how is Rochester? Im considering moving there from NE

[Logic]

I grew up in Rochester.

As others have said, there are a bunch of suburbs that comprise the greater Rochester area. Many of them are quite beautiful. Almost no one is talking about the actual city or Rochester when they discuss "Rochester", but rather the collection of suburbs.

Fairport, Penfield, Brighton, Pittsford, and if you like small towns and acreage, even Hilton and Hamlin are all nice places to live.

Like Buffalo, Rochester has some of the nicest people you'll ever meet, a thriving food and beer culture, a love for sports, and some cool architecture and history. Like Buffalo (but to a slightly lesser extent), it also has long and sometimes harsh winters.

Altogether, in my opinion, there's enough to do from a food, drink, culture, nature, people, architecture and sports perspective to make Rochester a nice place to live, particularly if you find the right township/neighborhood to live in. So long as the weather aspects don't bother you, it's got a lot going for it. 

Oh, and its proximity to day trips and weekend trips like the finger lakes, Canada, etc are also plusses!

 

Edited August 5 by Logic

[Jauronimo]

5 minutes ago, Logic said:

I grew up in Rochester.

As others have said, there are a bunch of suburbs that comprise the greater Rochester area. Many of them are quite beautiful. Almost no one is talking about the actual city or Rochester when they discuss "Rochester", but rather the collection of suburbs.

Fairport, Penfield, Brighton, Pittsford, and if you like small towns and acreage, even Hilton and Hamlin are all nice places to live.

Like Buffalo, Rochester has some of the nicest people you'll ever meet, a thriving food and beer culture, a love for sports, and some cool architecture and history. Like Buffalo (but to a slightly lesser extent), it also has long and sometimes harsh winters.

Altogether, in my opinion, there's enough to do from a food, drink, culture, nature, people, architecture and sports perspective to make Rochester a nice place to live, particularly if you find the right township/neighborhood to live in. So long as the weather aspects don't bother you, it's got a lot going for it. 

Oh, and its proximity to day trips and weekend trips like the finger lakes, Canada, etc are also plusses!

 

Southwedge, East/Park/University Ave between Alexander and Winton, North Winton Neighborhood, Merchants and Culver, Public Market are all nice places to live that are very much in the city of Rochester.  Many of these neighborhoods are walkable and at the very least have a few bars and restaurants you can get to without issue.  I have zero concerns about safety in any of the neighborhoods mentioned above unless you are actively involved in some aspect of the drug trade.  Between myself and friends, we lived in all of these areas during our 20s and early 30s.

[Draconator]

28 minutes ago, Pete said:

Im 56, in good shape, and currently live in Fall River Mass

Pics?

[Augie]

4 minutes ago, Draconator said:

Pics?

 

This is the Lizzie Borden house from Fall River, a must see. 

 

.

Edited August 5 by Augie

[Einstein]

34 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

Southwedge, East/Park/University Ave between Alexander and Winton, North Winton Neighborhood, Merchants and Culver, Public Market are all nice places to live that are very much in the city of Rochester.

Disagree. Park Ave is slowly becoming a dump, and south wedge became a dump about during COVID and never recovered. Merchants and Culver has donuts delight and not much else.

The places you mentioned were wonderful 20 years ago. Not so much now.

Pittsford, Fairport, Penfield is where you want to be now and in the future. Fairport has everything most would need: walkable canal, ice cream shops, coffee shops, 5 minute right to Bills camp, and a fun atmosphere in the summer at night.

 

Edited August 5 by Einstein

[Simon]

22 hours ago, Pete said:

Hey, I live in Massachusetts now, and rents are crazy high right now.  Im splitting from my live in GF now, and will no longer be splitting rent and bills.  Rochester is much cheaper housing than NE.  It is easy for me to transfer my job to Rochester.  So my goal is to work in Rochester, have a short work commute.  And to get Bills season tickets.  I grew up in Buffalo and I love the city.  Is Rochester similar?

 

The only benefit you're gaining is going to a handful of overpriced football games per year. 

I'd focus on the other 350+ days/year, and if you're moving anyway, head somewhere out West where you can hike, bike, backpack, kayak, etc in spectacular environments that aren't gray and brown 6 months out of the year.

[Draconator]

1 minute ago, Simon said:

head somewhere out West where you can hike, bike, backpack, kayak, etc in spectacular environments that aren't gray and brown 6 months out of the year.

Pete, as much as I love the Western New York area, Simon is not wrong. I lived in California for 13 years, and there were 13 years where I could golf 12 months of the year, work outside without a bulky winter jacket 12 months out of the year, etc. If your job lets you, take Simon's suggestion and head West young man. (You're 56. I'm 58. Respect your elders). 

[Pete]

41 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

This is the Lizzie Borden house from Fall River, a must see. 

 

.

I walked by that earlier today.  I don't live too far away.  Chris Herren and Lizzy Borden are the most famous Fall River natives.  Greg Gagne and great hockey player John something, plays for NY I believe, also are from FR.  

 

Ive heard many locals tell me about meeting Robin Murphy, and they say she was so scary and intimidating in HS.  She is a genius, and most people believe, was the mastermind behind this scary story.  Im surprised a movie hasnt been made about it 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_River_murders

https://turnto10.com/news/local/fall-river-woman-convicted-in-satanic-killings-asks-for-parole

 

My old job, I traveled all over RI and most of Massachusetts.  No matter what town, people would laugh when I say Fall River.  They think its bad. I always say "Its not like we are Lowell" lol

 

The joke is that Fall River is the armpit of the Cape.  That joke is for geography fans

Edited August 5 by Pete

[Ned Flanders]

Spent all my formative years in Rochester.  As I always say, it's a good place to be "from."  During the 60s and 70s, your father and your friend's fathers worked at Kodak and the area thrived in the post-war boom...when I left in 1985, the Big Yellow Box employed 55,000 Flower City residents...now it's down to a trickle of that but Rochester has seemed to bounce back relatively well from the glory days of manufacturing.

 

I keep in tune to some of the community pages on social, and as others have said, look to the eastern suburbs for a better, and safer, quality of life. 

[Pete]

2 hours ago, Simon said:

 

The only benefit you're gaining is going to a handful of overpriced football games per year. 

I'd focus on the other 350+ days/year, and if you're moving anyway, head somewhere out West where you can hike, bike, backpack, kayak, etc in spectacular environments that aren't gray and brown 6 months out of the year.

Thank you for some good advice Simon.  I do love all those activities.  I can transfer to many cities, world wide even, with my job.  I checked out NH and VT, and we arent located there.  Rochester is closest to Buffalo.  I need 4 seasons, and snow in my life(I know in WNY thats Be Careful What You Wish For LOL).  No thank you to Hot and Humid.  Summer is my least favorite season.

 

Being able to go Bills and Sabres games will be huge for me. Bisons and Americans too.   Im pumped for Buffalo being my local TV and Radio.  Ill be happy biking, running, cross country skiing the Erie canal, skating, tobagoning.  Bills gear on a woman is like lingerie to me.  Im not being able to split bills and rent anymore, so the cost of living in Rochester area is very appealing to me.  I work 4:00 am til 12:30, and I will need a part time job in edition, so I wont have much time for big activities.  I have 8,000 albums, DJ setup and a Peloton, and yoga mat- so Im happy wherever 

My Father says my place looks like New York Public Library.  Most of my books are non fiction.  So being snowed in for a week or more sounds like Heaven to me!

Edited August 5 by Pete

[Jauronimo]

2 hours ago, Einstein said:

Disagree. Park Ave is becoming a slowly becoming dump, and south wedge became a dump about during COVID and never recovered. Merchants and Culver have donuts delight and not much else.

The places you mentioned were wonderful 20 years ago. Not so much now.

Pittsford, Fairport, Penfield is where you want to be now and in the future. Fairport has everything most would need: walkable canal, ice cream shops, coffee shops, 5 minute right to Bills camp, and a fun atmosphere in the summer at night.

*Everything most would need if they are a family of 4 or an empty nester.

[PromoTheRobot]

On 8/4/2025 at 4:25 PM, Pete said:

Hey, I live in Massachusetts now, and rents are crazy high right now.  Im splitting from my live in GF now, and will no longer be splitting rent and bills.  Rochester is much cheaper housing than NE.  It is easy for me to transfer my job to Rochester.  So my goal is to work in Rochester, have a short work commute.  And to get Bills season tickets.  I grew up in Buffalo and I love the city.  Is Rochester similar?

 

I lived there from 1990 to 1994 (Greece NY) and I visit frequently for family, so here's my take.

 

Rochester is overall a nicer place than Buffalo. More nice neighborhoods. Wealthier suburbs. It's far more corporate than Buffalo. Xerox, Bauch & Lomb and Kodak are a big presence. It's also the optics hub of the USA. My brother-in-law's company does a lot of custom lens work. It's pricier than Buffalo but dirt cheap compared to Boston. 

 

The weather is dreary most of the year. But the summers are great and there are beaches on Lake Ontario to enjoy. If you like boating there are bays like Irondequoit and Sodus. There's AAA baseball (Red Wings) and a nice downtown stadium. AHL hockey (Americans) and NLL lacrosse (Knighthawks.) There are several top-notch golf courses including Oak Hill that hosts a US open.

 

There are lots of terrific restaurants. There are also many ethnic enclaves that have their own stores where you can get amazing sausages and whatnot. There is a terrific Farmers Market in the middle of the city with great meats and breads, etc.

 

Crimewise it has it's rough parts, especially just west of downtown. But it's no worse than your typical city. There is also a thing about being east of the Genesee River versus west of it. The river bisects the city and the east side is considered preferable to the western half. The city has the nickname "Smugtown." 

 

If you don't mind that Western NY weather, I highly recommend Rochester. It's only 65 miles from Buffalo.

Edited August 5 by PromoTheRobot

[Pete]

11 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

 

 

There are lots of terrific restaurants. There are also many ethnic enclaves that have their own stores where you can get amazing sausages and whatnot. There is a terrific Farmers Market in the middle of the city with great meats and breads, etc.

 

 

All great advice, much appreciated!  This is heaven to me, and one of my favorite passions!  I love Farm to Table, I love Organic, I love new flavors and exploring exotic cuisines!  I was a Chef much of my life, and I often shopped Farmers Markets, and I always explore!

[BillsPride12]

3 hours ago, Pete said:

I walked by that earlier today.  I don't live too far away.  Chris Herren and Lizzy Borden are the most famous Fall River natives.  Greg Gagne and great hockey player John something, plays for NY I believe, also are from FR.  

 

Ive heard many locals tell me about meeting Robin Murphy, and they say she was so scary and intimidating in HS.  She is a genius, and most people believe, was the mastermind behind this scary story.  Im surprised a movie hasnt been made about it 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_River_murders

https://turnto10.com/news/local/fall-river-woman-convicted-in-satanic-killings-asks-for-parole

 

My old job, I traveled all over RI and most of Massachusetts.  No matter what town, people would laugh when I say Fall River.  They think its bad. I always say "Its not like we are Lowell" lol

 

The joke is that Fall River is the armpit of the Cape.  That joke is for geography fans

How big of a deal is Chris Herren in Fall River?  I know his NBA career really didn't pan out too well but the 30 for 30 about him was very interesting and I got the vibe he had that hometown hero kinda thing going for him there.

[BBills]

Head West. Rochester is not good.  

[Bad Things]

4 hours ago, Einstein said:

. Merchants and Culver has donuts delight and not much else.


 

 

Wow, it's good to hear that Donuts Delight is still in business.

It was a family tradition to go there every Sunday after church.

[PromoTheRobot]

3 hours ago, Pete said:

All great advice, much appreciated!  This is heaven to me, and one of my favorite passions!  I love Farm to Table, I love Organic, I love new flavors and exploring exotic cuisines!  I was a Chef much of my life, and I often shopped Farmers Markets, and I always explore!

 

I think you will be most impressed with the Rochester market.

[Einstein]

2 hours ago, Bad Things said:

 

Wow, it's good to hear that Donuts Delight is still in business.

It was a family tradition to go there every Sunday after church.

 

Yep. And it merged with a salvatore’s pizzeria. So it’s one-stop shop for donuts and pizza.

[Fr. Jerk]

Won't you be my neighbor?  Lake/ Lyell Ave. Holla atcha boy, ya dig?

Edited August 6 by Fr. Jerk

[Pete]

10 hours ago, BillsPride12 said:

How big of a deal is Chris Herren in Fall River?  I know his NBA career really didn't pan out too well but the 30 for 30 about him was very interesting and I got the vibe he had that hometown hero kinda thing going for him there.

He was huge back in the day- I hear stories.  Now hes cleaned up, hes married, and he is a counseler the next town over. His brother Michael is an idiot meathead trying to make a living off Chris's talent.  He has this stupid local radio show 

9 hours ago, Bad Things said:

 

Wow, it's good to hear that Donuts Delight is still in business.

It was a family tradition to go there every Sunday after church.

A peanut stick doughnut is a delicious WNY staple!  Ive never seen that doughnut anywhere else, and that is the best doughnut I have ever had!