OT: Asking the pack about moving up north

[preacher_dawg]

Ok, it looks like we will definitely move to upstate New York around Rochester in October. Any advice you can give? I am particularly thinking about the best way to travel back and forth for ourselves and family, including those with small children, plane (and if so, book through airline or online travel, like Expedia, and also which airline for frequent traveling), train, or car?Also, any advice on dealing with snow, especially as it relates to our vehicles? Thanks ahead of time.

 

[catvet]

As far as cars, go Subaru. All of them are AWD and have high crash test ratings. Perfect for driving in snowy conditions. No way to prepare for winter living for those who grew up in the South. Best of luck.

 

[topbulldawg]

1) You don’t have to have AWD if you don’t already have it. Don’t go buy a new car because you think you need it. Instead, make sure you invest in real good tires.

2) Buy a good snowblower, don’t get a one stage one. Get a gas two stage one for sure (assuming you will have a house).

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

If you buy stay away from heating oil furnaces. My dad complained for 30 years about the cost of heating oil in 1979... The one year we had an oil furnace. I am not sure if there are better options, but apparently my entire college fund was blown on heating oil the one year we lived in Maine.

 

[RocketDawg]

I have a Subaru Forester and it handles snow very well. In Rochester they'll keep the roads cleared almost all the time, but AWD would still be needed. Winter tires with their special rubber compound and tread are good to have. The road salt will kill the underside of your vehicle.

 

[preacher_dawg]

I should probably add that the area is about 25-30 minutes away from Rochester and all country side

 

[BigBully]

Don't do it!!! I lived in Syracuse for a couple years and the beautiful 2 - 3 month summers do not make up for the horrendous winters. Taxes are outrageous, winters are long, people of not very friendly, and upstate New York is like living in a po dunk county. Winters are gray and constantly snowing. Best advice is wait and see how your current vehicle handles the snow and ice. If you find it necessary, get a front wheel drive or AWD vehicle. Don’t wear leather sole shoes (I learned the hard way). Buy some warm, comfortable boots, toot (toboggan), and heavy winter coat. Other than that, its great.

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

. Taxes are outrageous.

This. If you haven’t haven’t already committed, you need to do some calculations on what real estate taxes and income taxes are going to cost you. A modest increase in income by moving may have a larger hit than you expect in taxes.

 

[AlSwearengen]

I can’t imagine having to move to New York. Hope it goes well for you though. Don’t take any guns with you.

 

[jakldawg]

Don't skimp on the ice scraper. You'll want one that has a brush on the non-scrapey end.
Also, invest in some decent thermal undies, wool socks and a scarf. Basically walk in here https://www.rei.com/stores/rochester.html in early November and tell them you're trying to avoid ending up like Jack Nicholson at the of The Shining. They'll know what to do.

 

[preacher_dawg]

Maybe a few more explanations. The town itself is pretty small, very rural, but close to other decent sized towns. Very nice people and a wonderful church. In fact, you could probably pluck the town somewhere here in the South and other than the heat, they wouldn't miss a beat. We really feel at home there. Also, the church has housing for us, so we don't pay property taxes.

 

[MagicDawg]

Alex's Place for ribs and steaks in Batavia. You're welcome. I will be there in April.

 

[aspendawg]

If you’re driving family around then get an AWD or 4WD. I’ve tried the “get real good tires” thing with a 2wd (Blizzaks and Studded) and it was miserably uncomfortable at times. Besides a snow blower get a nice push broom for the driveway and add an auto start kit to your car

 

[Bucky Dog]

The first thing you need to know with your cars is to buy the winter wiper washer fluid!!! It’s made to withstand sub freezing temps because if you use regular water it freezes, cracks the reservoir and you can’t get the snow and ice off the windshield!

As far as travel, start looking at the airports within driving distance from you house up to an hour or more and start pricing flights now back to Jackson, Memphis, Nola or otherwise. You can see large difference that will make it worth the 60-90 drive to the airport.

 

[Digging dog]

Buy a used Z71 from Rankin county. Should already be lifted with big tires. And the Yankees will appreciate the loud pipes *****

 

[fieldcorporal]

The advice about near-by airports (if you'll be flying in/out) is right on. I travelled to Rochester for a couple of years working at High Falls Brewery, and found the airfares in/out of Rochester to be almost twice the fares at Buffalo. There is no apparent rhyme or reason to airfares, and it may not still be true, but check before buying.

May not apply to you, but rental cars at ROC were outrageous.

 

[Hugh's Burner Phone]

Would a Go to Hell Ole Miss sign be kosher in the front yard of the parsonage?

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

If you see a flag on a fire hydrant, it means a child predator lives nearby

 

[Shmuley]

Keep your options open and your resume updated, padre. Churches would be great if not for the people.

 

[RocketDawg]

Would a Go to Hell Ole Miss sign be kosher in the front yard of the parsonage?

It would be OK, but the locals would have no idea who he was referring to.

 

[RocketDawg]

The advice about near-by airports (if you'll be flying in/out) is right on. I travelled to Rochester for a couple of years working at High Falls Brewery, and found the airfares in/out of Rochester to be almost twice the fares at Buffalo. There is no apparent rhyme or reason to airfares, and it may not still be true, but check before buying.

May not apply to you, but rental cars at ROC were outrageous.

According to Wikipedia, the Rochester airport was as high as 4th most expensive in the nation in 1999, but by 2010 it was the 14th cheapest. Maybe it's gone back to being high dollar again.

It's funny the differences in price between Rochester and Buffalo. They are both about the same size in city population and metro. And neither is huge, but not that small either ... slightly larger than Birmingham.