Refugees Find a Hearty Welcome in Upstate New York

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/31/opinion/letters/refugees-upstate-new-york.html

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To the Editor:

Re “Refugees Are a Fraying Lifeline for Upstate Cities” (front page, May 13):

After living on Long Island for over 50 years, I retired and moved to Rochester in 2003.

That’s right, I retired to upstate New York. We bought a beautiful big old house in a great neighborhood, beside plenty of terrific people who have become dear friends. And guess what? Many of them are immigrants who came here for a better life.

By and large, they are hard-working, lovely people who want the same things everyone wants: a clean, safe home and a chance for a better future. We reach out to everyone who comes here, and we have not been disappointed.

To all the folks who complain about the taxes: After I stop laughing, I ask, “Do you have any idea what a place like Rochester looks like tax-wise compared with Long Island?” I do. I love living here, and I love living upstate.

And no matter where you’ve come from, whether it’s downstate or halfway around the world, you’re welcome here.

Kevin McTighe Rochester