Good points Scott. I can promise you there are a lot more rednecks out here than there are in NYC! Overall, we are not as "sophisticated" here in the forgotten west. Contrary to what people in NYC think, we don't have dairy cows roaming the streets.
I live out in the country where there are lots of farms, fields and wildlife. I have 5 acres and a nice house. I couldn't have that anywhere downstate. An urban center, Rochester, with culture and lots of stuff to do is 20 minutes away. The Canadian border is only 1 hour away and Toronto is every bit as much fun as NYC and a heck of a lot cleaner and safer.
So, we are trying to live with the warts and console ourselves with the fact we have a wonderful life and friends in spite of it all! Man, I hate the 100+ inches of snow we typically have though.................