Some of the downtown is a bit uncomfortable in places, but holy cow the people are nice. It's the midwesternest part of NY.

Same first inpression of Buffalo, but recently went back and found it very different (in a good way).

IMO the strangest thing about Buffalo is how haphazardly placed everything is. New updated public area, new hotel, office tower - and a dirt lot (not even parking) in between them. New apartment buildings next to abandoned colonial home with "jazz club" sign. Main street feels like a service road once you leave downtown (abandoned buildings, mechanics, garages, and storage for a few miles)