Living on Grand Island (New York, Buffalo: for sale, real estate, sublets)

[TexasMama1]

Hi everyone, my husband just got a new job in Amherst, so my family will be moving up to the Buffalo area in less than 3 weeks! We were trying to find a rental home in the Williamsville/Amherst areas, but there are slim pickings! I just saw some info online about Grand Island, and it looks really nice. I have two kids and I want excellent schools for them, so that it important. Can anyone tell me about living with a family on Grand Island?

[ckhthankgod]

That might be a longer commute than he wants, it still isn't too bad. What about Lancaster or Clarence? Here are some websites that might help: RealtyUSA | New York Real Estate |

MapsKrieg - Buffalo, NY - Apartments, Rooms, Sublets, and Real Estate for Sale

[Port North]

Originally Posted by TexasMama1

Hi everyone, my husband just got a new job in Amherst, so my family will be moving up to the Buffalo area in less than 3 weeks! We were trying to find a rental home in the Williamsville/Amherst areas, but there are slim pickings! I just saw some info online about Grand Island, and it looks really nice. I have two kids and I want excellent schools for them, so that it important. Can anyone tell me about living with a family on Grand Island?

I grew up on Grand Island (been gone from there for about 15 years). It is a nice quiet place with plenty of nature and little traffic and aggrevation. The approach to the tolls to the South Grand Island bridge can backup during rush hours, but you can avoid it if you take that short cut from Sheridan Drive to River Road and get on the 190 right at the toll barrier.

The down side to Grand Island is that you do have to leave the Island for major shopping and services and the people there can be a bit insular. Overall though it is a nice place to live. My parents worked in Williamsville and Depew and I commuted to UB when I lived there and we didn't encounter many traffic issues. I'm sure that hasn't changed much in the years I've been away.

[donbuy]

2010 Population Growth and Population Statistics

Grand Island, NY New York

Population 2010 Census 20,482

Population Change Since 1990 14.58% INCREASE

Population Change Since 2000 9.99% INCREASE

Forecasted Population Change by 2014 5.45% INCREASE

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

[BuffaloTransplant]

Grand Island is one of the only places in the area that makes commutes a pain in the rear. Going over the bridges can be quick or an ordeal, depending on the day. It is probably the one place I would never live, no matter how nice, unless I never had to drive off of it.

[Shivel]

Grand Island is nice if you're a nature lover. Lots of greenspace and its very close to Niagara Falls. There is also a decent amusement park, Martin's Fantasy Island. However, the driving ($1.00 toll for the Grand Island Bridge) will probably get annoying quickly and aside from MFA there isn't much to do.

[jblake78728]

Originally Posted by Shivel

Grand Island is nice if you're a nature lover. Lots of greenspace and its very close to Niagara Falls. There is also a decent amusement park, Martin's Fantasy Island. However, the driving ($1.00 toll for the Grand Island Bridge) will probably get annoying quickly and aside from MFA there isn't much to do.

Its only a $.09 toll for residents of the Island if they use EZ Pass & verify their address & vehicle registration to be on Grand Island.

[skilldeadly]

GI is terrible. Decent houses but the people that live there think they are something special. You would think they are from LI. My parents lived there before I was born and my GF has a friend that lives there. The bridges are annoying along with the price to pay to use them. There isnt anything on the island of worth. You would be better off getting a place in Clarence or maybe more towards Buffalo. GI isn't worth the stress or the attitudes.

[kunsunoke]

Originally Posted by skilldeadly

GI is terrible.

Have you lived there?

Decent houses but the people that live there think they are something special.

Would that be the Variety Club sense of the word "special", or just special-special?

You would think they are from LI.

The accents are different, and so is the aggression level.

My parents lived there before I was born and my GF has a friend that lives there.

Input from your parents or your girlfriend's friend might be a little bit more useful.

The bridges are annoying along with the price to pay to use them.

They keep the riff-raff out.

There isnt anything on the island of worth.

Unless you value good/safe public schools, low crime, abundant green space, proximity to two major cities, water sports, etc.

You would be better off getting a place in Clarence

Which works if you like being isolated.

or maybe more towards Buffalo.

Kenmore is the closest I'd get if I were the op.

GI isn't worth the stress

What stress? Not like the Islanders have that much to worry about, unlike residents of Niagara Falls.

or the attitudes.

I still have no idea what you're talking about, and I lived there for more than twenty years.

[Port North]

Originally Posted by skilldeadly

GI is terrible. Decent houses but the people that live there think they are something special. You would think they are from LI. My parents lived there before I was born and my GF has a friend that lives there. The bridges are annoying along with the price to pay to use them. There isnt anything on the island of worth. You would be better off getting a place in Clarence or maybe more towards Buffalo. GI isn't worth the stress or the attitudes.

I've lived on both Grand Island and Long Island.

Two totally different animals, believe me! People along the water on Grand Island can be a bit uppity, but nowhere near Long Island levels! Most everyone else on Grand Island is middle/working class.