What can you guys tell me about the area around Porter ave and West ave? (Buffalo: to rent)

[brooklyn1234]

I'm moving to Buffalo from Brooklyn and am in the process of finding a place to rent. I found a place that I really like that's right near the intersection of Porter Ave and West Ave- what can you guys tell me about that area/neighborhood? Mostly I'm interested in crime/safety and amenities (i.e. supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, etc). I was told that the neighborhood is kind of up and coming, so I assume there is some crime. Does anyone have any info on what kind of stuff goes on over there? It seems pretty close to downtown which is something I was looking for. Thanks!

[genoobie]

Pretty much pegged it. There's a Tops right on Niagara St around the corner. You have access to busing and there are many restaurants in the area. Don't leave valuables in your car but otherwise safe. Good luck and welcome!

[laldm]

Agreed, what you say is pretty much true. That's a few blocks west of the really gentrified areas, but there are still very nice blocks over there, they're just more hit or miss. The area is definitely up-and-coming with properties values rising and professionals starting to move in. There has been a lot of development on Connecticut Street, a couple of blocks north, in the last couple of years, but it still needs quite a bit of work.

The only supermarket would be the Tops on Niagara, but there is the new Horsefeathers Market on Connecticut that has several little specialty shops and is the winter venue for the Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market. Bistro Europa, one of the most renowned Buffalo restaurants, is moving to Connecticut St. in a few months. And there are several little ethnic/specialty food stores as well, like Mineo & Sapio's (a sausage shop) and Niagara Seafood (a vietnamese seafood store that is also a general grocery/restaurant), and a couple of chinese shops on Niagara as well. There's a Chilean restaurant at Hudson & West. In general, that neighborhood is super ethnically diverse, which makes it interesting.

The bus service is very good over there (by Buffalo standards, probably not by Brooklyn standards). #3 runs right through that neighborhood every 10 or 15 minutes peak but a bit less on evenings and weekends, and #5 is closeby as well, also every 15 minutes peak. The streets are narrow, so it makes for good biking territory. There was a Buffalo Carshare car at Niagara Cafe at Pennsylvania & Niagara, as well - not sure if it still is.

As for crime, the lower west side is generally pretty safe. The crimes that do happen tend to be domestic, not so much gangs and stuff. As with any city, be aware of your surroundings and don't leave anything in the open in a car.

[JSmith11]

For groceries, this is very close to the PriceRite and the Elmwood Market both on the block of Elmwood between Summer and North. The Lexington Co-op (locally grown and organic produce, natural foods, etc.) is just a few minutes up Elmwood. Wegmans (a big supermarket with the best general selection in the area) is on Amherst near Elmwood, not too far a drive.