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Best Places To Live in New York

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Best Places To Live in New York

New York is often synonymous with the Big Apple, but the state has much more to offer. Read on to learn about other great cities in New York.

By Livability on February 27, 2024

“If I can make it there/I’ll make it/Anywhere/It’s up to you/New York, New York,” so the famous song goes, but New York state is much more than just the Big Apple. New York is indeed home to the largest city in America, but residents enjoy so much more beyond the big-city lights. While NYC gets lots of attention due to tourism, the rest of the state offers very livable communities to call home.

The state’s 62 counties offer a slower pace, with mountains, forests, lakes, farms and small towns and villages, providing a great place to live, work and raise a family. It’s culturally diverse, too — many religions, traditions and ethnicities are found in New York. Because it’s been a gateway into America, it’s a destination for immigrants from all over the world.

New York is home to a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from the country’s biggest state park — Adirondack Park covers 6 million acres — to the Catskills, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Erie Canal, Adirondack Mountains and Niagara Falls.

The state has the third-largest economy in the nation, with manufacturing, retail, banking, education, health care, communications, technology and shipping being the most prominent industries. Here’s a list of the best places to live in New York

Albany

A reflecting pool in Empire State Plaza mirrors the New York State Capitol building and The Egg Center for the Performing Arts in Albany, New York.
iStock/DenisTangneyJr
A reflecting pool in Empire State Plaza mirrors the New York State Capitol building and The Egg Center for the Performing Arts in Albany, New York.

Albany is a best city in New York.

Albany, population 97,000-plus, has a lot going for it. The state capital offers a robust economy — but with an affordable cost of living — with lovely outdoor areas for hiking and skiing, a burgeoning dining scene, fascinating historical sites and educational institutions such as the University of Albany and other private schools, and you can see why it’s a popular place to call home. Industry is diverse here, with health care, education, a growing high-tech sector and, of course, government. Located on the Hudson River, Albany offers easy access to places like New York City, Boston and Montreal and popular outdoor destinations like the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George and the Catskills. Cultural and entertainment options abound, too. Albany is snowy (an average of 52 inches a year!), but residents know how to make the most of the winter wonderland. 

What sets Albany, the capital city, apart?

Albany’s large Empire State Plaza is a draw for both residents and tourists alike. It has an art-filled underground shopping concourse, reflecting pools and The Egg, an iconic performing arts center. On either side of the plaza is the stunning New York State Capitol — built in the 1800s — and the New York State Museum, which documents cultural and natural history.

Read more about living in Albany, NY.

Buffalo

A view of Buffalo City Hall and its surrounding cityscape in Buffalo, New York.

Buffalo is one of the best places to live in New York.

Buffalo, situated on the eastern shore of Lake Erie in western New York near the Canadian border, attracts new residents for many reasons. Still, a couple of big ones are the low cost of living and affordable housing. Residents experience small-city vibes and big-city amenities in Buffalo. The city’s 180 parks are a plus for those who love the outdoors, including six parks designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead, designer of New York City’s famed Central Park. In addition, Buffalo is close to 12 state parks, some of which feature water-based recreation like boating, fishing, windsurfing and even wintertime ice-fishing. Buffalo’s largest industries are health care, manufacturing, education and finance, offering a wide variety of jobs to its nearly 275,000 residents. Dining, nightlife, arts and culture, sports and summer festivals are all on tap for entertainment.

What food is Buffalo known for? 

Buffalo offers a diverse dining scene with plenty of ethnic food and regional specialties. Of course, the city’s culinary claim to fame is everybody’s favorite — Buffalo wings, which were invented in Buffalo in 1964. Those ubiquitous wings doused in a vinegar-based cayenne pepper hot sauce are definitely hard to resist.

Read more about living in Buffalo, NY.

Cheektowaga

Niagara Falls, shown here, is just a 20-minute drive from Cheektowaga, NY, a suburb of Buffalo. Cheektowaga is a great city to live in New York.
iStock/Ernest Kung
Niagara Falls, shown here, is just a 20-minute drive from Cheektowaga, NY, a friendly, blue-collar suburb of Buffalo.

Cheektowaga is a great city to live in New York.

Listed as one of the Best Places to Live in 2023 by Livability.com, Cheektowaga offers a strong sense of community, a robust economy, suburban tranquility and urban conveniences. With a population of nearly 76,500, Cheektowaga — the second-largest suburb of Buffalo — earns high marks for making the sweet life accessible for most people. Snow is prevalent (an average of 85 inches!), but Cheektowaga enjoys the wintertime wonder with activities like ice skating and snowboarding. Residents like to explore the city’s beautiful parks and trails in warmer temps. As part of the Buffalo-Niagara region, residents can access several top health care providers, including Catholic Health’s St. Joseph Campus. Cheektowaga also has an excellent school system, which is another draw for newcomers. The Buffalo Niagara International Airport plays an important role in the development of business and tourism in the region.

What is the ethnicity of the city like?

Cheektowaga is known for its large Polish-American community, which is reflected in the delicious European fare at area restaurants and annual festivals like summertime’s Cheektowaga Polish American Arts Festival. The close-knit community adds a rich diversity to the city.

Read more about living in Cheektowaga, NY.

Ithaca

People walk past colorful stores in a pedestrian area of downtown Ithaca, New York, on a sunny day. Ithaca is a best city in New York.
iStock/benedek
People walk past colorful stores in a pedestrian area of downtown Ithaca, New York, on a sunny day.

Ithaca is a best city in New York.

Ithaca is part of New York’s scenic Finger Lakes region and is located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, the longest of the 11 Finger Lakes. The city is surrounded by nature — with more than 100 waterfalls within 10 miles of downtown. Known as a college town, Ithaca is home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, two highly ranked collegiate programs equating to abundant higher education jobs and an array of cultural attractions such as the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell. In addition, the city of almost 32,000 boasts a robust health care system, a high level of walkability, terrific dining and shopping and a commitment to sustainability. Interestingly, the climate is similar to Germany’s Rhine Valley, making the area an excellent place for winemaking. Plenty of outdoor options exist, including Buttermilk Falls State Park, which offers more than 800 acres of natural places to play. Residents adore the Ithaca Farmers Market, a mainstay since 1973, featuring farmers, artisans and chefs from around the region.

What is Ithaca best known for?

Ithaca stands out for its lauded educational institutions, family-friendly vibe, organic farms and wineries, a thriving arts community and scenic natural beauty with both waterfalls and lakes.

Read more about living in Ithaca, NY.

Rochester

The beautiful landscape along the riverwalk makes Rochester, New York, a beautiful place to live.

Rochester is a best place to live in New York.

Rochester is known for being a welcoming place, with the cost of living lower than the national average. The city of nearly 210,000 has an interesting history in optics, photography and xerography, and is sometimes referred to as the Imaging Capital of the World. Rochester has also been dubbed the Flour City and the Flower City for its role in both flour production and floriculture. Many of the commercial buildings in the downtown district are original, dating back more than a century, while others have been modernized to accommodate residents who live and work downtown. 

There are nearly 20 colleges and universities in Rochester, providing a wealth of learning opportunities. Furthermore, the city has an excellent assortment of restaurants, beautiful natural areas, an exciting arts scene and fun festivals throughout the year. The city’s unique culinary creation is the infamous “garbage plate” (a mix of hamburger, hot dogs, Italian sausage, fries, baked beans and more — thus the name!).

What is industry like in Rochester?

Rochester is a national hub for technology innovation and is recognized for optics and imaging, research and development, smart energy and food and beverage manufacturing. It is the home of firms such as Bausch & Lomb, Eastman Kodak Co. and Xerox. On top of that, Rochester has been praised for having one of the most diversified economies in the country.

Read more about living in Rochester, NY.

Saratoga Springs

A deserted street in Saratoga Springs, New York, at dawn. Saratoga Springs is a popular resort city thanks to its mineral springs and also is a great place to live.
iStock/DenisTangneyJr
Saratoga Springs is named for the mineral springs in the area, which has made it a popular resort destination. But Saratoga Springs is also a great place to live in New York.

Saratoga Springs is a great place to live in New York.

When Saratoga Springs comes to mind, most people immediately think of horse racing. That’s because the Saratoga Race Course (the oldest in the country) is one of the premier places for thoroughbred racing every summer and has had its share of famous horses come across the finish line. This city of 28,500 people has a suburban vibe, which is perfect for families who want more space to raise children than some of the state’s denser cities. Saratoga Springs is known as the Spa City due to its 21 mineral springs — naturally carbonated — said to help digestion, clear skin and strengthen blood. Tourism strengthens the local economy, particularly in the summer months. The arts are front and center here, alongside beautiful natural areas like Saratoga Spa State Park, a National Historic Landmark and lovely Victorian architecture. The schools are excellent, too, including Skidmore College, which is recognized as a top liberal arts institution.

What is the Broadway Historic District like?

Known as the heart of the city, the Broadway Historic District is full of local boutiques, great restaurants, bustling bars and hot hotels. Beautiful architecture, history and a residential area with Victorian-era homes are what draw residents to the designated area within Saratoga Springs.

Read more about living in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Syracuse

The cityscape reflects on the water in Syracuse, New York.
iStock/DenisTangneyJr
The cityscape reflects on the water in Syracuse, New York.

Syracuse is a best city in New York.

Syracuse, located in Central New York, is the gateway to the Finger Lakes region and has a population of about 47,500 people. Syracuse University gives the city its college-town vibe and is the city’s largest employer, along with Upstate Medical University. Other vital industries include manufacturing, health care and the service sector. The city is attractive to young professionals both for its affordability and the wealth of activities, ranging from the arts and entertainment to events such as the The Great New York State Fair, one of the best in the country. No doubt about it, there’s a lot of snow — an average of 114 inches a year! — but that doesn’t deter residents from enjoying all that Syracuse offers. Downtown Syracuse is still considered the heart of the city, with all kinds of restaurants, boutiques and historic sights to enjoy.

What is higher education like in Syracuse?

Syracuse is a powerhouse when it comes to higher education. The city is a hub of higher learning in the Central New York area. The two biggies are the State University of New York and Syracuse University, and there are other smaller colleges and universities. Syracuse University is recognized as a global research institution with championship athletics and a well-regarded fine arts museum.

Read more about living in Syracuse, NY.

Thinking of moving to New York?

Finding a great place to live in New York doesn’t have to be a chore. We have more resources for moving to New York as well as other best places to live in the Northeast. No matter where you want to live, we can help you decide where to move and discover the best places to live in the U.S.

Other great places to live near New York

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