What comes to mind when you think about Buffalo, New York? Freezing cold winters characterized by blizzards? Four Super Bowl losses for the city's beloved Buffalo Bills? Or, maybe the savory, mouth-watering chicken appetizer, commonly known as Buffalo wings that get their name from the city? Whatever images Buffalo conjures up for you, Buffalo is a great example of an "All American City" and one that numerous people are moving to every year. It is the second most populated city in New York and has much to offer from professional sports to outdoor activities to numerous art exhibits. This city surely has something for everyone.
Economy: Over the past several decades, Buffalo has seen a decrease in its once thriving manufacturing industry. Today healthcare and education are the biggest economic drivers in the city. Among the list of prominent Buffalo employers are HSBC and M&T Bank, Tops and Wegmans Supermarket chains and Seneca Gaming. As you can see, Buffalo's economy draws from many different industries; however, it is one of the poorest cities in the United States. One positive is that Buffalo has a very affordable housing market, which is ideal for prospective residents. It is also considered one of the cleanest cities in the country.
Tourism: The beautiful and breathtaking Niagara Falls is located only about 20 minutes from Buffalo. Buffalo is also well known for its art. The Allbright-Knox Gallery houses one of the most impressive collections of paintings and sculptures from famous artistic geniuses like Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Renoir and Monet. Amherst is a frontier museum where visitors can see artwork from the pioneers and even go inside restored old school houses and homes. Two other great attractions are Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin House and Graycliff, which was Darwin Martin's summer home.
History: Known as the "Queen City" Buffalo was established around 1789 and the city experienced its first massive boom when the Erie Canal opened in 1825. By the turn of the 20th century, Buffalo was one of the top 10 largest cities in the United States. It also was a significant railroad hub and a huge distributor of grain and livestock. Buffalo also was the biggest steel manufacturer in the entire world. By the 1950s, much of the key industries began to leave Buffalo along with the population. Today, the city has around 280,000 residents, with a steady concentration of people moving to Buffalo to explore this interesting and affordable locale.