Ohio women moves to Owego to live in ‘Coolest Small Town’

 The title of "Coolest Small Town in America" in mid-April of last year has attracted visitors to the area, according to Stella Reschke, director of tourism. But not only has it attracted visitors, it also attracted a 46-year old woman to relocate to the area to live, work and raise her daughter.

Migdalia (Maggie) Vasquez was living in Westerville, Ohio and working for a bank during the worst of economic times. Considering herself a "news junkie", Maggie was watching the Early Show on April 15, 2009 when the "Coolest Small Town in America" announcement was made - listing Owego, N.Y. as number one.

With the bank she was employed with not doing well, and city life wearing her down, Maggie came up with an idea. According to Maggie, her daughter Gigi looked at her during the show and said, "What are you thinking now"?

"We’re going to move," Maggie told her daughter.

Maggie then described going on-line to investigate what Owego was all about, and after listening to the mayor talk about the town and seeing the river, she decided that it was time for a change.

Maggie’s daughter thought her mother was crazy, and told her to just let her know when she gets the boxes for moving. Well Maggie got the boxes.

"I’m getting older," said Maggie. "I just wanted to go somewhere and be happy," she added. And it wasn’t long until Maggie and her daughter Gigi were packed up and headed to Owego, N.Y. to begin a new life.

Prior to the relocation, Maggie knew a realtor that was able to set them up with housing as they traveled east with hopes of a new beginning. "We had never even been to Owego before," said Maggie, "but I just had faith that it would all work out." "There was a reason why it was picked as being number one," she added.

That was June of last year, and Maggie is now working at the museum on the Cornell Campus and part-time for the Tompkins County library. She has also found an apartment in the Village of Owego that her and her daughter call home.

Maggie described the schools as wonderful, and noted that it feels good to be able to take a walk at night and not having to worry for the first time.

In Ohio, Maggie described, the schools are crowded and if you find things to do you have to constantly deal with crowds. "There’s a lot of things about a small town that you miss in a big city," said Maggie.

Maggie now pictures herself living in Owego for what she described as "the long haul". Arriving on June 1 of last year, Maggie was able to attend the Strawberry Festival and some of the other activities taking place in downtown Owego.

But as spring gets closer to the horizon, Maggie is looking forward to what she loves to do the most - fishing. Maggie also loves the riverwalk, her daughter loves the swimming pool, and they mostly enjoying walking and looking at all the large homes.

"It is definitely the Coolest Small Town in America," Maggie exclaimed.

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