Cheektowaga New York?

Aardvark154

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No plans to hobby. But I drive a nice car and if I'm driving into a ghetto it would be nice to know upfront. I'll be near the Walden Galleria.
There are some gamey areas of Buffalo, but I'm sure you'll be sticking to the highways even if you use the Peace Bridge.
 

Promo

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No plans to hobby. But I drive a nice car and if I'm driving into a ghetto it would be nice to know upfront. I'll be near the Walden Galleria.
The Walden Galleria area is fine, you'll have no problems. It's a middle class blue / white collar area. I've spent the night in hotels in the area several times as well as near the University, I've had dinner and drank at local bars, left my car at the buffalo airport many times. no worries.

The sketchy part of the trip is Niagara Falls NY itself. Also avoid the neighborhoods (Emerson, Mlk, Filmore) that surround the city of Buffalo. They look a bit run-down during the day, but get pretty seedy at night. Found this map: http://i.imgur.com/lBPdoX2.png I didn't worry about being mugged/attacked, but won't want to leave my car unattended. I'm sure Buffalo has bad areas, I'm not sure where they are, but not near the Galleria/Airport.

If you get a chance grab a piece of cheesecake from the Cheesecake factory at the Galleria. It has an outside entrance with nearby parking.

If you are into hobbies, especially trains have a visit to Niagara Hobby & Craft Mart. It's about 1 minute from the Galleria https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Ni...adb668620e78f5!8m2!3d42.9055471!4d-78.7552672

If your SO wants to do some shopping, I can suggest some areas, let me know.

If you own grass and have a Grub problem, don't forget to stop at Home Depot and grab some bug killer with Merit. It works great, you can't get it in Canada and it's okay to bring across the border.
 
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Aardvark154

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The sketchy part of the trip is Niagara Falls NY itself. Also avoid the neighborhoods (Emerson, Mlk, Filmore) that surround the city of Buffalo. They look a bit run-down during the day, but get pretty seedy at night. Found this map: http://i.imgur.com/lBPdoX2.png I didn't worry about being assaulted, but won't want to leave my car unattended. I'm sure Buffalo has bad areas, I'm not sure where they are, but not near the Galleria/Airport.
Defer to those with greater knowledge but the map looks accurate to me.

Also the part of Niagara Falls, New York along the river and the hotels and casino is perfectly fine at least in daylight.
 

WoodPeckr

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I'll be near the Walden Galleria.
Then you have nothing to worry about. It's a safe area and agree with what Promo states.

In addition that area and the airport area has plenty of hobby action but if not you're familiar with WNY hobby action, it's best to avoid partaking. In the remote chance you were snared in a LE 'sting' you would be banned for a long long time from the USA.
 

Promo

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I think Buffalo has bit of an unfair reputation. Sure, it's a working town, it's older, a bit run down and there's not a ton of money, but it's ...... homey. I've liked everyone I've met there; people are friendly and relaxed (I find Torontonians cold, a bit intense and always in a hurry). It has at least one of every store and restaurant including some pretty unique places you don't get in Toronto. Lots of sports teams, I think it's safe, decent university and several colleges. I could go on ....

Also the part of Niagara Falls, New York along the river and the hotels and casino is perfectly fine at least in daylight.
Here's a street ~2 blocks from the Niagara Casino: https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Ni...975ae4b9c5aab3!8m2!3d43.0962143!4d-79.0377388

As you can see the street is a bit run down and one of the houses is boarded-up. But .... if you drive the streets you can see real pride in the homes. Sure, many need paint and repairs, but I like how they have American flags and banners everywhere, there isn't junk or garbage or decaying cars. Lawns are in good shape with lots of flowers . The homes are large, good size lots, lots of trees. The people obviously care, they just don't have allot of money. It reminds me of older Mimico or New Toronto, just a little more run-down.
 

james t kirk

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It reminds me of older Mimico or New Toronto, just a little more run-down.
If I was looking to speculate on a home in Toronto in an "up and coming" neighbourhood, it would probably be Mimico.

Believe it or not.
 

Phil C. McNasty

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If I was looking to speculate on a home in Toronto in an "up and coming" neighbourhood, it would probably be Mimico.

Believe it or not
And the Riverdale/Regent Park area as well
 

Promo

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It reminds me of older Mimico or New Toronto, just a little more run-down.
If I was looking to speculate on a home in Toronto in an "up and coming" neighbourhood, it would probably be Mimico.

Believe it or not.
By "older" I meant 20-25 years ago. I agree, Mimico especially the areas along both sides of Lakeshore are very nice and have already seen much rejuvenation. Downtown Mimico is still mediocre.

New Toronto between Lakeshore Blvd and the lake is super desireable. If you haven't cruised the area lately (Lake Shore Drive), I suggest you give it a try. Same with Long Branch along the lake.
 

TeeJay

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I think Buffalo has bit of an unfair reputation. Sure, it's a working town, it's older, a bit run down and there's not a ton of money, but it's ...... homey. I've liked everyone I've met there; people are friendly and relaxed (I find Torontonians cold, a bit intense and always in a hurry). It has at least one of every store and restaurant including some pretty unique places you don't get in Toronto. Lots of sports teams, I think it's safe, decent university and several colleges. I could go on ....


Here's a street ~2 blocks from the Niagara Casino: https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Ni...975ae4b9c5aab3!8m2!3d43.0962143!4d-79.0377388

As you can see the street is a bit run down and one of the houses is boarded-up. But .... if you drive the streets you can see real pride in the homes. Sure, many need paint and repairs, but I like how they have American flags and banners everywhere, there isn't junk or garbage or decaying cars. Lawns are in good shape with lots of flowers . The homes are large, good size lots, lots of trees. The people obviously care, they just don't have allot of money. It reminds me of older Mimico or New Toronto, just a little more run-down.
Its funny you made that post but your Google image jumps right to an abandoned boarded up home
:)
 

TeeJay

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I also am going to throw out there the Galleria looks much worse to me this year than a few years ago
Certainly not ghetto level, but nowhere near level of many higher class Toronto malls
 

Promo

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Its funny you made that post but your Google image jumps right to an abandoned boarded up home
:)
True - I picked that street view intentionally. The house on the left is boarded up, but the one on the right looks quite nice and the rest of the street is well kept. I was just trying to make the point that the people of Buffalo have much pride for their city, just not allot of money.

I also am going to throw out there the Galleria looks much worse to me this year than a few years ago
Certainly not ghetto level, but nowhere near level of many higher class Toronto malls
I agree, the south and east side of the building needs renovation. They just rebuilt part of the north and west side as well as updated much of the interior. Boulevard Mall and Fashion Outlet Mall are looking okay. I've not been to Eastern Hills, I'll have to check it out next trip.

Did anybody else ever go to Fantasy Island as a kid? I re-went last summer, most of the original stuff is still there including the wild-west shootout, but they added a bunch of new rides. The nostalgia was worth the trip.
http://fantasyislandny.com/
 

Bopper2

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I believe that Irv was a native of Toronto who went to Buffalo to get his start in television news and decided to make his career there. If I'm not mistaken, his father owned a small chain of grocery stores here (Lucky Dollar or something like that) and they made their name by issuing lucky green stamps, and when you filled your book you could redeem it for merchandise.

And yes, I guess that I actually am that old!
Irv is from Rochester, NY.
 

WoodPeckr

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I agree, the south and east side of the building needs renovation. They just rebuilt part of the north and west side as well as updated much of the interior. Boulevard Mall and Fashion Outlet Mall are looking okay. I've not been to Eastern Hills, I'll have to check it out next trip.
Two things are hurting Galleria. Amazon .com and the exorbitant rental fees the Galleria Mall chain charges. Many stores are pulling out of Galleria due to this right now.

Eastern Hills used to be the best mall until Galleria arrived. Now Eastern Hills is still nice, with lower pricing than Galleria but a ghost town compared to years ago.
Amazon is killing many malls and regular stores today.
 
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