Buffalo Rising Online

Aug 29th 2007, 4:28pm By Laura Sargent

As a spin-off of Zimmerman's post from last week, I have compiled a short list of positive things one shouldn't take for granted about city life in Buffalo, or any other city our readers may be dwelling in. Take a minute to chill out, read the list and enjoy some things you have not thought about.

Walkability. Having attended Buffalo State College, I can attest to the fact that very few students owned a vehicle. It mattered not that they were walking from Parkside or Downtown in the dead of winter; they enjoyed the energy expenditure and the exercise that kept off the winter weight. Many other residents go carless as well, to save themselves the hassle of parking, gas, insurance, etc. In the event that the temperature drops below freezing or the commute is a tad too far, public transportation is readily available (yes, Buffalo could have a better system for this.)

Youth. All of this walking sustains youthfulness. And the Colleges help too. The generation just entering the workforce is bringing with them an inexhaustible plethora of fresh ideas. New jobs are created, companies started and an array of singles are added to the gene pool.

Night Life. I have never been to a city that shuts its doors at dusk. In the city, somebody is always outside, even at 2:30 am, and there is always something to do. That leaves no room for boredom leading to such things as cow tipping, midnight river jumping or other dangerous out-of-city adventures.

Sociability. You get to meet everyone! Walk down Elmwood Avenue, and it is almost a guarantee that five familiar people will pass by-- and all will smile. I walk out the front door each morning and all of my neighbors greet me. Do I know any of their names? No, but they would notice if stranger entered my house when I wasn't home. And, especially in Buffalo, most anyone with a dog will stop and chat, causing pet owners to form friendships with the other natives.

Culture. I mean the kind you witness as you stroll one block and hear three languages. Or the banding together of ethnic people in a specific section of town. Then there's museum row, with a world-class modern art gallery.

How about that food? Speaking of ethnic culture, you couldn't ask for a better variety of food than is available in the city. Your most random craving can be satisfied a few steps out the front door and our very own Yum! Editor, Christa Seychew can tell you about any restaurant in the Queen City.

Accessibility. Restaurants, bars, theater, museums, retail, groceries, anything that is a necessity is found in a few blocks. Why in the world would you get in a car and drive forty-five minutes on dirt roads to purchase fresh produce when every Saturday a market comes to your doorstep?

Art. Artists reside in the city because the studios and independent galleries offer a larger market for their work than the local frame shop/gallery next to the Sunoco tucked into suburbia. This grants the community the opportunity to open up their minds to innovative subject matters, new mediums and cheaper home décor than can be bought at a collectors gallery.

Guitar solo please. So often it is the music streaming out of city basement hideaways, plucked from the strings of socially inept youth, that is some of the best. There is an ethereal message that is unmatched. And the best part is they live next door, and their gigs cost $5, tops.

Festivals. The streets swell with women, children, men, students and tourists who have come to browse a grouping of art, food and cultural presentations. The festivals showcase original talent that is not found in a storefront and allow people with common interests to network. It would be a great feature if street performers were present on Elmwood Avenue every weekend (much like Boston's Quincy Market).

Housing. The cost of a city house is less expensive than one in the suburbs and because the amount of houses is a greater number, chances that one will be available in the buyers preferred area is probable. An added bonus for those uncomfortable with the closeness of the homes: “You can watch your neighbors take a shower and hand them a washcloth," I was once told.

Nooks. Someone once said to me that half the excitement of a city is finding new nooks to read your books in. Of course this can be applied to any activity. I never sit in the same place twice when I go to Bidwell Park to drink my coffee. The luxury of the city is that everything is public and residents are free to wander and loiter.

In essence, I do believe that these are things that we city lovers tend to forget amidst the hustle and bustle that is our lives. If you happen to wander through Bidwell Park and see me ducking from nook to nook, stop and chat about the sociability factor that some suburbanites believe we lack.