ERIE COUNTY
County Offices
95 Franklin Street
Buffalo 716-858-6000
www.erie.gov
Chamber of Commerce
257 West Genesee Street
Buffalo 716-852-7100
www.thepartnership.org
Situated on the western border of New York State, Erie County covers 1,058 square miles and boasts nearly 1 million residents. Three cities combine with 25 towns and several villages in this region, which is bordered by Lake Erie to the west and Canada to the north. The county provides critical regional transportation facilities including Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Port of Buffalo. Major thoroughfares serving the area include Interstates 90, 190, 290, and 990 as well as a strong network of state and county highways.
Services
New York is well known for having an outstanding educational system and Erie County is no exception. Complemented by a selection of parochial and private schools, the independent school districts in Western New York include several of the highest-ranking in the state. The City Honors School in the City of Buffalo is consistently ranked among the nation’s top high schools by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report. The State University of New York (SUNY) University at Buffalo, SUNY Buffalo State College, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, and the City campus of Erie Community College (ECC) are all located in Buffalo. Other public and private colleges within the county include SUNY Empire State, SUNY Buffalo Amherst, Bryant & Stratton, Canisius College, D’Youville, Daemen, Hilbert, Medaille, Trocaire, and Villa Maria colleges.
Exceptional healthcare facilities are another hallmark of Erie County, where residents have the advantage of a major medical school and a nationally ranked cancer research center. Decades of aggressive expansion have turned this area into a center for bioinformatics and human genome research. Scores of hospitals and specialized treatment centers provide a strong healthcare network led by major health systems. The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus offers a world class, 120-acre medical campus in downtown Buffalo that encompasses Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, Buffalo Medical Group Foundation, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, Kaleida Health, Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired, Cleveland Bio Labs, and Upstate New York Transplant Services. The Gates Vascular Institute, a $291 million facility, houses the University of Buffalo’s Clinical and Translational Research Center.
Lifestyle
Gaining national attention for livability, affordability, cultural enrichment, and quality of life, Erie County is a shining star of the Western New York region. Outstanding art and architecture, vast parkland, and competitive sports are just a few of the attractions that make this area so appealing to newcomers and visitors alike. The Buffalo Sabres NHL hockey and the Buffalo Bills NFL football teams combine with minor league teams for baseball, soccer, and lacrosse keep avid fans cheering around the four seasons. Erie County also hosts many National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and events for the International Ice Hockey Federation among countless others. Newcomers to Erie County will appreciate the extensive parks system that preserves 11,000 acres of diverse landscapes ranging from deep forests to waterfront beaches. Residents are never far from an ideal setting for hiking, biking, sledding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, fishing, boating, swimming, and other outdoor activities.
Thriving arts and cultural institutions in Erie County include three that have been serving the community for more than 150 years: Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo Museum of Science, and Buffalo History Museum. Another prominent performing arts center, Kleinhans Music Hall, is home to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Peerless architectural treasures have been preserved or restored and repurposed as 21st Century attractions. Throughout the year, the calendar is filled with exciting and colorful events and street festivals, from the Allentown Art Festival and Elmwood Festival of the arts to Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to original crafts. Throughout the county, communities of all sizes have one thing in common: The warmth and friendliness of a welcoming hometown atmosphere.
COMMUNITIES
City of Buffalo
City Offices
716-851-5431
www.ci.buffalo.ny.us
Chamber of Commerce
716-852-7100
www.thepartnership.org
Few cities in America can rival Buffalo for a spirit of renewal and revival, from celebrated architecture to vibrant new construction like HARBORCENTER. Two of the city’s crown jewels are being restored to their original glory—the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex and the majestic Richardson Olmsted Complex—the latter housing an elegant hotel and conference center. Much of the elaborate parks system was developed by legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The city’s active arts scene draws a regional audience to performance halls and the Buffalo Theater District, where more than 20 professional companies include the American Repertory Theater of Western New York. With its fine schools and colleges, state-of-the-art healthcare and research institutions, appealing housing options, professional sports, and vast recreational amenities, Buffalo blends the best of yesterday with the brightest of tomorrows.
Amherst Town, Williamsville Village
Town Offices
716-631-7000
www.amherst.ny.us
Village Offices
716- 632-4120
www.walkablewilliamsville.com
Chamber of Commerce
716-632-6905
www.amherst.org
Drawing national attention as an idyllic place to live and raise a family, the Town of Amherst is the largest and most heavily populated of Buffalo’s suburbs. Providing highly rated schools on every academic level, Amherst is home to several college campuses including SUNY University at Buffalo at Amherst. Regardless of where you chose to settle in the town, shopping centers, recreational amenities, lush parks and convenient services are easily accessible. Housing choices from elegant historic properties to vibrant new construction are available in a wide variety of settings that range from long-established family neighborhoods to exclusive new country club enclaves. The town encompasses the Village of Williamsville where newcomers will find a thriving Main Street district and small-town charm.
Cheektowaga Town, Sloan Village
Town Offices
716-686-3400
www.tocny.org
Village Offices
716-897-1560
www.villageofsloan.org
Chamber of Commerce
716-684-5838
www.cheektowaga.org
Providing another major Buffalo suburb just 10 miles from the Canadian border, scenic Cheektowaga is traversed by three creeks. Residents enjoy a suburban lifestyle with quick and easy access to several expressways including the New York Thruway. Cheektowaga is the location of one of the most important assets of Western New York, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Along with highly respected schools, the town is home to the private institution of Villa Maria College and SUNY Empire State College. Those who love to shop will want to explore one of the region’s largest and most popular retail centers, Walden Galleria. A wide range of housing styles and settings are available throughout the town or in the small friendly Village of Sloan.
Clarence Town
Town Offices
716-741-8930
www2.erie.gov/clarence
Chamber of Commerce
716-631-3888
www.clarence.org
Distinguished as the first township founded in Erie County, Clarence draws newcomers to abundant green space and some of Western New York’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Over the decades, Clarence has evolved from a forested wilderness into a modern suburb that has managed to preserve a rare quality of life. Excelling in natural beauty and historic preservation, Clarence is often dubbed the Antique Capital of the East. Thousands of visitors converge in the town each year to browse for historic treasures in unique shops or Antique World—a massive indoor/outdoor market. Newcomers will find a warm and friendly yet progressive community with top-rated schools and a wide variety of attractive housing.
Tonawanda City/Town, Kenmore Village
City Offices
716-695-1800
www.tonawandacity.com
Town Offices
716-877-8800
www.tonawanda.ny.us
Village Offices
716-873-5700
Chamber of Commerce
716-874-1202
www.ken-ton.org
Both the City and Town of Tonawanda are situated along the Erie Canal and the rolling Niagara River along the route between Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Miles of waterfront parks provide breathtaking vistas from Niawanda and Gateway Harbor parks, drawing residents and visitors to shoreline recreational activities. Isle View Park is a popular destination for biking, hiking, fishing and boating. Tonawanda Town and Kenmore Village share many quality parks and facilities, programs, leisure attractions, fine shopping, a local hospital, and family enrichment services that include summer concerts. A growing population and property values topping nearly $3.7 billion are redefining this area as a highly desirable place to live and raise a family. In fact, Kenmore was recently named among the “Top 10 Great Neighborhoods” in America.
City of Lackawanna
City Offices
716-827-6464
www.lackawannany.gov
Chamber of Commerce
716-823-8841
The City of Lackawanna knows how to blend the finest of yesterday with progressive development. Distinguished as the location of one of the nation’s first urban wind turbines, the city also boasts a magnificent historic basilica. Featuring the finest of European architectural elements, the shrine was consecrated in 1926 and designated as a Minor Basilica by Pope Pius XI—only the second U. S. church to be so honored. Other highlights in and near the city include the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens with three major attractions: Olmsted’s South Park, the 1899 tri-domed glass conservatory building, and the Victorian-style gardens. The 1922 Lackawanna Public Library is another local treasure, a beautiful colonial structure and one of the last Carnegie Libraries constructed. Recreational amenities include boardwalks and bikeways along Lake Erie and Gallagher Beach that are popular waterfront areas for windsurfers and kayakers.
Hamburg Town/Village, Blasdell Village
Town Hall
716-649-6111
www.townofhamburgny.com
Hamburg Village Hall
716-649-0200
www.villagehamburg.com
Blasdell Village Hall
716-822-1921
www.blasdell.org
Chamber of Commerce
716-649-7917
www.hamburg-chamber.org
Taking for its slogan, “The town that friendship built,” Hamburg is a community that boasts beautiful Lake Erie beaches, wonderful golf courses, bike paths, lush parks, and recreational trails. The town and its charming villages of Hamburg and Blasdell attract newcomers to a warm atmosphere with local restaurants, a lively nightlife, quaint village shops in historic districts, a Farmer’s Market, and a bustling retail corridor. Hamburg is also home to the Erie County Fairgrounds and the 10-day annual county fair—one of the largest in the nation. The town is known for a full calendar of events including Hamburg Music Festival, Great Lakes Festival, Garden Walk, Oktoberfest, and the Hamburg Holidays. The business community blends some of Western New York’s oldest firms with vibrant new development. Other highlights include abundant recreational facilities, premier live harness tracks and racing, concerts and shows, desirable neighborhoods, Hilbert College, and highly rated public and private schools.
Newstead Town, Akron Village
Town Hall
716-542-4573
www.erie.gov/newstead
Village Hall
716-542-9636
www.erie.gov/akron
Chamber of Commerce
716-542-4050
www.akronchamberofcommerceny.com
Located in the northeastern section of Erie County, the Town of Newstead borders Genesee County to the east, Niagara County to the north, the Town of Clarence to the west, and Town of Alden to the south. Centrally located within the town, the historic Akron Village serves as a quaint hub for a primarily agricultural area. Akron features a strong industrial base and residential neighborhoods that offer homes in a variety of architectural styles. Residents of Newstead and Akron are just minutes away from expanded urban amenities, including professional sports action, cultural enrichments, fine art galleries, and regional recreational amenities. Closer to home they can enjoy lush parks, concerts, summer fairs, special events, parades, and opportunities to join volunteer organizations. Residents enjoy a tranquil hometown spirit and an annual calendar filled with community events.
Evans Town, Angola Village, Brant Town, Eden Town
Evans Town Hall
716-217-3500
www.townofevans.org
Village of Angola
716-549-1126
www.villageofangola.org
Brant Town Hall
716-549-0282
www.brantny.com
Eden Town Hall
716- 992-3408
www.edenny.org
Chamber of Commerce
716-549-3221
The Town of Evans welcomes newcomers with the slogan, “Your home for community, work and play.” Situated in southern Erie County, the town offers a wealth of natural, recreational and scenic resources that include 12 miles of Lake Erie shoreline between Evangola State Park and Eighteen Mile Creek. Lake access is available at six public parks: Sturgeon Point Marina, Wendt Beach Park, Bennett Beach, Evans Town Park, Lake Erie Beach, and Evangola State Park. Other waterfront attractions include the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Graycliff Estate and numerous vista points like Purvis Landing. The one-square-mile Village of Angola, known for its warm spirit and historic treasures, adds a walkable community with sidewalks adorned by lamp posts, benches, and seasonal blooms. Other opportunities for tranquil living are available in the towns of Brand and Eden. Eden is known for beautiful scenery that creates an idyllic backdrop for recreational adventure, along with historic treasures and quaint shops.
Collins Town, Gowanda Village, North Collins Town/Village
Collins Town Hall
716-532-4874
www.townofcollins.com
Gowanda Village Hall
716-532-3353
North Collins Town Hall
716-337-3391
www.northcollinsny.org
North Collins Village Hall
716-337-3160
www.villageofnorthcollins.org
Chamber of Commerce
http://gowandachamber.com
Nature lovers will be interested in exploring residential opportunities in these rural communities, some that provide easy access to outstanding preservations. Bordered on the south by the breathtakingly beautiful Zoar Valley, the Town of Collins includes a large portion of the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation. Zoar Valley begins west of Springville and stretches east to the Village of Gowanda. Nestled against the hills that surround Cattaraugus Creek, Gowanda offers a charming and quaint community atmosphere. The village provides basic healthcare services to the surrounding rural population including those in North Collins Town and Village. Undeveloped areas in Zoar Valley include nearly 3,000 acres of New York State’s Multiple Use Area public land, The Nature Conservancy’s Deer Lick Conservation Area, and the 118-acre William P. Alexander Preserve stewarded by The Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York, Inc.
Alden Town/Village
Town Hall
716-937-6969
www.erie.gov/alden
Village Hall
716-937-9216
www.erie.gov/village_alden
Chamber of Commerce
716-937-6177
www.aldenny.org
Situated along the eastern edge of Erie County, the Town of Alden draws newcomers to a quaint rural atmosphere just minutes from urban amenities and employment centers. Highly ranked schools, rich farmland, strong business opportunities, active civic organizations, and a warm hometown spirit are hallmarks of Alden Town and Alden Village. Just 20 miles east of Buffalo, historic Alden Village was incorporated in 1869 and became well known for its black water mineral baths—declared to be helpful in treating a vaiety of joint and skin diseases. Lovely Spring Creek traverses the northwest part of the village, with banks that preserve fossils that date back millions of years. Today, this area boasts a growing business community and a location convenient to premier urban amenities.
Boston Town, Colden Town, Holland Town
Boston Town Hall
716-941-6113
www.townofboston.com
Colden Town Hall
716-941-5022
http://townofcolden.com
Holland Town Hall
716-537-9443
www.townofhollandny.com
Chamber of Commerce
716-652-8444
www.eanycc.com
Both Boston and Colden are home to some of Erie County’s most popular outdoor attractions, including ski slopes, the Colden Tubing Park, and Kissing Bridge. Often called the Boston Hills, the town also features a panoramic valley with scenic branches of the 18-Mile Creek and several local parks with picnic areas, playgrounds, and ballfields. The Town of Holland is probably best-known for the artists who have become famous depicting the area’s scenic countryside on canvas. The town offers a charming residential setting with local shopping, eateries, a Boys & Girls Club, the Holland Community Center and Town Park, colorful events like the Tulip Festival, and a popular NASCAR racetrack—the Holland International Speedway.
Concord Town, Springville Village, Sardinia Town
Concord Town Hall
716-592-4948
www.townofconcordny.com
Springville Village Hall
716-592-4936
www.villageofspringvilleny.com
Sardinia Town Hall
716-496-8900
www.erie.gov/sardinia
Chamber of Commerce
716-592-4746
www.springvillechamber.com
The Town of Concord in southern Erie County encompasses the Village of Springville and several small hamlets in an area well known for its recreational amenities. Two parks operated by the Erie County Parks System include Scoby Dam Park along the banks of the Cattaraugus Creek for water sports, fishing, and picnicking. Sprague Brook Park invites visitors to enjoy camping, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, fishing ponds, sledding hills, and abundant trails for mountain biking, hiking, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling. Other highlights include great golfing, wonderful residential communities, top-rated schools, a local hospital, thriving businesses, and close proximity to Buffalo. Those who prefer country air and rural living will want to explore adjacent Sardinia.
East Aurora Village, Aurora Town, Wales Town
Village Hall
716-652-6000
www.east-aurora.ny.us
Aurora Town Hall
716-652-3280
www.townofaurora.com
Wales Town Hall
716-652-0589
http://townofwales.com
Chamber of Commerce
716- 652-8444
www.eanycc.com
East Aurora Village in the Town of Aurora has a charming village center, a wonderful residential atmosphere, and major attractions that include the founding headquarters for Fisher-Price Toys and Toy Town Museum as well as the Moog and Elbert Hubbard Roycroft Museum. Families will also want to visit the Explore & More Children’s Museum and the Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, one of the largest not-for-profit educational outreach and raptor rehabilitation facilities in New York State with 2,500 educational programs each year. The Aurora Players provide cultural enrichment with three annual performances that have earned the company a regional reputation for excellence. Other highlights in this area include an historic 5 & 10 Store in a circa 1890 building and a portable NHL-regulation hockey rink. Steeped in historic significance, Wales Town is distinguished as one of the first established in Erie County.
Elma Town, Marilla Town, Alden Town
Elma Town Hall
716-652-3260
www.elmanewyork.com
Marilla Town Hall
716-652-5350
http://townofmarilla.com
Alden Town Hall
716-937-6969
www.erie.gov/alden
Chamber of Commerce
716-652-8444
www.eanycc.com
The Town of Elma provides a wealth of treasures, from historic jewels and one of Erie County’s finest public golf courses to one of Western New York’s top-rated school systems. Residents enjoy the green space and recreational amenities at the Elma Village Green and Creek Road parks along with athletic fields, a senior center, a town museum, and a public library. Yesterday’s agricultural activity has evolved into a dominance of horse farms, nurseries and greenhouses. The towns of Marilla and Alden add opportunities to enjoy the pleasures of rural living in close proximity to urban conveniences. Friendly neighbors, small-town charm, top-ranked schools, strong business opportunities, and rich farmland characterize both communities.
Grand Island Town
Town Hall
716-773-9600
www.grand-island.ny.us
Chamber of Commerce
716-773-3651
http://gichamber.org
Situated along the Niagara River between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, Grand Island is distinguished as one of the world’s largest freshwater islands. Beaver Island State Park provides a waterfront recreational complex with golfing, trails for biking, and beaches while Buckhorn Island State Park offers an 895-acre nature preserve. Since the 1700s, Grand Island has been as a resort, lumber town, colonial battleground, part of the City of Buffalo and part of the nearby Town of Tonawanda. Today, the town is home to thriving businesses, great schools, and attractive residential neighborhoods. The town is ideally located to offer four major points of access to neighboring Canada within 20 minutes.
Lancaster Town/Village, Depew Village
Town Hall
716-683-9028
http://lancasterny.gov
Lancaster Village Hall
716-683-2105
www.lancastervillage.org
Depew Village Hall
716-683-7451
www.villageofdepew.org
Chamber of Commerce
716-681-9755
www.wnychamber.com
Just 11 miles east of downtown Buffalo, the Town of Lancaster offers a bustling suburban atmosphere graced by sprawling parks and the four-mile-long Heritage Trail bicycle and walking path. This scenic area features a water-rich landscape of seven streams flowing from east to west. The town and its two villages, Lancaster and Depew, are known as family friendly communities with abundant employment opportunities and extensive services for youth and the elderly. A wonderful selection of housing choices ranges from vibrant new construction to established neighborhoods graced by mature trees and greenery. Lancaster Village is home to the majestic 1897 Lancaster Opera House, elegantly restored to its original glory to serve as the crown jewel of the business district. Historic Depew Village is a thriving community of small and large businesses—distinguished as one of the largest villages in Western New York. A strong transportation network ensures area residents of quick commutes to Buffalo attractions and amenities.
Orchard Park Town/Village
Town Hall
716-662-6400
http://orchardparkny.org
Village Hall
716-662-9327
http://orchardparkvillage.org
Chamber of Commerce
716-662-3366
www.orchardparkchamber.com
The Town of Orchard Park draws newcomers to an affluent yet friendly community of fine homes, excellent schools, convenient shopping, and a charming rural character. Founded in the 1800s, Orchard Park has preserved a high quality of life graced by a landscape of rolling hills and woodland areas dotted with farms and green space. Settings for new-home developments and upscale home sites are abundant in this desirable area. Appreciation for the arts runs high in Orchard Park, including support for a symphony orchestra and chorus. The town is home to Bryant and Stratton College, Erie Community College, and the Ralph Wilson Stadium for the NFL Buffalo Bills. Colorful annual events dot the calendar, bringing friends and neighbors together for good food, music, arts and crafts, and seasonal celebrations.
West Seneca Town
Town Hall
716-674-5600
www.westseneca.net
Chamber of Commerce
716-674-4900
www.westseneca.org
A centrally located Buffalo suburb, the Town of West Seneca draws newcomers to an idyllic hometown atmosphere. Established in 1851, West Seneca is enriched by architectural treasures and diverse, attractive neighborhoods. Residents enjoy quick and easy access to all that the City of Buffalo offers but also to the rolling hills of nearby “Southtowns.” Fifteen parks provide abundant green space and extensive recreational amenities that include an ice rink, swimming center, youth community center, and a large soccer complex. The town is also home to the Charles E. Burchfield Nature & Art Center and an outstanding $7.2 million state-of-the-art facility for Southtowns Family YMCA. The public school system enjoys a reputation for excellence with the West Seneca Central and Orchard Park school districts. A campus for Houghton College is also located in the town.
