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 Tuesday at 03:25 PM by boater

[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.

[Wacka]

The line between lots and some snow seems to be Broadway, at least out to Transit. 

[SoTier]

I'm with @rusty shackleford on the differences between Northtowns and Southtowns.   I have family who live in both areas, so I frequent both. 

 

IMO, the only problem with the Southtowns is the heavy snow.   The solution to snowblowing as you age is to hire somebody to clear your driveway and sidewalk (if you have one).   You can find almost all of the same shopping and dining options in the Southtowns as you can north of Buffalo.  The village of Hamburg is very walkable.

 

The biggest problem with the Northtowns is the traffic. What good is having all kinds of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment within a 1-2 mile radius when it takes you 30-45 minutes to get there?   Kenmore and Williamsville are both walkable villages, but you will still need to brave the traffic for most shopping and dining.  

 

 

[Process]

7 minutes ago, SoTier said:

I'm with @rusty shackleford on the differences between Northtowns and Southtowns.   I have family who live in both areas, so I frequent both. 

 

IMO, the only problem with the Southtowns is the heavy snow.   The solution to snowblowing as you age is to hire somebody to clear your driveway and sidewalk (if you have one).   You can find almost all of the same shopping and dining options in the Southtowns as you can north of Buffalo.  The village of Hamburg is very walkable.

 

The biggest problem with the Northtowns is the traffic. What good is having all kinds of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment within a 1-2 mile radius when it takes you 30-45 minutes to get there?   Kenmore and Williamsville are both walkable villages, but you will still need to brave the traffic for most shopping and dining.  

 

 

I've lived in the North towns my entire life. It doesn't take 30-45 minutes to get anywhere. That is an extreme exaggeration lol. 

[US Egg]

If you ever get the Buffalo winter blues:

 

”Say hello to my little friend”

[Wacka]

I live near William and Union in S. Cheektowagaand we had 7 feet in the 2914 blizzard, The Cheektowaga town hall (1.5 mi north) on Broadway had maybe 6 inches, The airport had 0. Two or so years ago we had maybe  4.6 feet and Amherst had a few inches,

[Buffalo716]

1 hour ago, Wacka said:

I live near William and Union in S. Cheektowagaand we had 7 feet in the 2914 blizzard, The Cheektowaga town hall (1.5 mi north) on Broadway had maybe 6 inches, The airport had 0. Two or so years ago we had maybe  4.6 feet and Amherst had a few inches,

Yet in the blizzard of 22 the airport area was hit harder than south cheektowaga for the most part

 

my father lives in South cheektowaga  my mother is basically right at the airport and she had it worse in 22

 

She had feet and feet and feet my fathers property wasnt hit as hard...  certainly didn't have his entire car buried

 

My mother's car was buried in her driveway lol 

Edited 15 hours ago by Buffalo716

[Draconator]

I live in the Town of Aurora. The snowfall is a difficult thing to deal with. And with me living on a State Route (20A), the end of my driveway is often buried with salt laden snow, and impossible for my snowblower to get through. But other than that, I wouldn't trade where I live. I make a right turn out of my driveway, and within 5 minutes I'm in East Aurora. I make a left turn out of my driveway, and within 5 minutes I'm in Orchard Park. Plus I have an acre of land. I mow about half of it and I don't mind that at all. Plus seeing the deer trying to headbutt my dog through the chain linked fence gives my wife and I a good laugh. Our dog just stands there and barks at the deer, the deer takes another charge, and bam! Right into the fence. 

 

I'd say Southtowns, but I have a biased opinion. 

Edited 15 hours ago by Draconator

[Augie]

7 hours ago, Process said:

I've lived in the North towns my entire life. It doesn't take 30-45 minutes to get anywhere. That is an extreme exaggeration lol. 

 

I thought it was kinda funny because, well, I live in Atlanta. Don’t try to scare me about WNY traffic. 🤣 

 

Of my family and friends growing up, only one guy I knew well still lives in Buffalo. My buddies are scattered across the country, but I know we all enjoy going back to visit. 

 

I lived in Hamburg when I was a kid (thru 3rd grade), then we moved to Williamsville/East Amherst. I really like both areas, but it’s no fluke that I remember the snow being over my head when I was little. 

[US Egg]

53 minutes ago, Draconator said:

I live in the Town of Aurora. The snowfall is a difficult thing to deal with. And with me living on a State Route (20A), the end of my driveway is often buried with salt laden snow, and impossible for my snowblower to get through. But other than that, I wouldn't trade where I live. I make a right turn out of my driveway, and within 5 minutes I'm in East Aurora. I make a left turn out of my driveway, and within 5 minutes I'm in Orchard Park. Plus I have an acre of land. I mow about half of it and I don't mind that at all. Plus seeing the deer trying to headbutt my dog through the chain linked fence gives my wife and I a good laugh. Our dog just stands there and barks at the deer, the deer takes another charge, and bam! Right into the fence. 

 

I'd say Southtowns, but I have a biased opinion. 

Every time my wife and I are on 20A there we say how nice it be to live on it for just the reason you stated. We always scope it out, but if something came up we could swing, the snow would more than likely scare us away at this point in life.

[PromoTheRobot]

8 hours ago, SoTier said:

I'm with @rusty shackleford on the differences between Northtowns and Southtowns.   I have family who live in both areas, so I frequent both. 

 

IMO, the only problem with the Southtowns is the heavy snow.   The solution to snowblowing as you age is to hire somebody to clear your driveway and sidewalk (if you have one).   You can find almost all of the same shopping and dining options in the Southtowns as you can north of Buffalo.  The village of Hamburg is very walkable.

 

The biggest problem with the Northtowns is the traffic. What good is having all kinds of options for shopping, dining, and entertainment within a 1-2 mile radius when it takes you 30-45 minutes to get there?   Kenmore and Williamsville are both walkable villages, but you will still need to brave the traffic for most shopping and dining.  

 

 

Heavy traffic to a Buffalonian.

[Draconator]

11 minutes ago, US Egg said:

Every time my wife and I are on 20A there we say how nice it be to live on it for just the reason you stated. We always scope it out, but if something came up we could swing, the snow would more than likely scare us away at this point in life.

Exactly the reason why my wife gave me the go ahead to hire a plow service for this upcoming winter. Hopefully in a couple of years, we'll have a winter snow-bird house down south (Mississippi). 

[Augie]

30 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Heavy traffic to a Buffalonian.

 

The Buffalo traffic is like an extra treat when I go back.  I’m comparing it to everywhere I’ve lived, not just Atlanta. 

 

EDIT: I will say that certain areas are busier than I remember at times, but it’s still light compared to most places. 

 

.

Edited 14 hours ago by Augie

[geggytah]

It’s basically: Northtowns = traffic and convenience. Southtowns = snow and serenity. Pick your boss fight.

[US Egg]

5 hours ago, Augie said:

 

The Buffalo traffic is like an extra treat when I go back.  I’m comparing it to everywhere I’ve lived, not just Atlanta. 

 

EDIT: I will say that certain areas are busier than I remember at times, but it’s still light compared to most places. 

Buffalo: where rush hour is 45 minutes.

[Mike in Horseheads]

8 hours ago, Draconator said:

I live in the Town of Aurora. The snowfall is a difficult thing to deal with. And with me living on a State Route (20A), the end of my driveway is often buried with salt laden snow, and impossible for my snowblower to get through. But other than that, I wouldn't trade where I live. I make a right turn out of my driveway, and within 5 minutes I'm in East Aurora. I make a left turn out of my driveway, and within 5 minutes I'm in Orchard Park. Plus I have an acre of land. I mow about half of it and I don't mind that at all. Plus seeing the deer trying to headbutt my dog through the chain linked fence gives my wife and I a good laugh. Our dog just stands there and barks at the deer, the deer takes another charge, and bam! Right into the fence. 

 

I'd say Southtowns, but I have a biased opinion. 

If you live on right on 20a  I've past your house many times. Never in the winter though, can't imagine those speedtrap hills in Warsaw around then