What do you think
 

I have lived in Buffalo New York for 25 years(not kidding!). What do out of towners honestly think of this city.

Huh? Is there any reason whatsoever to stop in Buffalo? Best bet to to just stay on the highway and bypass it.

Mary, thanks for your response!

My husband is from Buffalo. There are reasons he left it. I find it to be one of the most depressing areas I have visited. Even on a beautiful day, there is a gray, dingy cast about it. Now, the people are some of the nicest I have ever met. However, I am bothered by the attitude that many have that Buffalo is the big city. Most people I have met from there don't seem able to adapt to other cities, especially areas with much more diverse populations. Also, what is with the freaking lawn ornaments? I have never seen more lawn crap than in the Buffalo area. We are going up in a few weeks, and I swear I will puke at the sight of those little dutch boys and girls kissing.

We live in Toronto. We go to Buffalo to shop at Walden Galleria - the kids like Abercrombie. I no longer need to go for Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma - have it here. They've done a great job with Niagara Falls Blvd. on the stretch between Sheridan and the 290. However, in both aesthetics and variety of restaurants and culture, I wouldn't have much reason to stay long. I have found the people of Buffalo to be very nice.

Ilisa,<BR><BR>Have you not been in Buffalo on a sunny day? We have magnificent summer weather, with bright blue skies with no gray dinginess in sight. And your husband must be from Cheektowaga (one of our tackier suburbs), as many area of Buffalo do not display lawn ornaments. <BR><BR>Darryl, I wish you had posted this differently, with "Buffalo" somewhere in your title, and then you may have had more responses. <BR><BR>And Ilisa, the reason many Buffaloians are unable to adapt to other cities is because they are a special lot, and can't find the intangibles in other cities that Buffalo has. Most people here love it.

When I have to travel for business to Buffalo I have the same reaction as when I have to go to Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Cincinnati - get in, out and hope it does not snow. I realize that this is an unfair generalization and I am sure Buffalo has much to offer if one takes the time to look around - but you asked for honest reactions and you got it.

Darryl:<BR><BR>I liked visiting Buffalo, although they drive crazy. It is amazing how flat that area of NY state is. I enjoyed the fact that this city is so close to the most beautiful wonder of the world (Niagara Falls) and that there is an international feel to it somewhat since Canada is 30 miles away. I don't think I'd like the weather (it is overcast) alot. I live in Pgh area and it really is overcast here but at least we get some sunny days. If you would live in Buffalo, I'd recommend some Florida getways, maybe 2 x over the winter to combat the colder weather blues.

I'm looking forward to our annual trek from Toronto to Buffalo in a couple of weeks. We go to the huge outdoor antique show in Clarence, and then spend a couple of days at the Prime Outlet Mall. Even with the Canadian dollar in the shape it's in, the bargains are wonderful. While we don't get into the city itself, the surrounding area is quite pleasant. Last year we happened to leave the mall just before sunset; it had rained all day, and when we drove back to our motel in Clarence we saw more rainbows than I've ever seen in my life. It was like driving through a cathedral. So my feelings about Buffalo are quite positive!

Buffalo is like the Baltimore of the North.

No, my husband is not from Cheektowaga. He is actually from Clarence. However, I have yet to travel through an area around Buffalo where people didn't display those tacky pieces of crap. And yes, I have been there on a sunny day. Wasn't all that impressed. Sorry, I think Buffalo is just an awful place.

Darryl, Darryl, Darryl -- bashing Buffalo on the Canadian board and getting opinions of it on the U.S. board! Now just move down south and find a job like the rest of your age group. This city's in enough trouble without you stirring things up!!

When I think of Buffalo, I think SNOW, and lots of it. Therefore, I will never go there; even in the summertime. I live in Pa, and that's bad enough. My motto;<BR>Never travel north of Pa.

When I think of Buffalo I think of chicken wings.<BR>Now I'll also think of Drew Bledsoe-You all better be nice to this guy.

Went to buffalo for a 4 year graduate program. Could not believe how depressing the town was...failed business galore, no community arts program to speak of, the weather is miserable, the town very unfriendly to those without cars, drinking beer seems to be the only outlet,and a general lack of hope for improvement. I escaped 2 years ago and life has been good since! I did love the homes in many of the neighborhoods, and I know that many people are quite satisfied living in Buffalo, but it really is a sad city.

Snow.

I reluctantly went to Buffalo last spring and was surprised at the nice time I had. I travel to many non-interesting cities with my kids for youth sports and thought Buffalo would be the same thing. NOt sure I could live there but there was something very refreshing about a town with little traffic (really there was no traffic compared to Miami) simple, unpretentious cars (everyone I know leases an SUV and Lexus - beyond their means) plain clothes, plain people, friendly, easy parking, just a simple, honest, life style....everyone was just nice and helpful. Restaurants were not crowded (Chili's on a Saturday night without a 1 hour wait?) There was weather problems and we had to return to the hotel for an extra night and I was pleased to stay an extra day. I don't consider MIami a big "city" and didn't think of Buffalo as "country" but it was refreshing.

Ilisa, You're exaggerating, Clarence has very few lawn ornaments and has some of the most beautiful homes in the area. Your poor husband, that you can't find something nice about his home town.

Buffalo has no traffic due to the fact that the roads were designed a LONG time ago when Buffalo had many, many more people. Roads in most other cities were designed also a LONG time ago but most cities have also experienced tremendous population growth. <BR><BR>Personally, I'll take the traffic jams of Miami and Boston over the easy drivin' Buffalo any day of the week.

I wouldn't hesitate to return if I had business there...we ate twice at a restaurant with a hotel name, stopped and walked around a church with coral stone gardens, not the kind of things I would ever think of doing in Miami. Maybe I needed some basics in my life. I couldn't believe that an improntu trip to Niagara was so simple...easy to get to and no lines....it takes longer to get into a movie theatre here that a major attraction. You guys have something special there that you are taking for granted....just as we take the ocean and palm trees for granted.

xxx, my, you are defensive. Anyway, I never said Clarence was the only place I have been, nor was it the only place I was talking about. And as for my "poor husband", he is not all that upset about leaving the area and can't stand going back there.

eman, We love Bledsoe!! He's a perfect fit for our city and we'll take very good care of him.

JD<BR><BR>If you're looking for diverse restaurants get off of Niagara Falls Blvd. Buffalo has some of the best, most diverse restaurants you can find in a city of it's size. It seems that most people travelling to Buffalo don't really know where to go.

How many places can boast about beautiful summers with plenty of beaches and boating, wonderful theatre, fabulous restaurants, plenty of snow skiing and no traffic to deal with???!!!! Now that's my kind of town!!

Ilisa and her husband,<BR><BR>Stay away, we don't need you. You may find this hard to believe, but many native Buffaloians move to other parts of the country and then move back to Buffalo because it's such a great place to live.

We left Niagra Falls & travelled thru Buffalo, only thing I remember about Buffalo is the river. But....near Buffalo is a beautiful, quaint, darling, little town named Orchard Park (it is where the Buff.Bills practice I believe)that is well worth visiting. We accidently found this town and happened upon a bagel shop for breakfast that had the most wonderful bagels I have ever tasted

Buffalo - you love it or you hate it and there's nothing in-between. The weather - it's very good or very bad and there's nothing in-between. I've lived here my entire life and will defend it to anyone. It's a tough, old city. It is tired, gray, and the 6th poorest city in the nation. There is no money to develop the waterfront, fix up the parks, fill in the pot holes. There are a lot of overweight people. You're talking about people who come from European backgrounds such as Italian, German, Polish who spend long months indoors eating their favorite ethnic foods. With the exception of the Albright Knox Art Gallery, the museums are not worth the entrance fees. The city is too poor to help them. Public transportation is poor. <BR>I could go on, but you get the picture.<BR><BR>However, what a lot of people don't realize, is that despite all of its' problems, a visit here does not have to equal a week in hell! Traffic is not heavy, the architecture is amazing, the restaurants are wonderful. We have all types of theater and entertainment and the largest outdoor art festival in the nation, ethnic street fairs, free concerts, and the waterfront in the summer is great. There are some great neighborhoods like Allentown. History abounds. These are all things that locals know about, but visitors don't. <BR>That's just my two cents.<BR><BR>P.S. Ilisa, I don't know anyone from Buffalo who tries to pass it off as the "big city." And my street in the city doesn't have any "freaking" lawn ornaments (probably because they'd get stolen). Maybe it's a suburban thing.<BR><BR>

Darryl - you've had quite a response to your question about Buffalo. You've lived there for 25 years, what do you think of it?

Darryl??????????????

I guess it's not very posh or hip these days to live some place where people actually know and care about their neighbors, take pride in their community and fight for things that are important like keeping Children's Hospital in Buffalo, enjoy simple things like a tailgate party before a Bill's game on a beautiful fall afternoon, or taking a picnic basket under the stars to a summer's evening production of Shakespeare in the Park. Buffalo's got heart, character, history and is not known as the city of good neighbors for nothing. It may not be as "sexy" as other cities, and there is a matter of that rumor that we have about snow. But I'll take three months of snow over floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires any day. Just try it, you might like it.

Chris, I live here in Buffalo and you could not have said it any better!!!!

To Wondering: Darryl answered a Niagara Falls posting on the Canadian board. Here is what he had to say:<BR><BR>"I am born and raised in Buffalo, do your self a favor, dont stop here. There is not too much going on. There is a Six Flags Darien Lake (not nearly as nice as the Great Adventure, which is not near Buffalo) Stay in Toronto."<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>< BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>

Nobody's mentioned Shea's Theater, The Broadway Market, Kleinhen's, our hockey team, our football team, our Philharmonic Orchestra, boating on Lake Erie, and fine institutions like Roswell Park, Children's Hospital, University of Buffalo, and great summer time events like the Taste of Buffalo and Allentown Arts Festival, one of the largest in the country. Can't find anything to do in Buffalo? Take a day trip to Toronto, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, or Chautauqua Institution. Come and visit. Don't let a few lawn ornaments chase you away.

My husband is from Buffalo. He moved south about 8 years ago for various reasons, one being that he was so tired of the cold and snow. I've visited a few times, mostly in the winter (including last winter right after Christmas with the deep snow). Being from Atlanta, it was interesting to see all the snow, but I don't think I could live there. The people were very nice, maybe because I've mostly only been around my in-laws when there. To be honest, though, it does seem a little depressing with the weather and being an older city.<BR><BR>

It could be worse. You could live in San Jose. Unless you have the white sock/pocket protector concession and become a millionaire.

My husband and I visited Buffalo for the first time last August. We had it recommended to us by a friend who had stayed there unexpectedly while on a weekend drive to New York City and was just too tired to drive further. She had recommended a bed and breakfast there. She is an urban planner and noticed the architecture and the many intact older neighborhoods in the city. Since my husband is interested in architecture we went.<BR>At first I found it very depressing, then the city really grew on me. We went to the Albert Knox gallery, walked around the Allentown neighborhood and ate at some outdoor cafes in this surprisingly eclectic and lively neighborhood. Of course we went to Niagra Falls, by local bus (no need to worry about driving or parking). The bed and breakfast was wonderful. We went to an outdoor concert at the downtown waterfront park, had some delicious fish and chips at a small restaurant there, saw some Frank Loyd Wright houses, met some very friendly and nice people. Actually, both Buffalo and Niagra reminded me a bit of some seaside cities I've visited in England. there is so much water everywhere and yes it is cloudy. It was a real relief to get into the 80 degree weather and away from the hot humid midwestern weather. <BR><BR>Guess what? we plan to go back this year. An indy film just out last year called "Jump Tomorrow" was filmed there and gives some excellent scenes of Buffalo and Niagra, New York.

To answer my own question, I think Buffalo used to be a great town. I think the biggest problem for Buffalo and all of New York State is the incredibly high tax rates. It drives out all the businesses and makes the cost of living high for all the people. New York State has been subsidizing New York City for years.

What do you think of the six flags, darien lake? I've been to Great Adventure in NJ numerous times, but I'll be in the Niagara Falls area this summer & was thinking of taking my kids (ages 4, 7 & 10) to Darien Lake.

Darryl, you don't know what you are talking about. The cost of living in Buffalo is not high, it is actually quite low. While our taxes are on the high side, my home that I could sell in a nice suburb of Buffalo for about $280,000 would sell for probably $600,000 in other parts of the country. Entertainment, restaurants, etc. are also affordable. It doesn't cost much to live in Buffalo and we have a nice quality of life. <BR><BR>Regarding Darien Lake, I don't go to amusement parks much so I don't have much to compare it to but Darien Lake has some great roller coasters and a nice water park.

When I saw the header I thought this was that Lisa person traveling to Hawaii with her toddler!