Movin 2 Dt Buff..any Water Views? (Buffalo, Hamburg: estate, houses, condos)

[Aerdnalynn]

HEY THERE...I AM IN SO. CAL...WANTING TO MOVE TO BUFFALO BEFORE THE END OF 2007...DEPENDING ON GETTING A JOB OFFER UP THERE, OR A JOB HERE I CAN TRANSFER UP THERE...EVEN HOME DEPOT...(LOVE THAT STORE)...ANY WAY I CAN GET UP THERE...WONDERING...ID LIKE TO LIVE DOWNTOWN...SAFE AREA OF COURSE...ID LIKE TO HAVE SOME KIND OF VIEW OF WATER, OR HIGH RISES, OR BOTH...AND AFFORDABLE...(NO SO CAL PRICING PEOPLE)... IS ANY OF THIS POSSIBLE? CAN ANYONE WHO IS A FAITHFUL BUFFALONIAN HELP ME OUT HERE? THANKS SO MUCH

[nyminute]

Ca Ching big time, bring a garden hose to watch

[XNYgirl]

DO you realize that Buffalo has major lake effect snow. Thus living on the lake means very nasty weather.

Check out the Route 5 Area in Hamburg, they have nice homes on the lake and they do not have the crime that downtown buffalo has.

[vicarian]

Actually, nearly all of the towns along Lake Erie have major lake effect snow, Hamburg included. Living thriteen miles from Buffalo won't change that.

However, XNYgirl (which I'm going to assume means she left for greener pastures), has a point about the suburban mansions along the lake. They don't have a crime problem like the poorer districts of Buffalo. Buffalo's downtown is only just starting to become populated with lofts and condos (which many of the old-time residents oppose, stuck in a 1970s frame of mind), so you'd be pioneering if you chose that route. There's not as much crime downtown mainly because relatively few people live there, but you're still in blighted Buffalo, so surrounding environs would be dodgy.

For pricing, you'll find it relatively affordable outright, but taxes are very high. The government of Buffalo is the right size for a city twice its size, but they're unwilling to trim down for the fear they'll put thousands out of work (what happens if you have small gov't, and no one comes anyway? that's Buffalo's reason to resist change), and they're have been cases of corruption that don't help.

Lastly is that the people of Buffalo really come across as too stuck in their ways to try to change. The oversized government, the local opposition to ANY new construction, the pessimism that it would never work anyway---Buffalo is an icon of urban blight that refuses to try and help itself.

People have plans, some call for change, but change is slow. Maybe if you end up going there, you can help that. But living in Buffalo will be a far cry from the way of life in SoCal.

[XNYgirl]

Vicarian - I moved out of Buffalo, but my sibling purchased a home on route 5. It's a nice late front property with lots of snow. I grew up in SB - jimmy griffins area - and I would not want to live on the lake. I just remember working on the waterfront and the blizzards just RIPPED up anything I had left to give. Riding the bus to Canisius in a blizzard, etc. Just too much.

My family is all still there. the biggest problem is the unions. The south doesn't have unions and the growth here in exponential. Would I move back to Buffalo, nope. The suburbs possibly, however, I would go if I got a free house, it would be a no brainer.

Also, when I worked there places like Ingram Micro paid college grads $8 you cannot friggan live on $8 an hour, no one can. It's too little. There are masses of college grads, in the south, not so likely. Here work experieince speaks volumes.

I hear they are graduating Charlottes next workforce this weekend, Canisius, Buff State, Etc. I'm just being mean. Sorry.

I do not regret moving out of Bufflo, but i really miss the pizza, wings, subs and Sahlen's Hot Dogs. My family doesn't visit frequent enough for me to get my deliveries anymore. Buffalo is hardpressed for new industry.

My aunt is always telling me about her friend building new homes, I had to ask point blank, whose buying these homes? How do they come up with the $$. Most of the people are retired boomers who can afford to build a small house here or there. Here in NC - there are more new houses then you can sneeze at. The industries down here are Crazy, Nascar, the wealthy banking industries. Michael Jordan and TIger Woods were here last weekend for a golf championship.

I feel no guilt in calling my siblings and gloating when it's 80 here, they are envious, however, I still feel like I'm going to melt in the sweltering heat.

I miss my family but not enough to wear snow boots and shovel. OUr Kars last a long time down here too, we just got thick pollen layers instead of hail.

Take Care.

[XNYgirl]

Oh yeah, You guys have the Bills and Sabes, you don't need anything more.

[xamsx]

Downtown Buffalo offers beautiful lakefront property via condos and townhouses. If you are selling in CA, or in a high property market in CA, you will not be phased by the prices. Currently, one of the condos or townhouses will sell in the $200 - $500K range depending on square footage and amenities.

Downtown Buffalo is not located in the snow belt. It does indeed get snow. Hamburg is located in the snow belt, and that 10+ miles is a huge difference in snowfall totals. One thing you will find very common is to have "Buffalo" listed as having all this snow when in fact it is the snow belt 10 -20 miles south that is getting pelted. I lived in the North Buffalo for many years and when it was reported "Buffalo has snow" I would look outside my window and wonder "Where!?" I now live in a northern suburb and we get more snow here then I ever saw in the city.

If you are not set on Lakefront property and will settle for riverfront property, you might want to check out Grand Island. It is also very pricey but there are houses (and estates) available.

The local mls is www.buffaloniagarahomes.com

[XNYgirl]

[quote=xamsx;707984]Downtown Buffalo offers beautiful lakefront property via condos and townhouses. If you are selling in CA, or in a high property market in CA, you will not be phased by the prices. Currently, one of the condos or townhouses will sell in the $200 - $500K range depending on square footage and amenities.

I am curious as to where these condo's are - do you have a name so I can google them? THanks

[xamsx]

Harbour Pointe
Portside
Gull Landing
Admirals Walk

There are properties on Lakefront Blvd and Lakefront Drive as well as a few other streets. There are properties near the Erie Basin Marina whose name I do not know. You can look up on the mls if there are any current listings available, and on the Erie county website for what has sold recently.

Across the street is a new complex going up called Waterfront Place. Work has begun and it is slated to open in 2008. Prices run from $200K - $800K