I think the argument over what counts as Upstate New York gets more screaming at Thanksgiving than any political topic ever will.

Does it start below Binghamton? Is it whatever New York City says it is? Is it based on Interstate 84? Or is it just farmland and anything is just its own section?

The funny thing about this whole debate is that it means nothing. It doesn’t affect anyone’s life—other than giving people a reason to exclude NYC.

I say that as if I haven’t gotten into the argument myself, trying to draw the line.

I think it comes down to pride. Pride doesn’t like outsiders—only your community. I mean, just look at Bills Mafia.

I’m not one to talk. I did create this website to shine more light on the history of Upstate New York instead of NYC. I’m also apart of Bills Mafia so I think I’m just calling myself out.

Now, it’s time to settle the debate.

In my actual opinion (drumroll, please), Upstate New York begins wherever Gov. Kathy Hochul stops paying attention.

I even highlighted a map—poorly—to prove my point.

Sorry, Buffalo. You are not Upstate. You can argue that Hochul ignores you too, but you’re too big of a city to count. You also helped raise her, so that’s on you.

And let’s be honest—she paid plenty of attention to you during NFL season. With the Jets and Giants struggling, she didn’t have much reason to stay in NYC.

Still, there’s a real argument that Hochul ignores large parts of New York. The last time she visited an Upstate farm? March 23, 2025, in Saratoga County.

As an Upstater, I’d argue Upstate is built on farms. Sure, most of the state’s GDP comes from NYC, but that doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t exist.

So in this short rant—partly to hit my word count—I’ve finally settled the debate over where Upstate New York begins.

Another debate is that this is history related, the argument has been around long enough to be considered history, probably came up in the 1930s or something….

To conclude there’s no real argument to this, it’s just a call out that Kathy Hochul spends to much time in the city.

And in doing so, maybe both sides can agree on one thing: no matter where you draw the line, almost every governor has cared a lot less than we’d like.