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Name: Vinny Rondinelli

Occupation: Real estate

Residence: Buffalo

What changes can be made in the city to encourage residents to stay? I would say cut taxes. If you cut taxes more jobs will come to the town and more people will stay. It’s an economy thing.

Have you ever thought about leaving the area? I’ve thought about it and I have, but I’ve always come back and I’ve always had the intention of coming back. I’ve lived in Portland, Oregon, Berkeley, California, Honolulu, Hawaii and Denver, Colorado. I ran around the entire West Coast and there’s no place like home.

What makes the South so much more appealing today than it was in, say, the 1950s? There are a lot more jobs down there; people are going down and dealing with less tax burdens and intrusion into business. Businesses go there and people follow the business. But I don’t think the jobs are really the best for the people; those corporate jobs tend to exploit people.

Is there an upside to Buffalo’s loss of population? More elbow room. We have more room to move and more than enough places to park.

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Name: Erin Wilson

Occupation: Student

Residence: Buffalo

What changes can be made in the city to encourage residents to stay? Just graduating from college, the city doesn’t have employment opportunities for students. There are bigger, more progressive cities that have more up-to-date and up-and-coming areas of study. We are too set in our ways and all the jobs here are for people who have had years and years of experience. Young graduates simply do not have that.

Have you ever thought about leaving the area? Yes, I want to move away this summer, I want a change of scenery, mountains, oceans and warmer weather. I want to live somewhere where people are more motivated to do stuff. There should be more things to do than go out and drink, and the weather shouldn’t be an issue.

What makes the South so much more appealing today than it was in, say, the 1950s? I don’t know, comparative wise, but me and my friends have noticed that in the South the weather is nice all the time and there is always something to do. In Buffalo for eight months out of the year people just hibernate.

Is there an upside to Buffalo’s loss of population? As far as college students are concerned, because it’s not a place where people want to live, housing is cheap and you can afford to live on your own and find a job to pay your bills while your in college. You also get to know all your neighbors, which is cool.

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Name: Daniel Peck

Occupation: Gardener

Residence: Buffalo

What changes can be made in the city to encourage residents to stay? I think crime is a major factor in the city. Better police protection would make more people want to stay here. The infrastructure needs to be built up.

Have you ever thought about leaving the area? Crime is the major factor for me. I live on the East Side. I had to testify for a shooting, and I don’t understand why police officers and firemen are being laid off. I always wonder if I should stay for even one more summer because I feel my life is at risk.

What makes the South so much more appealing today than it was in, say, the 1950s? I have no idea. I love the change of seasons, so those that are moving down South are really just a bunch of wimps.

Is there an upside to Buffalo’s loss of population? No, it’s a sign of the decay of our cities. If the cities can’t make it then forget about it, the country is rotten to the core.