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Buffalo actually has about 250-260,000 in the city and 1.1 million in the metro area. Quebec City has about 800-850,000 in its metro area. I’d pick Buffalo due to location and size. From what I’ve seen of Quebec City, it has some very nice architecture.
1) Proximity to other cities and populated areas. Quebec City can feel isolated.
2) Public transit. Quebec isn't bad, but Buffalo has an actual metro and decent bus system.
3) Professional Sports. Bills and Sabres. Until Quebec gets the Nordiques back, they're not a major league town.
4) Diversity. Quebec City is unique from an American perspective because it's Quebecois and Francophone. But it's homogeneous, especially compared to big sister Montreal. Buffalo offers more on that front.
But overall for me, it's Quebec City and it's hard to not throw in "by a mile." Quebec City is prettier (architecturally and in terms of scenery), safer, cleaner, has better cultural attractions and institutions, better dining and shopping, etc. I'd rather visit or live in Quebec City (even as an English speaker) than Buffalo. I've, at times, looked for jobs in Quebec hoping to find something. I'd live there if I had the chance. On the contrary, while I don't hate Buffalo, I don't think I'd accept an offer to live/work there.
1) Proximity to other cities and populated areas. Quebec City can feel isolated.
2) Public transit. Quebec isn't bad, but Buffalo has an actual metro and decent bus system.
3) Professional Sports. Bills and Sabres. Until Quebec gets the Nordiques back, they're not a major league town.
4) Diversity. Quebec City is unique from an American perspective because it's Quebecois and Francophone. But it's homogeneous, especially compared to big sister Montreal. Buffalo offers more on that front.
But overall for me, it's Quebec City and it's hard to not throw in "by a mile." Quebec City is prettier (architecturally and in terms of scenery), safer, cleaner, has better cultural attractions and institutions, better dining and shopping, etc. I'd rather visit or live in Quebec City (even as an English speaker) than Buffalo. I've, at times, looked for jobs in Quebec hoping to find something. I'd live there if I had the chance. On the contrary, while I don't hate Buffalo, I don't think I'd accept an offer to live/work there.
What cultural institutions does Quebec exceed Buffalo in? Buffalo has a significant Theatre District, and a very good Art Museum for its size.
Most of Quebecs charm seems to be it's Francophone novelty which would wear off.
What cultural institutions does Quebec exceed Buffalo in? Buffalo has a significant Theatre District, and a very good Art Museum for its size.
Most of Quebecs charm seems to be it's Francophone novelty which would wear off.
Have you been to Quebec? I feel like anyone who has been would never say the bolded. Quebec's "charm" largely stems from the old walled city (the only one of its kind in the U.S. or Canada) which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That is the number one cultural institution in Quebec as it's a living, breathing history museum. There's nothing close in Buffalo or most other North American cities (not even Boston). It's also a strikingly beautiful place architecturally and offers a great amount of Quebecois culture. It's hardly a "novelty."
Have you been to Quebec? I feel like anyone who has been would never say the bolded. Quebec's "charm" largely stems from the old walled city (the only one of its kind in the U.S. or Canada) which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That is the number one cultural institution in Quebec as it's a living, breathing history museum. There's nothing close in Buffalo or most other North American cities (not even Boston). It's also a strikingly beautiful place architecturally and offers a great amount of Quebecois culture. It's hardly a "novelty."
Quebec City is more than just a pretty historic vacation--it's also a functioning provincial government center with a sizable and growing economy in various sectors. The city and metro is incredibly safe in regards to violent crime and it has a larger expanse of walkable neighborhoods which is not relegated to the scenic but touristy Old Quebec. Buffalo in its heyday was certainly the much more prosperous city, but the urban renewal and flight to the suburbs it experienced in the latter 20th century really did a number on it. It can certainly bounce back, but at the moment Quebec City, francophilia (quebecophilia) aside, is the safer, and faster growing city and that's on top of being more historic and arguably more scenic. I imagine if Buffalo were in Canada somehow, it'd be doing gangbusters right now.
I like both quite a bit.
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