The vast area encompassing New York State north of Westchester county. A varied mosaic of farmland, woodland, picturesque rolling hills, and towns and cities ranging from the charming to the decrepit. Generally more provincial and less cosmpolitan than its densely urban New York City counterpart, its citizenry is more approachable and friendly albeit less refined and cultured than the pretentious yuppies of New York and Long Island. Some of its urban centers are buoyed economically and culturally by the influence of many universities and (in the case of the capital region) government administration centers; however most of its large cities are mired in varying states of urban decay and have been hemorrhaging population since the 1950s due to a steady loss of jobs and a subsequent increase in crime. Utica, Rochester, and Newburgh are particularly miserable places to set foot in. Its more rural areas, which feature breathtaking landscapes, are lovely and bucolic albeit mind-numbingly boring to actually live in.
In summation, upstate New York is too large and varied an area to define succinctly. As a native resident of New York City who went to college upstate I can both laud it for being physically beautiful and its natives for being candid, frank, and hospitable while noting that I would never want to live there permanently as life there can grow trite, repetitive, cold as hell, and insufferably boring after a while and the locals' lack of sophistication and city-esque hustle, while charming at first, can also eventually grow unflattering. Not that I'd want them to change. Their lack of tact and culture is offset by their good character and sincerity, something too many city residents and Long Islanders sorely do not have. Both Upstate and Downstate need each other, more or less. It's a yin-yang thing.
In summation, upstate New York is too large and varied an area to define succinctly. As a native resident of New York City who went to college upstate I can both laud it for being physically beautiful and its natives for being candid, frank, and hospitable while noting that I would never want to live there permanently as life there can grow trite, repetitive, cold as hell, and insufferably boring after a while and the locals' lack of sophistication and city-esque hustle, while charming at first, can also eventually grow unflattering. Not that I'd want them to change. Their lack of tact and culture is offset by their good character and sincerity, something too many city residents and Long Islanders sorely do not have. Both Upstate and Downstate need each other, more or less. It's a yin-yang thing.
New Yorker 1: I'm going upstate for the summer.
New Yorker 2: You'll love it in Upstate New York for the first few weeks. It's nice to get away from the yuppie assholes down here for a while. Eventually, though, you'll need to come back to civilization.
New Yorker 2: You'll love it in Upstate New York for the first few weeks. It's nice to get away from the yuppie assholes down here for a while. Eventually, though, you'll need to come back to civilization.
by Hubert Cumberdale Jr. February 18, 2008
Anything north of the immediate suburbs of New York City (i.e., Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Southern Orange counties).
Kindly note: Long Island is Long Island. It is not upstate. It's easy of the city, not north.
Kindly note: Long Island is Long Island. It is not upstate. It's easy of the city, not north.
Bob: "Where are you from?"
Mike: "New York"
Bob: "Whooaaa is it crowded?"
Mike: "No, you dumb bitch, I'm from New York STATE. Upstate New York."
Bob: "Wait, it's a state?"
*Mike cracks Bob's skull.*
Mike: "New York"
Bob: "Whooaaa is it crowded?"
Mike: "No, you dumb bitch, I'm from New York STATE. Upstate New York."
Bob: "Wait, it's a state?"
*Mike cracks Bob's skull.*
by alden. November 10, 2006
Any portion of New York State other than New York City and Long Island. Contains such "boring" things as the Finger Lakes, The Adirondak Mountains, large expanses of forest and farmland, a few relatively small cities, and numerous towns and villages of varying demographic levels. Not for those who have never left a city environment.
"Where do you live?"
"New York"
"Oh you're from the city?"
"No, I'm not. I'm from New York State"
"Ohhhh, you're from upstate"
"<groan>"
"New York"
"Oh you're from the city?"
"No, I'm not. I'm from New York State"
"Ohhhh, you're from upstate"
"<groan>"
by quietdream October 19, 2004
A horrifically boring place to live. The "line" between upstate New York and downstate New York is the point at which you believe the landscape becomes more rural than what you are used to, so various definitions exist.
You know how upstaters say there's more to New York than New York City? Well what the hell are they talking about?! I go to college at SUNY Binghamton and I swear, there is NOTHING HERE.
by Larry February 28, 2004
ahem! Not all upstate New Yorkers are toothless hicks! Actually Upstate is a pretty nice place to live. The only place upstate with toothless hicks is Orange County, NY. ew they;re gross...but other than that Upstate NY kicks arse! ...O and if Upstate NY had nothing to offer, then how come people from the city flock here EVERY single weekend!! ..yeah..nothing to offer..pshh u guys cant get enough of us!
by Boo Boo June 26, 2004
Upstate New York refers to that portion of New York State which is not part of the New York City Metropolitan area. There is some debate as to the southernmost point of Upstate New York, but a general consensus exists that anything north of Westchester and Rockland Counties qualifies.
Upstate New York differs from Long Island, New York City, and Westchester/Rockland in a number of ways, among them: 1) Lower population density; 2) Lower socioeconomic status; 3) More conservative politics; 4) Midwestern accent and culture; 5) Colder winters with much greater snow totals.
Upstate New York has been in decline, economically, for many decades. Many of its cities, such as Schenectady and Buffalo, have experienced substantial de-population since the mid-20th Century. As a result, many Upstate New York residents harbor a great deal of resentment towards "Downstate".
Upstate New York differs from Long Island, New York City, and Westchester/Rockland in a number of ways, among them: 1) Lower population density; 2) Lower socioeconomic status; 3) More conservative politics; 4) Midwestern accent and culture; 5) Colder winters with much greater snow totals.
Upstate New York has been in decline, economically, for many decades. Many of its cities, such as Schenectady and Buffalo, have experienced substantial de-population since the mid-20th Century. As a result, many Upstate New York residents harbor a great deal of resentment towards "Downstate".
by John Weinerman March 07, 2010
Most intelligent people know that "Upstate New York" has traditionally been the land north of Albany. Just because something is "up" from NYC, doesn't make it part of "Upstate New York". You might be going "upstate" or "up the state" but you will never be in "Upstate New York" while visiting Rhinebeck, Poughkeepsie, White Plains, etc.
And think about this - what do you think people in Rhinebeck, Poughkeepsie, etc say when they are visiting Lake George, for example. "Oh we're going to Up-Upstate New York" ???? Of course not! That's because Rhinebeck/Poughkeepsie/White Plains people do NOT LIVE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK!
Think rationally --- and read a textbook. Maybe you'll learn something about the history of New York (and the geography).
And think about this - what do you think people in Rhinebeck, Poughkeepsie, etc say when they are visiting Lake George, for example. "Oh we're going to Up-Upstate New York" ???? Of course not! That's because Rhinebeck/Poughkeepsie/White Plains people do NOT LIVE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK!
Think rationally --- and read a textbook. Maybe you'll learn something about the history of New York (and the geography).
Matt: Where are you from?
Peter: Kingston
Matt: Ohhhhhh Upstate New York
Peter: *smacks Matt on head*
Peter: Kingston
Matt: Ohhhhhh Upstate New York
Peter: *smacks Matt on head*
by cappucinomix July 08, 2011