Advice on HSBC Arena (New York, Buffalo: hotel, home, employment)

[ndawg8686]

Hey guys,

I'm a Niagara-Canadian very familiar with most of Buffalo's suburbs (to the surprise of the border guards it seems -- the guy in the NEXUS lane was shocked I even know what Williamsville WAS. Surely as a Canadian Buffalo is only the Galleria to me ) Anyways, I plead ignorance to the city proper. I'm thinking of going to see the Sabres on Dec 30 by myself. I'll be coming in on the 190 via 90 from my hotel near the airport if I do decide to go (going to visit my family in North Carolina the next day).

My question is simple -- how safe is it for a twenty-something Canadian to go to a game alone at the HSBC? Last time I was anywhere remotely near that area (which is miles away from the HSBC Arena, I know) was when I pulled into that Wal-Mart Supercenter just off 90 right on the border with Cheektowaga last year (Harlem Road area I think). Yeah, I'm not doing that again!

And if it is safe, when would be a good time to show up? I want to park as close as possible. I usually have to park about three hours in advance if I want to get anywhere good when I visit the SkyDome to see the Jays.

Any advice from across the river is appreciated!

[aurorawatcher]

You'll be safe. The Sabre games crowd is one of the best around. And as for parking you can go early for a close spot. But you'll have a good time thats for sure. Just hope they win that night

[cheese9988]

You will be ok. The only way anyone could even tell your Canadian is the occational "aye" and "aboot" you say. I used to work with a Canadian who commuted every day (I lived in Buffalo then) and we are more alike than you think.

[FedupWNY]

Downtown Buffalo is pretty crowded on game nights, so I don't think you'll fear walking anywhere alone. One note, the closer you get to the Arena, the more you'll have to pay for parking. After the game, I've walked blocks away to catch a metro and hadn't anyone bother us.

As far as being alright at a game by yourself, if you're not obnoxiously cheering the other team, you should be fine. Sabres games are much tamer than the Bills.

[ndawg8686]

Nice, thanks for the advice guys! cheese, my accent is actually much closer to that heard in Western New York than what you'd hear in most parts of Southern Ontario (including Fort Erie) for some strange reason. I think it's because I picked up a bit of the twang because of my former line of employment (inbound call center for Comcast/Time Warner).

I've been a Sabres fan since I was a kid (Bills too), so no worries about me getting beat up for wearing an Ovechkin jersey I grew up listening to WGR and Jeanneret when I could because we didn't have any cable TV/the Leafs dominated the airwaves.

I heard parking was about $15-20ish when you get close. Is that about right? I usually pay about $10-15 by parking at the Convention Center in Toronto when I go to any baseball game there.

Incidently, I've always liked WNY; the Buffalo-Niagara area definitely feels more "Canadian" than other cities in the States. I've noticed that people in WNY tend to be a bit nicer than those in Niagara Region (my original home domain), but that's definitely subjective. Hopefully the economy in the area will turn around for the better; Buffalo is right on a major Internet backbone (my call center was based out of St. Catharines because of it), so hopefully this will help things along. Nice folks, you Buffalonians!

[CAugust]

you will be totally fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! enjoy

[ndawg8686]

just bought my tix. thanks guys!

[FedupWNY]

Parking, the very closest is about $10-15 and you'll have to get there very early, other spots a few blocks away (where mostly everyone parks) is much cheaper. Mind if I ask what level you bought? Though, I think every seat in the Arena is a good one.

[Buffalonian4life]

You could in fact, park your car at the University at Buffalo and take the metro subway to the HSBC Arena while getting a very inexpensive ride and close spot . Just another thought for you and parking.

[FedupWNY]

Originally Posted by Buffalonian4life

You could in fact, park your car at the University at Buffalo and take the metro subway to the HSBC Arena while getting a very inexpensive ride and close spot . Just another thought for you and parking.

Great thought! Much cheaper and the experience of riding the rail in Buffalo should be a tourist attraction on to itself. Each stop underground is different, and the "cross over", that's pretty cool (if you know about it).