Skiing/snowboarding, so much fresh water, a regenerating city/county, Olmsted parks/parkways, proximity to Canada/Toronto. Some of the oldest (cities >250k) and best residential housing stock in the country (variety of architectural styles).
Don't forget North Buffalo/Hertel Ave. Hertel is taking shine away from Elmwood with 2 grocers, a restored historic movie theatre, restaurants, bars, new residential.
For suburbs, Kenmore, Williamsville, East Aurora, Hamburg are the best for small town feel.
Not to mention hiking and fall colors in the Niagara Gorge, the amazing Letchworth State park, Zoar Valley.
Currently has the lowest unemployment since at least January 1990, if not before. My best friend tells me he hears of lots of vacant job openings.
Buffalo grew by 17,000 and Erie county by 35,000 from 2010-2020.
My best friend just bought a starter house in December and was forced to compete in a bidding war. Paid 20% over asking.
People are still moving to Western NY according to area realtors.
Thankfully compared to nationally prices are still okay. Rent is high though compared to 5-10 years ago.
Oh yeah and the Albright Knox art gallery is undergoing a $195M expansion into the Albright Knox Gundlach Art Museum, opening end of May!
Check out the CVB guide
Any questions I could try to answer or outsource to Buffalonians.
https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/guide-request/