Buffalo is quickly becoming one of the nation’s hottest housing markets. Featuring easy lake access, reasonably priced homes and apartments, mild summers and a burgeoning economy, Buffalo is now a magnet for movers and shakers.
This guide is shaped by my personal experience living and working in and around the city. My aim? To balance affordability with quality of life.
Without further ado, here are the top Buffalo employers and surrounding neighborhoods
Kaleida Health
Kaleida, a Buffalo institution since 1998, is a non-profit healthcare specialist. The organization manages five hospitals throughout the Western New York region. Previously known as Millard Fillmore Health, Kaleida is the area’s largest provider of healthcare services with a network stretching from the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo to the Buffalo General Medical Center.
Let’s take a look at apartments near Kaleida Health.
Lakeview Neighborhood AKA Allentown
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,165 | $945 | $1,300 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,329 | $1,150 | $1,525 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,663 | $1,300 | $2,000 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
Live in Lakeview and you’ll enjoy a progressive atmosphere with an upbeat vibe, artsy flair and plenty of young adults. This vibrant neighborhood has plenty of shops including a wide array of small businesses.
Locals rave about the Rick Cycle Shop, Allen Street stores, Irving Place and the historical F. Scott Fitzgerald home at the Lenox Hotel. The local annual arts festival is another neighborhood highlight.
The top local schools include City Honors School P.S. 195, the Buffalo Seminary, the Elmwood Village Charter School and Leonardo da Vinci High School.
The Delaware District
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,153 | $358 | $1,650 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,520 | $376 | $5,547 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,700 | $445 | $3,000 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,610 | $849 | $4,000 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,937 | $640 | $5,500 |
Also referred to as the Delaware Park area, this part of Buffalo is safe, charming and family-friendly. Called home by more than 11,000 people, the Delaware district is a busy part of town with a distinctly urban setting. Here, you’ll find most people rent instead of own their homes.
The Delaware district has apartments, houses and condos for rent near Kaleida Health. The best part is the living spaces are near restaurants and coffee shops ranging from Spot Coffee to Olivers and more.
North Buffalo/Parkside
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,022 | $995 | $1,050 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,152 | $909 | $1,700 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,382 | $1,000 | $2,050 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,808 | $1,075 | $4,000 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Live in North Buffalo and you’ll enjoy convenient access to the lovely shops along Hertel Avenue. There’s no shortage of houses and apartments for rent in North Buffalo. Though many of the area’s homes for rent are more than a century old, they have character.
Most importantly, Parkside homes near Kaleida Health are affordable to rent. Examples of local architectural styles include Colonial Revivals, Craftsman, American Four Square and Arts & Craft style bungalows. Nearby draws include the Buffalo Zoo and the famous Delaware Park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.
Willert Park
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,749 | $704 | $2,374 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,084 | $775 | $3,172 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $862 | $862 | $862 |
Willert Park is a bustling community locals are ecstatic to call home. This East Side highlight has a rich cultural history and plenty of community activism. The neighborhood’s primary selling point is its low cost of living.
Rent a Willert Park apartment near Kaleida Health, single-family home or multi-family home and you’ll pay significantly less than in nearby suburbs. Minimalist two-story traditional style homes are the most common domiciles in the Willert Park neighborhood.
Fruit Belt
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,712 | $900 | $2,639 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,931 | $950 | $2,910 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,635 | $1,450 | $3,202 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,934 | $1,200 | $2,400 |
The city’s Fruit Belt neighborhood is lively, greener than expected and fruit-oriented. Revered for its community gardens, the Fruit Belt’s streets are named after…you guessed it, fruits! This tightly woven community has an alluring mixture of residential living spaces, some of which include apartments and single-family homes for rent.
The majority of the Fruit Belt’s real estate consists of studio or two-bedroom apartments though some three and four bedroom apartments within larger complexes and homes are also available. Keep searching for the right living space and you’ll find some of the neighborhood’s Victorian homes, duplexes and three-deckers are divided into apartments for rent near Kaleida Health
Geico
Geico, famous for its low auto insurance premiums, has been in business for 90 years. The insurer’s Buffalo presence is vital to the local economy. Though Geico is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, it is a stalwart of the Buffalo business scene. This is your inside look at Buffalo apartments near Geico.
Getzville
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,412 | $1,150 | $1,659 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,479 | $833 | $1,825 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,785 | $900 | $2,850 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,843 | $715 | $2,795 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $829 | $800 | $890 |
Getzville receives little fanfare from local Buffalo media yet it is a peaceful and enjoyable place to live. Whether you are single or raising a family, you’ll be happy to call Getzville home. This residential hamlet has little crime, a suburban feel and friendly locals. Here, you’ll find an idyllic natural setting featuring tall trees, lush green lawns and appreciating housing stock.
You’ll also find homes and apartments for rent in Getzville near Geico. Most such domiciles are fairly spacious with garages and relatively large driveways. Wooden masonry, stone, brick and neo-traditional residential architecture options are available.
East Amherst AKA Swormville
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,655 | $1,220 | $2,029 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,167 | $925 | $3,236 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,425 | $1,980 | $3,182 |
Call East Amherst home and you’ll live in a safe suburban neighborhood with upscale housing, easy access to Wegmans supermarket and plenty of jobs. Also known as Swormville, East Amherst primarily consists of comparably large house with three to five bedrooms. Additional options include townhomes and single-family homes for rent in East Amherst near Geico.
Many of the homes for rent in Swormville are owner occupied. The best part is you are almost certain to love your neighbors as you’ll be rubbing elbows with “rainmakers” in the local community, some of which include business owners, executives and managers.
Lockport AKA Pendleton
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $775 | $775 | $775 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $938 | $744 | $1,823 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,469 | $900 | $2,516 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,933 | $1,100 | $2,596 |
Live in the Pendleton Lockport area and you’ll enjoy a rural lifestyle rife with young professionals. This part of town is spacious, active and outdoor-oriented. Take in the lovely surrounding landscape, head on over to nearby Niagara Falls for an urban infusion and you’ll be ecstatic with your quality of life.
Local highlights include fishing at Tonawanda Creek, Depeau Park’s tennis and basketball courts, the Erie Canal Trail and Pendleton Park’s beautiful 22 acres for recreational purposes. Be sure to check out the Pendleton Creek Golf Club and Pub’s 18-hole course.
West Amherst AKA Wendelville
Find a rental in West Amherst near Geico and you’ll enjoy convenient access to a seemingly endless number of job opportunities, Niagara Falls, the city of Buffalo and plenty more. The Wendelville portion of West Amherst is an especially popular hamlet named after the pioneers who founded the space in the Wendel family.
Do some research and you’ll find the area has apartments within homes and complexes for rent. You can also rent a West Amherst home for a reasonable price, ensuring you are less than 15 minutes away from downtown Buffalo at all times. Locals enjoy Tonawanda creek water activities, Smith’s Orchard Cider Mill, spacious nearby farmland and unparalleled scenery.
Ford
Ford’s Buffalo Stamping Plant makes sheet metal along with sub-assemblies welded for the automaker. The facility opened more than 75 years ago and is still thriving to this day. All in all, the plant spans 1,235,895 square feet of floor space. Work at here and you’ll find plenty of Buffalo area apartments close to Ford.
Blasdell
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,457 | $925 | $2,300 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,559 | $735 | $2,500 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,101 | $1,650 | $2,346 |
Blasdell is a peaceful and quiet suburb south of the city of Buffalo. Here, you’ll find McKinley Mall, Pinos pizzeria, Wegmans and other national chain stores and restaurants. This is a family-focused area with the usual suburban homes, some of which are for rent near Ford.
Affordable apartments line McKinley Parkway in the vicinity of McKinley Mall. You’ll also enjoy quick and easy access to the I-90 and Route 5 that bring you into downtown Buffalo. In total, slightly more than 2,500 people live in Blasdell.
Hamburg
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,401 | $925 | $2,300 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,652 | $735 | $3,300 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,188 | $1,023 | $2,850 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
Life is good in Hamburg. This suburb south of Buffalo has ample housing stock including brick style Colonial Revivals, Cape Cods and other affordable living spaces. Hamburg is also home to plenty of apartments on Southwestern Boulevard and all sorts of restaurants and shopping options.
Hamburg also has its own casino, dubbed Hamburg Gaming, at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. Locals laud Edie's Pizza & Subs, the Hamburg Taproom and Nino's Pizza. Hamburg is also conveniently located along the shores of Lake Erie easily accessible on Route 5.
Lackawanna
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,352 | $900 | $2,300 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,337 | $735 | $2,210 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,373 | $1,100 | $2,000 |
Lackawanna has a population hovering around 20,000. This suburb is fairly dense with both people and housing stock. Lackawanna houses include an abundance of the signature American Foursquare design, Colonials, Craftsman homes and more. Though Lackawanna residents primarily live in houses, there are also some apartment complexes with affordable units for rent near Ford.
Moog
Moog makes space-related products including parts used on spaceships. The company also pioneers advancements in air, sea and land machines, some of which are used by the Department of Defense.
Elma
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,020 | $1,020 | $1,020 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,484 | $550 | $2,115 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,629 | $633 | $2,550 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,209 | $1,900 | $2,473 |
Elma, a small suburb of Buffalo, has slightly more than 11,000 people. This sleepy Erie County town is small in size but big in character. If you favor rural living in a rural setting with tree-lined streets, Elma is for you. Elma’s highlights include easy access to water in the form of the Cazenovia and Buffalo Creeks.
Ride around town and you’ll find nurseries, horse farms, parks, golf courses and plenty more. Though Elma doesn’t have an abundance of apartments available for rent near Moog, it does have some houses for rent including affordable single-family units.
East Aurora
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,020 | $1,020 | $1,020 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,512 | $800 | $2,115 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,711 | $930 | $2,550 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,285 | $1,900 | $2,640 |
East Aurora is a small village with 6,000 people. Featuring Vidler’s shop, Fisher-Price’s iconic toy store and Arriba Tortilla Mexican food, East Aurora has a little bit of everything for people of all walks of life. Though East Aurora real estate is increasing in price, it is still affordable. This scenic suburban locale is perfect for those looking to rent a house near Moog as its housing stock greatly outnumbers its apartment stock.
Additional local highlights include the Bar-Bill Tavern, the Aurora Theater, the Millard Fillmore House and the Owens Falls Sanctuary Nature Preserve. The Knox Farm State Park is the perfect place to walk a dog, go for a hike and appreciate nature’s beauty.
West Seneca
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,020 | $1,020 | $1,020 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,399 | $550 | $2,300 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,520 | $633 | $2,525 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,848 | $1,100 | $2,640 |
West Seneca is gaining population with each passing year. Yesterday’s wooded spaces throughout this gorgeous suburb are quickly being transformed into the housing developments of tomorrow. West Seneca highlights include Nino’s Pizza, the Ebenezer Ale House, Schwabl's for roast beef, The Poked Yolk and Strikers.
Be sure to check out the suburb's spacious parks in Sunshine Park and Firemen's Park. Both parks have lengthy paved circular walkways, baseball diamonds, basketball courts and soccer fields. West Seneca has apartment complexes near Moog, individual homes for rent, rooms for rent and new condos. Many of the suburb’s homes were built in the 70s and after, meaning they are less likely to require maintenance than older builds.
Orchard Park
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,394 | $925 | $2,300 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,588 | $904 | $2,525 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,139 | $1,023 | $2,640 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,500 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
“Where would you rather be than right here, right now?” The line was uttered by the former Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy in Orchard Park where the football team plays its home games. Though the Bills have never won the Super Bowl, you’ll feel like a winner in life if you rent in Orchard Park.
Renters and homeowners alike enjoy the Bobolinks Golf Course, the Harvest Hill Golf Course, Green Lake Park and the lovely shops along the village’s North Buffalo Road. Though Orchard Park has some truly stunning house worth a pretty penny, the village and surrounding areas also have fairly affordable apartments near Moog, many of which are in complexes. The suburb also has some townhomes, condos and traditional houses for rent.
The University at Buffalo
Commonly referred to as UB, the University at Buffalo is the flagship postsecondary educational institution of New York. Regularly recognized as a leading academic institution in the state and also across the world, UB is affordable, conveniently located near cultural hotspots and regularly ranked as one of the area’s top employers.
LaSalle Neighborhood AKA University Heights
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,211 | $963 | $1,459 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,315 | $561 | $1,700 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,392 | $661 | $2,218 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,628 | $849 | $4,000 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,776 | $879 | $3,612 |
Positioned next to UB’s South Campus, the LaSalle neighborhood has plenty of apartments, rentals for students and traditional houses for rent by the University at Buffalo. The neighborhood also features a UB rail for quick connections to the North Campus.
Also known as University Heights, this part of town has nearly 10,000 residents. Locals rave about Sato Ramen’s Chinese food, May Jen’s restaurant, 99 Fast Food and Tandoori Hut.
Amherst
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,345 | $740 | $1,889 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,518 | $609 | $2,350 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,831 | $653 | $3,236 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,941 | $715 | $3,500 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $994 | $800 | $3,200 |
Amherst is consistently ranked as one of the safest Buffalo suburbs. This peaceful living space is conveniently positioned within a short drive of UB’s North Campus. Choose Amherst as your home and you’ll find a massive housing stock both for rent and purchase.
Though some of Amherst was built on swampland, there’s no need to worry as those properties have crawlspace cellars instead of traditional basements. What matters most is Amherst’s convenient location smack dab in the middle of Buffalo’s economic activity.
Though Amherst property is appreciating, it’s easy to find a modestly priced rental, be it an apartment or traditional house. Check out the suburb’s properties and you’ll find all sorts of interesting architecture styles including Victorian homes, traditional apartment complexes, new stylistic subdivisions and more.
North Buffalo AKA Elmwood Village
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,022 | $995 | $1,050 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,152 | $909 | $1,700 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,382 | $1,000 | $2,050 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,808 | $1,075 | $4,000 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
North Buffalo, highlighted by its iconic Elmwood Village, is lauded as one of the best places to live in Buffalo. This area is walkable, vibrant and active. Moreover, North Buffalo has plenty of modestly priced homes and apartments for rent near the University at Buffalo.
Though some North Buffalo homes are more than a century or two old, they have character. Local highlights include the shops along Hertel, the Bella Mia Chocolate Shop, a farmers’ market, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and Shea’s Performing Arts Center.
Rich Products
Venture over to Niagara Street and you’ll find Rich Products. Featuring a heated and enclosed bridge connecting its corporate offices, Rich Products is one of the city’s best places to work.
Grant Ferry
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,966 | $1,165 | $5,547 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,624 | $985 | $2,500 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,536 | $1,295 | $2,000 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,025 | $1,775 | $5,000 |
Rent in Grant Ferry and you’ll enjoy a brief commute to Rich Products. Though the Grant Ferry neighborhood isn’t as safe as Amherst and other suburbs to the north and south of the city, it’s the perfect place for aspiring young adults to rent or buy. The Grant Ferry area is culturally rich, affordable, densely urban and most importantly, fun.
This part of Buffalo features historic homes, renovated homes, apartments for rent in houses and apartment complexes. Rent here and you’ll be surrounded by young professionals looking to lay own roots and enjoy city living to the fullest.
Forest
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $944 | $890 | $999 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,360 | $1,100 | $1,720 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,666 | $935 | $2,690 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,656 | $910 | $3,500 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,177 | $640 | $2,560 |
Live in Buffalo’s Forest neighborhood and you’ll be within 10 minutes or less of the downtown central business district. Featuring charming historical homes for rent near the University at Buffalo along with cute cafes and plenty of bars, there’s plenty to do in the Forest area.
Forest highlights include the Elmwood Plaza for convenient shopping, easy access to the Peace Bridge that takes you to Canada and Unity Island’s stunning views of the water.
Front Park AKA The Lower West Side
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,040 | $895 | $1,300 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,480 | $900 | $5,547 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,647 | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,532 | $1,150 | $1,950 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,737 | $1,700 | $1,775 |
Live on the West Side of Buffalo and you’ll enjoy cultural diversity with a strong focus on the local community. This bustling area stretches from Porter Avenue to the rear of City Hall. Though Front Park looks a bit dated, its homes have character, a classic style and most importantly, low monthly rental costs.
Do some sleuthing and you’ll soon find a house or apartment in the Front Park area available at a cost of half that or less of a suburb to the south or north of Buffalo.
Your Buffalo Story has Yet to be Told
Give Buffalo a chance and you’ll be happy to call it home. Even if you can’t find immediate employment with one of the city’s top companies, keep knocking on their door. Make this City of Good Neighbors your new home and you’ll agree Buffalo living surpasses expectations.
