Best Places to Live in New York

New York is a popular northeastern state that's home to New York City and Niagara Falls, the latter of which flows through both the United States and Canada. If you're considering moving to New York for a change of scenery or for work, you'll discover that The Empire State is more than just NYC. Many cities in New York provide robust school systems, ample outdoor activities, and safe neighborhoods. Here are some of the best places to live in New York.

Albany

Albany is the capital of New York and has a population of about 97,600. This city gives residents almost everything they need in one location. Along with picturesque scenery and spacious parks, Albany offers many of the advantages available with big city life. Visit Empire State Plaza in the downtown area for access to a performing arts center, underground shopping concourse, and the New York State Museum.

The city has numerous craft breweries and allows residents to take boat rides along the Hudson River. Other locations of interest include the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and Washington Park. Some of the safest areas in Albany are Buckingham Lake, Dunes, and Loudonville East.

Syracuse

Syracuse is a larger city with over 144,000 people that's right outside Onondaga Lake. If you enjoy winter and love the idea of living somewhere that gets snow during the holidays, Syracuse has more than 114 inches of snowfall every year. Once the snow melts, there are plenty of kayaking and boating opportunities to enjoy on the nearby waterways.

Nature lovers can hike at Three Falls Woods, Delphi Falls, or Clark Reservation State Park. A few additional attractions that might interest you include the CNY Regional Market, the New York State Fairgrounds, and the Everson Museum of Art. If you're looking to buy a home in Syracuse and want to choose a safe neighborhood, areas like Cards Corners, Cedarvale, and Western Lights have the lowest crime rates.

Rochester

Rochester is a popular Upstate city of nearly 210,000 that's on the southernmost shore of Lake Ontario. This city offers something for everyone and has a bustling downtown area that grows with each passing year. If you choose to buy a home in the inner portion of the city, the area retains much of its historic charm. You'll see rows of buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Rochester has numerous exciting things to do and places to visit. Stop by The Strong National Museum of Play, the Seneca Park Zoo, or Highland Park. Some of the best restaurants in the city include Nosh, Tapas 177, and Good Luck. Several of the safest neighborhoods in Rochester are Ellison Park, Greenwood Park, and Clifton.

New York City

New York City, a vibrant metropolis of nearly 7.9 million, is among the most-visited cities in the world. It consists of five separate boroughs along the Hudson River. You can search for homes in the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island. Manhattan has the most expensive housing in the city. The most affordable homes are in the Bronx.

Along with towering skyscrapers, you'll have easy access to some of the best restaurants, attractions, and museums in the world. Consider visiting Central Park whenever you wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. For the utmost in safety, look for homes in neighborhoods such as Steinway, Roosevelt Island North, Roosevelt Island West, FDR Drive, and East 93rd Street and 1st Avenue.

Ithaca

Ithaca is a city of about 31,440 along the southern portion of Cayuga Lake that's home to students and creatives alike. Many residents view the place as a college town because of the presence of Ithaca College and Cornell University. The city also boasts a rich art scene.

Along with the many art galleries and pleasant cafes, there are numerous parks to visit. Some of the best parks in Ithaca include the Buttermilk Falls State Park, Cornell Botanic Gardens, and Robert H. Treman State Park. A few of the safest Ithaca neighborhoods to consider are Forest Home, Applegate Corner, and Northeast Ithaca.

Benefits of a home security system and home automation in New York

Whether you live in a major population center like New York City or a small town like Ithaca, having an advanced security system is wise—even in the safest neighborhoods.

• Save more energy: Vivint’s home automation systems make it easier for you to reduce your energy bills and increase your savings. For instance, our smart thermostat learns from your preferences while making sure that your HVAC unit never uses too much energy at a given time. Our smart lighting options can also help you lower your energy consumption.
• Increase your convenience: Once you install a Vivint home automation system, you can monitor every device you connect to the automation hub. If you wish to change the temperature on your thermostat or check live video feeds from your security cameras, every aspect of the system is controllable from the Vivint app on your phone.
• Enhance security: Vivint’s home automation and home security systems provide you with many useful security features, which include everything from indoor and outdoor security cameras to security sensors for doors and windows. No matter where you are, you'll receive an alert immediately from the Vivint app if someone triggers an alarm.
• Keep your doors secure: When you're upgrading your home appliances for your home automation system, consider switching to smart locks for your doors. You can monitor these locks from the Vivint app on your phone and restrict entry to your property based on a security code. Different household members can have different codes.
• Control your lighting: Gain full control of illuminating your home by installing smart lighting. This technology allows you to dim accent lights or turn lights on when you aren't at home via the Vivint app. Consider pairing an outdoor light with a security camera to increase your home's security.

Home security system FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about home security system devices.

How many sensors do I need?

Security sensors can be placed around every entry point to your home, like doors and windows. When your system is armed, the sensors will sound an alarm if your doors or windows are opened.

What does it mean to monitor an alarm system?

After you install a Vivint security system in your home, you'll benefit from award-winning 24/7 monitoring. If one of your alarms is triggered, Vivint receives an alert immediately and will reach out to you and contact emergency personnel on your behalf if necessary. An alert is also sent to the home automation app on your smartphone so you know what’s going on at home no matter where you are.

What types of security cameras should I buy?

Vivint offers several types of security cameras: the Outdoor Camera Pro, Doorbell Camera Pro, Indoor Camera Pro, and Spotlight Pro. Each type of camera allows you to monitor different areas of your property.

Protect your home with Vivint

While people often view NYC as the premier destination in New York, the state offers many other great places to visit and live. Once you find a place to live, it’s time to increase your home's security and safety with a Vivint home security system.

You can customize your Vivint system to meet your home’s unique needs. Call our team today at 855.822.1220 to learn more about how your New York home can benefit from a home security and automation system.