Valley
Pockets of sidewalks and single-family homes
The Valley is known for its commercial nature, with warehouses and factories along the waterfront. The handful of residential streets are tight, and American four square homes and cottages sit on compact lots with little room between them. Street parking is a way of life, and while homes may have small backyards, the only thing that separates the front of the house from the street is a sidewalk and pathway. Buyers can expect a four-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage to sell for around $120,000, while a six-bedroom, two-bathroom American four squares will come for about $125,000. “The market is steady in the Valley, but it has definitely cooled over the last couple of years, and it takes a little time for properties to move,” Nameth says.
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NFTA-Metro transit and I-190 commuting
The NFTA-Metro, Western New York’s Transportation Authority, operates three bus lines in the Valley. Residents can hop aboard the 14-Abbott, 18-Jefferson, and 42-Lackawanna lines to get around the city and the greater part of Buffalo. Closer to downtown, the NFTA-Metro runs a rail line from the KeyBank Center to Kenmore. Locals can easily access Interstate 190, an auxiliary highway connecting Buffalo to Canada just north of the Valley.
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Attending Buffalo Public Schools
Children are zoned to attend Buffalo Public Schools, which scores a B-minus on Niche and serves more than 30,000 students. Like most New York State Public School Systems school districts, students must apply and test into schools instead of having neighborhood schools. Elementary Schools serve Grades K-8, and then high school is Grades 9-12. One potential schooling path is P.S. 33 - Bilingual Center, which scores a C-minus on Niche and is in the neighboring First Ward, and Emerson P.S. 302 - School of Hospitality, which is a C-plus on Niche and specializes in hospitality and culinary skills, located downtown.Local businesses and essentials near the Valley
For weekly needs, residents can head to some small local grocery stores near the neighborhood, like the Seneca Deli or Clinton Express, or try the Tops Friendly Market, about a mile south. Housed in the Silos at Elk Street, which once served as a major producer of brewers malt that supplied barley across the northeast corridor, BriarBrothers Brewing Company is a popular microbrewery that brings in food trucks and has local events, like artisan markets and their annual fundraiser, Bricks and Brews.
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Recreation and community services at Mutual Riverfront Park
With its location on the river, the Valley has multiple parks that draw locals from nearby. Mutual Riverfront Park is adjacent to the city’s historic “Elevator Alley” and offers picturesque views of a cluster of grain elevators that overlook the waters. Inside the park, locals can walk around the paved walking path to view multiple rain gardens and flowers or use the park as a launch point for kayaking on the river. There are two brick buildings at the park, with one being The Mutual Boat House, a replica of the historic Mutual Rowing Club that provides a facility for kayaks and canoes for rental. The other is home to the Valley Community Association, which offers neighborhood childcare, family support, and senior and youth services. Buffalo Riverfest Park is smaller and just three acres, which includes a band shell, boardwalk, covered wharf, and a banquet facility, Tewksbury Lodge.
Parades and industrial heritage
Put on by the Valley Community Association, The Old Neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off every March 17 and features festivals, bands, Irish dancers and more. Residents can explore the steelmaking industry at the Steel Plant Museum, established in 1984. The museum features a collection from Bethlehem Steel’s Lackawanna plant, other artifacts from Republic Steel and Hanna Furnace, and documents that show union efforts to improve working conditions in the plants. The Valley is about 2 miles from downtown, so residents can quickly visit more museums or catch a Buffalo Sabers game or concert at the KeyBank Center downtown.Valley Community Association services
Established in 1969, the Valley Community Association serves to help the community's needs. While it was initially founded to help the Valley residents only, today, it is open to all locals of the Buffalo River community and offers programs from childcare services to senior services.
Written By
Andrew Phillips
Photography Contributed By
Stefan Ludwig
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Michael Boland
Michael Boland
Responds QuicklyHoward Hanna WNY Inc.
(716) 589-4968
170 Total Sales
1 in Valley
$132,000 Price
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Kekeli Olympio
Kekeli Olympio
Atlas Realty Trading Co LLC
(716) 466-9002
171 Total Sales
1 in Valley
$25,000 Price
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Kimberly Nemeth
Kimberly Nemeth
Howard Hanna WNY Inc
(716) 303-4709
242 Total Sales
1 in Valley
$150,000 Price
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William Abels
William Abels
HUNT Real Estate Corporation
(716) 325-4016
186 Total Sales
1 in Valley
$35,500 Price
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Tina LaMancusa
Tina LaMancusa
Buffalo First Realty Group Inc
(716) 403-2521
12 Total Sales
1 in Valley
$59,900 Price
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Jordan Stevens
JS
Jordan Stevens
MJ Peterson Real Estate Inc.
(716) 442-8793
24 Total Sales
1 in Valley
$150,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 9th to 12th
- Private
- 9th to 12th
- Private
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Parks in this Area
Hillery Park
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Playground
Houghton Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Bike Trails
Pierce Field at Mulroy Park
- Soccer
- Parking Lot
- Multi-Purpose Field
Mutual Riverfront Park
Franczyk Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Playground
Tyler Likos Memorial Park
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
Seneca Bluffs Natural Habitat Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Valley | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 10 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 9 | 4 |
| Robbery | 8 | 4 |
| Burglary | 9 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 7 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Valley Demographics and Home Trends
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$448,700
Median Sale Price
$443,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$443,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
7
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
359%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$499
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
49
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1900
Months of Supply
1.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,249
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,119
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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$10,000
- Land
- 3,750 Sq Ft Lot
- 259 Babcock St
- New 2 days ago
Opportunities await you at 259 Babcock in Buffalo! Vacant residential level Lot 30 X 125 (3,750 square feet). Utilities and amenities available at the street - verify for your improvement ideas.
Ann Finneran Red Door Real Estate WNY LLC
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
146
Median Age
35
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
30.1%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$26,785
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$41,771
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
55.9%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
5.4%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
% Population in Labor Force
41.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
188''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
48
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
19
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
43
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Seneca Babcock
Neighborhood mixed with residential and converted industrial buildings
Abbott McKinley
Cozy neighborhood close to downtown with walkable streets and well-equipped parks
Broadway-Fillmore
Lower eastside Buffalo urban neighborhood with diversity and renewal efforts
Cazenovia Park
Residential neighborhood near landmarks and local outlets
First Ward
One of Buffalo's oldest neighborhoods nestled against the Buffalo River
Kaisertown
Small neighborhood on the outskirts of Buffalo
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