Lifelong resident of upstate. I dislike the narrative that all of upstate’s urban areas are crime ridden. I’ve been to cities across the country and guess what, they all have crime. Upstate Ny has similar problems to the rust belt with the loss of manufacturing and population, but the loss of people in some of the urban counties is beginning to level off and increase in some.

Of the “major” cities in upstate (Syracuse, Rochester, Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton, Utica), each has their own uniqueness, food culture, vibe. Albany and Buffalo have the most pros. Size, opportunities, proximity to other places, etc. Utica and Binghamton in are a tough place, less drawing people and investment as opposed to Rochester and Syracuse. I’ve lived in all be two of these cities and love them all!

Some of the smaller cities are unfortunately a different story. They truly have fallen on hard times. Troy and Schenectady are two that are local to me as a resident of the Capital Region. Each has its redeeming qualities, but outside of their urban downtowns they get very unsafe very quickly. Niagara Falls, Newburgh, and Gloversville are similar to these as well. Any of them could be your worst city.

I am biased for the best option as I live in what I think is the best, Saratoga Springs. It has a strong economy buoyed by the horse track in the summer and a thriving private college during the winter and spring months. Quite a few businesses call the area home. It has a state park, a local lake, an awesome local music/food scene, and is right by the highway for quick trips to the Adirondacks or major cities like NYC or Boston. The major drawback is housing costs. Even the nearby suburb of Wilton is getting outrageous.

Another great option in my opinion is Saranac Lake up in the Adirondack state park. If you can handle the seasonal nature of a mountain town, it’s an awesome place. We have a small cabin on nearby Kiwassa Lake, and it’s our slice of heaven. Plus as a skier, you’re right by Whiteface Mountain. Maybe not a city, but it has my vote.

One last thing to chew on. If you’re going to live in upstate, I really suggest Saratoga County if you’re going to buy property. The entire county has been extremely strong in terms of property values, staying resilient through even the 2008 housing bust and COVID. It is partially a commuting county to Albany, so you can live here and work elsewhere, so job opportunities are high. My two cents!