I've lived in Buffalo for most of my life, but have visited and lived around the world and back. But back I always come. And when I say Buffalo, I mean the city of Buffalo -- not the suburbs, the city is the place to be. It's true that if you're looking for an NYC this is not the place to go. This city has a small population and covers a big area. It's filled with the friendliest people you will meet, trust me, I know. Almost anyone will help you. And yes, there are crazies in the city. But I'm not scared when walking around downtown at night. Go out on Chippewa at night, and then have some Mighty Taco (which by the way every Buffalonian knows dominates Taco Bell), or some Jim's Steakout. This city has the most amazing food and chill spots from Pano's to Spot Coffee. Don't overlook all the historical spots and do not miss all the festivals and shindigs. The Elmwood Art Festival, The Chicken Wing Festival, The Italian Festival, The St. Patrick's Day Parade and Shakespeare in the Park…
I grew up in Buffalo and lived there for almost twenty-four years. Buffalo is a city of suburbs and the people of the suburbs if asked will not say the name of the suburb they are from but they'll say Buffalo. This is because a city of such rich history exudes pride. Yes the people are rough and tumble. But, you stand on the streets of Buffalo in the middle of winter and tell me if it doesn't harden you. True, the entire western New York region is racially segregated but it is first and foremost an immigrant city. To avoid the culture shock, the different nationalities that move here ease into American life by being around people from their own country. I can't agree with people stating that Buffalonians are mean and will mug you. Sure certain sections you might not want to walk in at night if you are white, or even black for that matter. But being a Polish American, I found that most sections are cool. Irish run South Buffalo, Puerto Ricans run the west side, Italians consume alot…
New Paltz is quite possibly one of my favorite places in the country. The scenery is amazing with the Shawangunks and the Ridge, not to mention Mohonk Mountain and Bonticaue Crag. I would recommend coming here just to see the natural beauty of the area. It has its own unique beauty and people are often shocked that it's New York. The town is friendly and the energy is creative -- a great place to get away and relax.
Buffalo is a weird town, not much going on. It seemed strangely deserted when we arrived on a Saturday night. But I would recommend a stay in the Buffalo hostel if visiting Niagara Falls (a short bus ride away).
I lived in Buffalo -- Depew -- for eight months and could not take another day. It is segregated, ugly, and not growing at all -- a very flat, dismal place to live. Everyone says the cost of living is so great -- that's because no one wants to live there! People who choose to stay need to get out more. There is no culture!
As a Canadian who has visited several U.S. destinations, Buffalo is definitely the most depressing. On my first trip there to visit the shopping center, I found the city to be mostly deserted. What is most sad is that as I visitor, I could see remnants of a proud past, but what is left now are boarded up homes, abandoned buildings, and empty streets.
I lived in Buffalo for a few years. I felt it was dangerous and had many friends mugged at gunpoint or their houses broken into. On the surface, the city seemed surreal and depressing, but in retrospect, I can see that it has a lot of character and beauty. There is also something very genuine about the city, that you just don't find in more commercial cities. If your travel goal is to be safely entertained and impressed with typical tourist stuff I would not recommend Buffalo, but if you are traveling for experience of a deeper sort, I would.
I heard someone say Buffalo is the third cleanest city -- third cleanest air, not cleanest as in street cleanliness. I hated Buffalo. All I need is one word to describe it -- depressing.
Buffalo is a city with that hometown feel. Besides six months of winter, I don't see a reason to complain. I love the winter. We have blizzards maybe once every five or seven years, unlike the rumors you hear. The people here are the friendliest around. They don't call us the "City of Good Neighbors" for no reason. The fall of big industries sandwiched with corrupt city officials have led to the demise of Buffalo over the last few decades. But there has been a recent awakening in Buffalo. Old abandoned building are being completely refurbished into NYC-style lofts. You can get astonishing views of the city and the lake for an average of $900 a month for a two-bedroom loft apartment! Compare that rate to other big cities. Buffalo also has million-dollar lakefront apartments. Chippewa is a bustling party area. Allentown is a happening area for the more chill/artsy crowd, offering house/techno/trance and other neighborhood bars along the strip. Hertel/Elmwood area offers an even more…
I lived in the Buffalo area for the majority of twenty-two years. I recently moved back from Atlanta because I missed Buffalo and its culture so much. Buffalo may not be some big, booming city, but it has its own characteristics that only someone from Buffalo would appreciate.
I moved from the Bronx. Now I am older -- my kids are seventeen and eighteen and it's time I see another part of New York. Buffalo reminds me of the south -- slow, but not slow to me. It's like a family town in the Bronx. I know everyone but here as a black woman I am scared to death. In NYC, every race is there and we get along. But here, white people rule and that's so scary. I don't know what to do -- I like this here town. As a black person, I live on the west side of Buffalo where the Spanish do not like black people and their kids call other kids the n-word.
There's no getting around the reality that Buffalo has ben in rapid decline for the last 70 years. That being said, I can't wait to go back. The people in Buffalo are the nicest I've ever met - helpful, polite, generous, and fun to be around. How people can be so nice while their city crumbles around them is dumbfounding. I will definitely be going back, just to chill with Buffalonians.
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