Retiring in or near Buffalo (Amherst, Tonawanda: loft, condos, motel)

[livonian]

Due to kids living in Ontario, I am considering Buffalo or nearby area as a possible preferred place after retirement. We live in Illinois therefore 50-60 inches of snow is OK.

However, we plan to stay 8 months in the house and 4 winter months out of the state.

We plan to buy a house but would have preferred condo but donot find much options in condos. Are there condos in large numbers in any other area other than Buffalo waterfront?

Since Buffalo is well connected for travel, it will be an advantage.

Need advise about managing property while being away mainly snow removal so that house does not look abondoned inviting house thefts.

We prefer to live away from lake effect snow area so thought of Lewiston or
Youngstown as possible options.

Please advise any other place around Buffalo within 30 mile radius for retiree couple

Thanks

[k9coach]

The greater Amherst area, including Williamsville and East Amherst have some lovely condos. Clarence has some too. If you are over 55, you might consider a neighborhood like Stonegate of Clarence where everyone is a retiree and all maintenance is taken care of year round!

[ckhthankgod]

I wonder if Lockport has condos? That might work as a happy medium and you still get less snow on average. It would also provide a walkable community and access to the Erie Canal. I believe that there are some events during the summer in Downtown Lockport too.

[Checkered24]

To handle snow removal, you can just hire a seasonal plow guy to handle the driveway and some shoveling.

Otherwise, a condo or townhouse may be a good option too. Somewhere that has community snow removal.

Being North of the city of Buffalo will help insulate from Lake Affect off of lake Erie, but Niagara County locales can get a good amount of snow off of Lake Ontario too. Lewiston may be as good of a bet as any for a good location.

[static_g]

I'm not super familiar with Lewiston, but it's one of the prettier towns in the area. Retiring there would be nice. They have a great little downtown and various festivals. Plus, you'd be super close to the bridge.

[topchief1]

My aunt and uncle recently bought a retirement condo in Elma. I don't know the name of the community, but it's pretty nice. Their condo is loft style.

[leftcoastal]

One type of housing you could consider is a duplex, they are very affordable and would provide the lived in look when you are away. The lawn and winter maintenance can be done by a third party at reasonable cost. The taxes in Buffalo itself are a lot lower, and the proximity to Canada via the Peace Bridge is very convenient.

[Dockwalliper]

Check into Chestnut ridge area off Sweet Home in Amherst. Lots of reasonably priced condos. Also maybe Rivers Edge in The City of Tonawanda, Right where the Erie Canal meets the Niagara River.

[donbuy]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

I wonder if Lockport has condos? That might work as a happy medium and you still get less snow on average. It would also provide a walkable community and access to the Erie Canal. I believe that there are some events during the summer in Downtown Lockport too.

Lockport gets only 50-60% of the snowfall Northern Erie County gets. There are not really any condos within the City of Lockport but the Town of Lockport has quite a few patio homes and condo's most sell in the $160K to 200K range and are fairly new builds.

[donbuy]

Originally Posted by Dockwalliper

Check into Chestnut ridge area off Sweet Home in Amherst. Lots of reasonably priced condos. Also maybe Rivers Edge in The City of Tonawanda, Right where the Erie Canal meets the Niagara River.

Most of the one's in this area like Kelph Drive are very utilitarian. They seem to be island of building surrounded by parking. Almost no landscaping. It would be like living in a motel