Top 12 Reasons to Move to Buffalo NY

There are so many reasons to move to Buffalo NY and people are slowly starting to figure that out. After a long streak of population decline, Buffalo is finally starting to see a resurgence in both population size and large city amenities.

Once you visit for the first time, you’ll be looking for reasons to move to Buffalo NY. Whether it’s the affordable real estate, the incredible food, the summer festivals, or the stunning architecture, Buffalo has something for that everyone loves.

If you’ve already decided that you’re going to move to Buffalo, check out our Ultimate Guide to Relocating to Buffalo and fill out the form below to be paired with one of our local agents who are experts in helping people just like yourself relocate.

1. Affordable Real Estate

The number 1 reason to move to Buffalo NY is the very affordable average price of a home. When compared to other cities in the US, real estate in Buffalo is quite affordable and has been for a long time.

You can easily get double, or even triple the space for the same price you’d pay for a house or condo in New York or Chicago. Additionally, Buffalo has beautiful houses in virtually every neighborhood in the city.

2. A growing Food Scene

If you’re a foodie, or even if you just enjoy trying out new flavors from all over the world, Buffalo is a great location. Buffalo has a very diverse population and we take our food seriously. You can find restaurant with authentic food from ever corner of the globe.

For a true taste of the diverse range of food options in Buffalo, head to the West Side Bazaar. It’s home to a number of different restaurants all run by immigrants and refugees that have decided to call Buffalo their new home. We’re lucky to have them and benefit from their culinary expertise.

3. Stunning Architecture

If you’re a fan of great architecture and haven’t visited Buffalo before, then be prepared to be amazed. Architectural Digest actually just named Buffalo one of the “23 Top Places to Travel in 2023” along with other cities like Copenhagen, Paris, and Sydney.

4. Vibrant Nightlife

Buffalo is home to a very vibrant nightlife. If you’re the type of person that enjoys going out and hitting the town, Buffalo will certainly not disappoint you.

Buffalo has several different neighborhoods that offer everything from dance clubs to roof top wine bars. Plus, bars in Buffalo don’t close until 4:00am, which is much later than most cities in the US.

5. Small City Vibes, Large City Amenities

For those of you that are looking for a slower paced life while not giving up all of the big city amenities, Buffalo NY is your answer.

Since the Covid pandemic and the shift to remote work, Buffalo has become a hot spot for those looking to escape the big city grind while being able to enjoy great amenities like an excellent food scene, a vibrant nightlife, mass transit, and walkable neighborhoods.

6. Complete Lack of Traffic

A major complaint of people that live in cities like New York and Los Angeles is the inescapable traffic. Well, in Buffalo we have a saying of sorts that you can get anywhere within 20 minutes.

If you’re moving to Buffalo from a place with traffic like Los Angeles is Atlanta, you’re going to love your commute.

7. Fresh Water Access

Buffalo NY sits on the Eastern shoreline of Lake Erie, the 4th largest of the Great Lakes. It’s a 30 minute drive from Lake Ontario and a 20 minute drive to the iconic Niagara Falls.

Buffalo is uniquely situated with ample access to some of the largest fresh water sources on the planet. This offers up great recreational activities like fishing, wind surfing, boating, and even ice fishing in the winter.

8. The Canadian Border

Depending on the year and the data you are looking at, Buffalo is home to the most used border crossing between the US and Canada. Buffalo’s Peace Bridge (pictured above) stretches from Buffalo across the Niagara River and into Fort Erie Ontario.

The amount of crossings is only rivaled by the Ambassador Bridge that crosses into and out of Detroit. It’s very common for Buffalonian’s to spend summer days on Canadian beaches or visiting Canada’s largest city, Toronto, for a weekend.

9. Four Full Seasons

Although you may have been told of the cold and snowy winters here in Buffalo NY, you may not have been informed about the beauty of all 4 seasons. While it’s true that it does get cold and it certainly does snow, Buffalo has the infrastructure to handle it.

You can expect a flower filled spring, a vibrant an fun-filled summer, a fall full of colorful trees, and a beautifully white winter.

10. The Parks System

If you’re not already aware, Buffalo is home to some truly stunning and historic parks. We we’re luck enough to have our park system designed by arguably the greatest landscape architect in history, Fredrick Law Olmsted.

Delaware Park, Buffalo’s largest park featured in the photo above, is similar to Central Park in New York City. That’s no surprise when you learn that it was Olmsted himself who designed Central Park, as well as other famous parks in the US.

11. Summer Festivals

Summers in Buffalo are jam packed with all sorts of events and festivals. Everyone in the city gathers to eat, drink, and hangout with one another.

The Taste of Buffalo (pictured above) is a 2 day festival where restaurants from all over Western New York come and offer their best foods right in Downtown Buffalo. It’s also the largest festival of it's kind in the US.

12. The Chicken Wings

Let’s be honest, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Buffalo’s culinary gift to the world, the chicken wing. While we’ve already mentioned Buffalo’s incredible food scene, the wings here deserve a spot all to themselves.

Head to Gabriel’s Gate in Allentown, Coles on Elmwood Avenue, or Bar Bill in East Aurora to sample the best in the region.

Reasons to Move to Buffalo NY

If you’re considering a move to Buffalo NY, check out our Ultimate Guide to Relocating to Buffalo. In addition to the 12 reasons to move to Buffalo listed above, you can learn a bit more about what you should know prior to moving here and how to get started on your journey.

If you’re ready to call Buffalo your new home, let us help connect you with the best real estate agents in the area. It’s our goal to help you get started on the right foot and make sure you find your ideal Buffalo home. Just fill out the form below and we’ll pair you with a local agent that is perfect for your specific needs.