Choosing a neighborhood is the most personal part of moving to Buffalo, and the answer depends on how you like to live: walking to coffee, having a yard, being close to the water, or keeping a short drive to work. This hub explains how the area is laid out and what to weigh, and links to our individual neighborhood and suburb profiles as they are published.
How Buffalo is laid out
Buffalo’s street plan radiates from downtown, with Main Street running north-south and wide avenues fanning outward. The city is commonly described by its side: the East Side, the West Side, North Buffalo and South Buffalo, with the Waterfront and downtown anchoring the middle. Beyond the city line, inner-ring suburbs such as Kenmore, Tonawanda, Cheektowaga and West Seneca sit next door, while outer suburbs like Amherst, Williamsville, Clarence, Orchard Park, Hamburg and Lancaster offer more space and, in many cases, different school districts. To the north, Niagara County adds places like Lockport and Niagara Falls.
City neighborhoods locals talk about
Elmwood Village and Allentown
These are the two names that come up first when people ask about walkable Buffalo. Elmwood Village runs along Elmwood Avenue with shops, cafes and restaurants, and the big green space of Delaware Park is close by. Allentown is known for its arts scene, historic houses and busy bar and restaurant blocks near downtown. Both are popular with renters and buyers who want to leave the car at home.
North Buffalo and Parkside
North Buffalo has a quiet, residential feel with solid older houses and easy access to Delaware Park and the Hertel Avenue strip. Parkside, near Delaware Park and Olmsted-designed parkways, is known for handsome architecture and a calmer pace.
South Buffalo and the Old First Ward
South Buffalo has deep Irish-American roots, well-kept streets and a strong neighborhood identity centered on local pubs, parishes and community events. The Old First Ward and the Outer Harbor area are close to the waterfront, with growing amenities along the water.
Black Rock, Riverside and the West Side
Along the Niagara River and on the West Side, you will find neighborhoods with diverse communities, local restaurants and a range of housing types, often at lower price points than the trendiest districts. Conditions vary block by block, so visit at different times of day.
Downtown and the Waterfront
Downtown has seen a wave of apartment conversions and new buildings, and Canalside on the waterfront gives residents festival space, boating and winter skating nearby. It suits people who want an urban setting close to the Sabres, theaters and restaurants.
Suburbs worth comparing
- Amherst and Williamsville: Large, established suburbs northeast of the city, popular with families and professionals, with shopping, parks and the University at Buffalo’s north campus nearby.
- Clarence and East Amherst: More rural-suburban feel with larger lots, newer homes and a strong reputation among families.
- Orchard Park: Home to the Bills’ game days, with a village center, rolling terrain and a classic small-town atmosphere.
- Hamburg and Lake Erie shoreline towns: Lake views, beaches and a more relaxed pace to the southwest.
- Kenmore and Tonawanda: Walkable village-style business districts and older homes, a short drive from the city.
- Lancaster, Depew and Cheektowaga: Practical, often more affordable options east of the city.
What to weigh when you compare
- Total housing cost. Property taxes differ widely by town and school district in Erie County, so compare the tax bill alongside the sale price or rent.
- Commute. Test your drive at rush hour and in winter weather. The Kensington Expressway, the 190 and the 33 can behave very differently on a snowy morning.
- Schools. The city and every suburb have their own district, and some offer magnet or charter options. Look at the state’s published report cards and visit.
- Housing age and condition. Older homes bring character and maintenance; ask about roofing, wiring, foundations and heating during inspections.
- Walkability and daily errands. Decide how important walking to groceries, coffee and parks is to you.
- Snow and services. Learn how your municipality plows and what your lot demands in winter.
Neighborhood guides on Life In Buffalo
Our neighborhood and suburb profiles are listed in the Neighborhoods & Suburbs archive, newest first. New profiles are added to this hub’s list as they publish.
Related guides
Neighborhood character changes over time, so treat this overview as a starting point and spend real time on the ground before you commit.