Overall, Buffalo offers its citizens a reasonable quality of life. It is affordable, and snow is cleared from the streets remarkably fast during winter storms.   As of 2006, the Buffalo Niagara metropolitan area is the most affordable housing market in the nation. “The quarterly NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) noted that nearly 90% of the new and existing homes sold in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro area during the second quarter were affordable to families making the area’s median income of $57,000. The area median price of homes was $75,000.

Buffalo has tree-filled parks and mansion-lined parkways designed by the father of American landscape architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted. The Buffalo Parks System was the first of its kind in the United States – a visionary attempt to create islands of tranquility amid a growing city’s tumult. Connected by a series of bucolic parkways and broad avenues lined with elegant homes, Buffalo’s parks system remains an extraordinary urban amenity.

All the while, the city has been mindful of the distinctive neighborhoods that make up the heart of Buffalo, a compact area of only 42 square miles. Allentown, Bailey-Lovejoy, Black Rock, the Delaware District, the Elmwood Strip, Kensington, North Buffalo, Polonia, South Buffalo, West Side: each has its unique story to tell and will defend its heritage with the ferociousness of a mother protecting her child.

East Side
Jefferson Avenue is being revitalized. This major commercial corridor is attracting new investors, new homes, and new community incentives for the beautification of Jefferson Ave. The average home value on the east side is $$32,500.

The Art Apollo Media Center and a new library are drawing new interest to the area. The East side is just minutes away from Canisius College, Medaille College and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

The city’s East Side was once home of Buffalo’s Polonia centered on the Broadway Market, a microcosm of Polish traditions and food delicacies. The neighborhood is now largely dominated by African Americans, a reflection of Buffalo once being a major transit point for the Underground Railroad.

Riverside was primarily farmland until the late 1800’s. Eventually, a few of Buffalo’s wealthy built large country homes, but by the turn of the century, the land was being subdivided for the construction of one and two family homes. Riverside offers first-time home buyers more affordable options in a relatively stable area.

North Buffalo
North Buffalo is a vibrant commercial area and a fun place to shop or go out on the town. Many boutiques, nightclubs, and 4-star restaurants are all within walking distance. The average home value on the north side is $126,000.  North Buffalo hosts the annual Italian Heritage and Food Festival every July. The Buffalo Zoo and Delaware Park are popular attractions in this area.

South Buffalo
South Buffalo is a unique community filled with tradition. The old First Ward in South Buffalo retains a strong Irish identity, and Kaisertown reflects a German heritage. It is the Center of Irish Heritage and Culture for the Western New York/Southern Ontario region. The Seneca Street business district is undergoing beautification. The average home value on the south side is $52,200.  Mercy Hospital/Trocaire College/Mt. Mercy Academy is a large complex in this area and a medically-based economic generator for the city.

West Side
In Buffalo’s West Side is the Central Business District and the backbone of the Buffalo Niagara regional economy. This thriving area is the government, banking, legal, and finance sectors of the Buffalo economy. Commercial office lease rates are some of the nation’s most affordable.   The average home value on the west side is $101,300.

Elmwood Village, on Buffalo’s West Side is considered to be the arts and cultural center of the city. It is home to the well-known Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Buffalo State campus borders Elmwood Village to the north and historic Allentown borders to the south. This is where the popular Allentown Art Festival occurs in August every year that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the works of talented, local artisans and craftsman. Elmwood Village touts almost 50 eclectic restaurants and cafes.

Allen Street/Medical Campus is also on the West Side.

Buffalo’s Allentown District is known for many art and antique galleries. Main Street/Allentown district is an eclectic mix of the historic and high-tech. New upscale apartments and lofts are currently being developed in this area.