"I've got an old mule and her name is Sal /Fifteen years on the Erie Canal /She's a good old worker and a good old pal / Fifteen years on the Erie Canal /We've hauled some barges in our day / Filled with lumber, coal, and hay /And every inch of the way we know. From Albany to Buffalo." (- Thomas S. Allen, "Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal")
Having covered every inch of the nearby Erie Canal, that ole mule definitely knew its way around North Tonawanda, New York. This famous landmark runs along the citys southern and eastern borders. North Tonawanda is home to diverse food traditions that should help you get through the rough winters. If you're looking to live in a perpetual honeymoon, North Tonawanda is only 11 miles away from the famous Niagara Falls. Perfect for you daredevils considering a trip in a barrel over the water. Also close by is the metropolis of Buffalo, clocking in at just over 14 miles to the south.
Snow shovel? Check
"I've got an old mule and her name is Sal /Fifteen years on the Erie Canal /She's a good old worker and a good old pal / Fifteen years on the Erie Canal /We've hauled some barges in our day / Filled with lumber, coal, and hay /And every inch of the way we know. From Albany to Buffalo." (- Thomas S. Allen, "Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal")
Having covered every inch of the nearby Erie Canal, that ole mule definitely knew its way around North Tonawanda, New York. This famous landmark runs along the citys southern and eastern borders. North Tonawanda is home to diverse food traditions that should help you get through the rough winters. If you're looking to live in a perpetual honeymoon, North Tonawanda is only 11 miles away from the famous Niagara Falls. Perfect for you daredevils considering a trip in a barrel over the water. Also close by is the metropolis of Buffalo, clocking in at just over 14 miles to the south.
Settling In
Snow shovel? Check. Mittens? Check. Kitty litter to sprinkle on the ice? Check. Carrots for snowmen's noses? Check. Now you're ready to look at places for rent in North Tonawanda. With the Great Lakes Ontario to the north and Erie to the south, the area is prone to lots of lake-effect snow and the cold temperatures that come along with it.
One cool thing about living in North Tonawanda is you get to say you're living in New York without paying New York prices. Yeah, New York City may be several hundred miles away, but when you're traveling out of state, no one knows the difference. New York is just New York to them. One-bedroom apartments in North Tonawanda can start at below-average rates. There aren't many large apartment-community rental options, but there are a number of private landlords. Prepare to pay up to one months rent as a deposit, and come with the usual proof of income and personal references--not from your mother, of course.
Local Neighborhoods
While the city's land area is only about 10 square miles, there are certain areas you might want to pick from, although it lacks the distinct neighborhood sections of a bigger city.
Gateway Park: Erie Canal is only a stones throw away from this area, providing water views six months of the year, and ice views the other six months. This area is also convenient to walking and hiking trails.
Walck Road: If you want a more rural setting, check out the western end of this street, away from the water. There are houses along this stretch in a wooded setting.
Payne Park: Convenient to the lake and also convenient to major retail areas, you'll be close to all you really need: water and shopping!
What to Do
Now that you're moved into your rental apartment in North Tonawanda, you're probably scratching your head, wondering what exactly there is to do in this upstate city that many have never heard of. Believe it or not, there are plenty of interesting attractions, including North Tonawanda City Market. This farmers market is open three days a week year-round, selling typical market stuff like fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, plants, and dairy products. Most of the items are locally grown. How that works in the winter months is a bit of a mystery, but that's part of the fun of shopping there.
Every small city's got one. That random little niche museum covering a topic or item most people never think about. In North Tonawanda, its the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, which is listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Sites. If you're prone to dizziness, just make sure to take a motion sickness pill before going.
North Tonawanda boasts two theaters. Ghostlight Theatre offers entertainment, community-style, throughout the year. If acting is in your blood, you can audition for one of the shows. You never know--it could be your big break. Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center was built in 1926 and houses an old organ named Mighty Wurlitzer. While that right there should be enough to make you want to visit, they also host a variety of activities through the year, including a summer film series and regular concerts.
Many residents of North Tonawanda commute to Buffalo for work, which is accessible by I-190. DeGraff Memorial Hospital offers standard medical care options for those failed ice skating attempts. And, if all else fails, there's always Buffalo, next door.
