Rochester is pretty good... mostly - 3/19/2024

Stay out of the rougher patches, and you'll find a pretty solid city. I live within close proximity to it, and the crime from it DOES rub off on us (auto theft), but Rochester has cool stuff. Use common sense, lock your car, probably use something that locks the wheel, keep your wits about you, yadda yadda. Just don't do anything dumb and stay in the safer parts, and you'll be fine!

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It's not perfect, but we love it here - 12/28/2022

Rochester isn't perfect (I'll detail pros and cons), but it's certainly perfect for me and my husband. We've lived here for 4 years and are getting ready to purchase our first home here. Pros: -Affordable housing (you can still find beautiful/historic homes under 200k) -Decent and affordable public transit if you live in the city (or immediately outside of the city) and a great city for bike commuting -All four seasons -Traffic is not a concern compared to other cities like the DMV area or NYC -It's the perfect size - I truly believe mid-sized cities are up and coming (it's not too big and overwhelming like NYC but not too small where you're bored all the time) -So many festivals, farmers markets, flea markets, etc -So much history and pride in this city -Proximity to Canadian border makes for fun and quick weekend trips -Climate Haven - Rochester, like many other cities in the Northern US (Madison WI, Chicago IL, Buffalo NY, etc) is in the goldilocks zone for the future of climate change Cons: -Crime - like others have said, the crime is very concerning and is something we're always mindful of but thankfully we've never had any scary experiences in the 4 yrs we've lived here -Not many options for townhomes and condos if you're not interested in purchasing a single-family home -Not many options for supermarkets outside of Wegmans. It obviously dominates the city but it would be nice to have other decent options (ex: Whole Foods) -So much snow! Our winters can be ROUGH to get through and honestly has made me consider moving a few times lol, but the pros outweigh the cons. The upside is all of the winter activities and our proximity to ski/mountain resorts like Ellicottville and Bristol Mountain. That's all I could think of right now! But I highly recommend visiting Rochester for yourself to see all it has to offer! We love the Flower City!

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Scenic city with lots to do - 11/11/2021

Rochester is a scenic city with so much to offer in terms of things to do and having 4 seasons, except the summer is more like a long spring!! It's a relatively unknown city that is being revitalized with lots of money being pumped in from the government. Lots of snow but not as cold as it should be (southern tier and eastern part of nys is colder!!) because of proximity to great lakes and the finger lakes. Love living here!!!

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"Rottenchester" lives up to it's nickname - 10/10/2021

The crime rate is out of control at least 1 homocide a week if not daily, the CIty government is corrupt-the Mayor recently resigned so she wouldn't go to prison and her husband is facing gun and drug charges; not to mention she put all her relatives in positions within the city; the police department has been neutered by the previously mentioned mayor; welfare fraud is rampant, traffic is miserable due to the never ending road construction, the economy is a slowly sinking ship - even Wegmans, the flagship store of Rochester is floundering with prices being raised daily and quality going down; what was once a beautiful, culturally advanced city is becoming a wasteland of crime with no punishment.

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If you think planet Hoth is a nice place to live. - 1/30/2021

Just moved out of rochester after being there 9 years. If you have a decent job lined up already and can afford to live in the east side suburbs thats your best bet. The inner city is crime laden, horrible school graduation rates. Ignorant people. Lifers that have never left the area that think there isnt anything better out there. The food is crap. Its so bad, they are only known for a “garbage plate” which is just random dinner food sloshed on a plate. Pizza, forget it. There are a few Joes Brooklyn around and thats your best bet if you want Anything that tastes close to a decent slice you would get in the ny metro area. Chinese, you will hunt and hunt for a decent place...good luck. Tom wahls burger joint is the only thing i would like to hit up on a visit back. Upscale restaurants are few and far. Id give them a B- on average. The real ass of rochester are the taxes and weather. You might think its not that bad in terms of total snow fall. But what you have to figure in is the constant lake effect snow you get that lightly covers everything most days of the deep winter. You cant even plan for it because the bands are so low they dont show up on radar! Imagine, a little snow and dangerous driving every damn day! Oh yeah, since its 20 degrees all the time, the snow never melts. Or how about the fact that you dont have a fall season or a spring? Late sept hits and in oct the leaves begin to drop. You stare at the lawn waiting to rake your leaves and beat the snow. But then, before all the leaves fall, most years, you get 6 inches of snow on your leaves and you are screwed. Late oct is winter, period. Then in the spring you are expecting things to come to life at the end of march. But winter drags its large balls across your face until late may! You get a few good weeks before the lake humidity sets in and begins to rust all your tools in your garage if you dont soak them in wd 40. Oh, and its a proven fact that sunshine effects your well being, your mood and overall happiness. Well there is no sun in rochester. Constant cloud cover and haze from the damn lakes. If you have depression issues, you will kill yourself if you move here. And the taxes are just as high as NY metro. So the only advantage really is that housing costs are lower. You get more for your $$. But in the end, you blow that money on car repairs from all the damn rust on the roads. Get ready to replace your brake lines, ac lines, fuel lines on the regular. Rochester is not the cultural mecca the locals may have you believe. Even if you are a snow person, its not like there is a Ski slope down the street and all the good snowmobile trails are further east in the syracuse area. Overall, i dont think rochester is un livable, but you have to mentally prepare yourself for a generally uncomfortable existence.

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I hated Rotten/Roachester NY - 11/8/2020

I’ve lived in Rochester my whole life until I couldn’t take it anymore so I moved. Rochester used to be a place of great opportunity, not anymore. The lack of jobs, nothing to do (but to go to Wegmans and the Lilac Festival), increased crime, rude people, and the further deterioration of the city under Lovely Warren’s watch has made it a very crappy place to live. My friends and family that live there now are thinking of moving as many businesses have closed down with the opening up of crappy jobs because of COVID19. My cousin had to get a remote job out of town as there aren’t any jobs in Rottenchester. The only jobs available are working at a factory, grocery stores, gas station, running your own business, or freelancing. People were knifing each other down for the few and crappy race to the bottom jobs left when I was in Rochester. I was part of a young adult group there and everyone was complaining and whining how Rochester sucks. Most left that year and we were puzzled when people left better places to live at that dump. I now live in Baltimore, Maryland. OMG, the opportunities here are amazing! It’s a great place for families and young adults. Rochester is terrible for young adults and new graduates. I’m near Washington D.C., so there’s plenty of jobs and things to do. You can easily make six figures living here and the place is breathtaking. Baltimore and Washington D.C. have affordable apartments now and are prospering during that pandemic so this is a great time to move here, if you live in Rochester. If you are considering moving to Rottenchester, DON’T! There are way better places to live and Rochester is not it.

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History and Beautiful City with Culture - 6/8/2020

I have lived in the Rochester city area for 8 years. Moved from Texas and I love it here. The large amount of snow is really a plus for me and it hasn't lost it's novelty (I appreciate the snow more and more every year!). And the summers are really cool compared to most anywhere else in the country. With an interesting and unique city history, Rochester had a huge, famous nursery in the 1800s (hence the Flower City after initially being the Flour City before the midwest took over the mill industry). Thus, it's possible to grow really beautiful gardens here with the rich soil, temperate climate, and dependable rain from Lake Ontario. The arts and music scene here (both classical and popular music) is fantastic, and appreciation and knowledge for the arts among Rochesterians is unique compared to the rest of the United States. The houses in the city are historic and very, very affordable. The restaurant scene in terms of variety and options are endless. And with Wegmans in every area of the city....it's easy living in Rochester.

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HOW I LOVE ROCHESTER NY - 5/21/2020

I lived in Rochester NY for 4 years never no crime in Rochester just maybe 1 murder a week or half and the other place I lived was Newark NJ I got 4 cars stolen from my dad and I lived there 3 years I never got no car stolen in Rochester. so Rochester NY is a historic beautiful downtown Rochester really has cheap houses you should move if you live in Buffalo NY that nastywastland.

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Ok - 4/16/2020

I lived in Rochester. It is a pretty nice place. Its very safe. When we moved here, my daughter was starting seventh grade. She wears a hijab (head scarf) she was worried that she would get bullied because of it, but I told her not to worry. She did get bullied. She informed the principal, and the kids got suspended. That only made things worse. The bullying got so bad that me and my husband decided to move her to a new school. She was treated better there.

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Great place if you can enjoy all seasons - 5/1/2019

Moved here for a job at a defense contractor in 2017. One Negative - you have to find a way to make the winter a positive - get the right gear and and outdoor winter activity. After that the area is great. Low traffic, great waterway access, up and coming restaurant scene. People are not initially overly friendly, but generally honest and genuine when you get to know them. Culture and art, etc. Finger lakes region is beautiful.

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if you do not like seeing the sun you will love it - 3/15/2019

I lived in Rochester for 10 years. It is like going to a frozen wasteland. To imagine living there and to simulate the conditions crawl into your freezer and close the door for 9 months. The biggest event is a flower festival - the Lilac Festival - it will remind of retirement home. The most exciting thing to do on a Friday is to hang out at the Wegmans grocery store.

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There’s a whole other world out there! - 4/28/2018

I lived in Rochester the majority of my life thus far. Then, 5 years ago, I moved to Syracuse and found it to be worse. So eventually I made my way to Seattle and now I live in LA. After not suffering crappy cold/snowy winters the past 3 years, I know one thing! I would never go back to that craphole! So much better for everything else as well... I live in a real city, treat people, sunshine, palm trees, jobs! I mean “real” jobs with REAL pay! I’m well into the 6 figures... in Rochester, this would probably equivocate to $70k. Oh and I see the ocean every weekend, when I ride my bike on the 20 mike trail... in my shorts and t-shirt. So yeah better places... stay away!!!!!

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Unaware of the Poverty Rate - 12/7/2017

I commuted to Rochester, NY initially to visit a friend close to a decade ago and never left. When I first moved here, I was uneducated, had very little skills outside of kitchen work, and didn't excel in anything pertaining to positive aspects of my life that could also be career enhancements. I became an engineer solely from my determination and dedication to my field of study. I somehow managed to overcome my impoverished state and, based on the charts above, earn a singular income that more than triples Rochester's median household income. Therefore, I truly cannot understand the poverty rate here. If I was able to fully succeed in life, then anybody can do it. Rochester, NY may not have much to offer, but what little the city does offer is more than enough for one to reap countless benefits, opportunities and amazing career options. I highly recommend Rochester, NY to anybody who may feel as if they're stuck in their current daily struggles. You're not going to be handed everything on a silver platter upon relocating here, that is if you do not suck the benefit system dry like many of the people in the metro area, but you will have ample opportunity to exceed any expectations you may have set for yourself as you have aged. My goal was to earn a minimum of $15.00 an hour. To me, $15.00 an hour would've been the jackpot. I would have lived like a king by my standards. Now, as I have become successful, I earn $15.00 every 18.5 minutes while at work. Do it, I promise you will not regret it.

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Me too - 6/4/2015

I was born and raised in Rochester, NY. Loved it! (B ut I don't miss thge climate!) Marv Migdol

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Rochester was such a wonderful city in ages. - 1/29/2015

I am a Rochester native who was born and grew up in Rochester (now I live in Washington, DC and have been in the process of moving back to Honolulu, HI). Rochester used to be a wonderful city with many good companies such as Kodak, Xerox, Ragu's, Champion (sporting gears), IBM, French's (mustard and others), Motorola, Bauch & Lomb, and some good companies until the city became a very decayed city. Do you know why? Because the former mayor named Thomas Ryan, Jr. hurt the economy in the city for years and many stupid Rochesterians always kept voting him as a existing mayor. I had no idea why they always kept voting him for years. That is why he made the city very miserable. I am telling you the truth. His father, Thomas Ryan, Sr. as the Executive Director of Monroe County, also hurt the county lots. Many stupid people kept voting him just like his idiot son. If it was not for both of them, Rochester could have been the wonderful city for sure. The mayors after Mr. Ryan, Jr. really have tried their bests to help improve the city, but nothing worked out. Yeah, maybe in years later, it will be much better. BIG SIGH! I was so MAD at the former Governor Pataski because he always gave a million dollars to his favorite best friend (and the former mayor of New York City) Rudy even the city government in New York City made lots of a million dollars (from the city tax and many tourists came to the city there to spend). I really didn't and still don't understand why Governor Pataski kept giving lots of money to Rudy. After Rudy decided to step down as the mayor, Governor Pataski was his copycat. The new Governor Elliot Spitzer promised to the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and others that he would help improving them much better. The new mayor of New York City Mike Bloomberg asked Governor Spitzer for the money for New York City, but Mr. Spitzer declined and told Mr. Bloomberg that the city government made lots of money, so he can use the money. Mr. Bloomberg had a good idea which he requested Mr. Spitzer for a million dollars to improve the education system in New York City which I heard that the education system in NYC was really very bad, especially the public schools there. Mr. Spitzer gave Mr. Bloomberg lots of money. Around half a year later, Mr. Spitzer sent some staff from the state Department of Education to check to see if NYC improved the education system which the city really never did. They reported to Mr. Spitzer and he was very angry and upset. He asked Mr. Bloomberg where a million dollars went and Mr. Bloomberg said that he (the mayor) helped improving the son-of-a-bitch NYC. That is why and how Mr. Spitzer wasn't be able to help improving Rochester as well as some other ci ties. If it was not for Mr. Bloomberg, maybe Rochester could have been improved. Who knows? I lost my respect to NYC. NYC really was a son-of-a-bitch because they made lots of money from the city taxes and tourism and the mayor "stole" a million dollars. Thanks a lot to NYC. BIG SIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh well......

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breathtaking architect designed.... - 9/23/2014

Rochester, NY and esp. the east side suburbs, have some of the most beautiful architectural design, you will every find. The people are not overly friendly, like the midwest, but thats because they are back east. This is a very classy, and classic city. Lots of old money here. Many educated people, and your basic white collar city. Esp. white collar, on the east side burbs, and blue collar on the west side burbs. I lived in Fairport, NY. Fairy tale.. back in time, white collar environment, with people who obey the rules. Wonderful city for families..Need some big $$$$$$, though.. High taxes, but cheap housing in the city of Rochester.

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Farmer's Markets as social event - 8/24/2014

I've been going to the Brighton Farmer's Market for a few years now. I prefer to support the local economy when possible and have come to rely on that connection to the people that grow and produce the food I buy. The market is a manageable size with a zippy little assortment that goes beyond produce and fruit pies. Meats, dairy, baked goods that go above and beyond: croissants, hand pies, cake, crackers, biscotti; fresh juices, pasta, artisan chocolates, ice cream. I love all the organic, pesticide free and pastured offerings. There is always live music with space for kids to dance. My favorite part is that it is dog friendly to the point that vendors ask where my dogs are when I leave them home. And they know that Sunday is Market day. It's a great family outing: they get socialized, we get socialized. We all share something to eat; maybe a breakfast sandwich, maybe an ice cream sandwich, possibly a little poutine. It's also a great place to meet other dog lovers.

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Dead City - 4/10/2014

I grew up in Greece, NY. I love the familiar streets and neighborhoods and colleges. But, the community, culture, and lifestyles have dwindled into single parenthood with women dominating the households. The majority of decent jobs here are service-based low-paying jobs with constant threats of outsourcing. The abundance of colleges pumps out more supply than the local market demands. So, just like me, so many graduates are bouncing out of Rochester to find friendlier, economically sound, and family-friendly geographies where graduates are appreciated and compensated fairly. $10-12 an hour for a Master graduate is not a reasonable wage. Too many call centers fill the job availabilities because of their rampant turnovers. You can choose from the 6th worst employer in the U.S. being ADT (Wall Street report), Verizon's ridiculous requirements of hiring before you can get a $28,000 a year job being micromanaged in a cubicle, Paychex's bureaucratic organization that thinks it is a god of employers with multiple "hate" blogs, the BPO Concentrix that intentionally burns and churns employees to avoid benefits and maximize profits of temporary projects, the infamous Sutherland Global Services that was sued for countless acts of violating labor rights and compensation law, or you can choose the low-wage retailer Wegmans. Wherever a call center exists, there be the city of Rochester who says "here, plant your center". The women here are single mothers with several children from multiple fathers and no shame. For every 2 women who do not possess these traits, 8 women do. The irony is that both groups behave as if they are God's gifts to men because they are "independent", as if their house ownerships, careers, and automobile possessions impress men anymore than male possessions impress women. Rochester's market encourages the feminist elite and does not provide a balance of high-paying, masculine jobs that men can satisfactorily perform. Men have to literally ingratiate female egos in order to get a date in Rochester, NY. And the majority have little integrity. Women tend to be equally promiscuous to, or more than, the men in Rochester, NY. STD clinics are abundant in this city. Basically, I am fed up. I deserve better than what this dying city has to offer anyone in my sector. I wish I was not so. Eventually, I will say....Goodbye, Rochester, NY.

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Rochester use to be great, but not anymore do your - 10/8/2013

I have lived in Rochester for over 45 years, it use ot be great but not anymore. All major employers have either closed, relocated, gone bankrupt, or downsized. Gone are the days of good benefits, retirement, and a decent wage. Kodak use to employ over 60,000 but screwed it's retirees during bankruptcy. Rochester Tele, GM, and many others dis the same thing. If you like a low wage service job you can find one but don't count on any long term career. Many people in a variety of inductries reach a certain pay level and get laid off without prejudice. Sure real estate is cheep, until you get your tax bill, the school, town, and property taxes make up the difference in your payment for the low cost of housing and the high taxes keeps values low, don't expect much appreciation on your home, and if your don't live in the right neighborhood at the lowest pricve on the market good luck selling, with so many good paying jobs gone, no one can afford to spend a lot of money on a moderately priced house. Many elderly have relocated from Florida since that states problems peeked so now the commutes are twice as long as just ten years ago. Infrastructure is aging, roads are in bad shape, highways and major roads are congested, people are truly rude, people a pulling guns out in road rage activities, it has truly gone down hill. Study your utility bills carefully, your paying more taxes than you think in this state. BEWARE the grass really is not always green on the other side.

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People here are fast-paced and rude - 9/3/2011

I lived in Rochester for 8 years and had a really open mind about the city when I first arrived. My family is from the Western NY area, so there were many pleasant memories from childhood. Such as the breezy, mild summers and frosty winter snow scenes. From my experience though, people here are generally anxious, high strung,and in your face loud and obnoxious. At best, they can be folksy and unassuming, but more often then not, people can be abrasive and downright rude. Being obnoxious and mean spirited is valued here. The work ethic is highly valued, appearing busy is very important. You dont have to be doing anything worthwhile, you just need to be busy and fast. Not being this way is like a sin! Even compared to people in NYC or other major metropolitan areas, Western New Yorkers can be very uptight and anxious. I no longer live there and am happy for it.

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