Buffalo & Detroit similarities and differences

[doat]

Left Buffalo in 1968 and settled in Detroit in 1971. Detroit is the worst of the two. Nothing in Detroit. Decay and burned out buildings. They have casios and one area Greek Town is nice, but thats it. Detroit has some very nice older buildings but when the sun goes down you better make sure you have a cross and wooden stake if your out. I have been back to Buffalo many times over the years and Buffalo is still better than Detroit.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by doat

Left Buffalo in 1968 and settled in Detroit in 1971. Detroit is the worst of the two. Nothing in Detroit. Decay and burned out buildings. They have casios and one area Greek Town is nice, but thats it. Detroit has some very nice older buildings but when the sun goes down you better make sure you have a cross and wooden stake if your out. I have been back to Buffalo many times over the years and Buffalo is still better than Detroit.

I know Detroit still has some nice neighborhoods like Palmer Woods, Indian Village, Corktown, Midtown, Palmer Park, Boston-Edison, Arden Park-East Boston, Atkinson Ave., Sherwood Forest, the University District, Virginia Park, Rosedale Park, Parkland, East Ferry Ave., Brush Park and East English Village.

[michiganirish]

Originally Posted by ocean2026

I just wonder -especially for those who have been to BOTH Buffalo and Detroit - how you would compare them.

Both are among the cities with the nicest architecture- which do you prefer?

I grew up in Detroit. Lived in it's suburbs after getting married, and now am a resident of Buffalo. (Parkside neighborhood) There is no comparison between Detroit and Buffalo. Detroit is basically a dead city. There is no real retail. I'm not refering to just the downtown... there is no retail in any of the neighborhoods. Detroit does not have an Elmwood District, Hertel Ave, Allentown, there is no real parks. Except perhaps for Belle Isle, but that is not the safest. There are pockets of historical type neighborhoods in Detorit; Indian Village, Rosedale Park, Palmer Park, Boston-Edison District. But even some of those neighborhoods are showing a decline.

Both have huge amounts of abandoned buildings. My guess in part because Detroit is bigger they seem to have more large abandoned buildings.

Most of Detroit's grand architecture is crumbling an most beyond restorations. Google "Detroit Ruins" and you'll find several sites that feature pictures of Detroit's beauty going to ruin. Detroit's size isn't the reason for it's amount of decay it's the ineptness of the people in the city government. Just take a look at the past mayors. Coleman Young ruined Detroit, Denis Archer tried hard to save it but was opposed by many and Kwame Kilpatrick was... well we all know what he was.

Both are high in crime -statistically Detroit is higher. Anyone who has walked around both cities?V

While I can only speak to what I have read in newspapers and watching the news here in Buffalo, I can't see where Buffalo comes close to Detroit's crime problems. There isn't anywhere in Detroit where I would feel safe walking alone. Go a couple of blocks in any direction outside of a "nice" neighborhood in Detroit and you are in an area that resembles bomb out Beirut. I reqularly walk in Buffalo, or bike, I use the park system and feel quite safe. It's much easier to identify the unsafe areas in Buffalo. I am not naive.... I do know there is a risk in any city and stay aware of surroundings, however Buffalo is definately more "user friendly".

Both are hoping for a comeback-- what are the chances for each?

Both have high real estate taxes - think Buffalo is worst though.

From what I have experienced in both cities, Buffalo's chances of a recovery is higher than Detroit's. The city government, while not perfect, certainly seems to be making a serious effort towards forward movement, while Detroit hasn't even begun to move forward. The citizen's of Buffalo seem to care much more for their city's development than Detroit's. I am referring to the "everyday" people not just the movers and shakers of Buffalo.

As far as taxes, I think the two cities are pretty much on an equal plain. To me this seems inherent to urban areas, especially those that have seen a decline and are trying to make a come back. The difference is Detroit has a lack of viable tax base as so many of it's residents are on or below the poverty level. There are thousands of foreclosed homes in Detroit, I don't see that here in Buffalo.


There are other things regarding Detroit that make Buffalo a much better canidate for revival. 75% of Detroit's students DO NOT graduate from high school. That's a major contributor to Detoit's decline. I don't see that here in Buffalo.

Hope this gives you an over view from someone that has experienced both cities. If you have any other questions... let me know

[Buffalonian4life]

^^^ Now that's an insightful, well done post. Great job!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by michiganirish

I grew up in Detroit. Lived in it's suburbs after getting married, and now am a resident of Buffalo. (Parkside neighborhood) There is no comparison between Detroit and Buffalo. Detroit is basically a dead city. There is no real retail. I'm not refering to just the downtown... there is no retail in any of the neighborhoods. Detroit does not have an Elmwood District, Hertel Ave, Allentown, there is no real parks. Except perhaps for Belle Isle, but that is not the safest. There are pockets of historical type neighborhoods in Detorit; Indian Village, Rosedale Park, Palmer Park, Boston-Edison District. But even some of those neighborhoods are showing a decline.




Most of Detroit's grand architecture is crumbling an most beyond restorations. Google "Detroit Ruins" and you'll find several sites that feature pictures of Detroit's beauty going to ruin. Detroit's size isn't the reason for it's amount of decay it's the ineptness of the people in the city government. Just take a look at the past mayors. Coleman Young ruined Detroit, Denis Archer tried hard to save it but was opposed by many and Kwame Kilpatrick was... well we all know what he was.



While I can only speak to what I have read in newspapers and watching the news here in Buffalo, I can't see where Buffalo comes close to Detroit's crime problems. There isn't anywhere in Detroit where I would feel safe walking alone. Go a couple of blocks in any direction outside of a "nice" neighborhood in Detroit and you are in an area that resembles bomb out Beirut. I reqularly walk in Buffalo, or bike, I use the park system and feel quite safe. It's much easier to identify the unsafe areas in Buffalo. I am not naive.... I do know there is a risk in any city and stay aware of surroundings, however Buffalo is definately more "user friendly".



From what I have experienced in both cities, Buffalo's chances of a recovery is higher than Detroit's. The city government, while not perfect, certainly seems to be making a serious effort towards forward movement, while Detroit hasn't even begun to move forward. The citizen's of Buffalo seem to care much more for their city's development than Detroit's. I am referring to the "everyday" people not just the movers and shakers of Buffalo.

As far as taxes, I think the two cities are pretty much on an equal plain. To me this seems inherent to urban areas, especially those that have seen a decline and are trying to make a come back. The difference is Detroit has a lack of viable tax base as so many of it's residents are on or below the poverty level. There are thousands of foreclosed homes in Detroit, I don't see that here in Buffalo.


There are other things regarding Detroit that make Buffalo a much better canidate for revival. 75% of Detroit's students DO NOT graduate from high school. That's a major contributor to Detoit's decline. I don't see that here in Buffalo.

Hope this gives you an over view from someone that has experienced both cities. If you have any other questions... let me know

Very, very good post. Another I notice is that there seems to be less of a disconnect between the suburbs of Buffalo versus the suburbs of Detroit.

[jazzy jeff 11]

Plus when Detroit was big it was basically a working city. With all the automotive jobs, if lived in detroit all you did was work. Thats changed. Detroits no longer a job filled place.

[Tiger Beer]

Very interesting thread. I'd agree with the others about Detroit basically being a 'dead city'.

I always assumed Buffalo might be of a similar nature...but maybe not. It is making me curious to visit your city.