Crocker Park has a larger grocery store, a small-format Macy's, a two-story Barnes and Noble, several bars, restaurants, and coffee shops. Multiple high-end stores are mixed in with national retailers, all within a minute's drive from downtown Cleveland. Located in Westlake, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland).
Syracuse has a state office building located in downtown Syracuse, similar to both Utica and Albany, but why don't Buffalo or Rochester have a dedicated office building downtown? There's government offices, but they are scattered around building to building, unlike, say, Syracuse or Albany, where multiple agencies or offices share one building under the state umbrella.
Utica and Syracuse have access to VR/disability services, Department of Transportation, Health, and Department of State. Syracuse has multiple Onondaga County and state courts, parole, child and family services, taxes, real property, and finance. Albany has multiple buildings dedicated to the state.
For some odd reason, Rochester or Buffalo don't have government buildings/offices with dedicated agencies; they might have Department of Transportation offices scattered throughout the city or some agencies like access VR or Department of State in Irondequoit and Greece. Office of General Services.
You've never been to Utica College or its campus. There's a library on campus called the Frank Gannett Library, which also houses several underground levels, and a basement larger than the building itself. It's like an underground area, kind of with a courtyard in the middle, surrounded by windows, and a banquet/lecture area. They also have an art museum, but a lot of the basement is just full of steam pipes and hallways that go on forever with low ceilings. I could tell this area was used as a fallout shelter, even though there are no signs or indications. A lot of the hallways are surrounded by doors and mechanical areas. I actually got lost down there a few times; some of the buildings connect to the library basement. I'm not sure if the shelter areas are still stocked or in use, but some of the basement gives off liminal or back room vibes. Some doors are covered in tape and blinds, so you can't see in. It's very eerie and dark down there. Anyone else explore the basement?
When did Fulton, NY, become such a sad and rundown place? It seems like many locals are embarrassed or even scared to admit they grew up there or still live there. A lot of folks act like Fulton doesn’t even exist, as if it’s some nightmare. Growing up, many people joked about Fulton being a tough spot or a rundown area filled with poor white folks. Some even think it belongs in Alabama or Kentucky. Residents face a lot of teasing about Fulton, and unlike Oswego, the town often gets a bad rap, linked to poverty, drug issues, child poverty, teen pregnancy, and crime. People even refer to it as a mini Syracuse.
Interestingly, Fulton was actually the first school district in the Oswego County area, outside of Altmar Parish, to offer free and reduced lunches. I’ve noticed there isn’t much history about Fulton available online compared to other nearby cities; finding anything related to Fulton is tough unless you join local community groups. It took me ages to discover that the reason Fulton doesn’t have a downtown is that it burned down, and now there’s this little, sad city center that fits the name perfectly. I heard the old Dollar General used to be a Woolworth's, but that’s about all I could dig up.
Fulton feels so down that nobody even wants to keep records of its past. There aren’t even any historical photos showcasing what the downtown used to look like. While most cities have a classic downtown vibe, Fulton doesn’t. It seems like locals try to keep the history hidden from outsiders, so we really miss out on what Fulton was like back in its prime. There’s plenty of history on Oswego and surrounding towns, but finding pictures of Fulton is a challenge. I mean, there used to be a mall and some actual restaurants—not just fast food! Sadly, Fulton is now a tough place with high poverty rates and remains one of the poorest school districts in Oswego County, outside of APW.
I live in Syracuse but don’t have Friday off for the Fourth of July, so I can’t go anywhere other than here. Also, I work Monday. I was thinking of booking a room at the Hilton Garden Inn by the airport Saturday night and leaving Sunday during the late afternoon. You might think it sounds so silly knowing Buffalo and Syracuse are relatively close, and you might think it’s odd I want to spend the night when I can just drive home. I’ve never stayed overnight in Buffalo before, so I don’t know what spending more than a day here is like. I thought maybe a casino and mall or visiting Niagara Falls—I just want to get out of Syracuse because it’s just so boring and repetitive after a while, once you do everything. When you go to the mall, the fair, or a football and basketball game, after a while, you lose interest. I know Buffalo is similar but significantly bigger, with a larger metro. What is there to do on the Fourth of July?
I've been to a few mega churches in my area, like Assemblies of God, non-denominational, and Southern Baptist. Honestly, they're all the same. They seem friendly at first, but by your second or third visit, things change.
Church security can be really strict. I’ve been asked to leave for no reason—just sitting there! Ushers often harass guests, moving them around or kicking them out for not wanting to switch spots. And don’t even think about taking a bathroom break or stepping out for coffee; they want everyone glued to their seats.
When you try to ask the ushers questions about getting involved, they get super defensive and act like it’s a crime to want to engage. They start conversations but quickly bail if you try to keep talking. It feels like a pattern across these mega churches. You hardly ever meet the leadership unless it’s a rare moment before services when they’re just passing by.
The kids' area has volunteers checking in kids, but a lot of it is locked down with police officers on guard. The cafeteria serves overpriced coffee and snacks, mostly run by friendly volunteers, but rarely do you see actual staff enjoying anything.
Parking can be a hassle too—attendants are pretty strict about where you can park. The service style is modern and loud; you can hear the music blaring from the parking lot.
Overall, the mega churches weren't terrible, but the people—especially the rude ushers and overzealous security—made it less enjoyable. The staff is typically absent, and if you're not wealthy or seen as important, you’re pretty much invisible.
Philadelphia might get a bad reputation from the news and media. But what they dont tell you is downtown philly and most of the city is gentrified to the point its unrecognizable from years or decades past. Most of downtown is vibrant and walkable. Very safe to walk around in even at night. Alot of downtown has so much going on youd think you were in Paris or London.
The news gives it a bad name but only points to the most dangerous areas of the city that are in little tiny pockets.
Im looking unto the Syracuse area for an apartment or a house. I am getting a job in downtown Syracuse. What is there to do in central square or Brewerton. Is it relatively close to Syracuse? What is living in central square/Brewerton like.
Buffalo has the better suburbs, better downtown and better sports than both Rochester or syracuse. Walden galleria mall is better than destiny or greece ridge. Cheecktowaga is a better diversified version of Irondequoit And much more urban. Buffalo has the better restaurants and stores than either Rochester or syracuse. Syracuse has syracuse university and buffalo has university of buffalo. Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse are all rust belt but buffalo is more like Cleveland in terms of amenities.