Sign In Register
Judith J. best-worst

Best hidden gems in Buffalo

Anyone else feel this way? Average temperature is around 51°F, so expect cold winters. Let me know your thoughts.
54 upvotes

8 Replies

Reagan Moore
good to know, thanks
31 upvotes
Matthew Moore
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Nicholas Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a contractor, 34, moved here 5 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Westside and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Bugs and humidity in summer
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for singles. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Dallas, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.

**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
14 upvotes
Levi Garcia
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Phoenix for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.

**Employment:**
retail is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Chain restaurants dominate. And weather can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Brielle M.
hmm interesting perspective
11 upvotes
Angel Hall
The food scene here is excellent. Tons of great craft beer places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
11 upvotes
Savannah
My experience has been mostly positive. I have mixed feelings honestly. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
4 upvotes
Arianna Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in East. It's pretty good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in finance. If you're in tech you might struggle.

People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like craft beer.

Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
← Back to Buffalo Community