Would you move to the Finger Lakes, New York?

[Anonymous]

We currently live in NOVA but my family is from the Finger Lakes in New York. We are currently debating whether or not to permanently move. It would obviously be a HUGE lifestyle change for us. We have 3 young kids - 7 years old and younger. Plus side - would be super close to family, have a much bigger house than we have now, lots of outdoor time and activities. Down side - much more rural (would live on a 100 acre farm), much less diverse, less cultural activities for the kids.

I am leaning towards trying to do the move in the next 5 years or so before the kids get too old. I would love to get out of the rat race that is DC, move closer to family, have less competition for school/activities for the kids, and just in general get out of the crazy push push push that the kids will experience when they get older. Also COVID and climate change make me think it would be smart to get out of the city and go to a more rural area.

Would you do it? Do a complete 180 from the life you know?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would. If it meant I was happier and my family was happier. You only have one life to live.

[Anonymous]

I spent ten years in Ithaca and I love the Finger Lakes. I would definitely do it if I had family there! I am from DC and my family is here and we did the opposite. I don't regret moving back here but I do miss the beauty and pace of life there. It is definitely rural but feels a lot more cultured and accessible to cities than other rural areas I have encountered..

[Anonymous]

For all the reasons you mentioned I would definitely do it. And I agree, within the next couple years - before some major climate event wrecks DC and property values fall!

[Anonymous]

In a NY minute!

[Anonymous]

We are doing it but only because DS got into a top NE private boarding school and won’t board. Haha! We are keeping our house in DC. We may sell it and buy an apt in Manhattan for when we overdose on rural and there’s always college.

I am looking forward to gardening, getting a large dog, some ducks & chickens, goats and kayaking from my backyard.

We are retired so we need stuff to do

[Anonymous]

Yep, no question I’d go in your case. To balance any issues with living in a smaller, rural community, I’d prioritize travel so your kids get to experience more of the world.

[Anonymous]

Hard to say, honestly. Housing is cheaper and you get more for your money. Climate is better. It's pretty.

It's also very very white and there aren't a lot of jobs. I'm visiting my parents at my childhood home in the Finger Lakes region right now. I havs ZERO friends from high school to connect with while I'm here. We all couldn't wait to get out. The ones who went to school nearby, or even some who didn't go to college, still moved away in large numbers at some point in their 20s. It's nice for growing up but not a place many kids stay.

[Anonymous]

Diversity is neither a feature nor a bug.

I would totally go. Nova is a soulless shithole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We currently live in NOVA but my family is from the Finger Lakes in New York. We are currently debating whether or not to permanently move. It would obviously be a HUGE lifestyle change for us. We have 3 young kids - 7 years old and younger. Plus side - would be super close to family, have a much bigger house than we have now, lots of outdoor time and activities. Down side - much more rural (would live on a 100 acre farm), much less diverse, less cultural activities for the kids.

I am leaning towards trying to do the move in the next 5 years or so before the kids get too old. I would love to get out of the rat race that is DC, move closer to family, have less competition for school/activities for the kids, and just in general get out of the crazy push push push that the kids will experience when they get older. Also COVID and climate change make me think it would be smart to get out of the city and go to a more rural area.

Would you do it? Do a complete 180 from the life you know?

Yes, but only if you took me with you.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a great opportunity. DC will always be here if you choose to turn around.

[Anonymous]

I moved from dc DuPont circle to Connecticut in middle of nowhere on about 3 acres. We love it, it was an adjustment at first but it’s diffferent and we only live one life haha But DC has a special place in my heart and plan to return there. I keep telling my 3 year old he’s going to Georgetown so I can get a waterfront condo and go eat at actual restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Went to school in Ithaca and there area is delightful.

We did something similar - left DC when kids were young for the primary reason of letting them grow up with the grandparents in their daily lives. Ten years later and it was totally worth it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We currently live in NOVA but my family is from the Finger Lakes in New York. We are currently debating whether or not to permanently move. It would obviously be a HUGE lifestyle change for us. We have 3 young kids - 7 years old and younger. Plus side - would be super close to family, have a much bigger house than we have now, lots of outdoor time and activities. Down side - much more rural (would live on a 100 acre farm), much less diverse, less cultural activities for the kids.

I am leaning towards trying to do the move in the next 5 years or so before the kids get too old. I would love to get out of the rat race that is DC, move closer to family, have less competition for school/activities for the kids, and just in general get out of the crazy push push push that the kids will experience when they get older. Also COVID and climate change make me think it would be smart to get out of the city and go to a more rural area.

Would you do it? Do a complete 180 from the life you know?

Yes, but only if you took me with you.

+1

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure, even though I grew up in WNY, love the CNY area and went to school there. My sister and her DH both work at Cornell and live in Ithaca with their 2 elem/middle school kids, and I can definitely see the difference in schools, esp if your kid has an IEP or 504 plan. And the healthcare there is nowhere near as good as in the DMV. My sis has an autoimmune disease and has to travel to Syracuse for so-so care every 6 months. Her kids have had issues getting proper care for stuff like knocked out teeth, GI issues, ENT care, orthodontia and more. Rochester would be much better. Anything requiring a specialist is going to be challenging, especially if it's a pediatric need. My niece and nephew don't even see a pediatrician - instead, the whole family sees a GP.

When my own kids were little and we were younger, I hardly gave a thought to good healthcare. Now that my kids are in their late teens and we are 50, access to good doctors matters a lot more than it used to.

Also, the taxes in NY are terrible! And if you like traveling by air, that area is not great for that unless you are close to Rochester or Syracuse.

I might move there as a retiree if I could stomach the taxes, but after having mostly raised my kids in the DMV, I'm glad we were here vs there. You can live here quite successfully if you adjust your mindset...the rat race lives very much in your head!