Moving to Buffalo; I have a few questions (Amherst, Cheektowaga: mortgage, lawyer)

[HappyGrace]

Hi everyone-what a wonderful and helpful forum this is! I spent some time on here until late last night trying to do a little research on here to educate myself some so I don't ask redundant questions about our move to Buffalo. We're looking for a family-friendly area with a little "room to move"-not a packed suburb, but one with decent taxes, houses that have some land to them, and a nice community feel, plus decent schools and a good resale value as this may be a transitional move. A friend suggested the Pendleton area near Lockport, but I'm seeing on here that Niagara County has HIGH taxes. Any thoughts about Pendleton or nearby? I'm also VERY concerned about cancer risks, etc., in Buffalo area, so I'm thinking Niagara County may not be the safest for that; perhaps the Southtowns would be better? What would be some areas you would recommend based on what I've mentioned? Maybe something with a rural feel, but ten minutes from everything? Probably Amherst or Williamsville would be out based on that. Our price range is around $140-160. I thank you in advance for any help! Leslie

[bmd69]

West Seneca!

[The city is watching]

wheatfield is your best bet

[catbys]

I think West Seneca is a better choice. It is a family community. Stay away from the neighborhoods that are on the city line. I would focus on the school you prefer and then check the area that feeds into that school. There are decent public schools and a choice of Catholic and Christian schools. Taxes are middle of the road. You can find much higher and significantly lower taxes, but the West Seneca quality of life is a good choice.

[The city is watching]

Originally Posted by catbys

I think West Seneca is a better choice. It is a family community. Stay away from the neighborhoods that are on the city line. I would focus on the school you prefer and then check the area that feeds into that school. There are decent public schools and a choice of Catholic and Christian schools. Taxes are middle of the road. You can find much higher and significantly lower taxes, but the West Seneca quality of life is a good choice.

The winters in west seneca can be brutal. And there is no diversity there.

Wheatfield is in a great place , right in between amherst -niagarafalls

[CAugust]

My opinion would be Clarence, you get a nice community and great schools, taxes are much better than Williamsville and the schooling is tremendous.
Colleen

[catbys]

West Seneca is on the border of the bad weather, and some times it gets hit. Usually it escapes the worst of the elements. I would guess the taxes are a bit more reasonable than the Clarence or Williamsville area. Those suburbs are home to CEO's and the high brow set. I cannot argue the diversity comment, although the families are not as transient in West Seneca as they are in Wmsvll and Clarence.

[wse2010]

I live in Cheektowaga on the West Seneca border so I go to West Seneca East and I agree that West Seneca has a really great school district. It is also a nice community to raise children in.

[BuffaloTransplant]

What do you define as "room to move"? I initially lived in the northtowns and felt crowded. We live on 4 acres in both Lancaster and Alden and it is 1) not crowded and 2) family friendly. OTOH, if you want to live in a development or in a village, few places will have "room to move".

[CAugust]

Originally Posted by catbys

West Seneca is on the border of the bad weather, and some times it gets hit. Usually it escapes the worst of the elements. I would guess the taxes are a bit more reasonable than the Clarence or Williamsville area. Those suburbs are home to CEO's and the high brow set. I cannot argue the diversity comment, although the families are not as transient in West Seneca as they are in Wmsvll and Clarence.

I have to disagree, thats just what others seem to think lol, that dont live here, I myself nor my husband is a ceo, nor high brow, unless you are directly speaking of Spaulding Lake, you really have no idea what you are talking about. Here are what some of my friends do for a living, work at verizon, work at Rich's, teachers, mortgage writers, bill collectors, jewlery makers, cops, etc etc, I dont think of those types as high brows. Of course, I have friends that are doctors and lawyers as well, its quite a mix. Many of the people I know just saved money rather than blowing it for a few years to get a decent down payment on a house in the Williamsville area and use good public schools rather than pay for private in areas that do not have good schooling.
Colleen