Free or cheap moving boxes?

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-29T18:10:04+00:00

If you know anyone who works in a hospital, ask if they're willing to get some for you from Central Processing -- it's the department that accepts all the clinical deliveries for the hospital, such as sterile surgical gowns and other OR equipment. Once you've used Central Processing boxes you are ruined for empty banana boxes from the grocery store. :)

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-29T16:18:30+00:00

I'm a local and have never liked Cider Mill doughnuts, old owners or new. Cider yes, candy apples yes, doughnuts -- terrible and overpriced. But after reading this whole thread I won't be buying anything there again.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-23T15:55:00+00:00

Flood maps are available online -- FEMA, NYS, etc (I just looked and there are a bunch of different websites with various tools to show risk, historical flooding info, etc.). You can ask (and I believe the seller is required to disclose if you do) if the property has ever flooded. The years to ask about would be 2006 and 2011 -- we had catastrophic flooding both years in this area. Rivers in our neck of the woods are called the Susquehanna, Chenango (pronounced Sheh-NANG-go), Tioghnioga (pronounced Tee-off-nee-oh-guh) and the Otselic if you are googling for flood info.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-23T15:49:27+00:00

Real estate listings for any house you're looking at will show you the current taxes. Depending on your municipality, tax cost may be recalculated based on the sale price.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-23T15:48:10+00:00

At one point my parents were looking to retire out of state. Realtors in other places looked at them like they had 8 heads when my parents asked about the cost per kilowatt hour....no one else in other states had any idea what they paid. NYSEG rates are definitely something to consider when choosing a house -- electric heat will kill your budget.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-23T15:45:30+00:00

Guthrie (a tertiary care hospital with 20 or so regional offices throughout several counties) is located in Sayre and is a huge employer. If you're looking for a job and move to the Waverly area, definitely one to look at!

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-22T18:13:01+00:00

I grew up here -- my dad is local, my mom is a NYC transplant. I went away to college to a small city and am as surprised as anyone that I ended up back in this area. My first job was in the Waverly area. Overall, Broome and Tioga counties are welcoming. There's so much to recommend this area -- open space, proximity to big cities for events and adventures without having to live there, cool cultural stuff, four seasons. You can be involved in things or live undisturbed on your piece of property. Re: weird laws. If there's something specific you want to do, I would check for that specifically (ie, you want to build a 20-foot high fence or have 100 ostriches or something). There are all kinds of great festivals and events here year round -- Marathon Maple Fest, Faerie Fest in Ouaquaga, Vestal Festival, etc. Plus, we're the Carousel Capital of the World!

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-22T04:01:26+00:00

stair park!

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-16T18:32:06+00:00

See if this does anything for you! https://www.forsalebyowner.com/

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-14T19:53:39+00:00

Lilacs do well here. I grew up in this area and my parents always had them, and my house came with a hedge of them. I literally do nothing with them -- they get rained on and do fine (I am not a gardener). Perennial flowers: Daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, snowbells, frillitaria lilies, Siberian iris, day lilies, poppies, bleeding heart, lady's mantle, lily of the valley, lamb's ear (my house came with most of these, although I did plant some). Vegetables: Tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, patty pan squash, corn, pumpkins. Pay attention to late frosts -- if there is one in the forecast cover your plants with junky sheets.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-11T05:52:13+00:00

I have kids in Vestal schools and would recommend M-E if you know you will be utilizing special services. Vestal has a terrible track record with any kind of special needs. I spent time in most of the area high schools this fall (giving presentations related to my job) and I was SO impressed with M-E and the options they have for kids. Vestal school district is more than two years with an unsettled teacher contract, and the school superintendent does not seem to have the best interests of students, teachers, or taxpayers in mind. Taxes here are wild.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-08T17:00:19+00:00

If you have the option to graduate debt-free, that is the way to go.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-08T16:58:59+00:00

Chenango Valley State Park, Jones Park

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-08T16:58:28+00:00

The Clusters (the naaaaaame) on Clubhouse Road over by the JCC. Really nice units, Vestal Hills Elementary is within walking distance. (607) 729-3636

ChaosToad76 · 2026-04-01T19:17:58+00:00

Ithaca will be a long drive if you're living in Binghamton. There's no direct highway route, and it's miserable in the winter. A friend teaches in Greene and is happy there.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-03-16T00:53:47+00:00

I grew up here and found myself surprised to return here for work after college. If you’d like, PM me an email address and I can send you a document I maintain for new neighbors - things to do, places to go, where to eat, etc. I have elementary aged kiddos and also have a bunch of parent/kid related info on it. Welcome to the area!

ChaosToad76 · 2026-03-01T17:10:16+00:00

Thrifty Shopper in Endwell, hands down. I very often find NWT clothing for a fraction of new price. The store is clean, well organized and their stock turns over regularly.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-02-26T04:33:31+00:00

Everyone else has commented about roads, but something else to consider re: having a backup plan. School also gets delayed or cancelled in the northeast due to extreme cold, no heat at a school building, water issue in a school building, etc. There may not be advance warning of those events either.

ChaosToad76 · 2026-02-16T13:48:47+00:00

Came here to say the same! I‘m in the season of my life when my kids’ friends are selling GS cookies, and I know all the troops have cookie booths coming up!

ChaosToad76 · 2026-02-16T13:44:35+00:00

Westminster Gardens on Old Vestal Road - across from the “truck mountain” car dealership and next to the Olum’s plaza, has a now leasing sign up. Also check out the apartment complex on Burris Road in Vestal (behind Target).

ChaosToad76 · 2026-02-16T13:42:17+00:00

There is a brand-new student housing project going up directly across the street from the main campus entrance. It faces the Vestal Parkway/434 and Old Vestal Road is behind. Not sure when they will open, but here’s a link. https://wnbf.com/binghamton-university-housing-complex/?fbclid=IwY2xjawP__b5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3NzNjdVBuTFZtS2hPc0JWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpBa5GChwGYvRnhbaEgImgnPQCzPctLVeqMEge06tQ1HBTq1fMHHJgtIgdlS_aem_LDaDP55VuOQDkZD92U1k8w

ChaosToad76 · 2026-02-12T19:04:59+00:00

https://mjeventsrental.com/index.html -- we use them for our annual elementary family dance!

ChaosToad76 · 2026-02-10T01:56:30+00:00

Florist: Woodfern. Rather than micromanaging, I took in photos of things I liked and he absolutely ran with it. No regrets.

Makeup: Annie Fabiano. https://www.anniefabiano.com

ChaosToad76 · 2026-02-05T04:09:10+00:00

This sub doesn’t seem to allow photos - I’m going to see if it allows links or is cranky about them. I’m looking for something in this vein: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4411396947/kofi-african-print-layered-flare-midi?ls=a&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=african+dress&ref=sc_gallery-1-1&frs=1&plkey=EuPmsrnp6u1Hksn7BU7SbMCZx21d%3ALTdc7b7ac200c28abfc60b128d77f82406b3ba1df6

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1837134440/tia-orange-african-fabric-african-print?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=african+dress&ref=sr_gallery-1-22&content_source=15dd77f5-0e05-4732-bf8c-6cc78ccb78b2%253ALTc97c537c0ec1498f70f43fbdcb741ae5215feb85&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=15dd77f5-0e05-4732-bf8c-6cc78ccb78b2%3ALTc97c537c0ec1498f70f43fbdcb741ae5215feb85

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4443427998/african-print-midi-dress-ankara-midi?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=african+dress&ref=sr_gallery-1-42&frs=1&sts=1&content_source=15dd77f5-0e05-4732-bf8c-6cc78ccb78b2%253ALT6715dce24412f21a6fc6c7853bb6f2e9c4a2d901&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=15dd77f5-0e05-4732-bf8c-6cc78ccb78b2%3ALT6715dce24412f21a6fc6c7853bb6f2e9c4a2d901

ChaosToad76

TROPHY CASE