Essentials
- City
- Buffalo, New York, United States
- Population
- Approx. 278,000 (City), 1.1 million (Metro)
- Internet Speed
- Average 400-1000 Mbps via Spectrum or Verizon Fios
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Major banks: M&T Bank, KeyBank
- Tap Water
- Safe and drinkable (sourced from Lake Erie)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T. Prepaid approx. $40-$60/month
- Banking for Expats
- Wise, Revolut, or M&T Bank with SSN/ITIN
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Zillow, or local lofts in Elmwood Village
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and Apple Pay accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Furnished Finder (monthly $1,500 - $2,500)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Buffalo-Niagara (approx. $45/night for dorms)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Canalside or Downtown (near KeyBank Center)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Elmwood Village or Allentown (walkable, cafes, nightlife)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Hana (Downtown) or Dig at the Innovation Center ($200-$350/mo)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Tipico Coffee (Fargo Ave) or Public Espresso (Lafayette Hotel)
- Networking Events
- Forge Buffalo (tech/startup events) and InfoTech WNY
- Social Events for Expats
- Buffalo Internationals or Elmwood Village Association meetups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Lyft (widely available)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Reddy Bikeshare ($0.10/min + $2 signal fee)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Woodlawn Beach State Park (15 mins drive)
- Top Regional Airline
- JetBlue, Southwest (Buffalo Niagara International - BUF)
- Top International Airline
- Delta, United (via JFK/Detroit/Chicago)
- Highway Access
- I-90 (NY Thruway), I-190, and Route 33
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Buffalo-Exchange Street Station (Amtrak)
- Public Transport Passes
- NFTA-Metro ($2 per ride, $5 day pass, $75 monthly)
- Regional Travel
- Amtrak to Toronto or NYC; Greyhound/Megabus
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Buffalo General Medical Center or Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Power Yoga Buffalo (Elmwood) or Terrapin Station ($20 drop-in)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Catalyst Fitness or LA Fitness ($30-$50/month)
- Laundry Services
- Allentown Laundromat or The Mat on Elmwood
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Buffalo Wings (Anchor Bar or Duff's) and Beef on Weck
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Sunshine Vegan Eats or Amy's Place (Main St)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Watson's Chocolates or Paula's Donuts
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Wegmans (local favorite) or Aldi
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Prime same-day available), Walmart.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart (Wegmans/Tops) or Walmart+
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Allentown (Franklin St) or Chippewa Street
- Local Brewery
- Big Ditch Brewing Company or Resurgence Brewing Co.
- Wine Bars
- Paradise Wine or The Little Club
- Street Food Stalls
- Larkin Square Food Truck Tuesdays
- Popular International Cuisine
- West Side Bazaar (global food incubator)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Niagara Falls (20 mins drive) and City Hall (Art Deco)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Buffalo AKG Art Museum and Buffalo Museum of Science
- Historical Sites
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
- Religious Sites
- Our Lady of Victory Basilica (Lackawanna)
- Annual Events
- The National Buffalo Wing Festival (Labor Day)
- Cultural Districts
- Hertel Avenue (Little Italy vibes and murals)
- Theater Venues
- Shea's Performing Arts Center
- Local Markets
- Broadway Market (Easter/Polish heritage)
- Music Scene
- The Town Ballroom or Nietzsche's (Allentown)
- Street Art
- Albright-Knox Public Art Initiative (various walls downtown)
- Cooking Classes
- Buffalo Cookery or Auburn Watson
- Art Galleries
- CEPA Gallery and Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center
- Historic Buildings
- Darwin D. Martin House (Frank Lloyd Wright)
- Local Heritage
- Industrial legacy/Steel city and Polish-American heritage
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tifft Nature Preserve or Chestnut Ridge Park (Eternal Flame)
- National Parks Nearby
- Niagara Falls State Park (Oldest in US)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Outer Harbor Paths and Delaware Park (Olmsted)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Buffalo City Hall Observation Deck
- Birdwatching Locations
- Times Beach Nature Preserve
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated pits at Woodlawn Beach or private backyards
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- UPS Store, FedEx Office, USPS
- Tech Repair Services
- Geek Squad or iStyle Apple Repair
- Table Tennis Spots
- Pocketeer Billiards & Sports Bar
- Language Classes
- International Institute of Buffalo
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Buffalo & Erie County Central Library
- Community Centers
- Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Buffalo
- Gaming Lounges
- Gather & Game (Grant St)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino (Downtown)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $64,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $126,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $90,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $152,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $112,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% (Federal) + 6.5% (NY State)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Standard for non-residents, treaty dependent)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for US citizens/residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Federal) + 10.9% (NY State)
- VAT
- 8.75% (Sales Tax in Erie County)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes (GILTI and Subpart F rules)
- Property Tax
- Yes, high (average 2.5% - 3% of market value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Mansion tax 1% for $1M+; Transfer tax $4 per $1,000
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- None; New York is a high-tax state