Info on Buffalo (Boston, Phoenix, Charlotte: foreclosure, neighborhood, gated)

[Alpharetta123]

I have to admit that another reason I left Buffalo (besides the weather and declining economy) was to me, Buffalo had lost all of its charm. If one looks closely, remnants of Buffalo's lovely past can still be seen. It was so depressing to see all of the beautiful architecture, old world charm, culture, and glorious history go to waste in the form of urban decay, blight, and indifference of many of its residents who did not value the city's history.

Yeah.... you can build new stuff, but I don't think that is the answer to a city like Buffalo, NY which can't seem to really see the forest for the trees.
Just my opinion based on my own experience.
Others might disagree or see things in an entirely different light than me.

[Dockwalliper]

Originally Posted by Mmonique

I assume I'll need snow tires.

I've been driving in Buffalo winters for 30 years and have never owned a snow tire. All season radials work fine.

[Sabres Cutie]

Originally Posted by Genghis

Another thing you'll find about Buffalo is that there are some hard-core Buffalo fanatics who will try to spin the city in the most positive way possible, to counter all the naysayers. Not to suggest this is correlated with the last posting. The Buffalo Place Inc is run by people who have a financial stake in promoting the city. Another propaganda cybermag is "buffalorising.com".

This isn't to say that there aren't a lot of good things about the city, but beware of things like "The weather in Buffalo is a very big perk". I was without electricity for about a week in October due to a blizzard and the damage it caused, and this April we had 8 days where it didn't go above freezing even during the daytime, most of which had snow. This sort of thing has more of an impact on me than "the hardiness map", no doubt developed by the finest scientific minds in the country.

The October storm was a once in a lifetime FREAK weather mishap and YOU KNOW IT! Don't let that deter you from moving here.

[mikesuicide]

I am a life long buffalo resident who is finally pulling up the stakes and leaving. I have been 'pro buffalo' as long as I could. Buffalo is a failing city. The politicians are the worst in the nation. The people stifle growth and the poverty is evident most everywhere you look. there is no job growth and the local wages are insulting.
That being said, the weather is decent, The summers are nicer then just about anywhere. the winters are okay and the fall is amazing. The architecture is unmatched in most of the USA ant the housing stock is cheap. The people are freindly and the culture is everywhere. Buffalo is home to a variety of festivals and dozens of art galleries. Buffalo is in the top ten cities for art. My point is there are many reasons to love this city, My neighborhood is the best by far is all of western NY (Elmwood Village) I invested in property and doubled my money over five years. Bottom line is there are no jobs. My wife to be has a Masters Degree in elementary Ed and cant find a job. So we are gone. If you can find a decent job in Buffalo there are a thousand reasons to live there.
As a side note Buffalorising.com is run by a great guy who has no underhanded motives, he is just a great guy who cares about his city.

[aka_mouse]

Originally Posted by mikesuicide

That being said, the weather is decent, The summers are nicer then just about anywhere. the winters are okay and the fall is amazing. The architecture is unmatched in most of the USA ant the housing stock is cheap. The people are freindly and the culture is everywhere. Buffalo is home to a variety of festivals and dozens of art galleries. Buffalo is in the top ten cities for art. My point is there are many reasons to love this city, My neighborhood is the best by far is all of western NY (Elmwood Village) I invested in property and doubled my money over five years.

Bottom line is there are no jobs. My wife to be has a Masters Degree in elementary Ed and cant find a job.

So all this ... and your leaving over some money ?

This is why I always laugh at people who leave this area... ok so you cant get a job as a teacher?.. so, uhm do something else! Whats the definition of a decent job? you want to make over $100k a year? Great!.. when you find that job.. and that city that offers it -- youll also find that average home price is going to be $600k (or more) .. or rent at $2000 month. That or it'll be cheap like up here but you'll be in miles of sprawl, big box stores and mega churches.

Have fun in North Carolina or Florida or where ever! .. cause that job is all you're gonna have!

[gswpa]

Everyone seems so negative about the Buffalo area. I think it may be the grass is greener phenomenon. I have lived all over the country. The two years I spent in Chautauqua county were the best ever. I worked outside of the city. Buffalo has some great qualities. I think people get caught up thinking that moving away to the South or West is a great idea. Jobs may be plentiful in other parts of the country, but that's the only positive.

[BuffaloTransplant]

Remembering with fondness:
The Christmas window at AM&A'S

Freddie's Donuts
Rich's Dairy
White Tower
Your Host
Swiss Chalet
Chin's Islander
Pine Grill, Little Harlem, Johnny's Golden Gloves, and Revilot Lounge
Mike's Subs on Main&Chippewa
Broadway Fillmore District and 998 Broadway
Iriquois Brewery...with the gigantic statue of the Indian out front
Ted's Hot Dog's... at Lasalle Park (There was also one at the foot of the Peace Bridge)
Ice Skating at Humbolt Park
Easter Egg hunts at Delaware Park
Westie (Westminster House on Adams Street)
The original downtown library.
Erie Basin Marina
Picnics at Beaver Island Park
Taking the bus to Crystal Beach
The wonderful old movie theaters (Plaza on William, Broadway, Lafayette Theater, Loew's Teck, Shea's Buffalo)
Bocce's Pizza
Garden of Sweets, Parkside Candies
Sears on Main & Jefferson(with the lovely cafeteria)
Stransky's Hardware Store
Allentown Art Festival
Central Terminal(one of the most beautiful Art-Deco buildings in America.... what happened???)
A beautiful Cathedral on almost every corner
The 'Horse in the Window' on Broadway/Genesee Street.

[BuffaloTransplant]

Originally Posted by Alpharetta123

Remembering with fondness:
The Christmas window at AM&A'S
.... they are now in Lancaster at Christmas, along with many Chrstmas happenings


Swiss Chalet
..... there is still one in Tonawanda and one on Transit on the the Elma /Lancaster/Depew border

Mike's Subs on Main&Chippewa
.... they are still arond

Ted's Hot Dog's... at Lasalle Park (There was also one at the foot of the Peace Bridge)
..... still in Tonawanda and by Eastern Hills and several other locations

The original downtown library.
...... it is fantastic
Erie Basin Marina
...... still wonderful, if not better
Picnics at Beaver Island Park
..... still there

The wonderful old movie theaters (Plaza on William, Broadway, Lafayette Theater, Loew's Teck, Shea's Buffalo)
..... Shea's has plays and many other things. No movies, but it is entirley
restored
Bocce's Pizza
..... Bocce on Bailey is alvie and well and so are others
Garden of Sweets, Parkside Candies
......Still Parkside

Allentown Art Festival
.... bigger than ever
Central Terminal(one of the most beautiful Art-Deco buildings in America.... what happened???)
..... being renovated by students in Urban Planning from Boces ( was in the paper a few days back)
A beautiful Cathedral on almost every corner
.... still the RC and St. Pauls downtown, the Greek Orthodox, the Basilica -
and tons of others, churches very beautiful.

Alpharetta doesn't give credit where it is due. Lots more than what is there.

[travelgirl62]

If you hate Bflo this much; why are you registered and looking for Bflo messages???? It is good you are gone; stay gone. I look forward to moving back. They don't call it the City of Good Neighbors for nothing. I'm sure you found that out in Sacramento. Actually, anywhere in California. When I return for a visit I am astonished when people you don't know are super friendly. Now living in Florida, no more needs to be said

[BuffaloTransplant]

Originally Posted by travelgirl62

If you hate Bflo this much; why are you registered and looking for Bflo messages???? It is good you are gone; stay gone.

So many here have that attitude it amazes me they post. I have no idea what their intent is to slam the city.. I moved here, loved it and stayed. Makes me sad so many can only manage to slam the city.

I wish them all well when they move out and leave space for others who want to come.