Do you live in New York or Upstate New York? Incoming NY Governor Kathy Hochul Gives First Press Conference After Cuomo's Resignation Getty Images loading...Where is Upstate New York? The term, as I understand it, is a necessary distinction between the New York City metropolitan area and the rest of the state. Governor Hochul Clears the Record on "Upstate New York"A video of the governor giving her official opinion on the Upstate New York debate has recently circulated. We've heard Governor Hochul proclaim that Upstate New York begins once you leave Westchester, heading north.