This is the perfect time of year to bring up the ever evolving debate between friends and family – “Do I really want to move back to Buffalo?”
If that is a conversation that is brewing in your household this holiday season, our friend Griffin Jones has already done some of the work for you, via a new video that he has released. Griffin, Buffalo’s consummate urban philosopher, is asking the all the right questions and demanding honest answers.
First of all, Griffin acknowledges that Buffalo is not for everyone (of course). Others are looking for opportunities to return. Still more are coming home and digging their feet into the ground. There are some who are on the fence. There are even some who will never return home, yet will always call Buffalo “home”. All of these people are important in their own ways. Some are messengers. Some are zealots. Some are getting experience elsewhere, and might bring that experience home with them… some day.
Last night I ran into a friend who lives in Texas (a Texpat). I hadn’t seen him in about 20 years. He was hanging out with a friend of his who moved to Buffalo 13 years ago. After some small talk, I lightheartedly asked him if he was planning on returning to Buffalo. Surprisingly, he said “Yes”. It was the last thing that I expected to come out of his mouth, but apparently he has been following the Buffalo story ever since he left. “I want to buy some real estate here,” he told me. “It’s a great city and I feel that the time is right.”
This morning, Griffin sent me this debate-oriented video. After watching it, I immediately reflected on the conversation that I had with my distant friend. The video is certainly timely, as many people are back in Buffalo, visiting for the holidays, and possibly thinking about staying.