From Ralph Wahlstrom:

We moved to the Buffalo area nearly ten years ago. We came from northern Wisconsin and, almost by default, ended up buying a home just outside of Hamburg. We had property, a few good friends, a good school system—we had a life.

It took us seven years to realize we didn’t quite belong in the suburbs, so we bought a house off of the Elmwood strip and moved, all five of us, two cats, a greyhound and a goldfish, into the city. Our friends were, and still are, shocked. No wonder. The press is full of the bad stuff that happens in the city. Why would anybody want to live in such a place? It’s what the media doesn’t broadcast that makes Buffalo the place we want to live.

It’s Mark and Laura next door, Krista and Larry on the corner, Sharon, Darrel and Dawn, Dave,and Joelle, and their children.

It’s living on a block that my wife calls Sesame Street because of the diversity and, friendliness, and life.

It’s being able to walk to the Co-op, Spot Coffee, Talking Leaves, Brodos, and so many other marvelous places.

It’s living three blocks from my bank and our dog’s favorite pet store.

It’s being just a few blocks from the West Side neighborhoods of immigrants and salsa, and hip hop, and rock, jazz music and, of course, Dibbles Hardware.

It’s seeing a Shakespeare play one week, Bob Dylan the next, and the Dalai Lama the next.

It’s being Irish, Polish, Puerto Rican, German, Italian, Greek, African – it’s being in this world.

Most of all, it’s knowing that Buffalo is a city of dreamers, a city with hope. It has to be. Consider the disappointments Buffalo has weathered over the years, the broken promises, the no-goals and wide rights, the shortsighted, greedy, corrupt leaders, and the simple incompetence. Everyone can think of examples. Yet, Buffalonians are some of the most optimistic people in the world. And we have reason to be hopeful.

First, this is simply a beautiful part of the country. I’m still amazed at the lushness of the landscape. I take long bike rides through the countryside and, at times, I find myself stopping because I’ve come upon something, some view or creature, that leaves me breathless, and I just want to tell somebody. Few places can match the natural beauty of Western New York.

The manmade part is almost nature’s equal. The architecture is breathtaking, from City Hall and the Richardson Psychiatric Center to the Darwin Martin House and homes along any street.

Buffalo is a city of art and theater and sports and music and learning and restaurants and festivals. It’s a place where I can visit a farm market, see a ball game, go to a play, and check out some of the best blues in the world, and all in a day. Mostly, it’s a city of people, really good people - like I said, a city of dreamers.