Buffalo's undeserved bad reputation (New York, Syracuse: real estate, 2009, lofts)

[rubybelle]

An article that appeared on Yahoo Real estate:


The populations of these metropolitan areas are declining. Here's why.

In a way, it's the same old story: The Rust Belt, comprised of blue-collar cities where the manufacturing industry once dominated, can't seem to find a way to thrive.
Take Pittsburgh. Despite the fact that the city's steel industry began to deteriorate all the way back in the 1970s, the city is still better known for its mills than for its $10.8 billion stake in the technology and life-science sectors, including companies like Bayer, BPL Global and Plextronics.

Same goes for Buffalo, N.Y. Once a great producer of steel and automobiles, the city's bioinformatics research industry is now flourishing. Yet just like Pittsburgh, Buffalo is shedding population.

To continue reading the article click on the link below.

Buffalo's unfair reputation

[cheese9988]

There is actually alot of high end businesses in and around Buffalo. People still think about Buffalo as a manufacturing area, some want to see it return to its former stature. But I see Buffalo getting more diversified, but not returning to a major manufacturing center. A diverse city is key to long term success.

[garmin239]

These cities get a bad reputation because the general public are morons that buy into stereotypes and hearsay.

[rubybelle]

Originally Posted by garmin239

These cities get a bad reputation because the general public are morons that buy into stereotypes and hearsay.

I like Buffalo and I actually like the weather! Okay, I'm not crazy about all the snow, but that's what snow blowers are made for.

I posted the article to hopefully point out to many that even though Buffalo has a bad reputation, it's not nearly as awful as some naysayers would like you to think it is. Perhaps the east side has it's problems, and the city is not a hot bed of activity, but there are many areas that are still wonderful, like Elmwood, Delaware, Allentown, amongst others, and the suburbs of Buffalo are terrific too.

[Urban Peasant]

The article drew its information from Forbes.com, a source that frequently puts out information, some of which had been highly questioned elsewhere in this message board. I am surprised to find Providence, RI on the list. True its unemplyment rate is over 10% but that doesn't necessarily mean its a dying city. I was there only a few months ago and its downtown was thriving.

That said, some of the information the article put out about Buffalo may not be necessarily true (whatever their editors say). Be proud of your city, that's all .

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by garmin239

These cities get a bad reputation because the general public are morons that buy into stereotypes and hearsay.

Exactly! What makes it worse is that some of the people from that area buy into it. That can be a problem here in the Syracuse area at times too.

[cheese9988]

That #3 picture of Cleveland is horrible. Every town has boarded up windows, but still. They could have taken pictures of Key Tower, the stadium or the Rock and Roll hall of fame. Things Cleveland is known for.

[I'minformed2]

I just saw that story on Yahoo's homepage now. So glad that it brought to light the fact that it's really an IMAGE problem with these cities and not that they are actually bad places at all. It grinds my nerves how much people in the so called "rust belt" (a term I HATE) seem to just write the area off. Do these cities have some problems? Of course; but so does every other place! Give them a chance for damns sake!

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by rubybelle

I like Buffalo and I actually like the weather! Okay, I'm not crazy about all the snow, but that's what snow blowers are made for.

I posted the article to hopefully point out to many that even though Buffalo has a bad reputation, it's not nearly as awful as some naysayers would like you to think it is. Perhaps the east side has it's problems, and the city is not a hot bed of activity, but there are many areas that are still wonderful, like Elmwood, Delaware, Allentown, amongst others, and the suburbs of Buffalo are terrific too.

Agreed - if you didn't post it, I sure would have!

Like others said, every city has its problems, and Buffalo has no less problems then the next city. I mean really? Take a look around and see how blessed some of us are to live here. I'm a Buffalonian for life and proud of it. This region always has potential - something cities like New York and Chicago can't really obtain. We have the region, the location, the bones and the history, so it's now time to build and move into the future. Buffalo, NY will be the place to be soon - heck! We've already made it to one of the top 40 places in the world to go in 2009 - rated by Forbes. Things are changing, let's make sure our reputation is too!

[TCMaster]

I think they should redevelop the neighborhoods around the HSBC arena, and south of the city, by the lake, and that peninsula the skyway is on also has potential. Most of this area seems vacant, and it could be a trendy area full of condos and lofts. And condos definately could be built right by the skyway, as the area right by the Gardiner Expressway in downtown Toronto shows.

Redevelop this area in general:
Google Maps