Are you considering moving to New York State? Though your first thoughts might be of Broadway, the Empire State Building, Times Square or Central Park, there’s so much more to the third-largest state in the union. For instance, traveling a few miles north of NYC brings you the foothills of the Catskills or the Adirondacks, where breweries and outdoor recreation abounds. Head out to Long Island to find some of the finest seashore on the East Coast. Or head out to the Buffalo region, which is currently experiencing a revival, and marvel at the natural wonder of Niagara Falls. Learn more about life in this guide to New York State.

Year Founded: 1788

Population as of 2015: 19,795,791

Land Area (sq. miles): 304.6

Median Age: 38

Median Household Income: $60,850

Median Home Price: $275,600

Annual Weather Averages:

  • High Temperature: 62° Fahrenheit
  • Low Temperature: 48° Fahrenheit
  • Rainfall: 46 inches
  • Snowfall: 60 inches

Notable Employment Facts: Education, healthcare, finance and service industries have seen positive growth.

Major Employers: Wegmans, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, University of Rochester, North Shore-LIJ Health System, Mount Sinai Health System, JPMorgan Chase, Kaleida Health, Columbia University.

Education:

  • New York Schools:
    • 4,803 public schools serving 2,719,669 students
    • 2,018 private schools serving 471,406 students

Largest Cities in the State: New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse.

Public Transit: Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Rail Road, Amtrak, Greyhound, 23 major airports.

Parks, Beaches and Other Recreation:

  • The Finger Lakes Region in upstate New York is home to many wineries, breweries—even a meadery—in addition to offering lots of outdoor diversions, such as camping, hiking, swimming (weather permitting) and spectacular waterfalls. Two must-sees are the falls at Watkins Glen and the many waterfalls located in and around the town of Ithaca, NY.
  • Long Island is New York’s hotspot for beautiful beaches. World-famous Jones Beach boasts 6.5 miles of sand along the Atlantic Ocean. Robert Moses State Park is an oceanfront beach where visitors enjoy a variety of activities such as swimming, surfing, surf-fishing, boogie-boarding and shopping in one of the many beach shops.
  • New York is home to countless parks, such as the famous Niagara Falls State Park, where people come from the world over to experience the breathtaking views of the waterfalls. At Lake Superior State Park, you can enjoy fishing, boating or play a game of volleyball. For hiking and biking trails, visit Bethpage State Park. For a day filled with family fun, take a trip to the water park at Splish Splash. And New York City’s Central Park is a must-see.
  • Animal lover? Visit the Bronx Zoo, where you can ride a camel, feed sea lions and penguins or enjoy a ride through the zoo on a shuttle. Or take trip to the Staten Island Zoo, where you can get up close to the maritime life in its new aquarium. To see polar bears, monkeys, red pandas and a variety of endangered species, visit the Central Park Zoo.

Rich and Vibrant Arts and Culture:

  • Boldt Castle is a Rhineland castle located in Alexandria, NY. Built by the proprietor of the infamous Waldorf Astoria Hotel, George C. Boldt, tours are available of the 120-room castle and yacht house.
  • The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival is a nine-day festival that features more than 1,500 artists, 19 venues, 324 concerts and 93 free shows and events.
  • The National Buffalo Wing Festival is a fun event for the whole family. Inspired by the movie Osmosis Jones, the wing-eating contest attracts international competitors.
  • Fairport Canal Days is one of New York’s most popular art festivals. Here, you can enjoy a chicken BBQ, live entertainment, food vendors and over 200 artisans.
  • The Walden Galleria is a large mall in Buffalo that boasts premier stores, dining and year-round attractions such as a go-kart park. Woodbury Commons is one of the largest outlet centers in the nation, with bus transportation available from many points in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Miracle Mile, a luxurious outdoor shopping experience located in Manhasset, New York, is mentioned in the Billy Joel song “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.”

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