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.  

[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 12 hours ago by boater

[US Egg]

Upon rereading your query Ned, I realized I glossed over you’re a former WNY’er so I deleted my diatribe. That said, I repeat that I’m tired of the snow and hoping to move north of the 90 in my next move, as it’s usually the cut off from the snow storms.
 

Southtowns has more charm. Have a kid in the Northtowns and one in Southern Niagara county. I live 3 miles from the stadium. I’d say on average each year, mind you I’m retired, I’m housebound for at least a day due to snow 8-10 times a winter, compared to their none! Sometimes more, rarely less.

 

I used to say it wouldn’t get to me, I was wrong. So, you got to ask yourself Ned, what’s your snow tolerance, because in the Southtowns you will get what Buffalo is famously noted for…..well besides chicken wings and losing Super Bowls.

[PromoTheRobot]

Northtowns definitely gets less snow than the Southtowns. There's rarely a 6ft snow event in the Tonawandas.

[Orlando Buffalo]

My older relatives all live north of Buffalo- Willoamsville, Grand Island, Wheatfield- some around the age of 50 are loving North Buffalo right now near Hertel for fun places they can walk to in the nice weather. It has changed a lot on the last 25 years since I moved but some family I can't get to move. 

[rusty shackleford]

I lived in both. Kenmore/North Buffalo in the north and Lake View/Hamburg in the south. There are pros and cons for both and really depends what you’re looking for. Definitely a lot more snow in the south, which I don’t really mind. It’s also a lot more spread out and less traffic. It’s not everywhere in the north, but a lot of it just feels more crowded and congested. I miss being able to walk to the convenient store and restaurants in Kenmore, but I like my wooded lot in Lake View.