Buffalonian pride is like no other. They are some of the most strong-willed but incredibly selfless people I have ever met. Your Long Island bubble is going to POP 50 times over when you enter this beautiful city. Whether your visiting or moving here, You're in for a culture shock (and culture learn) of a lifetime!
Buffalo is a city— the second largest in New York State.
I did not know that Buffalo was a city until I moved here. I pictured mountains and farmland, and hillbillies, but make your way downtown and you are engulfed in the heart of Buffalo. Yes, that is Cheerios you smell. Why? Because there is the Cheerio Factory right near the stadium. Just like any other city, there are parts that you do not want to go to after 8 p.m. During the day, these areas are great for trying tasty cultural cuisine!
Buffalo Without Borders.
Buffalo is a resettlement city. This means that there is a growing number of refugee families moving to Buffalo. This is bringing more opportunities for jobs, housing and education. Community service is very popular!
Do NOT refer to Buffalo as Upstate New York.
Unless you want to get into a 15-minute debate about this you're probably better off just referring to Buffalo as Western New York.
They are OBSESSED with all things Canada, but do not call them Canadian.
They run on Tim Horton's Coffee, drink Labatt Blue, know Canadian pop culture, listen to Canadian radio stations and television, breathe hockey and never shut up about their snow. The second you mention this to a Buffalonian they are prepared to give you a 15-page thesis as to why they are everything but Canadian.
Their hockey team is the Sabres and their football team is the Bills.
Buffalonians eat and breathe the Sabres. The Bills had a long fight with Toronto over moving the team over to Canada. Just don't mention this. It's for your safety. Nobody, and I mean nobody is a Mets fan in Buffalo. I was greatly disappointed, I understand. Kids are born and raised knowing how to ice skate.
Everyone is Polish and/or Irish.
There are Irish Pubs everywhere you turn. It's a really great thing.
The Food.
Get all of your favorites in before you venture up here. In Buffalo, they cut their pizza into squares. All of their pizza, not just a Sicilian slice. They praise Dominos, and if you order a "regular slice" they will most likely look at you like you're from another planet. Your local friends will never understand what a real bagel tastes like. There are no diners and no delis. In fact, if you ask a local where the nearest one is they will direct you to Denny's or Subway. They are obsessed with these "sponge candies". I tried it once and I wasn't a fan, but they all bow down to these chocolate wafers so I say give it a go.
Buffalo is also known for is Loganbery drink, Mighty Taco, charbroiled hot dogs, beef on weck and Lloyd's Taco Truck. Sometimes I wish I could just bring Long Island food up to Buffalo to show everyone what they're missing out on. But then I remember that would also include bringing the Long Island economy with me and that is something I never want to do. Wegman's is a grocery store/ food paradise. They have everything you could think of cooked and ready for you to take home. As a college student, this is a fortune. Also try Paula's Donuts, They are DELICIOUS!
The Buffalo Wing.
The ever so famous Buffalo Wing was created in Buffalo at Anchor Bar. I prefer Duff's Famous Wings, but both are incredible. They are just wings. Not Buffalo wings or hot wings--just wings. But for lack of a better term, if you're a fan of hot wings down on The Island than I suggest you order the mild-medium. Do not order the hot wings unless you want to fry your taste buds off. When it comes to wings, it's go hard or go home.
The accent.
The Western New York Accent is so specific. Just ask any local to say "Reese's Pieces". Of course, you and your Buffalo friends will go back and forth asking each other to pronounce words like "Drawer," "Draw" and "Coffee".
Long Island will always be home, but Buffalo is pretty great for a college student.
The economy isn't obnoxious. There is diversity that I would not have received at home and everything is at your fingertips. At Buffalo State, Elmwood Village provides students with a variety of food choices that are open all hours of the day and night. The City of Buffalo is a big College City. There is Buffalo State, University at Buffalo, Medaille College, Canisus College, D'Youville College, ECCC, and Niagara U. This provides opportunities for thousands of young college students of all backgrounds.
