Silver Creek offers peaceful living along Lake Erie
Silver Creek is a small village set along the southern shore of Lake Erie in Chautauqua County. The community offers easy access to recreational destinations like Sunset Bay Beach and Lake Erie State Park, attracting homebuyers who are looking for a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle. Other draws include local businesses that cover daily essentials, as well as proximity to Buffalo, the area’s main metro hub, and vineyards in the Concord Grape Belt region. “The water always attracts people,” says Louis Dispenza, Realtor at Midtown Realty with over 20 years of experience. “People come here because of Lake Erie, and it’s mostly year-round residents here. People like that everything is so close, you’ve got parks, wineries and the water.”
Walkable neighborhoods with mature trees and waterfront views
The village’s landscape gently rolls with low hills, with winding streets that bend and curve along the natural terrain. Neighborhoods are lined with mature trees and sidewalks, offering a walkable setting shaded by leafy canopies. Homes here often date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, showcasing a variety of architectural styles, including Craftsman bungalows, Workers Cottages, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style builds. Prices generally fall between $100,000 and $400,000, with modest yard space for detached garages, storage sheds and grassy lawns. “People who are buying homes here aren’t eager for lawn jobs, they want to be on the water,” Dispenza says. “So even if most waterfront properties have smaller lots, homeowners don’t mind it.” The county is prone to severe weather conditions, and some properties may require flood insurance.
Public spaces connect residents to nature and the lake
The village has several sports fields, tennis courts and boat launches. George Borello Park has a sandy beach with fishing and picnicking areas. Paddlers can take their kayaks or canoes to the village’s boat launch on Jackson Street, which has direct access to Lake Erie. As one of the Great Lakes bordering Canada, the lake offers water activities like fishing, boating and swimming. Less than 20 miles away, Lake Erie State Park has areas for disc golf, camps and water sports, as well as nature trails for hiking and skiing.
Shopping and dining places around Central Avenue
A handful of businesses line along Central Avenue. Ellie's Deli has classic eats like pizza and subs, and Villaggio Italiano serves homestyle Italian-American food. Drift Restaurant, located in Hideaway Bay Resort, offers a waterfront dining experience with American fare. Groceries and essentials are covered at Tops Friendly Markets, Save A Lot and Dollar General. The nearest Walmart is about 10 miles away in Fredonia.
Local wineries and festivals that celebrate the region's wine history
As one of the communities in the Concord Grape Belt wine region, Silver Creek celebrates the area’s grape-growing legacy with the annual Festival of Grapes. The festivity is held at Village Park every fall, with four days of entertainment, food, games, beer and wine tastings, grape stomping and a parade. Silver Creek is also close to many local vineyards like Merritt Estate Winery, all of which offer wine tastings and festive events.
Public schools in Silver Creek
The community is served by Silver Creek Central School District. Students may start school at Silver Creek Elementary School, which has a C-plus grade from Niche. Silver Creek Middle School gets a B-minus, and Silver Creek High School earns a B. The high school offers classes in business, computer science, journalism and creative writing.
Distance to Buffalo and Dunkirk
New York Route 5 and U.S. Route 20 pass through the village, both of which connect to other communities along the coast of Lake Erie. Downtown Buffalo, the region’s largest retail and job hub, is about 30 miles northeast, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport is approximately 40 miles away. Brooks Memorial Hospital is about 10 miles west in Dunkirk.
