customersMillennials are now finding there is more to New York State than just the Big Apple.
From the majestic rolling landscape of the Hudson Valley, to the strong communities dotting the hillsides of Western New York, Millennials are discovering three vital opportunities across the Empire State: affordable housing, well-paying jobs and commutes that don't last more than an hour.
Millennials are making an impact because they are now the largest living generation in existence. They are considered to be anyone between the ages of 18 and 34.
Millennials are also known for sharing two defining traits: They are a diverse group- being either immigrants, or the children of immigrants; Millennials also entered the job market during a tough time of economic recession.
"Their early adult lives have been shaped by the experience of establishing their careers at a time when economic opportunities are relatively scarce," says one recent Federal Government study. "Today, although the economy is well into its recovery, the recession still affects lives of Millennials and will likely continue to do so for years to come."
Seven cities in New York State are proving that they can change with the times, enticing Millennials with enhanced nightlife scenes, cultural centers and exciting new places to enjoy forms of art, and other diverse entertainment. In addition, these cities have worked to create decent-paying jobs, while extending funds to local businesses in order to promote infrastructural expansion and growth.
These cities hold some attractive incentives for Millennials who are looking to make their next big move, or just settle down and store-away some pennies without sacrificing a quality lifestyle.
1) Buffalo
The Queen City is attracting Millennials for multiple reasons.
According to numbers analyzed by the New York Times, from the year 2000 to 2012, the amount of college graduates living in Buffalo between the ages of 25 and 34 rose to become more than 34-percent of the city's total population. This is reportedly more than cities such as New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.
In the early 1900's, Buffalo was one of the largest cities in the country. However, as shipping and industries moved elsewhere, so did some of the city’s population.
"Part of attracting a younger demographic involves filling in those vacancies through programs like the Buffalo Building Re-Use Project, which provides loans for businesses to improve property downtown," reports the Gothamist. "And the Urban Homesteading Program, which offers $1 abandoned homes for qualified applicants.
The Buffalo Building Re-Use Project and the Urban Homesteading Program are two good examples of hitting the 'sweet spot' of many Millennials, who are currently seeking appealing jobs and a home to call their own- despite the potential mounds of college debt many may be facing.
Buffalo is also an easy city to get around, with a median commute time reportedly lower than most other cities in the nation.
In essence, it is much like the Gothamist article reads: "Millennials are moving to Buffalo and living like kings."
2) Syracuse
Much like Buffalo, Syracuse residents are seeing appealing renovations and changes happening downtown.
"There have been a lot more apartments opening up, says Charlie Hannigan, a staff journalist for Syracuse.com, and coincidental mother of two Millennials. "There are also a lot more people hanging around in the downtown area than there used to be."
So what makes Syracuse (referred to locally as The 'Cuse) particularly appealing for the Millennial group?
"If you are a Millennial, looking to settle down, Syracuse has very little commute time, and the housing is extremely affordable," notes Hannigan."It is also a good place to raise a family."
3) Schenectady
Downtown Schenectady has evolved into a bustling metropolis filled with big-city charm.
“Perhaps the greatest measure of how much Schenectady’s downtown has changed in the past decade is that it is no longer compared to the crumbling ghost towns of rust-belt cities,” writes Kathleen Moore of the Daily Gazette.
Aneesa Waheed and her husband began their Moroccan restaurant in Schenectady after living in New York City for more than 13 years, and working in the publishing industry.
According to Mrs. Waheed, many people ask if she misses the city. Instead of pining for the bygone days of high rent and sweaty subway rides, she says has everything she needs in Schenectady.
“Downtown Schenectady has everything,” she says. “There are different groups of places for different interests: like restaurants and different dining places for different ages. There are also tons of places to shop, and music festivals. Schenectady has tons of outdoor festivals and live music this time of year. If I want to meet my girlfriends for cocktails I can. There is everything.”
“We found Schenectady offered an opportunity the city did not,” explains Mrs. Waheed, who found the prospect of establishing a startup in New York City to be daunting. “We needed to move someplace with a financial risk that was much lower,” she says. “Right now, for us at least, Schenectady is the right time, and right place to start a business and work.”
4) White Plains
For many Millennials, the proximity of White Plains to New York City brings the best of both worlds.
White Plains is known for having a diverse downtown that is easy to navigate. From sports bars to an endless variety of ethnic cuisine and art galleries, White Plains provides some of the best elements of city-life without the crowd or congestion.
“It is definitely the place I think of as the next big city outside of Manhattan,” Briana Costa, a 27-year-old student told one publication.
5) Albany
Within recent years, Albany has unveiled plans to revitalize its downtown area in hopes of attracting Millennials.
“It seems we, those workers between the ages of 18 and 29, are a hot commodity,” writes Megan Rogers for the Albany Business Review.
“The city of Albany wants developers to invest in a walkable downtown to attract millennial residents,” she writes. “Area colleges want to market the Capital Region as a cultural hub to bring in college students; and, businesses want to keep younger workers in New York.”
The Capital District, known for surrounding the state capital, currently offers access to parks, restaurants, technological companies and other notable edifices. Recent renovations are said to have been done on the State Education Building, as well as the N.Y. Court of Appeals building. According to reports, Albany has also witnessed the resurgence of bars, hotels and nightclubs in the downtown area near Proctor’s Theatre.
6) Yonkers
Similar to White Plains and Albany, Yonkers, located north of New York City, has been building strategic plans to attract Millennials and brand the city.
“Yonkers has spent $350,000 for its Generation Yonkers ad campaign,” writes one publication, “working on branding its city as a place for Millennials.”
According to the Generation Yonkers website, the mission of the organization is to create affordable, yet attractive housing units, that appeal to the Millennial age-range.
Those who work in New York City, but cannot afford to live there, may find a more appropriate fit in Yonkers, which is about a 30 minute train ride to Grand Central Station.
“For the bright minds of Mindspark, moving to Yonkers was a no-brainer,” write Tim Allen and Eric Esterlis, co-founders of the digital creative company, Mindspark Interactive.
“In what was once an old factory building, Mindspark is now designing today’s latest digital applications for online audiences,” they tell Generation Yonkers. “Mindspark’s beautifully designed office space with its spectacular Hudson river views is the ideal environment for creative thinkers.”
“So,” the business men advise, “if you are thinking of moving your business, think Yonkers.”
7) Rochester
Rochester, situated south of Lake Ontario, is home to numerous tech startups and other innovative establishments. There are also several notable colleges and universities in the area, including: St. John Fisher College, University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Rochester is also known to have one of the shortest commute times in the country, according to recent data, averaging 20 minutes per-day, per person; while larger cities, such as New York, come in at around 1 hour per-day.
With a short commute time, affordable housing and new opportunities arising in different industries each day, Millennials are finding plenty of reasons to stay in Rochester after graduation day.