Good post.
One thing, NY State is not at all like NYC (we call them “DownState”).
Looking at the election map, land mass wise, NY state is 90% Red.
We just dont have the population of “Down State.” That would be the city and the immediate surroundings.
Most up/out here just want to be left alone, and pay lower taxes. For the most part, we ignore DownState.
However, I did hear that there were some NYC rich types who made their way to their second homes/cabin up in the Adirondack direction. The locals there know who and where they are.
+1 on the know your neighbors. We make a point of talking to them, giving out eggs when we get a surplus that we cannot consume fast enough.