If you’re living in some big metropolis, your Buffalo word association responses might be “cold,” “snowy,” “wings”, “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 is there so it works. 


The Good, the Bad and The Ugly

Buffalo has almost all the amenities one would look for in a major city (public transportation, arts and culture, restaurants and nightlife, major retail and professional sports) without many of the downsides that go along with it (traffic, high cost of living and lacking a 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.

A local writes a nice summary: *To me Chicago always feels like a big city version of Buffalo. So that would have the closest feel. Our weather is better (cooler summers and warmer winters). It all depends what you like to do and what your comparison points are. If you like the constant novelty of a big city Buffalo is going to feel too small. But people are friendly, it's cheap, architecture is nice, Toronto is close enough for concerts and things you can't get here.*

Smaller(Cheaper) Version of Chicago

The Best Thing About Buffalo? 

The transition is still in progress. Right now, there’s 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 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’s 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 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.

A local notes the transition stage: *Cons: Run down areas have not all been eliminated or cleaned up (yet) if that bothers you; fewer new job opportunities than in boom-town cities; most available housing is older so lower home prices may be somewhat offset by home improvement costs in older homes (but still cheaper per my experience, maybe not yours though); state income tax can be a burden to some; annoying isolated suburban and exurban people who blame their life's troubles on the city/state (grass is greener elsewhere people) who often literally fear and avoid the city;*


Still in Transition

The Worst Thing About Buffalo?

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: https://www.wivb.com/events-calendar/#!/


Lifestyle of Buffalo

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.

Sure, You Can Call It A Comeback.

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**The Good, the Bad and The Ugly**

If you’re living in some big metropolis, your Buffalo word association responses might be “cold,” “snowy,” “wings”, “Bills so sad.” All that is accurate, yes they have an unreasonable affection for tailgating and no, snow does not equate to 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 is there so it works. 

**The Best Thing About Buffalo?** 

Buffalo has almost all the amenities one would look for in a major city (public transportation, arts and culture, restaurants and nightlife, major retail and professional sports) without many of the downsides that go along with it (traffic, high cost of living and lacking a 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.

**The Worst Thing About Buffalo?** 

The transition is still in progress. Right now, there’s 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 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.

**How You Living?** 

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.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

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.

Downtown is the place for those looking to live large and get out at night. Tons of interesting restaurants, bars everywhere, dance clubs, coffee shops, and all the performing arts options the city has to offer are walkable from the condos/apts that line Downtown streets. Elmwood Village is another active option, rich in music and art, with tons of galleries, boutique restaurants and cafes, and direct access to the Buffalo State sports arenas. 
- Downtown
- Elmwood Village


Young Professionals

Downtown

Black Rock is an interesting option for those looking for a neighborhood that has a mix of urban and suburban vibe. Live music, great innovative restaurants and tons of studios and galleries if the arts are your thing. It also has cool housing options but less of the nuttiness of Downtown for those looking for social options without the density of that neighborhood. 
- Black Rock
- Central Park


DINKs/SINKs

Black Rock

Allentown is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly neighborhoods in Buffalo. Amazing homes, painted in cool colors, are like works of art themselves. Surrounded by a quirky arts and music scene, the neighborhood is also filled with cool restaurants, bars and clubs that serve the young and LGBTQ+ community. 
- Allentown


LGBTQ+

Allentown

South Buffalo is where you should start your search if a suburban vibe within city limits is your goal. Family homes dominate the housing options but you also get some nightlife to keep things interesting. It's more of a beer at a pub neighborhood than a downtown club kinda thing but more important you have beautiful outdoor areas, including two designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who created the plan for NYC’s Central Park. Great homes, an outdoors haven, good schools and just enough social options to keep things interesting. 
- South Buffalo
- Kenmore


Families

South Buffalo

Buffalo

**What are the pros and cons of living in Buffalo?
We're thinking of moving out of state and Buffalo seems pretty cool to me. I've lived in Chicago, and I have family in New York. I'm currently in Texas. Any info would be greatly appreciated.**

To me Chicago always feels like a big city version of Buffalo. So that would have the closest feel. Our weather is better (cooler summers and warmer winters). It all depends what you like to do and what your comparison points are. If you like the constant novelty of a big city Buffalo is going to feel too small. But people are friendly, it's cheap, architecture is nice, Toronto is close enough for concerts and things you can't get here. Come up for a long weekend, take a look around and see what you think. You can probably get a decent feel for it in that amount of time.

**What are the pros and cons of living in Buffalo?**d

Not from TX but used to live in Denton. Moved here in 07.

You seem to be thinking a lot about the political climate, and it's even more different from TX than you're thinking. Texas has this kind of triumphal, fuck-you conservatism that delights in making liberals cry. Even the conservatives here by and large aren't like that. Just my opinion, but I think a lot of that is because conservatives in Buffalo tend to be Catholic conservatives and not Southern Baptists. It's not all snuggly puppies; there is still racism and racist policy here. But it's just sooooo much better.

Just straight-up taxes are higher here, but not as much as you'd think. Property taxes are in the same ballpark as most of TX. The 'burbs where I am have property tax rates a little higher than I saw in Denton; Buffalo city has them a little lower. Local governments around here don't use fees nearly as much as ones in TX do. Garbage collection is part of my property taxes, so is leaf pickup in fall, so is spring brush cleanup, and so on. The town just gives us wheely-bins for trash and recycling. The tax part that actually takes a bite from your income is that there's a state income tax.

But, you also get more back. Like I said, lots more is covered by your taxes instead of your taxes and some bullshit fee. And while the schools vary by district, duh, on average they're night and day better than TX. And obviously that difference is going to get bigger with the TX government mandating that the schools lie about race and racism, etc.

**What are the pros and cons of living in Buffalo?**

Being in New York, you don’t have to worry about attacks on women’s rights, religion in education or labor rights.

Pros

- Offers 75% of the amenities of the popular coastal cities

- Still very affordable - median rent is $1,000 and median home is $200,000

- Lots of trendy walkable neighborhoods, up-and-coming areas and repurposed industrial sites

-Big city amenities despite having a metro population just over 1 million: pro sports, 4 am last call, theatre district, subway line, large museums, Olmsted designed park system

- Largest public university in New York makes part of the city feel like a college town

- Strong finance, biomed, professional services and engineering sectors. Rapidly growing film and startup industries

- Perfect summers and cozy falls. Ski resorts just an hour south

- Surrounded by 3 different wine regions

- Quick and cheap flights to the NE and Midwest

- 2 hour drive/train/bus ride to Toronto for cultural stuff, expanded dining options and a major international airport

- Rust Belt Chic Culture (aka “New Buffalo”). There’s an amazing group of people here hard at work making Buffalo a better place to live with their own hands. From activists helping refugees to pirate farmers turning the urban prairie into an urban farm, there’s a lot of great groups and organizations helping to restore the city. Buffalo has so much land and underutilized space, it’s a really great place if you have an idea and want to make it a reality.

Cons

- Have to like having 4 full seasons. It can snow a lot here, though most winters in previous years have been mild

- Some industries have very little presence here. Like Buffalo isn’t a great city if you’re looking for work in game design

- Jobs here pay less since the cost of living is lower

- Parts of “old Buffalo” can feel pretty insular and even backwards. Cynicism and skepticism rules the day here to a fault. To the people nothing ever good happens because nothing good can happen. The “New Buffalo” culture is in protest of this attitude.

**What’s it like to live in Buffalo?**

Think of Buffalo, not as a city, but a very large town. We have most of the usual city like attributes, sports teams, shopping, bars, restaurants, hip section and waterfront, but there is a charm here that large cities don’t have. But, as the saying goes, It’s a nice place to live but you wouldn’t want to visit. Meaning the city is not planned well enough to accommodate visitors just passing through and the winter weather can, and often is, a total drag. Whereas Toronto is filled with walkable areas and interesting things to uncover upon just a casual visit, with Buffalo it’s easy to go to a place like the waterfront and walk around wondering; “Where is anyone?”. Yet living here, you soon start to unpack the town’s local charms like, our parks, architecture, history and (here’s a secret) our antiquing! Chip beneath the surface and you start to find that not only does Buffalo have what every other city has but we also have a uniqueness you can’t find anywhere else. 

Buffalonians are very approachable and almost always very nice. A tad downtrodden but very warm and helpful. Which brings me to just another negative, the local economy is garbage. If you come from out of town with a job offer you are usually fine but most local businesses and owners do not wanna pay their staff over 35k per year. That’s why a lot of natives leave for greener pastures. Also, the Buffalo concert scene is often a huge bummer as most national acts, even indie bands, pass by Buffalo for Toronto or even Rochester. So aside from making money, cool bands and the winter Buffalo has it all.

Buffalo, New York

The Comeback City

Looklyloo Score: 79

We're on it!