Evans is a calm lakeside town in the suburbs of Buffalo
The town of Evans rests on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, approximately 30 miles south of Buffalo. “It’s less developed than many of the other suburbs, which is nice,” says Shannon Sherman, a broker with Buffalo Boardwalk Real Estate who has lived in western New York her entire life. “Some areas are pretty rural, but you aren’t too far from amenities, and it’s just a short drive into the city.”
In addition to its relatively calm setting and commuter access, Evans also offers water recreation, small businesses and community events. Mild summer temperatures are a draw for seasonal residents, but winters tend to be quite snowy, so year-round residents prepare ahead and support each other through storms.
Evans recreation includes golf, kayaking and pickleball
Lake Erie is the community’s highlight, particularly in warmer months. Boaters can launch from the Sturgeon Point Marina, which also offers seasonal slip rentals. “The water’s pretty calm, so there’s a lot you can do,” Sherman says. “Some people go out on pontoon boats and relax, and others kayak or water ski.”
While parts of the shoreline are private, the town also manages a few waterfront areas. Lake Erie Beach Park has a public beach. Residents and their guests can use Evans Town Park, which features a sandy beach, as well as roller hockey and pickleball courts. Other recreation spots include the outdoor John K. Thompson Pool and Nettlecreek Park, which has a playground. The nine-hole Grandview Bay Golf Course is open to the public, and the nearby Evangola State Park provides opportunities for camping and hiking.
Angola, Derby and Highland-on-the-Lake offer distinct lifestyles
Evans is composed of several smaller areas, including the village of Angola, Derby and Highland-on-the-Lake, each with its own character. In Angola, tree-lined sidewalks and gridded streets lend an established feel, and some houses date back to the mid-1800s. Derby tends to be more rural, with ranch-style homes and custom builds on an acre or more of land. Highland-on-the-Lake offers a mix of seasonal cottages, multifamily options and upscale lakefront residences.
Pricing also varies greatly. Fixer-uppers and small cottages run from around $30,000 to $140,000. Condos and townhouses tend to sell between $160,000 and $390,000 — owners typically pay between $80 and $450 in monthly HOA fees. Most single-family home sales range between $140,000 and $700,000. There are also a few luxury waterfront estates, and one sold in 2025 for around $2.05 million. Some properties lie within designated flood zones, and lenders may require flood insurance.
Area schools include Highland Elementary and Lake Shore High
While the eastern portion of Evans falls under the Eden Central School District, most students are zoned for the Lake Shore Central School District — both districts earn a B rating from Niche. Some children attend Highland Elementary School, which gets a B-plus rating, followed by the B-minus-rated William G. Houston Middle School. Lake Shore Senior High School earns a B, and it offers extracurricular clubs for a variety of interests, including Dungeons & Dragons and trap shooting.
Local shops and seasonal dining line Route 5 in Evans
Evans’ main retail corridor is along state Route 5, where residents can find Tops grocery stores, pharmacies and hardware shops. Gift shops and seasonal farm stands also line the way. The town’s dining options include long-time landmarks like Connors Hot Dog Stand and Pasquale’s, known for its Italian comfort food. “We don’t do a lot of chain restaurants around here,” Sherman says. Some businesses, such as The Beach Club at Mickey Rats and Connors, close during the winter.
Evans’ holiday traditions and summertime music near the lake
Although Evans is busiest in summer, the town holds holiday gatherings year-round, including an Easter egg hunt and a December tree-lighting ceremony. Sturgeon Point Marina and The Beach Club at Mickey Rats each host live music during the summer. Locals may also notice tourist activity near Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff, and each fall, the Everhaunt Haunted House attracts visitors from up and down the East Coast.
Limited public transit, and I-90 connects to services in Buffalo
NFTA buses offer limited service to and from Buffalo, and the Shoreline Trail supports some pedestrian and bike travel. “It’s not really a walkable area, though. You’re going to need a car,” Sherman says. State Route 5 and Interstate 90 connect to Buffalo, which is about 30 miles north. Buffalo has several hospitals, including Erie County Medical Center, a Level I trauma center. Niagara Falls International Airport is about 45 miles away. Freight trains often pass through the community, which creates noise pollution and may cause traffic delays.
In Evans, neighbors often help each other through snowstorms
Locals know to expect several feet of snow in winter. “Most people have snow tires and all-wheel drive, and our towns are pretty on top of keeping the roads plowed, but when we get heavy storms, people prepare ahead and stay home,” Sherman says. “There’s a pretty big sense of community — we always have people checking on elderly neighbors, making sure that their furnace vents are clear so their furnaces don’t shut down. Everyone pitches in and helps their neighbors while they’re waiting for the town to dig them out.”
