Being an RIT alumni who left for warmer climes I think the quality of life issues with upstate New York are underrated by people who stay.
I have a decent number of classmates who stayed and can afford much larger houses than I can in sunny and expensive California. But they need that larger house because they can't do anything outside for 5 months of the year.
>they can't do anything outside for 5 months of the year
Yes, there's a real snow belt east of the Great Lakes. But with respect to there being "winter," you could say the same thing about a vast swath of the US. I live near Boston and I assure you there are tons of things I can do outside for those 5 months.
There's plenty to do outside in the snow for those who aren't turned off by the cold. Having grown up in Canada and now living in Rochester, I like having actual seasons :)
I have a decent number of classmates who stayed and can afford much larger houses than I can in sunny and expensive California. But they need that larger house because they can't do anything outside for 5 months of the year.