SoFLX Living

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Meet Dante AcQuavella

Dante Acquavella originally moved to the Southern Finger Lakes from Belmar, New Jersey in 2002 for college. They lived in the Bay Area after graduation but made their way back east in 2012. They just bought their home in Elmira in April of 2022, where they live with their 8-year-old rescue boxer/pit mix, Burrito.

They were drawn to the area after having traveled around the United States quite a bit, but feeling like the Southern Finger Lakes was the only area that has ever truly felt like home.  “I have a group of friends I’ve known for nearly 20 years here,” they said, “which certainly played a large part in my return.” They added, “Also, there is nowhere I’ve ever been that is as beautiful in the fall as the Finger Lakes.”

Because Dante has lived in the area before, they had a preconceived notion of what it would be like to relocate permanently.  “As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I was concerned about how open, accepting, and welcoming the area would be, but, they said, “a lot has changed over the course of the past two decades. Significant progress has been made.” 

There were some other motivating factors as well. Having lived in the Bay Area, New Jersey, and Ithaca, Dante was excited about Elmira’s living costs. “I was able to afford to purchase a beautiful home in a great neighborhood at a fraction of the price I would have spent for the same property elsewhere.”

The experience didn’t come without some challenges, as their house search took place during a very difficult market for buyers. They recall, “I had a few offers rejected or fall through, but it all worked out for the best.”  They found the relocation itself quite easy, “Almost shockingly so,” they noted. “It felt like the universe was telling me I made the correct decision.”

Now that they are here, Dante feels like a real effort is being made to look at the Southern Finger Lakes as a region that is fostering an inspiring sense of community.

But they also recognize that there is more work to do. “I do wish there were more activities that didn’t revolve around alcohol, but that isn’t exclusively a regional issue.” They continued, “As a recovering alcoholic, I would love to see more establishments expand their beverage options to include a non-alcoholic cocktail menu.” They shared that it would be great to have spaces that more embrace the sober community in an area full of wine and beer trails.

Dante moved from the shore town of Beachwood, NJ, and still holds a fierce love, devotion, and loyalty to the great state of New Jersey – so much so that they have it tattooed on their arm — but, they admit, they could tell us a million ways they do not miss sitting in traffic on the Garden State Parkway.  “I miss the pizza and bagels, but certainly not that traffic.”  And they added, “Jersey is very densely populated, and it’s important to me to have space to breathe and not live directly on top of my neighbors.  That wasn’t something that was possible there.”

Today, Dante lends their passion and insight to the community as a Small Business Analyst for Corning Community Engagement at Corning Incorporated. 

They start the day, “stumbling to my coffee pot.” Big Nerd Coffee Company (in Elmira) and Market Street Coffee and Tea (in Corning) are fixtures in their kitchen. And for them, coffee on the back deck is a must. Burrito runs around the yard for a while before they head to the office in Corning. In addition to their morning routine, Dante also really loves their job. “I’m incredibly fortunate that I have a job that I genuinely love and that I get to work with local entrepreneurs in Steuben and Chemung counties as well as collaborate with other community stakeholders.” They added, “I work directly with an extraordinary team of individuals at Corning Community Engagement and the Corning Foundation who want to see this region thrive and flourish. 

Cooking is their hobby, so the evening entails some combination of that, walking Burrito, going to the gym, and reading or watching TV.  They find that at 38, they’ve learned that they enjoy “being boring” and prefers to live a simple life.

But they also enjoy spending time outdoors in nature and walking along the Riverfront Levee Trail in Elmira nearly daily. Other favorite outdoor spots include Tanglewood, Park Station, Sullivanville Dam, Steege Hill Nature Preserve, Personius Woods, and Catharine Valley Trail, just to name a few. Dante also enjoys going to see local art, theatre, and music as well. “There is a strong arts scene here,” they shared, “and I like to support local restaurants as much as possible.” Some of their favorites are Thursday night jazz at Rye Bar and Restaurant on Davis Street in Elmira and the new jazz club and restaurant, WMC North, that opened on West Water Street in Elmira a couple of weeks ago. The Corning Farmer’s Market in Centerway Square on Thursdays and the Sunday Farmer’s Market at Chamberlain Acres in Southport are things they try to attend weekly.

Something Dante feels people don’t know about the Southern Finger Lakes is that this area was very much an active part of the Underground Railroad. The John W. Jones Museum, located on Davis Street, is a hidden gem in Elmira. For a bit of history: Mr. Jones was born into slavery on a plantation in Virginia. Jones escaped when he was 27 and walked about 300 miles from Leesburg, VA, to Elmira. He became an agent of the Underground Railroad in 1851 and by 1860, had aided in the escape of 800 enslaved people to freedom.  In 1859, he became the sexton of Woodlawn Cemetery – where Mark Twain, Ernie Davis, and Hal Roach are famously buried – where he was responsible for the burial of approximately 3000 Confederate soldiers. Mr. Jones remained in Elmira until his death in 1900.  “I would encourage anyone visiting the area to take the time to visit this museum,” Dante recommends, adding, “Talima Aaron, the President of their Board of Trustees, has poured her heart and soul into it and is an incredible resource when it comes to historical knowledge.”

If you are someone considering a move, Dante recommends that you come and spend time in the Southern Finger Lakes in the fall so you can experience it at its best and when they say, the changing leaves, apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes, and harvest festivals really make it feel magical. “I’m not a fan of winter, but I have friends who love cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling and say it makes the winter 100% more palatable.” But, they added, “I’ll take their word for it and sit indoors under the blankets in front of my fireplace.”

Thank you, Dante for sharing your story with us!

Learn more about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes and the resources available for those looking for something new.

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Meet Rukundo Kambarami

Rukundo initially moved to Ithaca in 2010 to pursue a graduate degree before moving to Hector and then to the Washington DC area.  

Then Covid hit, making life in a small, big city condo a tad too tight.

She and her husband moved back officially, this time to Watkins Glen, in May of 2021. “I have family in the area so it was a no-brainer, and I had my experience of having lived here previously for several years,” she said.

A slower pace surrounded by family seems like a perfect fit for this self-proclaimed extrovert who loves to bring people together. “I have a rich family history with family all over the world, Rukundo said, “and keeping those ties is something that is important to me.”

Being familiar with the area helped to keep her expectations reasonable, she said. She added, “I love the fact that you can travel a short distance and be in the wilderness with few people around or walk to the park and be on the lake. There is little to no traffic and a great community. Also, it’s more affordable.”

In moving out of the big city, she realized there would be some things she would miss. “Coming back to the area, I knew that I was going to be one of the very few people of color and was dreading where I was going to get my hair done! I also miss the fact that there is no major international airport close by and that your grocery store options are limited. Oh, and brunch–I was spoiled with so many great options in DC. There are a few places here though, my go-to, if I have visitors, is Ryan Willams.” 

But there are some welcomed changes happening which she is also excited about. “There are few new exciting businesses that have opened in town and I have made several new friends.” And while some people might have concerns about the change of pace and options compared to big-city living, Rukundo understands, but says, “There is a surprising amount of things to do in this town, you just have to get involved in the community! Also don’t be afraid to stick out, because you will. It’s a great conversation starter and everyone is super friendly.”

She found the move to the area easy since she has family here and was already familiar with Watkins Glen, though finding the right house for her and her husband took a bit longer than she expected, though, in the end, they did find the right home. She shared, “Housing is more affordable and I’m closer to nature and family. I have also been able to get more involved in the community.”  

Currently, Rukundo works as a consultant for a large consulting firm. on a normal weekday, she will start her day with a cup of hot water and coffee, before logging on for an 8-hour work day. She’ll take a lunch break and maybe go for a walk, or so treat herself to a fancy coffee from the local coffee roaster. At the end of her work day, she’ll either go for a long walk around town or head to the gym.

“We make dinner at home most nights, but will go out and play trivia and have dinner sometimes.” On the weekend she will often do something outdoors, spend time with friends and family, and maybe visit a brewery or winery.  

Her favorite activities, all of which she has access to right near her home, are hiking, boating, and playing trivia. In the summer,  she wants to be outdoors as much time as possible and in the winter she’ll frequent local establishments. Some of the places Rukundo spends time in include Maria’s, El Rancho, Seneca Cheese Co., Lucky Hare Brewing Company, and Solera.

We asked Rukundo what other highlights she can share about living in the area are for her, and she said, “The internet speed is great! And there are more diverse towns only 30 mins away that also have more diverse types of food and grocery stores.”  

Thank you Rukundo for sharing your story with us!

Learn more about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes and the resources available for those looking for something new.

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Meet Steven Carson

In March of 2021, Steven Carson moved to the Southern Finger Lakes from the Greater Boston area where he was a domestic cheese buyer for Formaggio Kitchen, a cheese shop/specialty food store in Boston.

His move was prompted for a number of reasons, with proximity to the family being the biggest one. His brother and family live in South Bristol, and his parents live in Canandaigua during the summer. With a niece and nephews, all five and under, he really wanted to get some important uncle time in.

He was also motivated by his brother’s wood-fired pizza eatery, Bristol’s Pizza, which he has been helping to operate. And of course, like so many, COVID was the catalyst that made the decision to move much easier.

Steven is admittedly a foodie, making the Southern Finger Lakes the perfect place to be. “I’ve worked in fine-dining most of my career and living in Boston spoiled me with the variety of options for food, whether it be dine-in or delivery. Thankfully, I have Wegman’s and a culinary degree. You can’t beat a home-cooked meal!”

After running the pizza business for the summer, Steven started working at McGregor Vineyard in Dundee. Initially, he was just helping out in the tasting room, however, he’s recently accepted the assistant tasting room manager position, an experience he finds has really complemented his professional journey. “After selling and serving wine for so long, it has been fantastic living in a wine-producing area and having the opportunity to get a look at the industry from a fresh perspective.”

Steven spends a lot of time cooking and tries to enjoy as much time with his family as his schedule allows. And, he’s making sure to make the most of his easy access to nature and the outdoors. “During the summer, I’m either hiking or on the lake with my family. Hopefully, we’ll be in a better spot this upcoming spring and summer so that I can see some live music!”

Currently settled in Canandaigua, Steven’s commute to Dundee is about a 50-minute drive, a pretty standard driving time for the area, but something newcomers might need to adjust to. However, Steven doesn’t mind, “[The commute] gives me some good podcast time.”

Something else that makes the drive more enjoyable: no traffic. “It has been really nice to be in an area with much less population density,” Steven said, adding, “It was a bit nerve-racking living in a major metropolitan area during a global pandemic, especially when you are relying on public transportation.”

As he settles in and learns more about his new hometown, Steven has this advice to offer those who might be looking to relocate from a metropolitan area, “Expect for things to slow down quite a bit. That was exactly what I was looking for after living in cities for so long.” He also recommends embracing your adventurous spirit. “Get in your car and drive around. There are so many small villages and towns that each have something unique to explore!”

Thank you, Steven, for sharing your story with us!

Learn more about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes and the resources available for those looking for something new.

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Meet Stephanie Ferree

Stephanie Ferree is originally from the Bronx, NY. Her father is of Dominican descent and her mother, Puerto Rican. She is one of 9 children and grew up surrounded by love, laughter, music, and food in a small NYC apartment.

She first came to the Finger Lakes to attend SUNY Oswego right on Lake Ontario. This is where she met her husband, Travis, who is from Bath, NY.

After graduating college in 2011, she moved to the Southern Tier while Travis worked on finishing his student teaching. The move was supposed to be a temporary one.

But then opportunity knocked. “I was hired by Corning Incorporated for my Spanish language skills as a Service Desk Analyst to support Spanish speaking customers.” She quipped, “My mom was right all those years ago when she told me that learning to speak Spanish would benefit me!”

Spanish fluency would be a desired skill not so easily found in this area, and the company trained Stephanie for her new role.

After 4 years of providing technical support for Corning Inc., she was hired as a Knowledge Analyst, and in 2020 took was promoted to Application Specialist.

She noted, “I have been at my ‘temporary job’ for 11 years now!”

Stephanie had only visited Bath and Corning a couple of times before moving here after college. She admitted she had concerns at first. “I worried about diversity, not having things to do for entertainment or many career options.”

She remembers that it was not difficult to relocate to the area because of her husband and because of her new job. But recalls how it required her to learn to drive, something she never needed to do living in NYC. “At first, I needed to be driven to work and other places,” she said, “So, I was excited to learn how to drive!”

Over time, her initial concerns also faded. “When I first moved here, I had no idea all the things this place has to offer. Pre-kids my husband and I did a lot more wine tastings, went to free live music events and concerts, visited all the local restaurants, went to all the festivals, hiking, and even visited haunted houses! Now, with kids, we find there is even more to do!”

She also noted that much has changed in the 11 years. “I’ve discovered so many things we can do as a family that doesn’t cost us money. I’ve learned so much about wine. I love this area and all that it has to offer.”

Stephanie finds that one of the greatest advantages of living here is the amount of space and the ease of day-to-day living. She now finds NYC far more hectic and crowded. “I like living in a small town. I can run errands during lunch like to the DMV, which would have taken me half a day in NYC.” She added, “I’ve had opportunities to learn about growing my own food and have friends that own farms. I have learned so much about owning a home. When I moved here as a 22-year-old, I couldn’t believe people my age were buying homes, but this area allows young people to be more independent. Money goes a long way here.”

Stephanie also loves her 8-minute commute to work.

On winter days after work, she and her family stay in and have dinner. In the summer, they like to visit local ice cream shops, walk along the bike path and enjoy all the outdoors has to offer especially on hot summer days.

She continued. “We are part of an amazing church, Hope Church, that has helped us raise our littles. We love to visit local farms and museums like the Corning Museum of Glass, The Rockwell Museum, and The Heritage Village.”

Stephanie and her family delight in the seasonal experiences too, like pumpkin picking and apple picking in the fall, or visiting the local swimming holes in the summer.  “My absolute favorite is spending time on Keuka lake. My cousin-in-law has a boat and we take the whole family and spend Saturdays out on the water.”

If you are looking to relocate to the area and are unsure, Stephanie says she can offer so many reasons to convince you to take the leap. “There is something for everyone in your family. The community is small but supportive. There are so many local places to visit. Small businesses thrive here.” She continues, “Visiting the lakes is free. Hiking is free. There are so many free things for families to enjoy and when they are not free, they are affordable. NYC is only 4 hours away and Canada is only 2 hours away.”

She added, “There are many farmer’s markets weekly, and not only in the summer. The Corning farmers market has the best Amish donuts.” She’s also grateful for what living in the Southern Tier has meant for her family, “This place has been an amazing place to raise children. They have so much more than I could have offered them in a city,” and for her career, “I work for a great company that is diverse and is constantly bringing in more diversity to the area.”

Stephanie also stated that whether here for a weekend or looking to relocate one should be prepared to fall in love with the views. “The hills are beautiful. We have some of the best waterfalls here, and fall,” she added, “fall foliage is like a screen saver.”

Stephanie and Travis Ferree live in Painted Post NY with their children, Sienna (4), William (3), and a fur baby, Miya.

Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing your story with us!

Learn more about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes and the resources available for those looking for something new.

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Meet Olivia Coffey

Olivia Coffey is not new to the Southern Tier, but she would go on amazing journeys before her heart would lead her back here.

She lived in Corning and then moved to Watkins Glen, where she attended elementary school. She would go on to boarding school and wouldn’t spend much time in the area for the next 15 years.

She went to Harvard for college and then lived in Princeton, NJ, and the NYC area, training with the US Rowing team. All while also working for an NYC-based private equity firm.

Olivia spent a year at graduate school at Cambridge University in the UK and, up until this past summer, was living in Princeton, NJ, full-time before competing in the Tokyo Olympics! 

In 2019, she and her husband, Michael Blomquist, bought their cottage on Seneca Lake in Burdett, NY. Visiting the area served as an escape for them – for weekend escapes or remote work for a few weeks. Little did they know it would be the perfect reprieve from a global pandemic.

She recalls, “When I was growing up, I remember driving over the hills from Watkins Glen to Ithaca with my mom, and she would say to me, ‘You don’t realize it, but you live in one of the most beautiful areas in the country.’ And she was right.” She added, “I didn’t realize it at the time, but after years of traveling around the country (and the world) with school and rowing, I knew that this is the area where I wanted to end up. I love being close to my family and living in a place with such abundant natural beauty.”

Olivia feels that growing up in this area was a real privilege. She was so excited to come back and share her love for the area with her husband, who is originally from North Carolina. 

Despite being “from here,” she still is astounded by how beautiful the area is with its lush vistas, gorges, and lakes.

“I don’t know if I could ask for anything more,” she said. “I’ve also been impressed by how much investment has been made to revitalize local communities. It really feels like the whole area is experiencing a huge economic upswing. Summers were busy before, but I’ve never seen anything like the past few. We are getting a lot of visitors from out of town, which is excellent for our economy, and I hope it’s something we can capitalize on to develop this region further.”

When it came to relocating to the area, Olivia found it as pain-free as it comes. With her family already here, they helped them find their home, even touring it while Olivia and her husband were still out of town. They bravely put in an offer on the home site-unseen based on her family’s recommendations alone! With accommodating sellers and a home completely furnished (which made up for them not having any), everything seemed to fall in place nicely and quickly.

With the world shut down and everything postponed, Olivia was training for the Olympics that same summer. She recalls, “I felt uplifted by the whole community. I had support everywhere I went, and that summer of training propelled my athletic abilities and enabled me to make the team for Tokyo.”

When not training for the Olympics, Olivia loves to exercise and finds that there are many beautiful places to go bike riding and running, especially in the summertime. She enjoys a dip in the lake after a hard workout, and during the colder months, she likes to spend time at her parent’s farm, where she’ll play with their animals, drive the tractor around, or help her dad in his shop.

She admires the area’s entrepreneurial spirit and enjoys spending time reconnecting with friends, many of whom have also returned home.

“The older I get, the more I appreciate the quality of life and simple pleasures, of which this area has many.”

She added, “The community is open and accessible. The schools are highly rated. And now, especially with remote work, you can pursue a career in almost any field while living a balanced and fulfilling life.”

She said she also loves that the air is clean and there’s no traffic. You can buy a reasonably sized home with plenty of land at an affordable price,” adding, “The opportunities are here to be great at almost anything you choose to pursue.”

Olivia’s tip for anyone looking to relocate to the area? “Get in while you can!! Only semi-joking here. I think this region will expand over the next decade or so.” 

For Olivia, “Upstate New York is one of the best places to live in the world.” And she hopes that anyone who moves to the area loves it as much as she does.

Thank you, Olivia, for sharing your story with us! Welcome back home!

Learn more about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes and the resources available for those looking for something new.