Buffalo Scores High National Ranking For Raising A Family

Citing data analyzed for 257 cities in the United States, the editors of Best Life Magazine (published by Men’s Health) have rated the City of Buffalo as the 39th best city in the country to raise a family.

The study culled information from the U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Education Statistics, the FBI, American Association of Museums, National Center for Health Statistics and the American Bar Association.  The study examined a variety of quality of life issues, including: public safety, quality education, commute time, cost of living, and cultural amenities.

“Buffalo boasts a great cost of living, a short commute, beautiful architecture, as well as wonderful museums and parks,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown.  “I’m pleased that the editors of Best Life Magazine have ranked Buffalo high on the list of great American cities to raise a family.   Since taking office, my Administration has worked hard to improve our residents’ quality of life, reduce crime, and improve our neighborhoods. This ranking, in a national publication, based on a variety of data, is confirmation that we are making progress.”

Violent crime continues to decrease in the City of Buffalo. Through 2007, all four categories of violent crime – Homicide, Rape, Robbery and Assault – were down by 12% collectively versus the same time period in 2006. For the past two years, crime in the city has dropped 7%.

In April, AmericanStyle Magazine, through its 2008 annual readers’ poll, announced that the City of Buffalo is the top Mid-Sized City arts destination in the United States. Buffalo beat out cities such as Scottsdale, AZ and Pittsburgh, PA.

This past week, City Honors High School was again honored by Newsweek Magazine, being named the 11th best public high school in the United States and 50th among all high schools in the country.  The city’s top-ranked academic high school was 8th last year and 4th in 2006 among public high schools in the same Newsweek Magazine poll.

In 2007, Forbes Magazine ranked the City of Buffalo as the top city in the country for cost of living standards.

“We are proud of these accomplishments and national recognition for the many good things that are taking place in Buffalo,” said Mayor Brown. “But my Administration remains committed to improving further quality of life standards, reducing crime and attracting greater economic development to make our city even stronger and more attractive.”