Oneonta, New York

O neonta, New York is a small city with the heart and amenities of a big one. “We are a low-density, tightly knit community, but we also have two excellent colleges right here in the City of Oneonta,” says Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig. “We have an airport, an interstate, a railroad and a magnificent, beautiful, natural environment. We have opportunities for hiking or boating or skiing or just about any outdoor activity. And we are only 30 minutes from a major tourist attraction, which is the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.” Located in Otsego County, Oneonta has a population of around 14,000, which has remained stable during the past decade. But when the COVID-19 pandemic forced people across the nation to work from home, it shone a light on the benefits of small-town living, and with that a shift away from big cities. And Oneonta is primed for those looking for a fresh start. “As we move out of COVID, there’s a greater demand for less density. People have learned they can work from home, they can operate their small business remotely,” Herzig says. “We are already seeing a much greater increase in people wanting to live and work here than we have in recent years.” And with new residents comes the need for new business. “I AT A GLANCE ONEONTA, NEWYORK WHAT: A small city with the amenities of a big city; population 14,000 WHERE: Ostego County in the Appalachian region of New York WEBSITE: www.oneonta.ny.us ta, Small City, Big Heart York