Norwich, NY, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 7,051, Norwich is a sleepy backwater that offers little in the way of economic opportunity or excitement. The former manufacturing hub has struggled to reinvent itself since the decline of major employers like the Norwich Pharmacal Company, leaving many locals to travel to larger regional cities like Oneonta or Binghamton for basic services and amenities. While the city boasts a handful of cultural attractions like the Northeast Classic Car Museum, the overall quality of life is hampered by persistent bureaucratic headaches, from the shuttering of the local railroad to the difficulties facing the Morrisville State College campus. Unless you're a diehard Upstate New Yorker seeking a quiet, affordable place to retire, Norwich is unlikely to satisfy the needs of most modern professionals or families.