There’s a reason why they call Buffalo the “City of Good Neighbors.” Simply put, it’s true. And I am testimony to this phenomenon, as proof during a recent visit of mine.
In preparing for my move to Buffalo from Toronto to begin graduate school this fall, I made a trip to the city to look for apartments this past Friday. I had arranged to visit a series of apartments in the afternoon.
My first appointment, in the Elmwood Village, was on Ashland towards Forest. I thought that 40 minutes by foot would be enough time to get there from D’Youville College (photo), where I began my hike. Forty minutes later I was on Ashland but far from my destination. I did not realize how long a street it is. So I began running, knowing that however fast my feet could travel, I’d still be late for the appointment. Running in the afternoon heat did not make my situation any easier too.
Then, to my right, I noticed several people piling into a car. Almost reflexively, I asked them if they were traveling northbound, explaining I was very late for an apartment viewing. They said they were not headed my direction, but graciously told me to get into the car and they’d drive me to my destination.
I could not believe that people whom I had never met before were willing to take a total stranger into their automobile.
I thanked the four of them, a young man driving the car, his mother next to him in the front seat, and a friend of the driver’s in the back next to me. To this, the woman replied, “We’re the City of Good Neighbors.”
As I sat in the car pondering my good fortune, I introduced myself to the other riders and for those few minutes enjoyed an engaging and friendly conversation. Just before we pulled up to my destination, I happened to mention that I write for Buffalo Rising. No sooner had I said that, then the woman said, “I write for Buffalo Rising!” Sure enough, I was talking to Laura Anhalt, who writes for Yum!. What is the likelihood of such a chance encounter occurring with another writer for this magazine?
Laura went on to tell me how much she likes Buffalo. Her son told me how much he likes to cook, and his friend talked about his plans for the day and his coming year in high school.
I left their company saying to myself, “This would never happen in Toronto.”
Later that day, as I was waiting in front of a house to look at another apartment, a gentleman pulled up to the property to leave something for the landlord. As we got to talking, I learned that he is one of the many amazing people in Buffalo doing great things to make the city even greater. I was speaking to Michael Gainer, Executive Director of “Buffalo ReUse”, a progressive non-profit organization that is applying the principles of sustainability and environmental sensitivity to the deconstruction of abandoned homes in the city. You may have read about his initiative in a previous edition of BRO. I asked him how he liked Buffalo and he told me he loves it. As soon as I told him that I was looking for a place to live, he was on the phone to a friend of his whom he knew was renting an apartment. Now, how great is that?
I returned to Toronto later that evening amazed by the generosity I had received from two of Buffalo’s Ambassadors of Goodwill. I know these are not isolated events either. Instead, I am sure that these two unexpected experiences are only a sliver of the many random acts of kindness performed each day in your city. To both Laura and Michael, I say thank you. You indeed, are shining examples of Buffalo as a “A City of Good Neighbors.”
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