Station/Boat Location~
Station Buffalo
Date there~
2007 - Present
Weather~
I am southern, so I am not a huge fan of the weather here. We get a lot of snow and it gets very cold here. The summer is very nice here. Not to hot and not to humid. Roughly around 75 degrees in the summer.
Military facilities~
There is a small exchange at Sector Buffalo. They always keep in well stocked and have a very good variety of merchandise. They are looking to get a bigger store with-in the year.
Medical~
There is a VA Hospital not far from the base.
Housing~
There is no housing here in Buffalo. We ended up buying a house. BAH will get you an apartment big enough if you have no children or just 1 child. We have 2 children. An apartment big enough (in a safe area) was well above our BAH. Most people end up buying their homes. Our house is in the South Buffalo / Lackawanna area. And the houses are very in-expensive. Our mortgage payments are a few hundred dollars less than rent. Most people live in South Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Lackawanna, Grand Island, Niagara Falls or Orchard Park. Orchard Park is by far the nicest of the towns, but if you choose to live in Orchard Park, do not live in Big Tree Manor or their sister apartments. They discriminate against military. There was an offer going on when we moved in that first and last month’s rent would be half off. They would not give us that offer b/c we were military. There are a few other things as well. Just steer clear.
Shopping~
EVERYTHING. Great shopping Malls (3 with-in a 20 minutes drive of each other). Wal-Mart, Target, Dots, Old Navy, Gap, Lowes, Home Depot. There is a wonderful Grocery store called Wegmans that has everything you could want, even a Sushi Bar (that my husband and I frequent a lot).
Child Care/Schools~
There are a bunch of elementary schools in the area that I have been told are very nice. We will be sending our kids to one of the private schools in the area. There are plenty of day cares to choose from. Whether they be in-home to church day cares to normal daycares.
Adult Schools~
I attend Bryant and Stratton College (they have a wonderful on-line program). There is also Erie Community College, Buffalo State and some other smaller colleges.
Fun Activities~
TNiagara Falls in just a half an hour drive from me (I live in Orchard Park). There is a fantastic zoo in Buffalo that only charges $60 for a family pass for the year. There are a few theme parks and water parks in the area as well.
Additional Info~
Overall, we like Buffalo better than anywhere else we have been. We are, however, looking to being sent to a warmer area next time.
Homeport NY
Station Buffalo
Date there~
2007 - Present
Weather~
I am southern, so I am not a huge fan of the weather here. We get a lot of snow and it gets very cold here. The summer is very nice here. Not to hot and not to humid. Roughly around 75 degrees in the summer.
Military facilities~
There is a small exchange at Sector Buffalo. They always keep in well stocked and have a very good variety of merchandise. They are looking to get a bigger store with-in the year.
Medical~
There is a VA Hospital not far from the base.
Housing~
There is no housing here in Buffalo. We ended up buying a house. BAH will get you an apartment big enough if you have no children or just 1 child. We have 2 children. An apartment big enough (in a safe area) was well above our BAH. Most people end up buying their homes. Our house is in the South Buffalo / Lackawanna area. And the houses are very in-expensive. Our mortgage payments are a few hundred dollars less than rent. Most people live in South Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Tonawanda, Lackawanna, Grand Island, Niagara Falls or Orchard Park. Orchard Park is by far the nicest of the towns, but if you choose to live in Orchard Park, do not live in Big Tree Manor or their sister apartments. They discriminate against military. There was an offer going on when we moved in that first and last month’s rent would be half off. They would not give us that offer b/c we were military. There are a few other things as well. Just steer clear.
Shopping~
EVERYTHING. Great shopping Malls (3 with-in a 20 minutes drive of each other). Wal-Mart, Target, Dots, Old Navy, Gap, Lowes, Home Depot. There is a wonderful Grocery store called Wegmans that has everything you could want, even a Sushi Bar (that my husband and I frequent a lot).
Child Care/Schools~
There are a bunch of elementary schools in the area that I have been told are very nice. We will be sending our kids to one of the private schools in the area. There are plenty of day cares to choose from. Whether they be in-home to church day cares to normal daycares.
Adult Schools~
I attend Bryant and Stratton College (they have a wonderful on-line program). There is also Erie Community College, Buffalo State and some other smaller colleges.
Fun Activities~
TNiagara Falls in just a half an hour drive from me (I live in Orchard Park). There is a fantastic zoo in Buffalo that only charges $60 for a family pass for the year. There are a few theme parks and water parks in the area as well.
Additional Info~
Overall, we like Buffalo better than anywhere else we have been. We are, however, looking to being sent to a warmer area next time.
Homeport NY
