Assisted Living in Buffalo, New York

SeniorScore™ for Buffalo, New York

Located within Erie County, Buffalo is a major city in New York. It is included in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan statistical area. It is the fourth biggest city in the state. Though the city includes 564,824 people, the encompassing metropolitan area has a population of 899,767. The 55+ community comprises 27% of the overall population.

The SeniorScore™ for Buffalo is 70. The city has an average per capita income of $25,000. The median household income is $43,000 compared to the average of $62,000 for the whole of New York. The current unemployment rate is around 9.8% and the median housing price is $97,500, which is much less than the New York average of $328,500.

Buffalo has extreme average temperatures, with cold winters and calm summers. The area gets average amounts of rain annually. Buffalo has a very high rate of crime, very low air quality ratings, and very good water quality ratings in relation to other cities in the United States.

There are a number of practical reasons to live in Buffalo. The sales tax is below the national average and the general cost of living is average among other cities. Buffalo is a good choice for older generations of adults due to the high number of home health aides and Medicare registered physicians and the lower adult daycare costs. There are over 17 hospitals in the area, including the nationally ranked Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Why Buffalo is Great for Seniors

Located in West New York just miles from the Canada border, Buffalo is a great home for seniors who enjoy all four seasons. Though it may get its share of cold weather, snow and an occasional ice storm, the city has mild summer months. Residents can choose from over 60 golf courses, water activities on Lake Erie or Lake Ontario, strolling in the various nature preserves or walking along the Niagara River, not to mention basking on the beautiful beaches of Lake Erie. For those who enjoy religious communities, there are over 330 churches in the area to choose from.

New York State has one of the oldest populations in the nation -- 3.7 million people age 60 and over -- after California, Florida and Texas. According to Census data, the senior population in Buffalo is slightly over 12 percent which is just below the national average of 13 percent among other major cities in the U.S.

Resources for Seniors in Buffalo

Buffalo has a number of supportive services for aging adults in the community. One such agency is Erie County Senior Services which provides social, educational and health activities, in addition to meals, housing and other financial assistance. The department provides coordinated and cost-effective services to enhance senior's independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Seniors who are looking to meet new people, participate in outings or activities or discover things to do that really interest them can visit the Forever Young website where there is a listing of area clubs, activities and meetup groups for those in their older years. It is a great opportunity for seniors to connect and get social in Western New York.

Fun in Buffalo for Seniors

Seniors who are into art can enjoy several museums and art exhibits in the city including the prestigious Albright-Knox Art Gallery, or tour one of Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest works, the Darwin D. Martin House Complex. For a sporty older crowd, fans can cheer on the Buffalo Bills football, Sabres hockey, or the Bisons baseball team and there is even a strong fan following for its Bandits lacrosse team.

For the nature-loving senior there is the Olmsted Park system consisting of six city parks offering playgrounds, golf courses, sports courts, open lawns, foot and bike paths. Bidwell Park offers several miles of greenery, and Delaware Park is the largest in the city and ends at the Buffalo Zoo, home to over 1000 animals. Squaw Island is another destination for outdoor activities, settled just across the west shoreline.

A nice senior day trip to the Niagara Wine Trail is just a short drive from Buffalo near Niagara Falls. Along the trail are many interesting towns, wineries, restaurants, historical sites, farm markets and antique shops to please all tastes.

As you can tell, there is a lot to see and do in Buffalo year-round. Additionally, there are over 60 various senior centers in the area with fun social activities and events for the older crowds to enjoy and participate in.