Why do you leave Buffalo???

[Carmel Corn]

1. Out of town job opportunity

2. Indianapolis metro area (Carmel)

3. Bigger, newer, cheaper, etc. Property taxes half of WNY

4. Possibly, I really do miss the area. However I am skeptical that the area will improve enough for this to happen

5. Too many government entitlement programs sucking the economic life out of the people and companies who live there (via high taxes). Too many layers of government that do nothing but bicker and serve their own interests vs. the people (why is there still a need for a common council or county exec position?).

[Phil Hansen Forever]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo?

 

I left Rochester in July 1976 to join the US Chair Force (not a JARHEAD) and spent the next 18 years freezing my ass off all over the northern plains in Minuteman Missile Maintenance.

 

2) Where did you go?

 

I lived in North & South Dakota, Montana and four horrible years in Lompoc, CA (rainy, cold and foggy). I chose to retire in Minnesota, because of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is only 5 hours away.

 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo?

 

The economy in Minnesota is stable and booming. The housing market is way overvalued and the taxes stink like New York (too many democrats and they love to tax)

 

4) If the economy and job market were stable would you move back?

 

I have family back there, and we don't get along. I'll stay out west, and we are thinking of maybe moving a tad bit south. Darn tired of the really cold winters.

 

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here?

 

Kill all the lawyers and the politicians, and start over. Maybe annex NYC and make it another state. Then when you flush your toilet in Buffalo, you won't mind it running south like your taxes do.

[BRH]

All I can say in response to all you folks who left WNY is "that's fine...more room for me."

 

You guys are why I live in the suburbs and yet have a ten-minute commute to work downtown.

[Kipers Hair]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo?

 

Pursuing better jobs

 

2) Where did you go?

 

Dallas TX

Now in Albany NY

 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo?

 

Dallas - more home for the money, cheaper cost of living and better weather

Albany - Obsene housing prices - better gepgraphy and weather than Blo

 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

 

If I had the same job I do now...yes.

 

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here?

 

It's all the economy there - attract and keep businesses there.

The local government is way to self serving and corrupt.

Organized labor is starting the have a negative impact on the area's

ability to attract and maintain businesses

[alg]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo?

1976 - for school and adventure.

 

2) Where did you go?

Washington DC, Los Angeles, Boulder CO, Seattle, Boulder CO, Houston, Boulder CO. See a pattern there?

 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo?

Always more work at better pay.

 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

Maybe.

 

5) What suggestions do you have to improve the quality of life here?

Lynch all the polititions past and present, and lower the sales and property taxes bigtime.

[Fezmid]

You guys are why I live in the suburbs and yet have a ten-minute commute to work downtown. 

348786[/snapback]

 

Does feeding the pigeons in the park REALLY constitute work...?

 

Why did you move out of Buffalo?

The pollution is terrible (I grew up in Love Canal, and went to elementary school down the street from CECOS; if the wind was going in the right direction, you could smell the chemicals from the factories and had to shut the windows.

 

The college scene didn't do it for me. I went to Fredonia for a year, hated it, and wanted to get out to a real school (their IT "department" was terrible and they lied to me to get me to go there. )

 

Also, the economy sucks. I knew there weren't any good IT jobs there even if I did graduate with my CS degree.

 

Where did you go?

Minneapolis, MN.

 

How does your new home compare to Buffalo?

It's awesome. It's a booming area, lots of jobs, there's still four seasons, lots of culture, etc, etc. Love it here.

 

If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

Probably not. Even if the economy was good, the polution would still suck, as would the taxation.

 

What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here?

Blow it up and start over?

 

Here's a great (long) article about my hometown.

http://www.iaw.com/~falls/environment.html

 

CW

[KnightRider]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo? 

 

Educated myself right out of Buffalo, thanks to UB.

 

2) Where did you go? 

 

Boston/Worcester, MA

 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo? 

 

I own a 1400 sqft 3BR 1BTH ranch built in 1960 on two acres.  It's worth ~$360k.  I pay about $3k in property taxes.

 

I tried to move to Rochester last year and looked at a couple of houses priced less than $230k.  Most were older farmhouses with 5-20 acres. The taxes were as much as $10k.

 

And people think MA taxes are high.

 

 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

 

It has to be more than just a stable economy.  It has to be business friendly, especially to skilled labor. 

 

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here? 

 

Engineering, software, and financial services are what drive the economy in Boston.  Manufacturing is being phased out here just like it is in the rest of the Northeast, (Polaroid is dead, Raytheon does most manufacturing in the south, Gillette is not exactly booming, and the list goes on...).  These professions won't necessarily require as much environmental oversight either.  Build partnerships with companies, rather than treat them as criminals raping the land.  They are not your enemy.  Give tax breaks based on number of employees.  Do the same for infrastructure upgrades to their facilities. 

 

348278[/snapback]

[HopsGuy]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo?

 

Same as just about everyone else... my job.

 

 

2) Where did you go?

 

Wait for it... wait for it... SYRACUSE. I just wasn't getting enough snow in Buffalo. Two years later I moved to South Florida for a.... better job! I've been here for 6+ years.

 

 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo?

 

Lots of stuff to do. Some things are more expensive, but I make more $ and there is no state income tax. Sales tax is 6%. The weather is better most of the time, but I have to deal with hurricanes which are way worse than blizzards. WNY summers are the best.

 

 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

 

Maybe. There's nothing keeping me here. It would have to be a pretty sweet deal though.

 

 

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here?

 

The quality of life is actually pretty decent in WNY. If the government can get their collective foot off of the neck of working people, things would be very nice. If WNYers had the ability to save a bit and spend a bit more, the place would be perfect. Of course, that goes back to better jobs. There's nothing I can suggest that hasn't already been said.

[bills_fan]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo? Moved in 00 for a job

2) Where did you go? New York City

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo? Much less home for much more money.

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back? In a NY minute, I miss the regional flavor of Buffalo, the familiar customs, freindly people, cheaper cost of living etc.

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here? Better gov't, lower taxes.

[bdelma]

california blows too may people and high home prices. I'd move back to WNY if you could find work

[BillnutinHouston]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo? 

2) Where did you go? 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo? 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here? 

 

348278[/snapback]

 

1) Better career opportunities.

2) San Antonio, TX

3) Better home, more upscale neighborhood, same price

4) No, I like the weather here. You don't have to pucker your a$$ all the time.

5) Regionalize the local gov't, throw out them bums! and de-unionize.

[mcjeff215]

1. I moved away with my parents back in 1996.

2. Northern Suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia.

3. The house is nicer, there's more money. Buffalo is still "home."

4. Personally? Yes. My wife is from here, though, so without a damn good reason, that just isn't going to happen.

5. People need to get over that defeatist attitude they have.

 

Here's my take. I think that's a great area of the country. There's a small-town feel you won't get in many other places. Cities that experience economic booms also experience sprawl. No matter where you go, you'll just not find any place the same.

 

If I didn't have to worry about the financial side of it, I'd go back. At the very least, I'd pick up a big chunk of land and a hunting cabin just into .30-06 territory.

 

That's home. It is for me and it is for you. You'll always remember it that way. Atlanta is where I'm at because of economic reasons, but home is 1,000 miles north of here.

 

Lastly, if I hadn't moved with my parents (I was old enough to where I could have stayed, but opted for the change), I probably wouldn't ever leave. I'm the kind of person who will tough it out. Mistake or not, that's what I would have done.

 

-Jeff

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo? 

2) Where did you go? 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo? 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here? 

348278[/snapback]

 

1) My Dad worked at BethSteel in Lackawanna. He had two choices: unempployment or transfer to Bethlehem, PA. This was in 1980.

 

2) Lehigh Valley, PA. I've lived here, Lawton OK, Hinesville, GA, and St.Michaels' MD for different periods of my adult life.

 

3) We bought an 1800 SF house for 135,000 6 years ago. The taxes were a bit high, but otherwise it was probably as cheap as WNY.

 

4) Yes, in an instant.

 

5) Five steps to WNY economic recovery:

 

1. Cut taxes

2. Recall all elected officials

3. Cut Taxes

4. Promote business development and tourism via use of economic opportunity zones

5. CUT TAXES.

[flomoe]

Obviously, everyone knows Buffalo has some very serious economic and structural problems.  To give a little background on myself, I'm a 2003 University of Rochester grad with a BA in Political Science.  I have thought about maybe getting involved in government one day and would love to help out in Buffalo.  So for those who have moved away or those thinking about it, I have a few questions that maybe you could help me with.

 

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo? 

2) Where did you go? 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo? 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here? 

 

Any feedback you have would be awesome and maybe together we can save the city, haha.    Thanks.

348278[/snapback]

 

1) I was sick of my crappy job, the crappy weather and crappy economy.

2) Moved to Florida, Orlando to be precise.

3) Much, much larger house with 1/4 the taxes.

4) I don't think I would ever move back, it's a nice place to visit over a weekend for a football game but otherwise, there is nothing there, not even family, that I would move back for.

5) Somehow lower taxes and structure the tax dollars to be spent wisely and re-investing into the area instead of just pissing the money away. The whole area needs an economic and structural boost and the quickest way to do that is to get all new politicians to fix things. The current ones are doing nothing but wasting hard earned tax dollars.

[Ralonzo]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo? 

2) Where did you go? 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo? 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here? 

 

Any feedback you have would be awesome and maybe together we can save the city, haha.    Thanks.

348278[/snapback]

 

1) It sucks.

1a) It's cold.

1b) It's snowy.

1c) High taxes.

1d) Crony joke government.

1e) No economic opportunity.

2) Virginia.

3) It's worth more than the block I lived on in Buffalo.

4) No, although that it strictly a fantasy-world question anyway.

5) Replace the local city and county governments by violent revolution, get some hi-tech industry in through tax incentive, and get ahold of Stewie Griffin's weather control device.

[TheMadKat]

 

Where did you go?

Minneapolis, MN.

 

How does your new home compare to Buffalo?

It's awesome.  It's a booming area, lots of jobs, there's still four seasons, lots of culture, etc, etc.  Love it here.

 

 

My wife and I will be graduating from college in the next year, and we are planning on moving from Texas. We have not picked a certain city to focus our house/job search efforts. Honestly, we are open to just about anywhere except Buffalo after reading this thread. My family was originally from the Buffalo area, and we had to move because of the high taxes and low employment. I would move to Buffalo IF the taxes and economy were in a better condition.

 

I wouldnt mind researching MN, but I'm unfamiliar with the area. Can you tell me a few cities or towns close to Minneapolis that are growing and contain fairly new single-family developments? I did a search on Realtor.com for Minneapolis, and the results were a little discouraging.

[shrader]

1. Not enough (ie. zero) entry level jobs in my field

2. Boston

3. EXPENSIVE! With the same salary back home, I'd be very comfortable. Here, I end up making maybe $200 a month after all the bills.

4. That's my goal. Whether the market improves or not, I should have a place once I have 2-3 years of experience.

5. Nothing really comes to mind right away, so I'll say this: Once I move back, quality of life has to improve.

[Fezmid]

My wife and I will be graduating from college in the next year, and we are planning on moving from Texas.  We have not picked a certain city to focus our house/job search efforts.  Honestly, we are open to just about anywhere except Buffalo after reading this thread.        My family was originally from the Buffalo area, and we had to move because of the high taxes and low employment.  I would move to Buffalo IF the taxes and economy were in a better condition.

 

I wouldnt mind researching MN, but I'm unfamiliar with the area.  Can you tell me a few cities or towns close to Minneapolis that are growing and contain fairly new  single-family developments?  I did a search on Realtor.com for Minneapolis, and the results were a little discouraging.

349793[/snapback]

 

The Twin Cities are divided into two - the east metro (St. Paul and suburbs) and the west metro (Minneapolis and suburbs).

 

Hudson, WI (which is right across the river and is part of the east metro) is very hot right now. That's where we live, and we had our home built three years ago. Sales tax and income tax are lower in WI, but property tax is higher (we paid ~$3,000 on a $200,000 home). There's some other cities around here as well, such as River Falls, Baldwin, etc, which are slightly further out but are really growing. We're literally a mile from Minnesota.

 

Other excellent east metro suburbs are Oakdale, Woodbury, and Stillwater.

 

On the west side, there's a lot more growth as a lot of that has been undevelopeed until now. Rodgers is the big one right now. Eden Praire and Edina are the affluent suburbs.

 

There's also some north/south, such as Farmington, etc.

 

If you like older stuff or living in the heart of the city, Uptown is a great neighborhood (we lived in an apartment there for several years, three blocks from Lake Calhoun; awesome area).

 

Most importantly, there's a large Bills Backers group here, led by TonyP (he posts here occasionally). Here's the website: http://mspbillsbackers.home.att.net/

 

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a PM.

 

CW

[Surfmeister]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo?

In 1977 I graduated with a BSEE. I sent out 100 resumes. Hughes Aircraft called me so I moved out of my bedroom in my parents house.

 

2) Where did you go?

I moved to LA for 2 years. Then 2 years on flight test at EAFB in the desert. From there I lived 6 years behind the wall in West Berlin. 2 years in Honolulu. 7 years in Northern VA and the last 7 years here in Tallahassee.

 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo?

The Tallahassee locals are really nice folks like Buffalo. We're so far south here they don't even have an accent.

 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

No. I'm a big kitty now and I don't like dealing with the snow and ice. We get 3 real seasons here and that's fine with me.

 

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here?

I dunno.

[Tcali]

Obviously, everyone knows Buffalo has some very serious economic and structural problems.  To give a little background on myself, I'm a 2003 University of Rochester grad with a BA in Political Science.  I have thought about maybe getting involved in government one day and would love to help out in Buffalo.  So for those who have moved away or those thinking about it, I have a few questions that maybe you could help me with.

 

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo? 

2) Where did you go? 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo? 

4) If the econonmy and job market were stable would you move back?

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here? 

 

Any feedback you have would be awesome and maybe together we can save the city, haha.    Thanks.

348278[/snapback]

It IS amusing hearing people talk about CHEAPER housing than in Buffalo. As a Californian you can get a nice little starter home for 400K.-And thats in the cheaper areas--not SF