Possibly moving back to WNY: northtowns or southtowns?

[Ned Flanders]

Looking to move back to WNY within the next couple of years...I like the real estate options in the southtowns (Hamburg, OP) but wondering if northtowns (Amherst, etc.) is the better way to go, given the snowbelt.

 

Any advice from the locals is greatly appreciated.  

[US Egg]

Planning on moving in a couple, now even, if something fits. I want out of the snowbelt. As a Southtown lifer, hoping to find something in East Amherst/Clarence, it has as many options as the Southowns, Elma, Lancaster, as far as nice housing and close by conveniences. Amherst and the Northtown is much busier and congested.

 

I should add OP and Hamburg have more charm imo and closer to East Aurora and Ellicottville, which locals kind of flock to, particularly in the summer and fall, they have numerous festivals.
 

Northtowns has more restaurants and shopping options and is close to Lewiston on the Niagara Gorge, which is quaint with shops and dining, and of course Canada, which has some very nice offerings/towns not far from the bridges.

Edited 3 hours ago by US Egg

[boater]

For me, it was an age related decision. Snow removal is fun and games until you are 65-ish. After that it becomes a burden.

 

I liked the real estate and lifestyle in the Southtowns better, but since it was a house that I planned on being in until age 75 or more, I chose the Northtowns with less snow. Even with the decreased snow in Amherst, I find wrestling with a snow blower at my age to be an unpleasant experience. I have sidewalks to clear and the town is quick to fine* people who don't clear snow--so I have no choice.

 

* they don't fine you per se, the town will actually uninvited come clear your sidewalk for you and charge you a couple hundred bucks for doing so

Edited 3 hours ago by boater