**The Best Thing About New York?** Energy

In the words of the bard: “this city has no chill”. And I mean that in the best of all possible ways. Everyone who moves here is not here just to hang (Brooklyn hipsters notwithstanding). This is a city of collective ambitions that drives a hustling vibe unlike any other city in this country. If you are going to live in the city there is simply no way to escape it as everyone here is dreaming some kind of dream and you are going to be surrounded by 8 million+ people all living to that standard.

**The Worst Thing About New York?** Ratio’ed

Forgive us if you don’t know the Twitter expression “ratio’ed”, but it means that ratio of hate (in comments) overwhelms the likes of a post. In New York I feel like you are constantly being “ratio’ed” by the number of days you can get punished for what is hard here compared to the number of days you get to enjoy the things that are amazing about the city. That might improve somewhat in a work-from-home culture, but for the most part you either live with the ratio within the city, or find ways to get out to escape the exhaustion of living there. 

**How You Living?** Pre-War 

Unless you’ve lived in Hong Kong, or maybe San Francisco in terms of pricing, there is no way to be prepared for the tiny apartments and high prices you’re forced to live with here. Just as unique to the city are the building descriptions, Pre-War being the most common (Built before WWII). These buildings and their designation are going to be important to you because assuming you don’t have a large family (you’re in the burbs) then you’re either renting or buying in an old building with crappy elevators, ugly hallways, and obscenely tiny units. Sorry, that’s just the deal. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** You Only Live Once

As crazy as it may seem, not trying living in NYC once in your life is a bit like never skydiving. Billions of people avoid it but wouldn’t you rather be one of the ones that takes your shot? 


New York City / Manhattan

The Fearless One

**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.

Buffalo

The Comeback City

**The Best Thing About Ithaca?** A Different Kind of College Town

If you’ve heard of Ithaca, chances are it’s because of the two big schools: Ithaca College and Ivy League giant Cornell University. If you think this means raucous nights filled with rowdy collegians running around town with fake IDs, then you are mistaken. 

This is an extremely family-friendly place and one of the most beautiful spots in the northeast. People take advantage of the tree-lined streets, with more than 40% living in town and walking to work, passing great restaurants and shops along the way. Located right off of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is also a perfect place for a hike or jog, notable for the more than 150 waterfalls in and around the city.

**The Worst Thing About Ithaca?** Price Tags 
	
Living in Ithaca is expensive. As is the winter coat you’ll need if you don’t have a good one. Many people working in town commute from outside due to housing and food prices. Most who live in town are educated, liberal, affluent and opinionated. If that’s not your scene, it might be difficult to make this your home. 

**How You Living?** Either Somewhere Expensive or Outside the City

In town, East Hill is a family-friendly neighborhood close to great public schools, a big shopping center, and is only a 15 minute walk to Cornell if you’re moving into town to work at the school. 

Cayuga Heights is a quiet residential neighborhood just outside campus, filled with larger and more expensive homes. Collegetown is, surprise surprise, primarily made up of college apartments filled with Cornell undergrads. South Hill is the neighborhood most Ithaca College folks live. 

Lansing is less expensive than the neighborhoods near Cornell. It's on the border of the city and is close to a lot of shopping malls, grocery stores, and good public schools. A solid choice for families looking to live in the city but with a smaller price tag. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** The End (and the start) of your Odyssey

Ithaca is named for the city Odysseus seeks to get back to in The Odyssey.
You might find that this is the end of your home search odyssey as well. Anyone looking for a ridiculously walk-friendly city, with one of the best educational systems in the country, you can do no better than Ithaca. 


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