That's all very factual.
I left in 1970 for most of the same reasons.
When I left: you could still drive on lower Main Street, Bethlehem AND Republic Steel were still working, you could take a flight out of BUF, on a real full sized airplane, that was not 30-35 years old, and usually not have to go through some hub to get where you wanted to go, there were still tolls on the Niagara Thruway but they were in the .15 or .25 range with signs saying NO PENNIES, the BROADWAY Market was a real Market, the ROCKPILE was still the ROCKPILE, tha AUD was still the AUD, the BILLS trained at Niagara University, the Fr. Baker Bridge was still standing and being used, the Peace Bridge was less than 50 years old, still inadequate to handle the traffic, but the toll was .25 on the way to Crystal Beach.
Since leaving I've lived in: N. VA, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, Seattle again, Williamsburg VA and now S of Richmond VA.
In EVERY location, I have had NO trouble finding BILLS/SABRES bars filled with people much like myself and much like the people depicted in the Charlotte article.
Buffalo is my home town. Despite all the places I have lived, I still enjoy an occasional visit but resist relocating back due to sales and property taxes and politicians who seem to go out of their way to further stifle economic growth both personal and business.
For those who stayed; thanks for keeping the lights on. For those who left; you did what was best for yourselves and family, but Buffalo is still Home!