Call Out Thread: Syracuse AT'ers

[Brigandier]

What is the general level of cost of living there? A birdie is singing in my ear for me to move out there, but NY to me equals high cost of living.

 

[SunnyD]

Syracuse is a shithole. Upstate NY is depressing and only interesting if you like snow, potholes, raising goats and paying ridiculous taxes to support "the other NY" (the city). Cost of living is proportionally NOT cheap compared to the lack of salary you'll get.

 

[Jumpem]

House prices are cheap. You can find something nice for $150k. Property taxes are high, 3-4%. Gas prices are on the high end. My combined electric and natural gas bill averages $150.

 

[amdhunter]

Syracuse is a shithole. Upstate NY is depressing and only interesting if you like snow, potholes, raising goats and paying ridiculous taxes to support "the other NY" (the city). Cost of living is proportionally NOT cheap compared to the lack of salary you'll get.

Uh, NYC'ers support the rest of "NY." Not the other way around.

 

[Jumpem]

Uh, NYC'ers support the rest of "NY." Not the other way around.

That's not how people from western, central, and northern NY see it. So many people up here talk about splitting the state into two. No more being ruled by the high taxes and politics of NYC.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Rochester is better.

 

[Jumpem]

Rochester is better.

Jobs were harder to come by there. The big established companies in the city have not been doing well. On the plus side, the suburbs and nearby rural areas are very nice, and the city is quick to get into from every direction. On the down side, they don't get near as much snow as Syracuse.

 

[brianmanahan]

call out, ban

 

[brianmanahan]

%3 to %4 for property tax? that is outrageous.

 

[RedArmy]

I live 70 miles south of Syracuse and go up there often enough to know that there's much better places to live. However, if you don't mind the majority of weather being shitty (overcast, cold, rainy), getting dumped on by snow in winter, taxes (as was mentioned), and generally dickery...go for it. If it ain't for 100k or more, you'll have a higher quality of life living pretty much anywhere else.

 

[96Firebird]

Rochester is better.

While I do agree, not by much. If you're looking to start fresh, I'd look elsewhere. Upstate NY is not a place I'd move to, my family is pretty much the only thing keeping me here...

 

[Svnla]

House prices are cheap. You can find something nice for $150k. Property taxes are high, 3-4%. Gas prices are on the high end. My combined electric and natural gas bill averages $150.

Wow, so a 200K house would have at least 6K of property taxes?

 

[Wyndru]

Wow, so a 200K house would have at least 6K of property taxes?

In Albany county I pay only 3500 on a 250k house (combined school and property taxes). I like the area, I make a decent salary compared to the cost of living.

I like it much more than when I lived in Queens.

 

[96Firebird]

Wow, so a 200K house would have at least 6K of property taxes?

Yes. Taxes are really high, half the reason why I rent. Plus, I like being mobile. But renting costs are pretty high here too...

Example from Zillow: House assessed at $151k paid $5,600 in taxes in 2011...

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/343-Oakridge-Dr-Irondequoit-NY-14617/30970501_zpid/

Edit - I think counties all differ, but Monroe might be one of the highest.

 

[Anubis]

Wow, so a 200K house would have at least 6K of property taxes?

yea that seems about right, it gets worse if you are on one of the lakes

 

[Jumpem]

I live 70 miles south of Syracuse and go up there often enough to know that there's much better places to live. However, if you don't mind the majority of weather being shitty (overcast, cold, rainy), getting dumped on by snow in winter, taxes (as was mentioned), and generally dickery...go for it. If it ain't for 100k or more, you'll have a higher quality of life living pretty much anywhere else.

You're exaggerating juut a little bit. Cost of living is still much cheaper than the coasts, NYC, NJ, DC, northern VA, Chicago, Boston, etc. Yes, the rural south or west are probably lower.

 

[Jumpem]

While I do agree, not by much. If you're looking to start fresh, I'd look elsewhere. Upstate NY is not a place I'd move to, my family is pretty much the only thing keeping me here...

I agree with this sentiment. Being born here, is the only reason I live in NY. The blue leaning politics, inept state governemnt, high taxes, and anti-business attitude make me want to leave. The rural areas, scenery, and huge snowfall make me want to stay.