Our Residents Are Our Greatest Asset
The residents of Chautauqua County are the fabric of their community and include a wide and diverse group of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Don’t believe us? Find out for yourself!
“I thought Fredonia was the sweetest little village. I always say that it's the epitome of a Hallmark movie - the gazebo in the park, Village Hall, the storefronts, it's all just the perfect backdrop and you feel good being surrounded by it. That's something that has always stayed with me."
“My first impressions of the county is that it was beautiful, but the ruralness was a shock after being raised and going to college in more metro areas.... While we might not have everything that more urban areas offer, I enjoy the richness of life that is possible here."
“I love the fact I can walk down 4th Street in Jamestown and wave at (and hug) people I know and respect. Everyone here is so special and talented. This community embraced me and lets me be genuine and to me that is invaluable."
Dominican Republic Native and Professional Firefighter Puts Down Roots in Southern Chautauqua County
“I lived in New York City for several years... Living in Jamestown was a BIG change for me – slower pace, less noisy, no traffic. There’s more grass, woods, and lakes, and the surrounding areas around Jamestown offer hunting opportunities. I never heard about hunting deer before! There’s also fishing, canoeing and kayaking on the Conewango River, four-wheeling, bonfires with my neighbors, and more. I was introduced to a new world after living in the city. I love how laid back it is!”
“It’s location to the rest of the east coast is very central. Upstate New York has so much to travel to and do. The abundance of locally grown produce and locally farmed meat and chicken offers some great choices. The local food is also very affordable here. I value the great sense of community and safety in this area.”
“There are aspects of the places I lived in while in Ohio that are similar to Chautauqua County but I fell in love with Jamestown the first time I visited. I have found a community in Jamestown that truly cares about one another and there is such great opportunity to get involved in our community.”
“For a city of 30,000, Jamestown has a surprising amount of resources and venues for the arts, supported in part by organizations like Arts Services Inc. WNY and NYS Council on the Arts (New York State is great about arts funding). We have found that this city is packed with a plethora of artists across a variety of disciplines, and we are very happy to be a part of it.”
“The biggest first impression was how wonderful the people were. The community went well out of their way to embrace us and welcome us. We were stunned by the beauty of the area, especially coming from the drier parts of the west. The first winter was rough. The biggest lesson we learned was you have to embrace the winters here. If your goal is simply to endure the winters, you will go crazy…so embrace it and enjoy all the amazing winter activities the area offers.”