Fan in San Diego Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I'm looking at buying a condo downtown Buffalo vs. in the burbs or maybe even ST. Catherines. Looking for any feedback on things I might not have taken into account. Thanks for any feedback in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Have you taken in to account that you're moving to Buffalo from San Diego? What, are you insane? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 (edited) Divorce is forcing sale of my house and ranch and I cant afford San Diego anymore. I dont want to be house poor. Plus all my family lives in the area. I can help take care of my aging parents. Plus I can change my handle, I'll have to think of something new and catchy. Maybe Fan formerly from San Diego? fffsd Catchy no? Edited March 17, 2015 by Fan in San Diego Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Divorce is forcing sale of my house and ranch and I cant afford San Diego anymore. I dont want to be house poor. Plus all my family lives in the area. I can help take care of my aging parents. Plus I can change my handle, I'll have to think of something new and catchy. Maybe Fan formerly from San Diego? fffsd Catchy no? Yeah we get those reasons. But are you insane? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I am going to get crucified for this: Maybe. But if you like sunsets over the Lake ice, go for it! May-August will make up for it. ;-) Gotta love micro-climates or you will hate it! Go for it if you do! Take a look @ this: http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/glsea/cur/glsea_cur.png That is 50% worse than last year... And last year was more of a brutal winter. That's 100% ice coverage to almost Dunkirk! Check and compare what it was in 2014. You wonder why commercial shipping would rather use the Seaway and go through Welland... That's a 2 month disadvantage for BFLO and it's "#1 Asset" and anything that deals w/commerical viablility and the water. Time is money. All other ports (besides maybe The Soo, but USCG spends gobs of money up there to keep it open early) are more viable after hard winters longer for the year. Everybody else is breaking out of the grip... Even Duluth Harbor has less ice and more open water!... Other shipping lanes are easy to keep open... Heck, they are already pleasure boating and fishing on Lake Michigan! There can always be a quick warm up. When was "ice out" last year? Boom removed? This year looks double the 100% coverage and all that ice in the Western Basin (Toledo/Cleveland) goes right down to BFLO... Pray for a warm up... BUT not to quick either. Sorry, for the reality check... You gotta love the adverse conditions. If you want to boat, forget about it for 2 more months from now! Buyer beware and stick to it if you do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Well regardless I think you're getting out at a good time. I assume SoCal had risen as quickly at NorCal. We bought our place in June 2012. We had it appraised last week for a refi and flipped with what the appraisal came back as. Sure we did close to $80k in improvements but wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 There are plenty of good areas in Buffalo for people of all kinds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 There are plenty of good areas in Buffalo for people of all kinds. Unfortunately your property taxes suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I'm looking at buying a condo downtown Buffalo vs. in the burbs or maybe even ST. Catherines. Looking for any feedback on things I might not have taken into account. Thanks for any feedback in advance. All I can offer is. Do you like limited parking? Do you like living in a city? I've grown to like the burbs, but with prices the way they are you need to go (typically 30 to 50) miles outside the city for lower prices. the further you go out the longer you need to drive for groceries. Which sucks in a blizzard St. Catharines, ON, Canada? How often do you wish to enter and leave the country? Expect constant delays at the border crossings. You work in NY expect to pay NY taxes no matter where you "reside" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 Yeah we get those reasons. But are you insane? Yes apparently I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 (edited) So...i can tell you if i was getting divorced i would move back to Buffalo in a heartbeat, and live in the city!. So many cool little neighborhoods now, downtown starting to see a revival. But, i am a "city" guy and while dont hate living in the burbs, will be living in a city within a nano second of my youngest getting the fug out of my house and going to college. To me, here are the things i would look at 1) Parking at 7.00pm at night. When most get home, so assume you be later than most. I used to walk 1/2 mile or so every night in DC, as wife had parking space. Never bothered me. And you figure for the most part have a reverse commute if work in burbs, or public transport if work in city so no worries on that aspect. 2) Consideration of the stadium and all the activity down there and how that might influence neighborhoods. 3) Have you checked to see if there are any tax abatements or tax advantages for buying in certain neighborhoods, dollars spent on improvements etc? Had a lot of them here in Richmond, maybe Buffalo does as well trying to get people to move into less than gentrified neighborhoods. Those ares tend to take off and really appreciate as folks move in. edit..here is a quick link http://www.city-buffalo.com/Home/City_Departments/Office_of_Strategic_Planning/Divisions/Housing Heres one where you buy house for a $1, repair it, get 20% off taxes if you spend more than $5,000 on repairs. Whats not to like, plus you are doing a civic service!!! https://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/Home/City_Departments/RealEstate/UrbanHomesteadProgram Thats all i got. Edited March 17, 2015 by plenzmd1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Buy close to where new stadium is going to be built. You could ask Hammer if he wants to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 All I can offer is. Do you like limited parking? Do you like living in a city? I've grown to like the burbs, but with prices the way they are you need to go (typically 30 to 50) miles outside the city for lower prices. the further you go out the longer you need to drive for groceries. Which sucks in a blizzard St. Catharines, ON, Canada? How often do you wish to enter and leave the country? Expect constant delays at the border crossings. You work in NY expect to pay NY taxes no matter where you "reside" Yes about the taxes. If I move to St. Catherines I will pay higher taxes than NYS. But I get free medical coverage. I'm going to be semi retired so not a lot of commuting. I do prefer urban settings. I get two parking spaces so parking not an issue at the loft/condo. So...i can tell you if i was getting divorced i would move back to Buffalo in a heartbeat, and live in the city!. So many cool little neighborhoods now, downtown starting to see a revival. But, i am a "city" guy and while dont hate living in the burbs, will be living in a city within a nano second of my youngest getting the fug out of my house and going to college. To me, here are the things i would look at 1) Parking at 7.00pm at night. When most get home, so assume you be later than most. I used to walk 1/2 mile or so every night in DC, as wife had parking space. Never bothered me. And you figure for the most part have a reverse commute if work in burbs, or public transport if work in city so no worries on that aspect. 2) Consideration of the stadium and all the activity down there and how that might influence neighborhoods. 3) Have you checked to see if there are any tax abatements or tax advantages for buying in certain neighborhoods, dollars spent on improvements etc? Had a lot of them here in Richmond, maybe Buffalo does as well trying to get people to move into less than gentrified neighborhoods. Those ares tend to take off and really appreciate as folks move in. Thats all i got. Good stuff Plez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I'm 34 and have never seen the city of Buffalo in better shape. Things are getting built all over the city. Downtown actually looks like a real downtown. Awesome lofts everywhere and they are building a supermarket. You have the arena, the Harborcenter, and casino all right there. There are projects in store for the waterfront. I've never been more proud to show off Buffalo to out of towners. But to leave SD? The weather sucks haha. Be a snowbird and you will love life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 But to leave SD? The weather sucks haha. BE A SNOWBIRD and you will love life. ^^^^ This 1,000x ^^^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Divorce is forcing sale of my house and ranch and I cant afford San Diego anymore. I dont want to be house poor. Plus all my family lives in the area. I can help take care of my aging parents. Plus I can change my handle, I'll have to think of something new and catchy. Maybe Fan formerly from San Diego? fffsd Catchy no? Do you want to change your name to Jauronimo Jr.? The kids can call you Jaurju?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 Well regardless I think you're getting out at a good time. I assume SoCal had risen as quickly at NorCal. We bought our place in June 2012. We had it appraised last week for a refi and flipped with what the appraisal came back as. Sure we did close to $80k in improvements but wow! Ya San Diego is super heated right now, the land prices for my ranch have doubled in the last three years. But I have a super premium 23 acres. Best in Ramona, If someone wants to buy 23 acres, 2.5 acre vineyard ready for harvest this year. I have a buyer already for the grapes. 2200 sq. ft. House plans permit ready shovel ready 150 olives trees to make virgin olive oil. PM me and I'll connect you with my broker. Custom website should be ready in a week to see the place with videos and drone fly overs. I'm 34 and have never seen the city of Buffalo in better shape. Things are getting built all over the city. Downtown actually looks like a real downtown. Awesome lofts everywhere and they are building a supermarket. You have the arena, the Harborcenter, and casino all right there. There are projects in store for the waterfront. I've never been more proud to show off Buffalo to out of towners. But to leave SD? The weather sucks haha. Be a snowbird and you will love life. Thanks Sea Biscuit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Ya San Diego is super heated right now, the land prices for my ranch have doubled in the last three years. But I have a super premium 23 acres. Best in Ramona, If someone wants to buy 23 acres, 2.5 acre vineyard ready for harvest this year. I have a buyer already for the grapes. 2200 sq. ft. House plans permit ready shovel ready 150 olives trees to make virgin olive oil. PM me and I'll connect you with my broker. Custom website should be ready in a week to see the place with videos and drone fly overs. What variety of grapes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 What variety of grapes? Tempranillo, Petit Syrah and Cab Franc, mediterranean varieties do well. There is 15 acres open to plant more. All irrigation plumbed out ready to expand. I'm on the best well in the county. 400 gallons per minute . It costs me $40 per month to water everything. So...i can tell you if i was getting divorced i would move back to Buffalo in a heartbeat, and live in the city!. So many cool little neighborhoods now, downtown starting to see a revival. But, i am a "city" guy and while dont hate living in the burbs, will be living in a city within a nano second of my youngest getting the fug out of my house and going to college. To me, here are the things i would look at 1) Parking at 7.00pm at night. When most get home, so assume you be later than most. I used to walk 1/2 mile or so every night in DC, as wife had parking space. Never bothered me. And you figure for the most part have a reverse commute if work in burbs, or public transport if work in city so no worries on that aspect. 2) Consideration of the stadium and all the activity down there and how that might influence neighborhoods. 3) Have you checked to see if there are any tax abatements or tax advantages for buying in certain neighborhoods, dollars spent on improvements etc? Had a lot of them here in Richmond, maybe Buffalo does as well trying to get people to move into less than gentrified neighborhoods. Those ares tend to take off and really appreciate as folks move in. edit..here is a quick link http://www.city-buffalo.com/Home/City_Departments/Office_of_Strategic_Planning/Divisions/Housing Heres one where you buy house for a $1, repair it, get 20% off taxes if you spend more than $5,000 on repairs. Whats not to like, plus you are doing a civic service!!! https://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/Home/City_Departments/RealEstate/UrbanHomesteadProgram Thats all i got. Awesome stuff! Buffalo here I come! Plus I can buy seasons tickets to the bills and sabres! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Tempranillo, Petit Syrah and Cab Franc, mediterranean varieties do well. There is 15 acres open to plant more. All irrigation plumbed out ready to expand. I'm on the best well in the county. 400 gallons per minute . It costs me $40 per month to water everything. Yes all hot climate grapes. I love Cab Franc alone even though it's a staple for Bordeaux style blends. I love Petit Syrah with think steak and have only had Tempranillo a few times but liked it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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