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Buffalo was no not much better over 40 years ago. The water front was a disaster; no one went there and that park you saw off the thruway was a garbage and crime infested eyesore that nobody cleaned up (I think it was called front park). Now I understand the waterfront has some development. However, there are neighborhoods in the city that are in much worse shape. Some neighborhoods, you could not tell the difference because they were trashed 50 years ago--and now,--just less people.
Downtown was deteriorating then, even when they built that Main Street Mall--I remember that. Here they put the new Library and a New Mall, all surrounded by decay. Theaters were closing; Department stores were closing--Oh, even the Palace Burlesk--remember that--was on its last days.
Oh, I forgot--only one, I mean one, Motor Vehicle Office in Erie County at the Ellicott Square Building. It was a whole day affair with the line running around in and out of the building. This was an area that had about a Million people in the County--at that time. Politics was bad then and worse now.
The Thruway Plaza was a gang hangout. Cheektowaga, a town of that could be the gold medal winner for prejudice and narrow mind thinking. Walden/Sycamore was deteriorating. Schiller Park Pool was a sewer and starting to be dangerous. Broadway Market and Sattlers was well passed its prime but the Train Depot on Memorial Drive was in operation, barely and falling apart.
War Memorial Stadium was a dangerous crime zone. A stinking GM plant on Delavan. Buffalo Municipal Beach--anybody have any idea what happen to that--was full of garbage, stunk and had no life guards. Lerzak's was a big hangout along Lakeshore road---It became some WMU club---Angola and Evans was the closest you could get to the lake after the stench of the mills, south of Buffalo. Oh, yea the steel mills and the factories--I worked there, in those union crime scenes.
Oh, yea you can take the big trip to Beaver Island. I remember the stink along the way, along the refineries; we all laughed; we thought it was funny; yea, some joke....and Niagara Falls--it was decay, now it is putrid...
Do not tell me about the good old days of Buffalo--I never saw them. They were before my time and everybody here on this forum, never saw it either. You would have been alive, before the 1930s and perhaps you just saw a what was left of the Great City of Buffalo at the turn of the 20th Century from the 19th.
My good memories of the area are of Western New York, Central New York, the lakes, the rural towns---anywhere away from Buffalo.
I want to move to Buffalo regardless of how much I can make, as long as I can pay rent and eat I really wouldn't complain too much. I would do it for $30K a year or lower.
Buffalo was no not much better over 40 years ago. The water front was a disaster; no one went there and that park you saw off the thruway was a garbage and crime infested eyesore that nobody cleaned up (I think it was called front park). Now I understand the waterfront has some development. However, there are neighborhoods in the city that are in much worse shape. Some neighborhoods, you could not tell the difference because they were trashed 50 years ago--and now,--just less people.
Downtown was deteriorating then, even when they built that Main Street Mall--I remember that. Here they put the new Library and a New Mall, all surrounded by decay. Theaters were closing; Department stores were closing--Oh, even the Palace Burlesk--remember that--was on its last days.
Oh, I forgot--only one, I mean one, Motor Vehicle Office in Erie County at the Ellicott Square Building. It was a whole day affair with the line running around in and out of the building. This was an area that had about a Million people in the County--at that time. Politics was bad then and worse now.
The Thruway Plaza was a gang hangout. Cheektowaga, a town of that could be the gold medal winner for prejudice and narrow mind thinking. Walden/Sycamore was deteriorating. Schiller Park Pool was a sewer and starting to be dangerous. Broadway Market and Sattlers was well passed its prime but the Train Depot on Memorial Drive was in operation, barely and falling apart.
War Memorial Stadium was a dangerous crime zone. A stinking GM plant on Delavan. Buffalo Municipal Beach--anybody have any idea what happen to that--was full of garbage, stunk and had no life guards. Lerzak's was a big hangout along Lakeshore road---It became some WMU club---Angola and Evans was the closest you could get to the lake after the stench of the mills, south of Buffalo. Oh, yea the steel mills and the factories--I worked there, in those union crime scenes.
Oh, yea you can take the big trip to Beaver Island. I remember the stink along the way, along the refineries; we all laughed; we thought it was funny; yea, some joke....and Niagara Falls--it was decay, now it is putrid...
Do not tell me about the good old days of Buffalo--I never saw them. They were before my time and everybody here on this forum, never saw it either. You would have been alive, before the 1930s and perhaps you just saw a what was left of the Great City of Buffalo at the turn of the 20th Century from the 19th.
My good memories of the area are of Western New York, Central New York, the lakes, the rural towns---anywhere away from Buffalo.
I just re-read my post, again and again. Ya, know, I was not exaggerating one bit. It really was that bad with the specific issues and places that I was remembering.
I remember taking that Sycamore bus from the Thruway Plaza to downtown--that was a nightmare for young guy. It passed war torn decay and it has not got better. Everyplace I mentioned; the memories are very clear.
I would come off the Peace Bridge on the Hwy. with my family, visiting relatives in Hamilton. We take the thruway, to the Dingen Exit, and I saw that decayed park, numerous times. I always though, How come Hamilton looks better than this lousy city. You see, my cousins and I were always comparing Canada and the USA---and my USA was only Buffalo---so I lost the argument.
You do not believe the stink from the refineries going to Beaver Island???? Anyone from that time can tell you the same story. That is not to say that the stink was not all over the country--because today we have better concern for the environment--but that was the only world I knew.
Somebody tell me about that dump, Buffalo Municipal Beach?? Does not anybody remember?? It was the closest beach I could get to in the area. What happen to the area around War Memorial Stadium--did they redevelop??? or the Delevan GM Plant??? How about Schiller Park??? It the pool still there??? Did they renew the area???-----tell me these answers-----How about the Broadway Market area??? The Train Depot???? Have all these been renewed, redeveloped???? Tell me about the Main Street Mall---I remember being built--it is vibrant, alive???
It is strange that with all the water in WNY, I have better and closer access to water here in Denver--I can walk to reservoirs, Wildlife areas, Ralston Creek, Clear Creek; hike and bike for miles along the trails that connect to the Platte River with more parks, creeks and water bodies.
Yea, Cheektowaga--oh, I forgot that creek with all the trash--Sajacawda...however you spell it. In Colorado, streams and creeks are maintained and many have hiking paths and parks along the banks. Because water is scarce here, we treasure what we have--you are spoiled and waste the abundance of the resources.
What do you want me to say--it was not so, it was. That does not mean that these situations did not exist in other cities. However, many other cities have improved--Buffalo and a few others politically, commercially and socially inept cities have got much worse---that is the issue.
I could always remember the little song:
"Boost Buffalo, it is good for you.
Buffalo deserves, your appreciation,
It is the greatest Lake Port in the Nation,
Boost Buffalo, Boost Buffalo, it is good for you."
What I am saying is that over 40-50 years ago--it was the same lament--Buffalo was dying and people knew it--but nobody tried enough to attempt a rescue...
Whose fault is it?? At what time did all this decay begin??? What generation is responsible??? I think it began well before any one of us were alive. Whose fault is it??? I do not totally know but I do know that the failure and decline of any city is not good for the whole country and that is why it should matter to all of us, no matter where we live.
Livecontent
Last edited by livecontent; 08-06-2009 at 02:07 PM..
wit ma mentality im in a playa state so imma demand tha most i can get but to be honest i would live out there as long as rent is paid n i got food n bills paid tha rest i culd get maself
My wife grew up here, well Amherst, but we lived in Buffalo for 3 years.
I earned $8000 last year.
When I finished college I got a job making $18,000. However, it is a bike ride from home, overnights, and I can work on my novels and music, like the broody angry man writing angry letters to the Government. That is a joke.
Laugh.
Honestly, I never was about money. I get to spend my day with my young boy (who will be born in a few weeks), and my afternoons with my wife.
When my son is old enough for school, I will then try to earn more. But, between me and my wife we earn average living wage, but have a $100,000 college debt looming.
The question for me is...
What income would make me move away from Buffalo?
I have great free concerts, a bar strip (Chippewa People), And now some Lawyer pays for free rides home when drunk (although I am sure they would appreciate a tip ).
As well, an art museum, Science Museum, a Zoo, with dieing Polor Bears, but let that be another unfortunate topic.
It also hosts some of the greatest theatrical showes running, Wiked and Wiz of Oz rolled through.
We got Bills, Bisons, That UB lacross team that's really good, and the Sabers.
Malls and private companies.
All of these are affordable. Even a naval exibhit (you can actually go inside the battle ship).
Every few years me and my wife go to a fancy resturant.
We have Ski resorts near by (approx. 30 mins for one and 1 hr for the other.
Niagara falls, I hate to say it but Canda and Casinos.
So, Income is not everything.
I would need at least $80 - 100 grand to move away.
I love my wife, and she loves Buffalo. I find it relieving compared to the hour and a half drive to a mall that I used to suffer.
But, expect to top out making around $50 grand if you are good at buisness or something, or 25 grand in a normal job.
That is a great income level.
I could make around $35 Grand, but why bother wehn I have to pay $15 Grand for child care? And never see my family? Nope, I will be happy with the $20 Grand I earn and when it is time, my career move will happen.
I hope this is enough for some of you who are interested in moving or taking a Job in the Buffalo region. Just be smart and don't put yourself too far in debt, ok Kiddos!
What options other than debt are there when you are making $18,000 a year? With a college degree nonetheless. You could probably live in a city with a similar cost of living to Buffalo, but earn at LEAST $30,000 a year.
But I agree about family. If I had family here it would likely change my perspective, I would look for the bright side of every bad thing that happens to Buffalo, now I am forced to look objectively and see how bad it is. And I honestly wish that it wasn't that way, because it's not fun to really not like the city you live in (for 9 more months)
What options other than debt are there when you are making $18,000 a year? With a college degree nonetheless. You could probably live in a city with a similar cost of living to Buffalo, but earn at LEAST $30,000 a year.
But I agree about family. If I had family here it would likely change my perspective, I would look for the bright side of every bad thing that happens to Buffalo, now I am forced to look objectively and see how bad it is. And I honestly wish that it wasn't that way, because it's not fun to really not like the city you live in (for 9 more months)
When I started out as a per day substitute teacher, I made on average $20,000 a year, which is what all other subs in Boston made if they accepted each and every per assignment that they come by. This was only back in 05-06 and I already had a college degree. It wasn't my first choice but jobs were and still are hard to come by here in New England and unless you had connections, it is almost impossible to land a good government job. The difference is that one could never rent and live on his own in Boston by just making 20 grand (I lived at home just to survive). Its just too expensive here. However, if one can do that and live comfortably in Buffalo, then Buffalo isn't so bad after all.
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Move...
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