New York State rankings highlight top places to live

A survey of more than 3,000 people who moved to a new state in the past five years found that newcomers were most surprised by housing conditions in four New York cities. New York City topped the list, with respondents noting small apartments, limited storage and scarce parking. In Buffalo and Rochester, movers appreciated lower home prices but were taken aback by the age of homes, higher heating costs and maintenance challenges. Yonkers surprised newcomers with a blend of older buildings, limited parking and rapidly changing neighborhoods.

Separately, U.S. News & World Report identified the 15 best places to live in New York State based on value, job market strength and quality of life, with many Hudson Valley locations appearing. Stacker compiled its own list of 25 top places using Niche data, evaluating cost of living, schools, health care, recreation and weather, highlighting a diverse mix of cities, suburbs and towns across the Empire State.