Mixed Bag
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1/8/2006
after living in After living in Rochester for 5 years, I can say that it is a “mixed bag” of a place to be. The weather is nice in terms of 4 season, but if you are at all fond of sunshine or vulnerable to winter depression – then you should find someplace else to live. This place gets mega dreary during the winter and really really cold. Oh – and the unpredictable lake effect snow from lake Ontario. Don’t let anyone fool you, the winters can be brutal if you’re not use to them and rough if you are.
The culture seen is great. Art, Film, Music, Festivals, Lakes, Canal, and unbelievable food are everywhere. And if you find yourself bored, Buffalo is only 1 hour away with the same benefits. Things still seem to close early though, and last call is a sad 2am in Monroe County. Oh – and speaking of drinking, the Finger Lakes are only 20 minutes away at it’s closest and they have some of the best New York State wineries. And beer is big in Rochester, with many, many local microbreweries. You would think, with the winters we get that the skiing would be better. There’s one major ski slope of Bristol, and there’s the smaller Sloan not too far with a couple tiny hills in-between. But it’s expensive and the hills are sad. Expect to pay Vermont prices for molehills. You have an amazing local grocer of Wegmans – so that’s always a plus. You can get any food you can really think of at that store – and they’re nearly everywhere, really clean, and open 24 hours. It’s a tough place to be if you’re young because the culture and people make you want to stay – but there are no jobs. So you have that odd battle of moving for a job with better pay – or staying here to be with your friends and a place that you know is consistently a good time. My friend who has lived both here & many other places, and is now in Chicago says that if Rochester/Buffalo had an economy it would be the next Chicago.
The education is good, except in the city where the public schools seem to continuously fail. You have a good choice of Universities as well. The medical seen is great. The University of Rochester with Strong Hospital is on the leading edge of medical research. And like I said with culture, Buffalo is the same in terms of medical innovation – only 1 hour away. If you’re looking to buy a home, then Rochester is a good value. But if you’re renting be prepared – the prices are outrageous for what you’re getting. Most managed apartments were built in the 1970 & 80s and are small and run
Deardeedle | Fairport, NY