/12, 09:21 PM

meh. That shouldn't be an issue. Who is it... Steve Spence? that lives somewhere around there and is into alternative energy stuff? Taxes have got to be less than Vermont.

Raven12 · #9 05/13/12, 09:22 PM

Agriculture is very popular along the Southern Tier. From grape growing to an Amish Trail. You will find it all. I am not sure about the Lockport area. You want to research the micro-climates in the region. Certain areas will get less snow and be milder than others because of the Lake Effect.

Mulegirl · #10 05/13/12, 09:44 PM

We lived in Rochester for a while (nearly 10 years for me, 8 for my husband), and the area was pretty nice, though I couldn't handle the cold and December-April snow, which is why we're back in my home area of Virginia now. Cost of living is relatively low there, and you'll have a very easy time finding inexpensive local food (at least around Rochester) while you get settled in. On the other hand, taxes in NY state STINK--when we moved down to Virginia, we could afford to buy real estate of a dollar value about twice what we could afford in New York, and it was pretty much all because of the effect of the taxes on the monthly payment. You do get more for your money, though--we were looking at 20-30 acre parcels with houses there, and down here, we got REALLY lucky to get 14 acres for what we paid (14 acres that have to be re-cleared, as cut-over forest is trying to re-establish itself, but we will make it beautiful!). Do make sure you can handle the cold and snow, though, if you find a spot in one of those microclimates--that can be a real bummer if you're not prepared.

And yes, jobs are not in huge supply there, so don't be expecting much on that front.