A beautiful, historic city with famous architecture, botanical gardens, and the nearby legendary Niagara Falls, Buffalo has much more to offer than its long, snowy winters. Though its wintry landscape is certainly appealing to lovers of skiing and snowboarding, there is a little something for everyone in "The City of Good Neighbors".
Buffalo Climate
Like much of Western New York, Buffalo experiences very long and snowy winters, with snow typically blanketing the ground from late November to early March. Buffalo's location on the eastern shore of Lake Erie contributes to the "lake effect"--when cold air fronts pass over warmer lake waters and form clouds and precipitation.
There is not much transition between Buffalo seasons. Spring is slow to arrive, with ice lingering on the lake until April. Autumn is very brief--with the first frost coming as early as September.
Summers in Buffalo are sunny and very warm--some of the driest summers of any major Northeastern city. The lake has a stabilizing effect, limiting thunderstorms and increasing sunshine during the month of July. Rainstorms are more frequent in August, but summer weather is still mostly moderate.
Buffalo Neighborhoods
The bohemian center of Buffalo, Allentown is the cultural and historic hotspot of the city. In 1980, Allentown was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was one of the first and largest histories residential areas in the country. Beautiful architecture, art festivals and galleries, bars, restaurants, boutiques as well as the city's famous Garden Walk all contribute to the neighborhood diversity.
Named one of "The 10 Greatest Neighborhoods in America" by the American Planning Association, the Elmwood Strip offers great food, eclectic shops, and cozy indie coffee shops that double as book stores. Chain businesses are the exception rather than the rule, so Elmwood is perfect for those craving a little variety in their neighborhood.
Considered one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, North Park is a stable, middle-class part of town that is a little less trendy but family-friendly. Delaware Park and the historic North Park Theatre are well-known attractions. Buffalo's own Little Italy can be found here, after the influx of Italian Americans immigrating in the 1970s and 1980s permeated the neighborhood with culture. Authentic Italian restaurants and specialty shops are abundant and there is an annual Italian Heritage Festival held.
Registering Your Car
Upon your arrival in New York after moving to the state permanently, you have a total of 30 days to update your registration and have your vehicle registered in the state before you may be required to pay a penalty. The state of New York also has laws in place that require your vehicle to pass standard emissions tests prior to registering your car. Also, you must provide proof of insurance that is valid in the state of New York.
A New York Driver's License can be obtained at any New York DMV location. The state requires new New York residents to update their license from their previous state to a New York driver's license. You may be required to pass several tests prior to receiving your new license. Also, there is a $10 fee to update your driver's license.
Buffalo Schools
The Buffalo Public School District serves 47,000 students in over 60 facilities, including City Honors School at Fosdik-Masten Park, the best academically performing school in western New York. City Honors School was ranked number 11 in Newsweek Magazine's 2008 "America's Best Schools" list. Additionally, Lafayette High School is recognized as Buffalo's oldest school and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For higher education, the University at Buffalo is a public research institution part of the State University of New York (or SUNY) system and the largest in the Northeast. It features the largest state-operated medical school and the only schools for law, architecture, and pharmacy in the state. Along with Buffalo State College, SUNY's other campus in Buffalo, it supports more than 50 research centers. Other notable institutions include Cansius College, D'Youville College, Bryan & Stratton College, Daemen College and Medaille College.
Buffalo Employment
Several large manufacturers are based in Buffalo, including the Labatt brewing company, the cheese company Sorrento Lactalis, and Rich Products--one of the world's largest family-owned food manufacturers.
However, jobs in healthcare and education have increased and surpassed manufacturing as Buffalo's major source of employment. The University at Buffalo, Kalieda Health and the Buffalo Public School District are among the top 10 employers in the Buffalo metropolitan area, along with the state and federal government, and the two major banks based in the area--HSBCA Bank and M&T Bank.
Buffalo Moving Resources
There are numerous moving and storage companies located in Buffalo that are waiting to help you relocate to your new home. Be sure to do your research and obtain estimates from several different services before choosing one for hire. The following are just a few of the potential moving companies to aid you in your move:
- Lincoln Moving & Storage
- American Household Storage Company
- Cook Moving Systems
- The Moving Doctors
- Diamond Moving & Storage
In addition, there are also many storage companies located within the city in case you need a place to store some of your belongings, whether it's for a short amount of time until you get settled in your new home, or for more long-term storage. Find a Buffalo storage company to help fulfill your storage needs today!
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in Buffalo is well below the national average, with very affordable rent and real estate. The city was ranked number 2 on Forbes' "Most Affordable Cities in America" list. Groceries, clothing, and recreation costs are all below average, though the cost of gasoline, public transportation and vehicle maintenance may be more compared to other cities.
Buffalo Transportation
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority operates the bus and rail system in Buffalo and the Niagara metro area. The metro rail is 6.4 miles long and runs from the Erie Canal Harbor in downtown Buffalo to the University Heights district. The downtown section of the line is free of charge to passengers.
The NFTA offers a list of special services, including curb to curb, lift-equipped van service and discounted fares for the elderly and disabled, shuttles to the airport, and MetroPAL passes--purchased from your employer using pre-tax dollars to save up to 30 percent on transportation costs.
Lifestyle & Culture
If you don't get smothered by all the snow, Buffalo will dazzle you with its rich culture and diversity. Art galleries, museums, awe-inspiring historic architecture, and festivals make the city come alive even during its frigid winter months.
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery features an array of modern and contemporary works, with pieces by legendary artists such as Pollock, de Kooning, van Gogh, Gorky and Warhol. If you enjoy drama, Main Street's Theatre District is home to over a dozen live theatres.
The summer in Buffalo is laden with festivals and annual events. The fifty-year tradition of the Allentown Art Festival in June attracts tens of thousands of people and features over 400 contributing artists showcasing their work. Additionally, the more recently celebrated Elmwood Festival of the Arts, is celebrated in August with art, crafts, food and performances and Kidsfest--a family-friendly portion of the event that includes hands-on projects for children and a parade.
Another famous Buffalo attraction is the Garden Walk--the largest garden tour in America. Held annually on the last weekend in July, the garden walk is a free, self-guided tour of Buffalo's 370 beautiful botanical gardens.
For the food lover, there are a number of cuisine-related celebrations, including the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival in August and July's Taste of Buffalo, the largest two-day food festival in the country.
Buffalo Relocation Tips
Whether you are relocating to the city for school, employment opportunity or other reasons, it is important to thoroughly research the area before buying a home or signing a lease. The following are some tips before you make the move to Buffalo:
- Buffalo is very cold, with very long winters. Be sure to come equipped with plenty of warm clothing.
- Move in the summer. Buffalo winters are extremely snowy. Moving to a new home is already a strenuous task--lugging boxes and furniture through a foot of snow won't make it any easier.
- Research the neighborhoods. While some neighborhoods in Buffalo are lovely and rich with culture, others are a tad less safe. Be sure to be well-informed of the area you choose to live.
- Make a checklist. Before actually executing your move, make a checklist of all the things you have to do first--change your address, downsize your belongings, buy some new warm clothes, and check for moving quotes on Movers.com.of Emergency Management is one of the best resources for that information.