How do you define Upstate NY?

[empirestate]

Geez, that is one complex definition of a area that's gonna shrink in a couple decades.

That's not a definition, that's just a list of the criteria we have so far. Our task is to resolve those criteria into a single definition; not all of them may ultimately make the cut.

[spooky]

-Not typically visited for weekend trips by NYC-area residents

This one seems like an outlier from the rest and not a good criteria for defining upstate. I bet many NYC-area residents take weekend trips to Lake George; no one can deny that this is upstate.

[empirestate]

-Not typically visited for weekend trips by NYC-area residents

This one seems like an outlier from the rest and not a good criteria for defining upstate. I bet many NYC-area residents take weekend trips to Lake George; no one can deny that this is upstate.

True, and they also have traditionally visited the Berkshires and the Jersey Shore, which aren't even in New York. Still, there is some small influence that is apparent in the Catskill and Shawangunk regions that seems to tie it somehow to Downstate. For me, traveling east on NY 17, I start to get that feeling even as early as Hancock. I wonder if there's a better way to put that into words (even if it doesn't make the eventual list of criteria)?

[roadman65]

We are arguing here over stuff that don't really do nothing for anything. Who cares if Alba y is Downstate or Upstate.  What difference does it make? 

[empirestate]

We are arguing here over stuff that don't really do nothing for anything. Who cares if Alba y is Downstate or Upstate.  What difference does it make?

What difference does it need to make? Were you under the impression that the discussions on this forum are in some way consequential?


iPhone

[hotdogPi]

We are arguing here over stuff that don't really do nothing for anything. Who cares if Alba y is Downstate or Upstate.  What difference does it make?

What difference does it need to make? Were you under the impression that the discussions on this forum are in some way consequential?


fump truck

They matter very much. If we don't speak out against FritzOwlDOT's proposals, then entire cities, mountains, national parks, and coastlines will be destroyed by freeways.

[Roadgeekteen]

We are arguing here over stuff that don't really do nothing for anything. Who cares if Alba y is Downstate or Upstate.  What difference does it make?

You must be fun at parties.

[csw]

I'd say just about everything east of Syracuse and north of I-90.

[csw]

I'd say just about everything east of Syracuse and north of I-90.

That creates a rather funny shape... and I assume you mean west?

um...no...



this is what I meant

[csw]

Between Rochester and Syracuse would be in the Finger Lakes region, and west of Rochester is Western NY.

I've only been to New York State once so I'll qualify all of my statements with that

[kalvado]

Between Rochester and Syracuse would be in the Finger Lakes region, and west of Rochester is Western NY.

I've only been to New York State once so I'll qualify all of my statements with that

Well, if you prefer to go by regions - area you show on a map is pretty much Adirondacks (Adirondack mountains, Adirondack  park). Pretty much everyone would agree that this is as upstate as it is humanly possible, but limiting upstate to that region is.. Well, even I would say that definition is too strict - and my definition of upstate is probably the narrowest one within this thread.
For example, there is also Catskill region (once again, lookup catskill mountains or catskill park - although park is a smaller one, not covering entire area) which most people would still accept as upstate..

[Roadgeekteen]

I'd say just about everything east of Syracuse and north of I-90.

Uh, upstate new york is everything north of the NYC metro area.

[empirestate]

I'd say just about everything east of Syracuse and north of I-90.

OK, why? What's different about day-to-day life on different sides of that boundary?

Between Rochester and Syracuse would be in the Finger Lakes region, and west of Rochester is Western NY.

So, Western NY and the Finger Lakes are Downstate? That's the boundary we're examining here.

[hotdogPi]

Between Rochester and Syracuse would be in the Finger Lakes region, and west of Rochester is Western NY.

So, Western NY and the Finger Lakes are Downstate? That's the boundary we're examining here.

He seems to have some regions that are neither Upstate nor Downstate.

[CapeCodder]

When my dad lived in Gouverneur he defined Albany as the divide and like father like son, the southern Albany metro area is downstate, north and a little bit to the west is upstate. East, well that's a whole 'nother country.

[Otto Yamamoto]

When my dad lived in Gouverneur he defined Albany as the divide and like father like son, the southern Albany metro area is downstate, north and a little bit to the west is upstate. East, well that's a whole 'nother country.

I lived in Ulster County for 10+ years, definitely Upstate; anything north of Rockland and Westchester, is Upstate, really. North and west of Sullivan, Greene and Columbia counties are *not* Upstate; that's a whole other region; either the Southern Tier or the Capitol Region/Central NY.

P00I

[kalvado]

When my dad lived in Gouverneur he defined Albany as the divide and like father like son, the southern Albany metro area is downstate, north and a little bit to the west is upstate. East, well that's a whole 'nother country.

I lived in Ulster County for 10+ years, definitely Upstate; anything north of Rockland and Westchester, is Upstate, really. North and west of Sullivan, Greene and Columbia counties are *not* Upstate; that's a whole other region; either the Southern Tier or the Capitol Region/Central NY.

P00I

Well, Ulster is pretty much downstate for me...

[jp the roadgeek]

The most interesting thing is that some people consider anything above Westchester to be Upstate, yet you have Downstate Correctional Facility along the side of I-84 in Fishkill in Dutchess County. 

[Rothman]

When my dad lived in Gouverneur he defined Albany as the divide and like father like son, the southern Albany metro area is downstate, north and a little bit to the west is upstate. East, well that's a whole 'nother country.

Bethlehem is Downstate?  Ridiculous.

[02 Park Ave]

If the residents of an area are NYC oriented, it's Downstate; if they aren't, it's Upstate.  That is what is different about their day-to-day life.  That is the only thing that differentiates Upstaters from Downstaters.

If the residents of an area drink Pop they are in Western New York; if they drink Soda they aren't.

[Roadgeekteen]

When my dad lived in Gouverneur he defined Albany as the divide and like father like son, the southern Albany metro area is downstate, north and a little bit to the west is upstate. East, well that's a whole 'nother country.

Bethlehem is Downstate?  Ridiculous.

Bethleham is not even in North America.

[csw]

When my dad lived in Gouverneur he defined Albany as the divide and like father like son, the southern Albany metro area is downstate, north and a little bit to the west is upstate. East, well that's a whole 'nother country.

Bethlehem is Downstate?  Ridiculous.

Bethleham is not even in North America.

By that logic, neither is Boston.

[kalvado]

When my dad lived in Gouverneur he defined Albany as the divide and like father like son, the southern Albany metro area is downstate, north and a little bit to the west is upstate. East, well that's a whole 'nother country.

Bethlehem is Downstate?  Ridiculous.

Bethleham is not even in North America.

By that logic, neither is Boston.

But Rome and Amsterdam are definitely upstate, as well as Poland. Not so sure about Greece some say it is too far west..

[hbelkins]

When my dad lived in Gouverneur he defined Albany as the divide and like father like son, the southern Albany metro area is downstate, north and a little bit to the west is upstate. East, well that's a whole 'nother country.

Bethlehem is Downstate?  Ridiculous.

Bethleham is not even in North America.

Ever hear of Bethlehem, PA?

[empirestate]

If the residents of an area are NYC oriented, it's Downstate; if they aren't, it's Upstate.  That is what is different about their day-to-day life.  That is the only thing that differentiates Upstaters from Downstaters.

Are there any signs of being NYC-oriented we haven't touched upon yet?