Why do you leave Buffalo???

[manateefan]

Why did you move out of Buffalo? When my husband and I sold our tavern in Kenmore, we decided to really start fresh somewhere else.

 

Where did you go? We came to the west central coast of Florida. We had vacationed here and liked the area. There were less people in the whole county than in just the City of Buffalo when we moved here, though its growing.

 

How does it compare to Buffalo? People here are nice. If you pass someone when out walking, they say hello. Housing costs were reasonable when we first moved here, though they now say the median price for housing is $305,000. Property taxes are still lower. We're still paying about $300 less than we did for a comparable house up there in 1987.

 

If the economy and job market were still stable, would you move back? I still have family there and have been asked this. No, I wouldn't. My husband and I both lucked out and got jobs with the county government here. Pay scale to start wasn't the greatest, but this area is growing in leaps and bounds and we've both been able to advance, have good benefits including pension. While I do miss a true spring and fall (and my family), I do not miss the cold and the snow of winter.

 

What suggestions do you have to improve quality of life here? The big thing is to lower taxes, just not for the citizens but to entice companies to locate there. (Maybe get New York City to become it own state or district like Washington. That sure would help the rest of the state.) I agree with the one poster that they should regionalize. They have too many duplicate services. A prime example is if you live in Kenmore, you pay to have a mayor, public works department, police force, tax collector, etc., but you also have to pay the Town of Tonawanda for their town supervisor, public works department, police force, tax collector, etc. and then pay the county on top of that.

[lawnboy1977]

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 basically sick of all the politics and the weather and the economy, for a 27 year old there really isn't much opportunity unless you can start a business or work for a family business that you enjoy.

2) Arizona

3) The weather is phenominal, the economy is great and people have a good attitude. There is so much opportunity out here because the area is just growing and growing.

4) I wouldn't move back. Even if there was a great economy, I still don't like the lifestyle in WNY. Other than going to Bills games, I have no reason to stay there.

5) #1, there has to be some sort of changing of the guard in the leadership of the area. All the legislatures and mayors and county execs etc. are really just too ol school and when someone does have a new idea i.e, casino, anything waterfront, merging city and county, it goes nowhere because the old timers don't want to lose their spot.

#2, this goes with #1, the old guartd stepping down would translate into making better jobs come in, which means more young people come in, which means more house are bought. hopefully all that can translate into lower taxes, which is the main problem

#3, the state needs to do their part to help WNY, and all of upstate for that matter. NYC should be governed differently than upstate, cos its a different world. of course its the economic center of the galaxy, but you would think that somehow that could translate into helping upstate out more.

 

anyway, i hope WNY turns it around, but really its going to go downhill then the Bills are going to leave, which breaks my heart because thats about all that area has left!

[Mile High]

I'm not answering all 5 questions but I left to go to college and then landed a good job in the area I went to college.

[ExiledInIllinois]

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]

 

I also graduated with a BA in political science/history, 1990 SUNY at Buffalo (UB).

 

1. I worked for the Corps (Engineers) Buffalo District and I was going to be RIF'ed. I took the proactive approach and accepted a job with Rock Island District working out of the Arsenal (now garrison). My soon to be wife was attending the University of Illinois working on her master's. After a short time I transferred to a field site in Chicago, still here. My wife went back for her master's (after the MA in English) in Library and Information Science... She is now the director of a public Library close to home. Believe it or not, my wage scale (federal wage grade) is set to the Quad Cites area which is more than the Chicago area! I think places like Deere (Moline) pull it up?

 

2. First, Quad Cities (Davenport). Now, far south suburbs, Chicagoland. Still don't get the Cubs-Sox thing? Both Chicago... I root for both yet, would have to be pro-Sox if the unthinkable would happen (EL series)... eff the north side and all the congestion! Hate the Bears... I wonder why? Don't mind the 'Hawks and Bulls.

 

3. I view the area is the same in some regards, different in others... Very blue collar, mix "hillbilly"... Very diverse though, very easy to get around down here. Housing price very reasonable, would go for tons more in the southwest, west, north suburbs (my house was built in '95 for 150k... Would be well into the 200's in the aformentioned parts?) Taxes are about the same as New York. I pay more being just across the county border in the republican collar county, Will... If I could move my house 2 miles north into Cook and I would easily save about 2k off my 5k bill. I am pretty sure Cook is the only county in Illinois that levies taxes different between residential and commercial? Still pretty effed up, I also believe that Illinois has the most tax districts in the country?

 

... Stayin' on track.

 

4. It isn't about the economy, if I found work I liked and enjoyed... Yes. My wife also. Northeast IL, northwest Indiana is where we "landed"... After all, I do consider it exile?

 

5. Tough question! I will add humor... Quality of life? Look at all the fat-arses around... Seems people are eating well?

 

Buffalo, IMO, is a victim of its own geographical demise... It has become to far off the beaten path. It reminds me of the situation that Park Forest, IL (first planned community in the US) is in here. The thing is to not forget its past yet, let go of the monolithic side of that past? How is that done? A lot of services and institutions that are enjoyed have to fall by the way-side? Obviously, it is easier in a suburb of under 30k. Quite a quandry?

[apulshunny]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo?

Just after high school I realized my parents were going to be of no help in getting me started, so I joined the military.

 

2) Where did you go?

Met a girl and moved to San Diego. Stayed after we split because the colleges were better for my degree (Phys. Ed/teaching)

 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo?

Obviously weather is better, but the social climate is much poorer. A telling comment someone made to me shortly after I arrived here is that most people here rarely get to know the neighbors on BOTH sides of you. I've found that to be mostly true. I though after I had kids that I'd start making friends close to my house, but for the most part my friends live at least a 15 minute drive away. Community pride is MUCH stronger in Buffalo than here.

Traffic is an absolute joke. I hate it. I don't read about the politics in Buffalo much, but is the city's credit rating worse than junk bonds? Since my mother-in-law lives here, I don't see myself going anywhere as long as she's breathing. That's not to say I want that to stop, but that's what it will take to get me out of here.

On the positive side, the climate and accessibility to outdoor recreation is awesome. Also the women... ahhhhh!

 

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

I doubt it. Aside from not really having much family there, I would prefer a location more like Colorado or Washington.

 

5) What suggestions to you have to improve the quality of life here? Become a part of Pennsylvania and stop giving all of your tax revenues to NYC.

[lawnboy1977]

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. 

348786[/snapback]

Hey more room for you to pay all the high taxes and suck in the bad weather. I live in the Phoenix metro area, and while some suckers sit in traffic for an hour on their way to work, I have a ten minute drive from scottsdale to tempe on the surface streets. Best part, NO SNOW PLOWS, SNOW SHOVELS, SNOW BRUSHES OR SNOW COVERED SIDEWALKS!!

[Fan in San Diego]

Hey more room for you to pay all the high taxes and suck in the bad weather. I live in the Phoenix metro area, and while some suckers sit in traffic for an hour on their way to work, I have a ten minute drive from scottsdale to tempe on the surface streets.  Best part, NO SNOW PLOWS, SNOW SHOVELS, SNOW BRUSHES OR SNOW COVERED SIDEWALKS!!

350232[/snapback]

 

My commute is to shuffle down the hall into my home office. If the pantry door is left open it does cause a traffic jam. Quick commute time though.

[KRT88]

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. I moved out of WNY because I couldn't land a teaching job. I had several interviews and process never seemed fair.

 

I interviewed with seven districts in NC nad received three offers. All i wanted was a chance to teach, and NC gave me that chance.

 

2. I ended up moving to SE NC about an hour from Wilmington, a place called Lumberton. I now live in Fayetteville.

 

3. NC never quite fells like home but I met my wife down here, have a new family started, so I have adjusted well. I feel there is less politics down here but far too many of the people are two faced. They claim to be all religious and rightous but they lie and cheat and talk about you behind your back. NY is a bit more straight forward.

 

4. My wife and I, she's from Attica but we met in Lumberton, both would like to move back the question is for what? The area is dead economically and politically its a nightmare. Where is the leadership! Once elected the best intended fool just becomes another cog in the wheel. No one makes any decisions, ie the Peace Bridge, and nothing ever changes.

 

5. Changes I would make. For starters, save a ton of money by starting to combine shcool districts. Create 4 or 5 major School districts in Erie County and have the other countries create 1 or 2. That alone would lower propery taxes because millions would be saved. WNY has way too many repetitive services.

 

Why does small Niagara County need 10 school disticts? The county's population is only 212,000! Down here I live in a county with 309,000 and we have one county school distict. It has 10 High Schools, 15 Middle Schools, and countless Elementary but we have one Superintendant, not 10!

 

Erie County would be more difficult to combine with places like Clarence, Amherst, Williamsville and Orchard Park not wanting to share the pieces of the pie. That's why you may need to create several. A norther district for Tonawanda, Kenmore, etc. A southern distict for all places south of Orhard Park, a Central distict for Buffalo and some surrounding places and a eastern district for the more rural places like East Aurora, Clarence, Alden, Lancaster, etc.

 

Hey anything is better than continuing to do nothing!

 

That's my starting point.

 

They did it down here in NC in 1989. My friends say it was mess but within 3 years the problems starting straightening themselves out and now everything is fine.

[KnightRider]

Erie County would be more difficult to combine with places like Clarence, Amherst, Williamsville and Orchard Park not wanting to share the pieces of the pie.  That's why you may need to create several.  A norther district for Tonawanda, Kenmore, etc.  A southern distict for all places south of Orhard Park, a Central distict for Buffalo and some surrounding places and a eastern district for the more rural places like East Aurora, Clarence, Alden, Lancaster, etc.

350355[/snapback]

 

 

Actually there is an agency in the state government (once called E&A and may still be called ORPS) that already redistributes that pie...

 

I do not understand regionalization. To me, it makes it easier to hide pork. I'd rather see the schools broken up and let the parents take a more active role in their children's education. And before you tell me people are too busy, can you tell me something more important than the education of your kid?

[MICMAT1012]

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]

 

I'll be escaping Buffalo in 11 days, 8hrs and 40 somthing minutes - but who's counting.

1) Why? Turn on the news, open the paper. It's all perfectly laid out for ya. Clowns to the left of me (local government), jokers to the right (state government), here I am stuck in the middle with you. Oh yeah, have been down sized out of a job 2x in past three years.

2) Moving to Cary, NC (suburb of Raleigh)

3) Over all will cost the same or slightly more. (higher cost of house, less taxes)

4) I think there will be some improvement, some day. I just can't afford to wait for it. By the time that happens, I'll be ready to retire - then move down south anyway.

5) Dismantle the buracracy (sp) in New York. To try and do anything else before that would be like pissing into the fan.

[Snorom]

Moved in 1997 because the job market sucked.

 

 

positives:

 

There are no income taxes in Washington,

 

property taxes are 50% less then what they were back in Hamburg and my property is twice as large in Wash

 

the pay is much better when I'm employed.

 

Geographically it is significantly nicer out here with Mountains, rivers, and the Ocean all close by.

 

Superior skiing.

 

 

negatives:

 

all my family and most of my life long friends live in WNY

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd move back under the right circumstances, but those circumastances probably won't materialize.

[RastaMouse]

1) Why did you move out of Buffalo?

 

Military - Quantico, Va.

 

2) Where did you go?

 

Northern Virginia

 

3) How does your new home compare to Buffalo?

 

Overpriced and overvalued. Family house in North Buffalo is far superior but the housing market in VA has made me alot of money...so I really can't complain.

 

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

 

In another year or two I plan on making Buffalo my home base again. I'm frequently overseas and have no real limitations on where home in the states could be, might as wll be the city that I love and grew up in.

 

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

 

Buffalo is a microcosm of the US as a whole, previously decent manufacturing jobs exported so working families are taking 2-3 service industry jobs to make ends meet. Law of diminishing returns. Somehow private sector technology based industries need to be courted or the other growth industry is Defense Contracting. Oh yeah, either a Stanley Cup or Superbowl may help a tad!

[dundy249]

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.) Promotion with much more pay.///weather

2.) Charlotte NC

3.) I miss the people and some of the local flavor of Buffalo. But dealind with only a 2 week winter was much better. I have been Golfins year round since I got here.

4.) NO

5.) Buffalo needs to lose the common council and start making changes without needing the approval of losers who do not care.