Buffalo, NY, United States

Capital City

The Erie Canal may have put Buffalo on the map, but the city's brutal winters and high crime rates are the real facts to consider. With over 95 inches of snow annually and a police-to-citizen ratio higher than Minneapolis, Buffalo remains a gritty, industrial town struggling to shake its Rust Belt reputation. Its downtown has seen some revival, with 1,061 new housing units since 2010, but the city still faces a severe budget deficit from the previous administration. Overall, Buffalo is best suited for hardy, blue-collar types who can handle the weather and bureaucracy.