Featured Market: New York: Western & Central

This market includes Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and surrounding areas.

Nestled in the far western corner of New York near Lake Erie and the Niagara River, Buffalo is the second-largest city in the state. It's considered to be an economic center for the region, though it is also sometimes known as the "City of Trees" — sonamed for its abundance of parks.

Rochester was recently ranked sixth on the list of Most Livable Cities* in the U.S., due in large part to the quality of life it offers. It's home to a number of Fortune 1000 companies, noted universities, recreation centers, festivals and cultural institutions.

As the economic and educational hub of Central New York, many professions in Syracuse are linked to education. The city is also home to noted jazz festivals, over 1,000 acres of parks, and a variety of museums and galleries.

Fast Facts:

• Buffalo was home to an important hub for the "Underground Railroad"
• Syracuse and Rochester both belong to the Finger Lakes region — a major tourist destination replete with glacier-modified lakes and waterfalls
• The Finger Lakes area is the largest wine-producing region in New York, and is home to the Thousand Islands region.