Binghamton

A depressed city in the Southern Tier of NY surrounded by rolling hills about half as high as the Catskill mountains. Technically within the boundary of Appalachia as drawn by the federal government, and it shows, both geographically, culturally and economically. Has a weird 50s Americana vibe with antique wooden carousels in the parks and cubical houses with pyramidal roofs that look like the ones in cartoons and children's books. Home to a well-respected university full of city people and Long Islanders who freak out because they can see stars and can't hop on a subway. Most people who tell you about Binghamton have only been there for a few years as a student and barely left the campus, so they think it's a truck stop. You can vex these people by quizzing them on where the nearest beach or waterfall can be found.