Amherst, New York

The historic City of Amherst, New York is known for a number of firsts in the area. More than two hundred years ago, settler John Thompson built a modest log cabin structure at the intersection of Main Street and Oak Grove Drive. This home, known now as the Scott-Evans home, has since become recognized as the first home ever built in Erie County. Amherst was also host of the first-ever recorded marriage in Erie, bringing together Timothy Hopkins and Nancy Ann Kerr.

Amherst’s two-century-long appeal to families and residents seeking a new life away from the hustle and bustle of the East Coast continues today. With a population of just more than 115,000, Amherst can offer many amenities afforded in larger cities, while also providing plenty of room to breathe, with one of the lower population densities of any city in New York State.

The town of Amherst became officially recognized in 1818, named after Sir Jeffrey Amherst, commander of the British troops in America before the Revolutionary War. By 1820, the town supported less than 800 residents.

The town grew northward following the completion of the Erie Canal through North Amherst in 1825, making way both for new trade opportunities as well as many new immigrants from Europe. The diverse array of European cultures is distinctive throughout the historic portions of town, with flavors of German, Italian, Irish, Polish, English and French cultures all intermingled.

Residents of Amherst buck national trends for the premium they place on education, with nearly three-fourths of the adult population claiming at least a four-year or advanced degree. This is also reflected in the above-average median income of Amherst residents, despite median home prices being about half of the state average.

All of that disposable income would explain the vibrant retail industry in Amherst, with more than 500 different retail outlets city-wide. And for those who long for a state of bigger city nightlife, Buffalo is less than ten miles down the road.

The hamlet of East Amherst is a relatively newer community which shares real estate with nearby Clarence. For those who desire the proximity and culture afforded by a colonial-era village, while benefiting from the amenities of a younger suburban community, East Amherst strikes a perfect balance.

For those with little ones to look after, the designation of Amherst as the second safest city in America, based on a 2005 study, is priceless. With a top-tier public school system, a wide selection of public parks and several public and private institutions of higher education all within a few dozen miles, Amherst is the definition of idyllic American family life.

Come visit the city of Amherst for the weekend, but don’t be surprised if you never leave. We’d be proud to take you on a tour of the many historic neighborhoods in town, as well as the newer, growing communities in East Amherst. No matter what you’re looking for, Amherst is a great place to call home.

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