September 2017

Why do people move to Rochester, New York?

If you’ve never been to Rochester, you might not be able to imagine why anyone would move here. There are many reasons, though, why people who relocate to Upstate New York wind up falling in love with the place. Rochester has the educational and cultural resources of a larger city, but the accessible feel of a much smaller town. There are probably many factors to blame for the boomerang phenomenon in which so many kids who grow up here leave after high school, only to move back in their late 20s or early 30s. Here are just a few of the reasons we think relocating to the Flour/Flower City makes sense.

Affordability & Cost of Living

People who move to or visit Rochester from other cities are pleasantly surprised at the prices they encounter here. The food, drinks, events, and entertainment are significantly cheaper than in even other cities of similar size, and it’s arguably easier to identify the highest quality options in each category. Sure, property taxes are high. That’s just one perk of renting. But when you are ready to buy, the higher-than-usual taxes are offset by incredibly affordable home prices, even in high-demand neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking to live in a suburb or in downtown Rochester, if you’re patient, you can find a place that is fairly priced.

Educational Opportunities

For plenty of young people, back to school means back to Rochester. The city has several colleges and universities that are known nationally for tech-related and graduate-level programs. Thanks to that low cost of living, students can afford to maintain a far more lavish lifestyle than would be possible in a larger city.

Some of the area’s renowned institutions of higher education include:

• The University of Rochester
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Eastman School of Music
• St. John Fisher College
• Nazareth College
• Roberts Wesleyan College
• SUNY Brockport

World-Class Culture

Whether you are moving to Rochester either from a big city or a rural hamlet, you won’t have to worry about finding things to do. One of Rochester’s strengths is that, for a small city, it has a remarkable array of world-class cultural resources. The Eastman School of Music draws the biggest names in classical music to perform at Kodak Hall. The Xerox Rochester Jazz Festival curates a remarkably diverse talent from across the globe for hundreds of shows each year. Rochester has one of the largest and most successful Fringe Festivals anywhere. And the Memorial Art Gallery houses a collection of more than 12,000 works of art representing cultures from around the world and across millennia.

Festival City, USA

Rochester has the large festival format down to a science, and the action doesn’t end with the Fringe and the Jazz Fest. There’s always something to watch, enjoy, and engage in out in the streets of Rochester. The calendar is strewn with festivals celebrating everything from specific cultures and neighborhoods to flowers, Innovation & Creativity, and film. These unique events draw hundreds of thousands of people to the city every year, and they make perfect opportunities for inviting friends and family to visit your new home base.

Sports

If you are a sports person, you’ll find plenty to love amongst Rochester’s professional sports teams. The Rochester Knighthawks, Rhinos, Red Wings, and Americans keep the action going on the field and on the ice all year long. Since it’s not a major league market, you’ll likely want to bring your allegiance to NFL, MLB, and NHL teams with you. The NCAA scene, on the other hand, promises plenty of excitement. And playing against the Bills at New Era Field is one of the most affordable and intimate ways to see your favorite football team.

Thinking of moving to Rochester? Or do you already live here and love it? Either way, share your questions or relocation success stories with us on Facebook.