life in flx

Camille Torres

Camille Torres moved to the Southern Finger Lakes after accepting a job in the area. She found and purchased her beautiful 1927 Colonial in October of 2023, drawn mostly by its lush backyard and spacious layout. Today, some of her favorite features of the home are the wood-burning fireplaces, the trim details, the backyard, and the attached garage.

More importantly, she has really grown fond of her community. “I enjoy having access to Wegmans, Walgreens, and restaurants,” she said. “It is a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk to most places I want to be. I am still exploring and meeting great people.”

When compared to her life in Brooklyn, Camille shared that her day-to-day lifestyle is better in many ways in her new hometown. “There is no traffic during my commute, which is 25 minutes long,” she said. “Additionally, groceries and restaurants are more affordable, and shopping is conveniently close by.”

As for social life, Camille admits that it has been an adjustment, stating that access and frequency of activities she is interested in are less. “The biggest shift is having to seek out these activities and travel further for them, BUT they do exist. You must plan and ask around.”

To those considering relocating to the Southern Finger Lakes, Camille has this advice: “Take your time to understand the local market. It took me some time to understand what a good price was. Coming from NYC, where home prices are easily 2-3x more expensive, I did not know what a good value was.” She added, “It is also helpful to drive around interested neighborhoods at different times of day – are kids walking around, is it very dark at night, etc. Finally, I would also consider additional costs, such as yard service, snow removal, and heating. Things I didn’t have to deal with when owning an apartment. You have to add this to your monthly expenses.”

She said there are some pleasant surprises to owning a home in SoFLX compared to her homeownership experience in Brooklyn, “When you call public services, someone actually answers the phone and helps you – whether it’s water, sanitation, or the police (I had an injured deer in my yard).”

Camille enjoys decorating with items that hold personal significance, such as those from her travels or cultural experiences. “I am also using my yard space to entertain, read, and relax,” she said. “That has been fun and happy to spend time at home. I can relax, recharge, and feel comfortable and safe.”

Thank you, Camille, for sharing your beautiful home with us! Read more SoFLX stories to learn about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes.

Denise and Rick Maxa

A favorite pedestrian pastime when in Corning, NY, is admiring the collection of historic buildings that line Market Street. Many of them house small shops and cafes, as well as favorite bars and restaurants, and above some of these businesses are people’s homes. Apartments and lofts rented or owned, giving those rare few a slice of the best of Market St. living.

We had the opportunity to visit one of these beautiful and historic lofts – the home of Rick and Denise Maxa, long-time Corning residents.

Denise was born in Wellsboro, PA. Her family made their way to Horseheads when her Father returned from his naval service, and at this point, she considers herself a SoFLX “lifer”.

Rick was born in Fort Knox, KY, and went immediately to Heidelberg, Germany, where his father was stationed for the first 6 years of his life. He then moved to Bethesda, MD, for grade school, eventually making his way to Alfred, NY, for college. Soon after, he began his career with Corning Glass Works (as it was called in 1980)

Some of Denise’s favorite memories growing up in the area are the winters. “Those felt like true winters,” Denise said. “I remember snowbanks at least 6′ high! Much of this area looked very different before the horrific 1972 flood. Market Street in Corning was known for its many bars and taverns, highly attributed to the many employees of Corning Glass Works (at that time).”

Corning began renovating the downtown area after the flood. With so many buildings demolished by the high waters and mud, this presented an ideal opportunity to revamp the area, making it more visually appealing to both residents and visitors. “Kudos to the good fortune of our major employer leading this vision,” Denise said.

Despite the wonderful community and life both Denise and Rick have in Corning, NY, we wondered if they ever considered moving away. While Denise considered moving to the big city many times, but never left, Rick never felt the urge. “Denise and I did think of retiring in Lake Placid as we had a home there, but with years of solid friendships, we could never replace them, so we have stayed.”

“Because of this area’s geography, we can enjoy mountains, lakes, trees, rivers, and so much is within reasonable driving distances for us,” Denise said. “The Finger Lakes winery region, widely unknown years ago, is now becoming a recognized region.” She added, “The Corning Museum of Glass has become internationally known as a true destination … having recently renovated and expanded, allowing more glass blowing opportunities and visitor interface experiences.”

She also pointed out how the local businesses have changed over the years … changing hands, changing offerings, and changing the experience for visitors and residents. “Corning has become a small town with a sophisticated big city vibe.”

“I’ve always loved and enjoyed the natural beauty, and as Denise mentioned,” Rick said. “I lived just outside of Corning for 23 years before moving to town to purchase our building as well as the local wine and spirits store on Market St. – pretty much destined to stay!”

He added, “Thankfully, there have been several small entrepreneurs who saw the potential in downtown and over the past 20 years have purchased and renovated many wonderful properties into living spaces. About 20 years ago, there were only about 30 living spaces. Currently, I believe there are about 130 in the Gaffer District.”

The growth and potential of the area are among the things they feel are the most underrated aspects of life here. “I don’t believe ‘outsiders’ understand all that Corning and the surrounding area have to offer – both professionally and personally,” said Denise. “We now have the addition of excellent dining establishments … many offering farm-to-table experiences. The Clemens Center provides visitors and residents with a range of Broadway shows, musicals, and dance experiences.” She acknowledges that shopping leaves a little to be desired, but the main shopping destinations are within driving distance.

Both she and Rick agree that people don’t understand the many career opportunities that exist in the region. From technology to hospitality to manufacturing to education to medical, this area offers opportunities competitive with larger towns and cities.

“I think it’s important to know that because of our ‘smallness’, this area is perfect to start and raise families. The small-town feel that is safe and offers so much to do for so many.”

One piece of advice that Denise and Rick would offer to anyone looking to relocate to the area is to start with a visit and truly observe, and “don’t judge by the cover”.

“Sometimes immersing yourself in the authentic feel of an area can give you the best insight into what living, working, and playing here is really about.”

Thank you, Denise and Rick for sharing your story! Read more SoFLX stories to learn about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes.

Diego Vásquez

Diego Vásquez, who moved to a beautiful Southern Finger Lakes community in 2022 from Hartford, CT, is an interdisciplinary musician who loves to play the clarinet and twerk.

More specifically, he teaches clarinet at Ithaca College and plays music, both new and old, in a variety of concert formats.

Diego wasn’t completely unfamiliar with the area when he arrived, having done his undergrad at IC and loving the lifestyle here. “I got the professor job at IC and was happy to return,” he said.

Before moving back to the area, Diego expressed excitement about the landscape, the music culture between Cornell and IC, and the wine and farmers’ market. But he still had some reservations. “I have spent most of my life living in big cities, so I was concerned about the isolation.”

Now that he is building a life here, he says he has found ways to not feel so isolated through his work, exploration of art around the area, and travel. “My professional life keeps me busy and driving around the region for concerts,” he said, adding, “The proximity to a few airports makes things easier.”

Diego found the relocation process simple and discovered a great place to live in a pretty, quiet area.

Additionally, Diego has found that his career has flourished here. To listen to Diego play – and we were completely mesmerized by him when we did – you can follow his performances at Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Syracuse Orchestra, Binghamton Philharmonic, TriCities Opera, Orchestra of the Southern Fingerlakes, perform recitals, and more!

And Diego has found a life balance here that he has really enjoyed and thinks is too often underrated. “Most of my time is spent playing, teaching, or listening to music. I love to jog outside on the trails near Seneca Lake, where I live,” Diego said.

“It’s a beautiful place. I wish there were a train to NYC. The isolation from denser populated cities can be a bit taxing, but there is a lot to do and interesting people to meet!”

Thank you, Diego, for sharing your story! Read more SoFLX stories to learn about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes.

Mark Schmidt

Mark Schmidt, a dancer and movement maker, left for the big city to follow his dreams as a dancer. He’s realized that his return home has only improved his creativity-fueled journey.

Mark moved from Brooklyn, NY (January 2024), to Monterey, a small rural town between Corning and Watkins Glen.

He occasionally teaches dance techniques and lectures on house culture history as a guest artist for online platforms and colleges.

“I moved here due to some health-related issues my mother was having,” Mark said. “But I am familiar with the area for two reasons. First, I grew up here until age 20, when I moved to New York City to attend the New School for Social Research. Also, as an artist, I have worked on a few dance-related projects locally, including an artist residency in 2019 through the American Dance Asylum (hosted by 171 Cedar Arts), activating the Nasser Civic Center Ice Rink with fourteen dancers in 2022 as part of IMAGINE, and co-choreographing a piece with four dancers and a DJ for the Southern Finger Lakes Pride Festival in 2023.”

Mark said he was very excited to make the move back. “I had already laid down some roots with many local artists and the Pride Council from the two projects I mentioned before, and I was ready for a life change, and this seemed like the right timing.” He added, “New York is great, but I am enjoying life’s slower pace and finding more time and space to work on creative projects. That, for me, is very important and the biggest change in my life.”

We wondered what Mark felt had changed since he left and what he was rediscovering about his home region. “In terms of the small town I grew up in, there remains this sense of neighbors looking out for each other or feeling comfortable asking for help if you need it,” he shared. “I value that. Regarding change, Market Street (in Corning) strikes me the most. Compared to when I left in the 90s, it has many more restaurant choices and interesting spaces to grab a drink and socialize. I also see more artists moving to the area, and the visibility of LGBTQ folks and the SoFLX Pride festival are big changes.”

Mark credits his adaptability with making the transition into small-town living easy, not too difficult. He has also found that having a network of diverse friends and artists here has made all the difference. “I have felt an immense amount of support and excitement from them, and this has made the transition easier.”

Since moving back, Mark has kept very busy! “This is the New Yorker in me!” He is currently working on the Southern Finger Lakes Pride Council, helping design and curate the 2024 festival (happening in June). He also works as an editor of social media videos for the New York State Choreographers Initiative, a New York State DanceForce program. He is a certified personal trainer specializing in functional movement and awareness, primarily online. Lastly, he is working on several event collaborations for Spring 2024 with an anarchist publishing warehouse (PM Press) out of Binghamton.

Despite everything he is involved in, Mark feels he is far less overstretched here. “The one thing that stands out most is I work less, but I can do more creatively,” he said. “New York City is a very work/hustle/time driven city. People are always on the go. I don’t feel that pressure here. I think I have more potential to impact culturally here than in the city.”

A typical day for Mark in his new life consists of 7 am wake-ups to have coffee with his parents, or even earlier, he starts to enjoy meditation walks around their property around sunrise. “Stepping into nature is a luxury; I appreciate it more now.” This kicks off his work day, often consisting of administrative tasks for the Pride Council or video editing for the New York State Choreographers Initiative. “If my mother has any doctor appointments or my parents need me to run errands, I’ll do that,” he added. Mark joined HealthWorks and tries to get three workouts weekly, usually in the early afternoon. If there are any arts events in Corning in the evening, he’ll end his day with that. “I enjoy exploring the area for restaurants, bars, or wineries. I am also a fan of live music,” he added.

To another creative looking to relocate to the area, Mark says, “The landscape in the arts is very open, even for dance. You have to be proactive about it. There is a supportive community of artists here that is diverse and ready to welcome you.” He added, “This is still an affordable place to live. There is something unique about being able to access nature so readily, do country things like have a garden, and yet enjoy culture and art all within a small region.”

Thank you, Mark, for sharing your story! Read more SoFLX stories to learn about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes.