A question for my upstate New York brethren

[tomsm44]

I hope it's ok to post this here.  It's not specifically trad hunting related, other than it could possibly lead to some awesome trad hunting in the future.

I work in the oil/gas industry, and am considering applying for a position that could possibly put me somewhere near Horseheads NY. I was hoping some of the guys that live in or near that area could give me a little insight into life around there.  I'm born and raised in N Louisiana, so I know the winter weather would be a bit of a shock, but I absolutely hate our summers, so I'm thinking I could get used to it.  The furthest north I've been would be Mo, Tn, and NC, so I don't have any personal experience to go on as far as making a decision.  

So without getting too much into politics, what can you guys tell me as far as cost of living, typical taxes, how the culture would compare to my area, etc.  Of course, I'm also interested in the hunting, camping, fishing, and general outdoor life in the area.  Any information is appreciated, and who knows, maybe I'll get to walk the hills up there with some of you guys eventually.

Matt

[PeteA]

Hey Matt, I'd also suggest posting this to the NY Traditional Bow hunters section of this sight. Some of the guys in the finger lake region might jump in. I'm a lot further east and south. I'm 50 minutes north of NYC. Good luck with the move.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I can tell you it's a beautiful area that usually has aot of dead deer on the road. I think NY has a strong archery heritage and certainly where I am at, there is a large number of trad archers. There's plenty of good fishing opportunity too. Imho, you would be hard pressed to find a better region to live than the southern tier.

In general that area is somewhat repressed. If you are coming in with a job you will be in great shape. Taxes in NY are ridiculous no matter where you are. You might be better off living in PA and commuting across the border for work as far as taxes are concerned.

[tomsm44]

Originally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
I can tell you it's a beautiful area that usually has aot of dead deer on the road. I think NY has a strong archery heritage and certainly where I am at, there is a large number of trad archers. There's plenty of good fishing opportunity too. Imho, you would be hard pressed to find a better region to live than the southern tier.

In general that area is somewhat repressed. If you are coming in with a job you will be in great shape. Taxes in NY are ridiculous no matter where you are. You might be better off living in PA and commuting across the border for work as far as taxes are concerned.

Pennsylvania is a definite no go for me.  We homeschool our kids, and Pennsylvania has the worst homeschool laws in the US.  NY isn't great, but not quite as bad.  I'd rather pay the high taxes.  Just curious, I've seen from the little looking I've done that the property taxes are bad.  What about other taxes, like sales, state income, etc?  I actually recently heard that Louisiana has the highest overall tax burden in the US right now, but most of it is built into the price of gasoline and things like that, so you don't notice it as much.

[Kopper1013]

First off New York has tons of state land and great out door possibilities.... that's where the good ends hahaha we are very taxed repressed it's painful paying as much monthly for my property tax and school tax as I do for my monthly mortgage payment (that isn't an over exaggeration). Horse heads is kind of a dead area but not bad. Hope I didn't scare you but you need to be prepared hahaha.

[tomsm44]

Originally posted by Kopper1013:
First off New York has tons of state land and great out door possibilities.... that's where the good ends hahaha we are very taxed repressed it's painful paying as much monthly for my property tax and school tax as I do for my monthly mortgage payment (that isn't an over exaggeration). Horse heads is kind of a dead area but not bad. Hope I didn't scare you but you need to be prepared hahaha.

Yeah, I've seen that.  Looking online, land and houses are dirt cheap up there compared to where I'm at, but when you add in the property taxes, your total monthly payment ends up just as high or higher than here.

[tomsm44]

Now on to the hunting side.  I saw on a map that there's a lot of state land.  I'm guessing most of it is open to hunting.  What are the season lengths like, how much of it is archery only, and how expensive are license and tags?  Also, how crowded is it typically on public land?  I know from being on here that there is a lot more trad archery up there, so that'd be pretty awesome.  I also know that the pictures I've seen look like it's a beautiful area.

[ron w]

Taxes are crazy, housing is not cheap, the weather leaves a lot to be desired. The hunting in that area is pretty good compared to some other areas and the scenery is pretty. I have live in New York [upstate] my whole life and will be leaving the first chance I get. I wish you all the best.

[longrifle]

Yeah no tornados, no hurricanes, no flooding, no mud slides, no droughts, no killer  snakes, no nasty spiders,cheaper housing ,lots of state land , beautiful landscape. Also higher taxes. People complain but there are a lot worse places to live.

[South MS Bowhunter]

I've been to Horsehead in my travels with work and it is a very beautiful area.

My impression were beside the hilly terrain it was much like a lot of area you would see down in the south. What I mean is, it had trailer parks, old cars on blocks in front yards and guys wearing cowboy hats

[ron w]

Originally posted by longrifle:
Yeah no tornados, no hurricanes, no flooding, no mud slides, no droughts, no killer  snakes, no nasty spiders,cheaper housing ,lots of state land , beautiful landscape. Also higher taxes. People complain but there are a lot worse places to live.

  The Mohawk Valley has had several bad floods and a bunch of tornados over the years. There has been flooding in the Southern Tier more than once. Those things can happen any place. And then there is the snow......sometimes not to much, other times it can start in October and go into May.

[kevsuperg]

I left Syracuse after 20 yrs of living in NY .
 The state is beautiful, there deer were few where I lived , the govt is oppressive,taxes are sky high.  the gun laws are terrible.
 I agree I'd live in Pennsylvania.

[kevsuperg]

Sorry DP