Buffalorising has been redesigned.

I work in a very specialized field. I tried to find a job in Buffalo. None were available. The only choice was leaving, or working in a different field -- likely a call center or sales -- a waste of tens of thousands of dollars of education. That's not to mention that I'd be miserable doing it. But, hey, in the eyes of many, at least I'd be "tough" and a "real Buffalonian" for doing so.

The old "People who leave Buffalo are weaklings; there's plenty of jobs if you look hard for them" argument is getting old. If someone has a passion for a certain profession, they're educated in it, and the opportunity to work in that profession just does not exist in Buffalo period, sometimes riding the Charlotte Express is the only option; to them, it beats Geico, Wal-Mart or Fuccillo Chevrolet by a long shot.

A very unnecessarily harsh comment. Everyone should be welcomed back .

I am 29 and could have left for twice the salary in quite a few different areas. I choose to stay in the city I love(just bought a house) and the rebirth of Buffalo will be that much better for me!!!!

GOOOO BUFFALO!!!

Dan - no argument here, Buffalo may not have what you need in life. Our only hope is that someday we will have enough options in the area so that anyone who wants to stay will be afforded that opportunity. And we welcome back all those that can return, as well as those who move here for the first time to live.

I have my harsh moments, too, so I'll cut "Buffalonian who never left" some slack. Where do us transplants fit in? I was neither born nor raised here but moved here almost 15 years ago as an adult. I have fallen in love with Buffalo heart and soul and given it my best intellectual and activist efforts, which has all but ended my career. For 6 years I have tried to change jobs AND stay in Buffalo. No such luck. Dan's situation is very real.

So this article raises a worthy question: is there a way to honor the people who saw the city through its toughest times and if so, how might that be done?

I left for military service, if I don't make a career out of being an Officer I'll be back. I hope that doesn't make me an ex-pat or whatever. I truly consider myself in exile out here. Later.

Oh, and I forgot to add that today's banner photo, with the guy in the Santa hat, is one of your best. Surprisingly moving.

I just take satisfaction in the fact that I was able to stay and experience all that Buffalo has to offer. Some may feel left out because there is no fanfare for those who stayed, but I just get a rush when I hear those who returned and those who come for the first time talk about what a great city this is, and how wonderful the people are (they're talking about those who stayed as well so I guess you can count those as kudos).

The 'critical mass' of 'repats.' It's what BRO is all about! And if you say you've never left, hopefully you've always lived within the city limits, otherwise you're not a Buffalonian, you live in the suburbs - call yourself a kenmoron, or tonawadian, or cheektopollock or whatever!

I lived in Buffalo for 30 years and I still love it, but this kind of sentiment is what makes a lot of people happy they left.

First, it gives the impression of a bunch of backward folk who can't get their heads out of the sand. Second, what vibrant city includes only people who have never experienced someplace else? Why is it a good thing to have only stuck around one place to live your whole life? Wouldn't the city benefit from people who went and lived somewhere that does things right, and then could come back and use those lessons to help Buffalo?

the repat movement is an effort to get others to move back too, not to make them 'better' than or put any one else down.

take it for what it is.

Maybe the original comment was taken as harsh, but I have to admit I couldn't agree more. For years and years, there have been young singles and couples making lives in the city, growing professionally, starting businesses, and renovating homes in the city. This is the reason areas like Elmwood Village and Allentown never fell off like others. These people DID stick it out, or at least make the best of a less than perfect situation. Some just didn't want to leave, but most were smart enough to realize that making 50% more in Atlanta didn't necessarily guarantee a better standard of living.

Buffalo's image is still years behind that of a Portland, or a Pittsburgh, but that shouldn't matter to people here. But in many ways the quality of life is culturally and socially on par with even bigger cities, and as a place to raise a family it excells also.

It's like Yankee fans who stayed with the team in the 80's when they sucked, now they have to contend with people considering them on a bandwagon... But the success still makes them proud. So if we can actually claim that Buffalo is successful enough to warrant a "bandwagon" at all, I guess we all should be happy! We all deserve a party... And I don't think it's right to hold it against people that their station is life didn't bring them to Buffalo until recently, but neither do they all deserve their own pedestal.

I think BRO is a great resource, and it acquaints people with many items that would escape the media in our one-newspaper town. And it obviously offers a unique landscape for commentary and debate, which normally can be counted on to strengthen or expand the point. But lots of contributors get caught up in things that are by no means revolutionary or breakthrough, and when more staid or jaded readers (not necessarily myself, even) take a lot of this in, the cheerleading renders it all slightly irrelevant. I think that is what "Buffalonian... That Never Left" is getting at.

Sometimes leaving Buffalo for a while is a good thing. It gives you a wider perspective and in the end....makes you appreciate Buffalo more!

It is a harsh point, but not entirely undeserving. I've lost three friends in the last SIX MONTHS who had to move simply because they couldn't find work. Hearing about job fairs specifically to encourage people to move back, when people who are already here could use the help finding something, is kind of a slap in the face.
It does feel like BRO is more geared towards recent transplants or people thinking about moving here than actual residents. It often reads like a tourism publication, glossing over a lot of real issues in favor of the "isn't everything just peachy keen" attitude (and if I ever needed an example of that attitude, the "we only print good restaurant reviews" policy is it.)

I always felt that any grass roots effort we make here in Buffalo is a time and sweat equity investment to allow others to see our city as a future (and present) desireable place to move to.

To see the repats coming back into the fold is great repayment for the efforts of many who have stayed. It speaks volumes for us all.

The old "People who leave Buffalo are weaklings; there's plenty of jobs if you look hard for them" argument is getting old.

Dan's above words are definitely in the Top 10 Comments Of The Year.

The upbeat, accentuate the positive focus of BRO is great, but all too often it seems an increasing number of articles and comments go overboard and proclaim that Buffalo is in the midst a general economic upswing. There was even an article here recently strongly implying the Buffalo housing market is at the start of a long term boom - a gross exaggeration of any facts that can back up such speculation.

I happily agree there's a growing upswing in downtown (residential projects, New Era HQ, and more) and a few other pockets of the city (Elmwood, Hertel, and, ummmm, did I mention downtown, Elmwood, and Hertel?)

But it should be clear this growth is still modest compared to many cities of similar size and the reality is there's still a continued weakness and decline in objective non-anecdotal data about the job market here. Companies looking for places to create jobs are not choosing Buffalo or WNY anywhere near as much as even the average U.S. metro area.

So, consistent with Dan's points, it's perfectly understandable a good many talented people will continue leaving and people considering coming here should have a job offer in hand or at least a buyer beware risk tolerant attitude.

It's nice to read good positive news, which is a big reason I like reading BRO, but it's counter-productive to have a lot of overstatements, hype, and exaggerations. Also, considering so many "proposed projects" to be real is setting one's self up for a big let down if they don't happen - it would be wise to wait until real action occurs before including projects such as the Statler in the list of successes, as I saw recently done here.

I work in very speciialized industry and have had no problem finding employment in this region.....thank god Buffalo is ahead of the curve....as far as I'm concerned, Buffalo Rocks!

As this year's director of Buffalo Old Home Week, I can assure you that our organization takes great pains to ensure we celebrate all Buffalonians. This includes "repats", "expats", "staypats", and transplants.

Our community is like a quilt, a patchwork of people who love this city for many different reasons and appreciate it in many different ways.

The purpose of Old Home Week and our yearlong events is to celebrate every corner of Buffalo and those who endeavor to make it a better place to live.

In fact, we'll be announcing a monthly event that will focus on this unique mix of staypats, repats, and transplants that make up the unique tapestry of New Buffalo.

Stay tuned.

BOHW does a great job of getting all in the mix. Check out their website and you will see input from people who never left, as well as those who came back.
I am looking forward to this monthly event. Do we have a timetable as to when it will start?

Those comments are typical of the close-mindedness of a lot of the people from across Western and Central NY. Maybe if more people left Buffalo and Central NY, experienced different cultures from living in other parts of the country, and came back to offer what they experienced, everyone in the area would benefit.

Those comments are typical of the close-mindedness of a lot of the people from across Western and Central NY. Maybe if more people left Buffalo and Central NY, experienced different cultures from living in other parts of the country, and came back to offer what they experienced, everyone in the area would benefit.

Those comments are typical of the close-mindedness of a lot of the people from across Western and Central NY. Maybe if more people left Buffalo and Central NY, experienced different cultures from living in other parts of the country, and came back to offer what they experienced, everyone in the area would benefit.

The negativity towards repats and suburbanites is discouraging.

I guess the suburbanites should focus on developing Amherst, Tonawanda, and Cheektowaga and leave the development of Buffalo to the people who never left.

Suburbanites should stop frequenting stores in the city, should focus on local development along transit and walden, and should do whatever they can to keep jobs and new development in the suburbs.

BLAH! It doesn't take anything to sit on your a-- and never go anywhere or do anything differently. Hooray for you for not doing anything!

No, I don't think you get any credit for staying there and not leaving.

I also don't think people that go back should get so much credit either.

I think new people should get credit for moving to Buffalo. The rest is a bunch of incestuous repetitive blah blah blah mantra and it's gone in circles as long as I can remember. To heck with Old Buffalo.

OR - we should lighten up and work together. There is too much good going on to sit back and constantly play the negativity card. Go to one of the BOHW events. Check out the good things going on in the city. You will be amazed at all the good people out there.

I was away for 4 years, I spent a lot of time in Boston, CT, New York and Philadelphia. Living in Hartford for 3 years and Philly for 1. I never really wanted to leave Buffalo in the first place but looking back I am glad I did. There is something to be said for different expiriences, and I gained that while I was away. I can say with confidence that I am a better person, and a more well rounded person for the time I spent away.

Boston, Philly, and NYC have a huge influx of people a transient population. That type of population welcomes change, and brings new and refreshing ideas, in turning bringing more new people. By saying that only those who have been here for the long haul should be celebrated is rather short sighted.

Repats most definately should be celebrated because until we become open minded comments, like the one stated in this article don't welcome the random transplant. Repats can see past the "Us vs. them mentality" and see that it is really true pride not prejudice. Repats are the next step in the revitalization, they will see and believe before others.

While I commend those who have stayed, I think it is important to welcome all regardless of where they came from. Even if they left Buffalo 20 years ago saying they would never come back here, if they are back here now we need them as much as the die hards.

Typical negative attitude... do you ever wonder if such bitter people are a reason why many leave Buffalo to begin with??

If the people who stayed have all the answers, then why are so many areas of the city *still* (emphasis added) dismal and broken???

Bring 'em back!!! Many of those ex pat's have the resources (knowledge, experience, capital, et al.) that are desperately needed for a revitalized Buffalo. Insults cited in this article only come from bitter souls who are haunted by the success of others.

Typical negative attitude... do you ever wonder if such bitter people are a reason why many leave Buffalo to begin with??

If the people who stayed have all the answers, then why are so many areas of the city *still* (emphasis added) dismal and broken???

Bring 'em back!!! Many of those ex pat's have the resources (knowledge, experience, capital, et al.) that are desperately needed for a revitalized Buffalo. Insults cited in this article only come from bitter souls who are haunted by the success of others.

its better to have experienced than to not have experienced at all.

Why are people egos so fragile that they need to be validated and celebrated by how long they've lived here? Maybe that's the problem with Buffalo, the citizens are too emotional for their own good.

I live in Washington, DC, and every Sunday a bar called McFaddens is PACKED with Bills fans wearing blue jerseys. We all cheer on the Bills, eat wings and drink Labatt Blue while spreading the good word about Buffalo.

And that word gets around! People here always say, "I've never seen a city that has so many people in so many other cities celebrating their hometown." That in itself helps spread the good word about Buffalo, and in that sense we "expats" are helping the cause, so why all the sniping?

Hey 14217:

Your obviously a buffalonian that we had hoped got away

Do us all a favor and go fuck yourself!!

Boz - Same thing in Northern Virginia. Every Sunday scores of Buffalonians and Buffalo-wannabes flocked to Jimmy's in Herndon for the Bills games, or to celebrate the Sabres. I remember the tailgate parties when Wegmans opened in Fairfax and Reston, what a blast. People are genuinely proud of their Buffalo heritage, don't dismiss that because they moved away due to our economic and social issues.

There was a long time when it was difficult to find work in certain fields, people left and gained experience and exposure to different parts of the country. Buffalo is a richer place because of these experiences.

I have been a huge Buffalo supporter my entire life. I spend a lot of time advocating for the city and the entire WNY community. Four of my friends are non-native Buffalonians that we adopted in Virginia. They live here now and love the quality of life that this area has to offer. Buffalonians take so many of the basic charms of the city for granted, I believe that it takes visitors and repats to remiind us of the magnificence of the area.

Think to yourself when the last time you sailed on Lake Erie, visited Letchworth State Park, took a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake, or viewed the city from the observation deck at City Hall? This area is unbelievable, don't let a few people bring you down with their negativity.

We should all show a little more love for the people who stayed in Buffalo, and welcome those who are new or have returned. It is easy for us all to get along and share in a common belief. This is Buffalo after all!

Based on the original "staypat's" comment, and the wonderfully transparent comment by 14217, I think that there ought to be a formal hierarchy set up similar to India's caste system.

Obviously, the suburbanites would be the untouchables, now called Dalits, (regardless of the time, money, and energy they spend in the city). The repats could be one of the middle varnas, and the staypats can be the Brahmans.

/sarcasm, but only just

One of Buffalo's charms is the warm welcome we offer to repats, transplants and visitors. People comment on the friendliness of Buffalonians again and again. It's a civic quality that tends to distinguish Buffalo from other metropolitan areas. No one has demanded a party or special attention for moving back here -- this hospitality is being given freely and generously by the Buffalo Old Home Week crew. How can anyone construe this as anything but positive and impressive? Keep up the great work guys!

How can you expect the ex-pats to relocate back home to Buffalo when there are very few decent paying jobs in this area. Plus the corrupt politics, high taxes, stubborn greedy labor unions, and the unusually high concentration of narrow-minded, myopic NIMBY opponents that reside in Buffalo and Western New York. Dont get me wrong, I love Buffalo and I appreciate the city and its suburbs even more after nine years of living in Austin, Texas and three years in the US Army. I returned back in February 2001 when Adelphia Communications was planning their downtown skyscraper headquarters and all hopes were riding on it. However, Buffalo was still the stagnant, troubled city that I fled back in 1990. The same myopic, unprogressive thinking was still choking Buffalo and Western New York and the economy was depressed and the taxes too high. It is no wonder why many people young, middle aged, and old continue to leave this area. It is time to change the way we do business in Western New York or this region will never turn itself around. What worked well in the past does not necessarily work well anymore. It is not just government and politics that need reform but all aspects of local life that need major reforms. Attitudes towards new ideas and progress must change in order for our area to be competitive in the global economy.

My sentiments exactly. Buffalo has so much potential, but it remains untapped due to unprogressiveness on so many levels. This region needs a huge adjustment in thinking so that necessary fundamental changes that need to take place can happen. The bottom line is that this region, as well as much of upstate, is losing population and tax base. Many local governments are in trouble - this does not bode well for the future, trendy downtown lofts or not. Buffalo's history, architecture, etc., are not enough to turn the city around. Two control boards in place here and the city and county still can't figure it out -why?

> It is not just government and politics that need reform but
> all aspects of local life that need major reforms. Attitudes
> towards new ideas and progress must change in order for
> our area to be competitive in the global economy.

So true, Robert. I always believed that many young professionals leave the region not because they can't find a job, but because they feel like they just don't fit in. In cities like Austin, Denver, or Chicago, their peers are in abundance. In Western New York, outside of North Buffalo and a narrow corridor on the West Side, it's the land of Old Buffalo; a place trapped in the mid-1980s. Young educated professionals can't relate to those whose lives revolve around bingo, volunteer fire departments, lawn fetes, meat raffles, bowling leagues, fish frys, Def Leppard two-fers, EWTN, and dose der Bills der.

Old Buffalonians still vastly outnumber New Buffalonians, and the people who can steer the broader culture, mindset and outlook of the area are leaving -- whether for employment or just to be in a place where they fit in. It's a catch-22.

I have a lot of respect for those that were able to find a place in Buffalo; for those who could find a place there. I admire those who moved to Buffalo, whose fresh outlook and ideas can fill the void of the talented young adults who left. I hope they can help change the course of the city and region, a place where they choose to live. I believe in many ways, they're better Buffalonans than those who were born there, because they choose to become Buffalonians. As one in the diaspora, I think I can speak for many of us; our hearts are still in Buffalo, and will always be there. Buffalo is home, and we'll always care about its fate. Still, it's not our city. For those who are still there, and those new Buffalonians who have embraced their new home - please take ownership. Wrest the wheel away from the old guard. Make Buffalo your city,

I don't care if you lived here your entire life or moved in last week as long as you move into the city and stay away from the suburbs. People who live in the suburbs have no business telling true Buffalonians what to do in our city. We don't interfere with development in Kenmore or Clarence, so why does someone from the suburbs feel that they can say and do what they want in Buffalo? There is only one BUFFALO, NY, and it ends at the city line.

You can keep the suburbs because if you were serious about seeing Buffalo improve you would sell your cookie-cutter houses and move into a unique house in the city. Sell your $850,000 house in Spaulding Lake and invest that money in the city. If you aren't willing to put your money where your mouth is then just shut the fuck up!

Linwood 4 Life: Your remarks are the perfect example of all that is wrong with Buffalo; what a narrow, small-minded attitude you espouse. I see this mindset portrayed on a regular basis here (BRO being quite guilty in general). City vs suburbs. Buffalo is one city that would die if not for the suburbs. Most other successful cities thrive on their own. Who do you think supports the arts and charities in Buffalo? It's the suburbs, stupid. If Buffalo disappeared tomorrow, WNY would carry on just fine. Not so with most other successful US cities. Buffalo should be smart enough to court the suburbs, for they are its immediate and logical market. Buffalo is so off the radar as far as the rest of the country is concerned, Buffalo needs to get the suburbs on board first and foremost. The attitude you express is the perfect example of why Buffalo is so unprogressive. This petty competition needs to stop if WNY is ever going to move forward. What happened to Kevin Gaughn and REGIONALISM? Living in Buffalo these days reminds me of junior high. When is Buffalo going to grow up?

The very existence of this thread is shameful.

Guess what... it is not all about Buffalo. It is not at all about the burbs. It is about the people. None of the burbs would be here w/o Bufflalo and no one would want to live in a city where once you hit the city line development drops off to nothing. Extend a hand and welcome back our brothers and sisters. They wanna have a party, thats fine.... famalies do that!!! Mother Buffalo will always be here surrounded by her children (the burbs). We're glad to have you back....Welcome home. And if you are new to the area.... you are alone no more. Momma has a big heart, she may bicker with the kids, but that is ok, cuz at the end of the day we're all family..... NOW PASS THE GRAVY!!!

"no one would want to live in a city where once you hit the city line development drops off to nothing."

You mean the countryside would be right over the city line, as it was 100 years ago? Lots of people would love that, including me. My ancestors were farmers in Alden,, Lancaster, and Cheektowaga. There's everything bad and nothing good about s-p-r-a-w-l .

Linwood for Life,
You are 100% dead wrong about people in the suburbs not having a say in this city's future. A lot of state and federal aid that comes into Buffalo comes from taxes that BOTH CITY AND SUBURBAN RESIDENTS PAY. Also a large percentage of the patronage of Buffalo's cultural attractions, parks, and businesses comes from the suburbs. I am a city resident who is sick and damned tired of the continued political polarization between Buffalo and Lackawanna and all the suburban towns and villages. We need to unify as one single metropolis and end the idiotic political turf wars and the bitter distrust between urban and suburban residents. It is attitudes like yours that contribute to the continued downfall of the two-county Buffalo Metropolitan Region. This type of negative thinking must stop now. End of discussion.

Sometimes people need to leave their comfort zone to grow, learn and expand their minds and souls. Alot of what I read on the site re: revitalization of Bflo. is about "outsiders" coming to the city. One way of looking at it is ,that the "fresh meat" so to speak, inspires those that never left, tapping into a collective "can do" spirit. But I'll be honest, my first reaction to the original statement was, "If everyone who never left was doing such a great job,. then why was the city in the condition it was? Change comes from many venues, and recognizing the positve impact that EVERYONE makes on the city is important, new, old or "Buffalo'd again". I'm a native that has lived in California for 25 years, but come back twice a year for family. I am amazed by the growth and truly enjoy my nights out, my strolls around town and the people. Having been in Bflo. during the heinous '70s downtown, I'm just pleased to see any positive change and I don't really care if its started by a local or a newbie. The bottom line is Buffalo is changing and growing for the better. Don't bite the hand that's helping you.