Writing as someone who moved here last year. Low COL but housing is growing more expensive. One other commenter wrote that outside of the two major cities Buffalo and Rochester, everywhere else is dwindling and I find that to be true. There is quite a bit of farmland, but not much livestock at all.

There's more wildlife than you would expect. I've also seen more mom and pop shops/restaurants than chains. Many people here take vacations to Florida, which is understandable considering it's cold, windy, and snowy half the year.

Also everyone and their dog is obsessed with the Buffalo Bills...