New York City is so famous that it is more famous than the state itself. When talking about moving to New York, everybody thinks about moving to New York City. But New York as a state has a lot more to offer. You may get weird looks if you ask someone what are the best cities in NY for newcomers since everybody thinks about the city. But if you were afraid to ask anyone in the real world that question, you’ve come to the right place. We are glad that your online search brought you here since we have answers to your questions. Don’t worry, we are not going to mention New York City at all. So, without further ado, let’s begin!
Buffalo

Buffalo is one of the best cities in NY for newcomers. It has one of the oldest zoos in the US!
Buffalo is one of the largest cities in Northern New York. This city is considered as the education and cultural capital of the Upstate New York. This means that Buffalo is a family and student-oriented city. The city has everything you need – from many museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks, to several sports teams. What is interesting is that Buffalo has one of the oldest zoos in the US. Check it out! Also, Buffalo has beautiful botanical gardens, and we are sure that you are going to enjoy them. Buffalo has a population of over 250 thousand residents, and that size is more than enough. You’ll have access to anything you need without the noise of a megacity. This is why Buffalo indeed is one of the best cities in NY for newcomers. So move out of NYC, and come to Buffalo! In conclusion, Buffalo is a fantastic family city, so check it out!
Rochester
Rochester is almost as large as Buffalo, but it has its perks. It is widely considered as a kind of mini New York City, and that is quite true. Rochester is a booming business, cultural, and foodie city. It is located in West New York. Yes, Rochester is a bustling little city, and like New York City, it has a lot of tall buildings, but it also has a lot of parks that complement its business atmosphere. Next to Rochester, you can find a lot of golf courses, beautiful nature, hiking trails, and magnificent waterfalls. All in all, Rochester is a wonderful city with a lot to offer. If you are more of a business-oriented person, we recommend choosing Rochester over Buffalo as a city to move to in New York.

We have to mention NYC at least once!
Syracuse
Syracuse is the fourth largest city in New York and it most certainly is a perfect destination for families and newcomers. It is a more laid back city than Rochester which means that you and your family are going to have a quiet and laid back experience. Although it does not have the excitement of New York City and Rochester, Syracuse, like its Europen counterpart, has the right combination of architecture, history, museum, and parks. If you have children, all of this means that you are going to have a fantastic experience with your family by learning history and enjoying the landscape of this beautiful city.
Poughkeepsie
This town is technically part of Springwood, but it has the characteristics that make it unique to the rest of Springwood. This city was the home of the beloved American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This makes it popular with tourists and fans of this president. There are several locations worth visiting, from Locust Grove to Bardavon. One of the main attractions you can find in this magnificent town is the longest footbridge in the world called ‘Walkway’, which was built for pedestrians to travel from Poughkeepsie to Highland. This town is very welcoming to newcomers and you should most definitely check it out if you are a newcomer to a state of New York. It is easier to survive here as a newcomer than in NYC!
The Hamptons
Ithaca

Ithaca is one of the best cities in NY for newcomers since it has a great education system!
This city may be one of the best cities in New York for newcomers who are looking for a job. Education is the backbone of the Ithaca economy, so if you are working in the education industry, then Ithaca is a place for you. Ithaca is home to both Cornell University and Ithaca College. Those are both fantastic colleges, and if you want to get a higher education, or if you have someone who wants to do that, Ithaca is a place for you.
Ithaca is also home to a thriving community of artists. Arts are beginning to flourish in Ithaca, and if you are one of them, Ithaca community can offer you support. Also, there are a lot of restaurants in Ithaca, with a ratio of one restaurant for every 205 citizens. It is no wonder that Ithaca is a birthplace of the ice cream sundae, which was originally served in Ithaca in 1892. Ice cream makes Ithaca one of the best cities in NY for newcomers!
Garden City
If you want to live a little bit closer to New York City, but you don’t want to keep up with all of that noise and hustle that comes with living in New York City, than Garden City is a place for you. Garden City has the lowest crime rates among all of the cities mentioned in this list. Also, it has one of the biggest incomes per capita. By living in Garden City you’ll be just 25 miles away from Manhattan, and just 15 miles from Queens. So, moving a car should be a problem. Garden City is a family city where you can feel safe.
Good luck!