This sure looks like winning to us ??

Of all the things that I’ve learned about Buffalo since moving here, two stand out.?

First: “Go Bills!” is more than an acceptable form of hello and goodbye – it’s encouraged.?

Second: Buffalonians are fierce defenders of and advocates for their city.?

So when a certain radio host from Baltimore made waves ahead of Sunday night’s football game by calling Buffalo a “city of losers,” I must admit that I cracked a smile.?

I understand a talk radio host made the remark, and hosts do get paid to be provocative and say outlandish things. But I also know that Buffalo, like a lot of major Rust Belt cities, doesn’t get the respect that it deserves.?

As someone who has only lived here for a few months, let me offer some outside perspective.?

With a cost of living 6% less than the national average, that means you can afford extra blue cheese for your wings, last-minute Buffalo Bills tickets and housing you don’t have to mortgage your future for.?

Or how about all the vibrant cultural assets you can take advantage of, such as Broadway shows at Shea's Performing Arts Center , concerts by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and world-class museums like the Buffalo AKG Art Museum .?

And that's just the quality of life.?

The growth of our startup scene, entrepreneurial spirit and embrace of tech and the people behind it is where we are undeniably winning.?

CoverRight , HeronAI , Rarebird, Inc. , Spiky.AI and FoodNerd , the Buffalo-based fan favorite amongst this year’s 43North competition winners, all became our office mates two weeks ago on the 24th floor of Seneca One .

Beyond improving the quality of coffee in our office and the nutrient density of our snack foods, they've received an immediate intro to how welcoming this community is.?

“It was a very quick connection, and you don’t get that kind of actionable introduction from many other places,” Spiky.ai founder Burak Aksar, PhD told The Buffalo News. “I think the onboarding process is top notch. Everyone is trying to do everything they can to help you. They want to make you feel part of the family.”?

We even have our first homegrown unicorn. Before Baltimore, might I add.?

But don’t just take my word for it. There are countless other stories of why Buffalonians – whether they’re from here or transplants like me – continue to choose to call this place home. (And for those of you who aren’t here yet, Be in Buffalo can show you why you belong by clicking here.)

There are trail-blazing students at prestigious colleges and recent graduates who have found their groove personally and professionally, as well as those who are opening the door to tech opportunities later in life through one of our area’s many training programs.?

They all sound like a bunch of winners to me.?

– Jeffrey Botteron

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