BILLS02138 Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 They left their hearts in Buffalo 12/20/2005 By MARY KUNZ GOLDMAN There's no place like home for the holidays. And that's not just a song. For people who have moved away from Buffalo, it's the truth. A few weeks ago, I listed a bunch of statistics about how Buffalo's economy and cultural scene compared with other cities. They were just facts and figures. But a surprising deluge of responses poured in. The column seems especially to have struck a chord with out-of-towners who, instead of just crunching the numbers, grew very emotional. Not all the feeling was positive. "I couldn't stop laughing at the fact that you have a control board. Isn't that like being 35 and living with your parents?" says Mark Thomas Jr., who thanks God his parents moved the family from Buffalo to Seattle when he was 11. "You people live in Buffalo. Get over yourselves. You guys are the "fat ugly women of cities.' " Well, Mark: If Buffalo's so fat and ugly, how come we're still under your skin? Former Buffalo folks are a strange breed. Here our city squats, ignoring our control board, shuttering our libraries and selling out our historic Cobblestone District to a casino, but darn it, these wanderers still miss us. Some even admit it. "I was born and raised in Buffalo, but have been away for most of the last 20 years," writes Bill Wessner. "We are in Savannah, Ga., and there is nothing here. It is extremely hot and humid for eight or nine months out of the year. There are no Bills, Sabres, ice rinks, Anderson's, Ted's, no zoo within 150 miles, no residential sidewalks, etc. "While the property taxes are lower, housing is more expensive. Gas is cheaper, but there are not a whole lot of places to go, so that doesn't matter. After I graduate [from nursing school], we will be moving back." John Klimczyk, a Buffalonian in Atlanta, is also homesick. He tells a great tale about a neighbor in Georgia who stored guns and ammo in a shed and almost burned down the whole block. And that's not his only problem. "Traffic is terrible down here," adds Klimczyk, who uses such Buffalo buzzwords as "anyways," "liquid refreshments" and "the wife." He goes on to gripe: "There are few corner restaurants or bars except in the city. Everything is a commute. We are moving back to the Northeast." Not long ago, the Wall Street Journal acknowledged the phenomenon that is Buffalo love. Reporting on our economic woes, the paper noted: "Buffalonians love Buffalo so much that they're often willing to work cheap just to stay in town." Buffalonians love Buffalo. It's a bittersweet truth, thanks to our taxes, fees and downwardly mobile environment. Messages of regret from the young can break your heart. Take Melissa Zajac, 24, who works in Phoenix and longs for Buffalo. "There is no place like the waterfront at night," she laments. "There is no safer place to have fun than Chippewa. Every bar is next to each other - no worries about driving. Supermarkets are open 24 hours! "Living in Phoenix made me appreciate Buffalo so much more than I could ever have anticipated. Similar to big universities, in Phoenix, you're a number and not a name. No one looks out for each other." It's funny. Here at home, we call our waterfront a mess. We fret over Chippewa. But nearly a continent away, a young woman looks at them and sees heaven. There really is no place like home, and not just for the holidays. Even Mark Thomas Jr., the guy who called our city fat and ugly, as good as admits that. "Merry Christmas! I just had lunch at Ted's Hot Dogs in Tempe," he writes in a follow-up e-mail. "I can't get away from Buffalo." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tennesseeboy Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I love Buffalo and get up there at least three or four times a year. Grew up there, worked my way through school there as a Deputy Sheriff, and think it is one great city. That being said, I love east Tennessee. Got the Blue Ridge Mountains a half hour away with great skiing, got TVA lakes for boating and fishing, Got great medical care right down the street, no traffic, no snowstorms, no hurricanes. I love it here, south enough to enjoy great weather (went golfing on Sunday) and north enough to get a real change of seasons. But Buffalo will always have the special place in my heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWVaBeach Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 But Buffalo will always have the special place in my heart. 537918[/snapback] That is dead-on the way I feel. I left Buffalo in 1979 to join the Navy for what I thought would be 3 years. It ended up being a career, and now "home" is Virginia Beach. But I still like to get back to visit at least once a year (typically for a game). The thing that's missing here is the neighborhood corner bar. I can walk into any of my old hangouts in either the city or in Cheektowaga and I'll betcha I'll see the same familiar faces sitting on the same familiar stools. And thats alright cause thats part of what makes the area great. Now, how come I suddenly have a craving for wings? Is Louie's still in business? Used to love them dogs after last call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBorn1960 Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I haven't lived in Buffalo since 1982... I have lived in Va Beach, Boston, NY, Bethlehem, D.C. Detroit, Chicago, Albany and Houston since then.... All the while I tried unsuccessfully to get transferred back to Buffalo... Once I offered to take a big demotion to get back.... thats when they sent me to Albany... now my company no longer has an office there and its sad... one of my kids shares his love of Buffalo and memories of our trips home to see parents and friends.. He loved it so much, he now attends UB... I got him season tickets (Unfortunately he is seing the same Bills I say at his age... really bad!) Doesn't matter much to him.. win or lose it's OUR TEAM!!... He wrote home and told his mother he now understands why his dad loves this city and he plans to stay there if he can after school.... The tradition continues maybe our kids can make things better and restore Buffalo to its old glory!!.. I don't know why... I have this addiction to Buffalo... I lived in many areas and they are all nice in thier own way.... but nothing compares to the people and quality of life in Buffalo... It may sound sad to some... but the best things in my life all have a Buffalo tie.... I proposed to my wife in Buffalo, concieved my first two kids in Buffalo... funny we didn't live there at the time (did I mention its a great place to vacation)... Even funnier is they both decided to go to college.... there.... Maybe its time for Buffalo to talk proud again! I think all good things should be repeated on no more than 20 year cycles... LOL while were at it Bring Back Jimmy!!! I have now rambled on too long.... LETS GO BUFFALO!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 you ask anyone from Syracuse, Rochester & Buffalo what they miss most about thier respective home towns and I bet they will be very similar in answers. In no particular order: Neighborhood/Corner Bars, Bakeries, Butcher Shops, Wegmans, Hot Dogs. I know those are my biggest voids here in Richmond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I love and miss Buffalo and still consider myself a Buffalonian even though I am down here in Miami. Wouldn't it be great if all of the people who have moved from Buffalo could have their same jobs in Buffalo. It is sad, because (based on my discussions with other people from Buffalo), most people who have left would love to still live there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazykat Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Where's the comparison to Tupelo and Oxford Mississippi! Funny how most of the comparisons are with places so flat that you can put a beach ball down and watch it roll out of site with the wind or in places so small relatively speaking that of course there's not much going on there. Let's ask the ex-Buffalo people that moved to Boston, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Charlotte, Atlanta, San Antonio, Las Vegas, ... I wonder what they'd say. We had a Seattle guy chime in and it was biasedly dismissed. Instead this guy runs to the places around the country with the least going on and paints his picture. Face it, without the Bills and Sabres, Buffalo ain't exactly NYC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabish105 Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I was just in Buffalo for the game this past weekend and overall I liked the atmosphere out there.. I could see how people like it a lot out there.. Different then when you live in LA.. or any other big city.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet baboo Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I'd love to stay here if I could find a job... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ima90sJezus Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Funny how most of the comparisons are with places so flat that you can put a beach ball down and watch it roll out of site with the wind or in places so small relatively speaking that of course there's not much going on there. Let's ask the ex-Buffalo people that moved to Boston, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Charlotte, Atlanta, San Antonio, Las Vegas, ... I wonder what they'd say. 538310[/snapback] Living just outside of Washington DC - I would give anything to move back to Buffalo. There are tons of things to do here in DC and alot of money to be made - but nothing feels like home except Buffalo. I left in '88 and have lived in California, Connecticut, Mayland, and Virginia - it just isn't the same feel. I am currently looking to go back and will take a giant pay cut to do it - without hesitation... Anyone up there willing to hire me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I live in Boston and if I could have my job in Boston moved to Buffalo I would move to Buffalo in a second. Things that are great about Buffalo are the ease of life, very good quality of life and of course the people! Yeah, it's not NYC or Boston or LA---but it doesn't claim to be! It is comparable to Pittsburgh and Cleveland. A small version of Chicago. Weather doea leave something to be desired but move to anywhere in the Northeast/New England?Midwest and the weather stinks for 5-6 months. That is not unique to Buffalo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet baboo Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I dunno why people complain about the weather so much. If you hate the cold and snow, move down south. Otherwise, take up some winter hobbies like skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and enjoy yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Info Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 you ask anyone from Syracuse, Rochester & Buffalo what they miss most about thier respective home towns and I bet they will be very similar in answers. In no particular order: Neighborhood/Corner Bars, Bakeries, Butcher Shops, Wegmans, Hot Dogs. I know those are my biggest voids here in Richmond. 538152[/snapback] Depends where you live in the Richmond area. I can walk to a bakery, a few bars and restaurants, and a butcher. But, I see your point. I purposely chose to live somewhere in this area that was similar to what I remembered. It is possible to find it, it just takes a lot of searching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiew Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I'd go back. If I could find a similar job. And a single man over 45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonabb Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 A couple things on this one. First, I'm an urban planner and therefore a realist. Our waterfront IS a mess. We DO have a control board operating in some form in our city and county. Our leadership is pathetic, underskilled and over-matched. We need govt reform, bad. We need hired city (in all munis actually) and county managers with proven and successful track records of reform and cost savings and better service delivery at lower costs. Elected officials are usually unprepared to deal with tough issues and make tough decisions. The county fiasco is a perfect example. But I love this place! But if given the chance, I'd move to Boston in a minute. Downtown, Beacon Hill, Bay Back, Cambridge have it all. Great corner bars (The Sevens on Charles is great), great open space, walkability, economic and job growth. Was there two weeks ago for a conference and hated coming home to this disaster. Again, if the situation here was equal in terms of taxes and govt, who'd leave? But they aren't and I'm afraid never will be. I've dealt with our leaders, they're spineless, self-serving dimwits. Why waste the prime years of your life clinging to a 1000-lb anchor heading to the bottom of Lake Erie when the opportunities abound elsewhere? That's not a shot, but a realistic question, and one mosy young people are answering with their feet. So they guy from Seattle has it right in some sense. He got out early before the hooks got in him. But if you let them sink in and infect you, you're done! This place grows on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdelma Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 There's no place like home! even when you move away. The memories that you've obtained there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBorn1960 Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Where's the comparison to Tupelo and Oxford Mississippi! Funny how most of the comparisons are with places so flat that you can put a beach ball down and watch it roll out of site with the wind or in places so small relatively speaking that of course there's not much going on there. Let's ask the ex-Buffalo people that moved to Boston, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Charlotte, Atlanta, San Antonio, Las Vegas, ... I wonder what they'd say. We had a Seattle guy chime in and it was biasedly dismissed. Instead this guy runs to the places around the country with the least going on and paints his picture. Face it, without the Bills and Sabres, Buffalo ain't exactly NYC. 538310[/snapback] I lived in a majority of the places you mentioned and whi;le I enjoyed Boston, New York and DC.. Chicago came close probably cause I went to school with the local ABC sportscaster's bro (MARK GIANGRECO) and he always highlighted the Buffalo teams... NONE of them hod a candle to what makes Buffalo Special... its the combination of all things... People, Places, Sports, Bars, Restruants, etc... If I could I would move back in a heartbeat.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 Where's the comparison to Tupelo and Oxford Mississippi! Funny how most of the comparisons are with places so flat that you can put a beach ball down and watch it roll out of site with the wind or in places so small relatively speaking that of course there's not much going on there. Let's ask the ex-Buffalo people that moved to Boston, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Charlotte, Atlanta, San Antonio, Las Vegas, ... I wonder what they'd say. We had a Seattle guy chime in and it was biasedly dismissed. Instead this guy runs to the places around the country with the least going on and paints his picture. Face it, without the Bills and Sabres, Buffalo ain't exactly NYC. 538310[/snapback] Anyplace in Mississippi is fine by me....haven't been down that way in almost 2 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST MODE BABY! Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 What upstate NY has going for it are the people. Very nice, down to earth type folks. After that, I think you're just waxing poetic. I lived in Rochester for 18 years before going to college. I have now lived in a number of cities...namely Atlanta, Phoenix, Chicago, Vegas, and Los Angeles. I am extremely biased against cold weather. That being said, Chicago is my favorite city behind Atlanta and Los Angeles. Chicago is like a Buffalo with more things to do and a slightly more white collar population. I have ZERO urge to move back to Rochester OR Buffalo. Maybe it's just me, but I don't miss it at all and I would rather sit in traffic in LA than live in Rochester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted December 21, 2005 Share Posted December 21, 2005 please do tell? where do you live? Libbe/Grove area? Depends where you live in the Richmond area. I can walk to a bakery, a few bars and restaurants, and a butcher. But, I see your point. I purposely chose to live somewhere in this area that was similar to what I remembered. It is possible to find it, it just takes a lot of searching. 538407[/snapback] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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