Why does the character George Altman in Suburgatory choose to move from New York City to upstate New York ?
The most recent major examples were the failed attempt by Syracuse - area assemblyman Michael Bragman , the majority leader of that body to seize control of the downstate - dominated state Democratic party in 2000 , which was immediately followed by a strong retaliatory backlash against all upstate politicians in state government and the attempt by both Republicans and Democrats to cater to upstate voters by promising to disband the New York State Thruway , whose toll portions are entirely upstate .