Surrounded by great suburbs like Amherst, Cheektowaga, and West Seneca, the city of Buffalo has lots to offer its residents. With its great people and plenty of fun local activities, living in Buffalo is a great option for people from all walks of life.
Check out this ultimate guide to learn all about moving to Buffalo and what to expect once you get there! Learn interesting things about Buffalo and what the city is known for, so you can prepare yourself even more for the upcoming transition.
Table of Contents
1. People of Buffalo – Population & Demographics
Some people seem to have a love-hate relationship with Buffalo, which leads some to leave after a short time, while others choose to live there for life.
Although the population in Buffalo has appeared to be dropping year after year, there is a specific age demographic that seems to be consistently making its way to this city seeking new opportunities. Per the Census Bureau, the number of people between the ages of 25-34 years old moving to Buffalo has increased by nearly 15% in the past decade.
As the second-largest city in New York state, earning it the nickname of “Queen City”, the Buffalo population is currently around 258,592 and has a median age of about 33 years old, befitting the statistic mentioned above. There is a gender split of about 52.29% female and 47.71% male. Buffalo demographics show a varying amount of diversity across the area with about 43% of the population being Caucasian, 35% African American, 12% Hispanic or Latino, and 7% Asian.
2. Top Things to Do in Buffalo
Anyone relocating to the area will naturally want to know about all the top attractions & things to do in Buffalo. One of the most popular local activities is the Buffalo Zoo, which was founded in 1875 and spans more than 23 acres. Visitors enjoy fun activities like seasonal zoo camps, tours, workshops, life science labs, and many others. Of course, you’ll also get the chance at an up-close look of animals from all over the world including:
- Lions
- Polar bears
- Tigers
- Giraffes
- Eagles
- Snakes
- Lizards
- Frogs
- Stingrays
- And more
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Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214
With exhibits that can teach you about everything from ancient artifacts and space travel to fossils and earth science, the Buffalo Museum of Science easily earns a spot among the best things to do in Buffalo with kids. Always cycling out seasonal exhibits such as the Golden Mummies of Egypt on display, you can visit it frequently and see something new every time.
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Buffalo Museum of Science, 1020 Humboldt Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 14211
Looking for a Buffalo landmark that is also a great photo op? One of the top sights to see in Buffalo is the Peace Bridge. The 3,580-foot long bridge often features colorful lights and crosses the Niagara River, connecting Buffalo to its Canadian neighbors in Fort Erie, Ontario.
Peace Bridge, 1 Peace Bridge, Buffalo, NY 14213
3. Best Restaurants in Buffalo
Trying to find the top restaurants in Buffalo? Don’t miss out on Sun Cuisines, which has been voted as Buffalo’s Best Asian & Thai food. Stop by to try out their great cuisine with a selection of sashimi, sushi rolls, a variety of curries, and their specialty black rice.
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Sun Cuisines, 1989 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14207
Offering all your breakfast favorites including a wide assortment of both sweet and savory crêpe dishes, Break’n Eggs Crêperie is another one of the top places to eat in Buffalo. It’s worth a visit whether you want breakfast in the morning or the afternoon.
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Break’n Eggs Crêperie, 5235 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14221
A favorite of Buffalo locals for over 90 years, Chef’s has a great menu filled with Italian cuisine. Enjoy a plate of spaghetti, ravioli, chicken parmesan, or even their regional homestyle dish of Buffalo chicken tender with onion rings.
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Chef’s, 291 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14204
4. Buffalo, NY Cost of Living
One of the best parts of moving to this city is the incredibly low cost of living in Buffalo. Especially when compared to its fellow New York metro area on the eastern side of the state, locals in this area save on everything from groceries and healthcare to utilities and transportation. Arguably the most popular factor of the Buffalo cost of living is the highly affordable housing market.
As of now, the average price of a home in Buffalo is $90,600, which is surprisingly 10% higher than this time last year. As you are looking through Buffalo, NY homes for sale, you can expect these costs to rise another 4.4% in the next 12 months or so.
Nearly 60% of people living in Buffalo are renting their living spaces, a number which can partially be credited to the number of college students around town. The average price of rent in Buffalo for a one-bedroom apartment is about $926 per month, while a larger four-bedroom home is generally around $1,100 per month.
Reports from Numbeo show a handful of other expenses people can expect in Buffalo include:
- Meal at a fast-food restaurant: $7.00
- Meal at an inexpensive dine-in restaurant: $15.00
- Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: $57.50
- Gallon of milk: $2.19
- Loaf of bread: $1.72
- One dozen eggs: $1.57
- One pound of chicken breasts: $3.10
5. Comfortable Neighborhoods in Buffalo
Covering about 52.5 square miles, Buffalo is the third-largest geographical area in New York. Buffalo neighborhoods are safer than the average when compared to similarly-sized metro areas across the United States. With a variety of great communities to choose from, anyone moving to Buffalo can find the perfect place for them.
Some of the top neighborhoods in Buffalo are:
- Elmwood Village
- The historic Hamlin Park
- Larkinville
- Black Rock
- Allentown
- Kaisertown
- Schiller Park
- Kensington
- Park Meadow
Located in Erie County, the city of Buffalo, NY covers the zip codes of 14201, 14202, 14203, 14204, 14206, 14207, 14208, 14209, 14210, 14211, 14212, 14213, 14214, 14215, 14216, 14218, 14220, 14222, 14223, and 14225. If you plan on setting up a new phone number once you’re living in Buffalo, you’ll likely be given a 716 area code.
Need to find the best places to shop in Buffalo? You’ll have access to all the essentials such as Walmart, Home Depot, Target, Whole Foods, as well as the Walden Galleria shopping mall.
6. Highly-rated Schools in Buffalo
There are about 36,857 children between the ages of 5 and 17 living in Buffalo, making up just over 14% of the city population. With so many students to serve, the area is home to a handful of local districts ranging from the Buffalo City School District and Clarence Central School District to the Amherst Central School District and the Williamsville Central.
Serving children in grades 5 to 12, a local school known as City Honors School at Fosdick-Masten Park is located in Buffalo and has been ranked among the top 20 schools in New York state.
A few of the other top Buffalo schools parents can choose from include:
- Sheridan Hill Elementary
- Smallwood Drive School
- Country Parkway Elementary
- Mill Middle School
- Heim Middle School
- Frederick Olmsted 56
- Maryvale High
Interested in learning more about colleges in and around Buffalo? The city’s University at Buffalo is frequently ranked among the nation’s top 100 colleges, making it a great option for anyone seeking out their secondary education. Other options around town include SUNY Buffalo State, Canisius College, and D’Youville College.
7. Job Opportunities in and Around Buffalo
While the median household income in Buffalo is $34,814, these numbers are slightly skewed due to the number of unemployed college students living here. In reality, this area is overflowing with Buffalo jobs that fit a variety of specialties and industries. Some of the best employers in Buffalo are Kaleida Health, M&T Bank, Delaware North, Rich Products, and Emedco.
And for anyone willing commute about 20 miles from Buffalo, NY to Niagara Falls, you can also work for local employers like Seneca Territory Gaming, Norampac Industries, the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Precious Plate, and many others.
8. Buffalo’s Seasonal Weather
With four distinct seasons, Buffalo weather gives everyone living there the best and worst throughout the year depending on your preferred climate.
Winters tend to vary between the teens and low 30s as the area also sees more than 94 inches of snow per year on average. And while these conditions may not sound fun, they open the door for numerous winter activities such as the annual Larkinville Ice Festival, sledding the slopes at Chestnut Ridge Park, or ice skating at Canalside.
The warmer months in Buffalo offer great temperatures between the mid-60s and upper 70s, occasionally reaching the low 80s. This summer Buffalo weather is often the best time to visit places like the local zoo, Delaware Park, or the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.
Tips for Moving to Buffalo
- A quirky city anyone can fall in love with.
- Great things to do in Buffalo that vary with the changing seasons.
- Enjoy a highly affordable cost of living, especially when it comes to housing.
- Take your pick of great neighborhoods all over Buffalo.
- Prepare yourself for freezing, snowy winters that eventually convert into warm, enjoyable summers.
Does living in Buffalo sound right for you? Need help with moving to Buffalo? With a top-rated team of movers, choose Wayfinder Moving to serve you! Get a free Buffalo moving estimate by completing the Request a Quote form above or give us a call today at (716) 832-6683 for more info!
