What about the first ward/valley section of the city? This is the backyard of the beautiful Larkin Exchange. From looking online there seems to be a number of homes in that area for sale. What is happening as far as rehab in that area?

Mark: Congratulations and Welcome. As a lifelong Buffalonian I have to agree with your assessment. We have an amazing amount of beauty, talent, and fun here. Bring your friends if they can love Buffalo as much as you do and we will welcome them all. I hope that you made the party at the Essex St foundry on Saturday. The Griffis famliy has a reputation for making art, family, and Buffalo synonymous. New artists in these parts are only going to expand our ability to market the unique quality of life in Buffalo. Rust belt maybe, but a little patina only improves the work!

I moved here 3 years ago from Texas. I loved it immediately and nothing has changed! The beauty of this part of the country, the wonderful food, friendly people, proximity to Toronto and NYC, cultural diversity, four seaons, and so much more will keep me staying here for years and years to come. I've also had many people fly in to see me and stay in this wonderful city and all wish to move here too! Natives gripe about the taxes, weather, crime, and many other things. I think the low cost of housing more than makes up for the higher taxes you'll be paying. And, you haven't seen crime until you've lived in an apartment in Dallas. It's culturally popular to complain.

Great story because of a positive attitude. It seems outsiders are the one's who have the most positive attitude about buffalo. Take for example peter scotts remark: "let's see you get through your first winter; lake effect will be in effect in the next few days." then mr. scott goes on to say "just kidding." well what do you think people remember most when they hear opposing statements like that?...you guessed it...the negative one. This knee-jerk phenomenon seems to be quite common among many buffalonians who are actually in an excellent position to market this city. My conclusion is that people who make derogatory remarks have 1. never been out of buffalo to make comparisons or 2. have never been to buffalo and are echoing the weather channel or some other second-hand press coverage. We live here and we love this city. I have only lived in four american cities but for me its enough to be able to make a comparison. Have you been in Chicago in January? Did you know that in Minneapolis people have to plug their electric oil dip sticks in to heat their engines so their vehicles start in the morning and that some motels have heat pads to park your car over? In St. Louis the humidity is so bad that you can't work in the garden or jog during the day. Have you ever spoken to people from these cities? You would never know this because its seldom a topic of conversation: too negative. Did you stop to think that buffalo is much closer to Toronto (decidedly one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the western hemisphere) than Westport, connecticut is to New York city yet people from westport (and montauk even!) literally strive to identify with the sphere of influence of "THE CITY" and take great pride in this. its a matter of attitude. I'm a pretty thick skinned person when it comes to humor about my home town but i always think about what I say before i say it and its something positive. lets hear it for the dude from LA who knows a good place when he sees it. who sees quality and vintage and goes for it.

http://www.buffalorising.com/home/archives/2006/01/can_someone_liv.php

Check out the link jzis... we'll see if our viewers might be able to help out with this question. Also, drop me a line @ queenseyes@buffalorising.com

Brainman,

You must know that Peter Scott was kidding. But your point about Buffalonians raising negative stereotypes - even in jest - is well taken. Can you imagine LA natives welcoming people and jesting about the smog, traffic and mudslides or Florida residents saying just wait 'till the stifling summer and hurricane season?!?

Welcome Mark! Glad to have you! You made a wise choice.

Amen, Brainman.

I moved here 15 years ago (from Arkansas) and was stunned by the negativity of the natives. People who think negatively of Buffalo should move elsewhere to see what other places are like.

We got it pretty good here.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! I honestly didn't expect what I wrote to be an "article" lol - otherwise I would have spent more time writing it! What I wrote was originally a post as a kudos to Harvey's great Connecticut St Revival Article and he took that and made a story out of it.

I actually came here last year in the middle of November last year to look for a house. And then, I had to come back out in January to repair some damages a house sitter caused while I was still in Los Angeles- so I have seen the Winters and have an idea what I am in for, even though it was only for brief interludes.

Again, thanks for the kind welcome!

Mark

BRAVO MARK! WELCOME!

Let's see you get through your first winter. Lake Effect will be in effect the next few days.

Just kidding. This is a great story Mark...welcome to WNY. Keep 'em coming.

Welcome, Mark!

I vote for YOU, MR. Outsider- Film-Maker to shoot the perfect PR piece! You're able to actually SEE the beauty & potential of Buffalo.

Having recently moved fom NYC, I keep feeling like I'm in Brooklyn, circa '99; when Smith St. was still check cashing & cafe' con leche'.

We welcome you.

Wow...I got scolded. It was obviously a joke, brainman. I noticed he got here in March. Lake Effect is an experience....just gearing him up for it.

I guarantee I've done more to portray a positive image of Buffalo in DC and San Francisco than most people will do in their lifetime. Proof positive is that I'm here...if thats not a testament to my love for the city , I don't know what is.

Again, Mark...welcome!

To paraphrase Shakespeare "I think though protest too much".

It's slightly absurd to criticize people that criticize Buffalo. Isn't that like a double negative?

People everywhere complain about where they live. Don't you recall Johnny Carson's rants about LA and New York?

Sure we shouldn't dwell on the negative, there's too much of it. But a certain amount is normal.

Welcome Mark! Having lived in SF for 22 years, it's refreshing to hear a Californian say something positive about Buffalo. The times, they are a changin'. I'm meeting more and more West Coasters who are discovering the merits of Buffalo. It's still a little odd to hear outsiders raving about Buffalo, but I like it, and it's about time.

I hope you'll be very happy here - I've enjoyed my first year back immensely!!!!

Wow! What an addition to an already fabulous city - great choice, Mark. You are going to love it there :) Oh and fantastic job on the house! :)

i've moved away from Buffalo 10 years ago to live out west, but visit family and friends frequently. everytime i do visit, it's like a have never left. i'm actually considering moving back come spring tme because i miss the friendly people so much.

i'm seeing what your seeing Mark. simple beauty.

Welcome Mark! May I suggest that your visitors and any other potential "new buffalonians" consider staying at Porter Ave Pied * Terre, while looking for their dream home. It's an 800 square foot, private-entrance apartment furnished and equipped for short-term stays. It is a great location for anyone who wants to be "immersed" in the neighborhood while getting to know it. The apartment is very conveniently located, less than a mile from 190 and the Peace Bridge, even closer to Kleinhans Music Hall and West Side NHS offices o and, steps to Morning Glory CafE (a BRO fave). Rates are comparable with a "good hotel" or a B&B but, for a full apartment! Pictures on iSPYBuffalo.com. For rates, details or reservations email: piedaterre@verizon.net (sorry, no web site yet) or call 881-2866.

Can someone live in Buffalo, NY on 50K?

Can someone live on 50 grand per year in Buffalo, New York?

Here's the deal.

I am considering a new job in Buffalo. I will be paid around $54k as an hourly IT consultant without benefits. I am allowing 4K for the health insurance I will pay out of my own pocket. Is this a decent salary in Buffalo, New York? I am a single male w/o kids. I like the city hall area as a place to live. Right downtown near the HSBC building seems nice, but would I be bored in that area? Boredom is a MAJOR concern of mine with this move.

I would also be interested in learning what the happening areas to live are? I presently reside in the downtown section of a major eastern city. Also, what is your opinion of the life in the city. Is it happening?

Thank you all very much.

- - - jzis

Mark..purchase a scooter to get around your beautiful new city on dry days. Start a trend. Good for you. The snow isn't that scary and there is a little store close by to every one if the big blizzard hits. Happy to have you.

Hi jzis,

I think you can have a very comfortable life on 50k a year in Buffalo. I would also strongly urge you to live in the city given your worries about boredom. There is a lot happening downtown as far as new housing, especially high end lofts. There are also some new lofts coming at lower prices, and many people think of living in downtown as an adventure. But personally, for a first move here, I'd suggest the Elmwood Village area of the city, from Allentown all the way up Elmwood Avenue to Forest Ave. The streets branching off Elmwood towards the East and West in this area are filled with acres of beautiful old homes, some nice apartment buildings, plus the lively commercial strip. This whole area has a distinct flavor and sense of community. and you'd feel at home very soon. As far as activities in this area: we have lots of bars, some good shopping along Elmwood Avenue, very good variety of restaurants, a superb food co-op, a symphony orchestra, two professional sporst teams, lots of live theater, a first rate museum. If you like live music, we have it everywhere. Buffalo Rising is a great place to get the vibe of the city, as is Artvoice (Check their website). Buffalo has beautiful rental apartments, but you can get great bargains on houses and condos. Two good realtors for city housing are: Holcberg, Inc and Gurney, Becker, and Bourne. Check their websites. With your income you should have no trouble buying a nifty old Victorian house in Allentown or Elmwood/Delaware. Condos are great buys now too. Other good areas to consider: Allentown (close to downtown) and Parkside (by the park, but more sedate), and the West Village (right downtown , near Chippewa St.). But the downtown areas you mentioned are growing, and the apartments I have seen are dramatic if pricy. I'll be happy to tell you more, but that's a start. I moved to Buffalo from NYC over 15 years ago, and I don't regret it a bit. It's a lovely old city with true heart. lots to do, and beautiful countryside to get away to if you want. Good luck and let us know what else we can do for you.

Eric