Buffalo, New York

If you’re living in a big metropolis, your Buffalo word association responses might be “cold,” “snowy,” “wings,” or “Bills so sad.” All that is accurate. Yes, they have an unreasonable affection for tailgating, and no, snow does not equate to a snow day. But the Rust Belt imagery is starting to be transformed. The barriers to entry are low to start up something, yet the infrastructure and support are there, so it works.

Buffalo has almost all the amenities one would look for in a major city (public transportation, arts, and culture, restaurants, nightlife, major retail and professional sports) without many of the downsides that go along with them (traffic, high cost of living, and lack of sense of community). It also has Frank Lloyd Wright houses, Canada is right across the river, and you can be in sophisticated Toronto in 90 minutes.

It should be noted that the transition of Buffalo is still in progress. Right now, there are still a lot of drinking and football-watching routines, and it’s the kind of place that gets into St. Patrick’s Day. Also, taxes in Buffalo for property are higher than in most other areas of the country. Oh, and about that snow…you’re going to have to learn to drive in it. And dress for it, except in the summer when it’s party time in Buffalo.

The transition is still in progress. Right now, there are still a lot of drinking and football-watching routines, and it’s the kind of place that really gets into St. Patrick’s Day. Also, taxes in Buffalo for property are higher than in most other areas of the country. Oh, and about that snow…you’re going to have to learn to drive in it. And dress for it, except in the summer when it’s party time in Buffalo.

We highly recommend visiting Buffalo and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our partnership with Expedia as well.

Elmwood Village is a charming, artsy, walkable neighborhood. Singles and young couples enjoy locally owned boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and bars up and down Elmwood Avenue that provide a laid back nightlife and a hip, vintage feel. Victorian-style homes are scattered throughout side streets often colorful and renovated.

Professionals and couples flock to Old First Ward. This upscale, redeveloped neighborhood, rife with new apartment complexes of the bright, open space variety with natural light pouring inside and balconies with a view of the Buffalo River and Lake Erie sunsets. Would you believe you can kayak to nearby bars?
Families like Hamburg (just south of the city) for the nearby beach days and small down spirit.
If you are ready to buy a home and raise a family, East Aurora may have a home with your name on it. It is one of the safest places to live in WNY, and is often cited as one of the best towns to raise a family in the state. You’ll see a variety of specialty shops, restaurants, churches, and carefully preserved homes within walking distance. North Park has a diverse business district and walking from bar to bar and restaurant to restaurant is easy. This neighborhood is centrally located near major school districts.

If you want to see all that's going on in Buffalo check out the city calendar of events.

They’re working on a comeback. In 2012, Governor Andrew Cuomo pledged a so-called “Buffalo Billion” for economic development in the city. The continued construction on the state-of-the-art Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is bringing new jobs and development to the surrounding downtown area. And sometime next year, Elon Musk’s SolarCity, a $750 million factory designed to produce high-efficiency solar panels, will employ thousands.

Part of attracting a younger demographic involves programs like the Buffalo Building Re-Use Project, which provides loans for businesses to improve property downtown, and the Urban Homesteading Program, which offers $1.00 abandoned homes for qualified applicants.