"Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, 'cause we're comin' to a town, And you'll always know your neighbor, you'll always know your pal, If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal." ("Erie Canal")
Located just south of Rochester in western New York, Brighton is known for its architectural beauty, and for the Erie Canal, which runs through the middle of town. More than 36,000 people are located in this suburban area, also noted for its amenities. Named for Brighton, England, it was settled in 1790, and it remained a farming community until Rochester grew up around it, eventually surrounding the town. Today, this upscale suburb packs a lot into its 15 square miles. A thriving business sector lets you work close to home and after a hard day's night, you can enjoy its six major park sites, the annual Brighton Arts Festival, the Farmers Markets or maybe a songfest about the Erie Canal.
Even if you're going to be living in an apartment complex, it never hurts to join a group like a neighborhood or apartment association
"Low bridge, everybody down, Low bridge, 'cause we're comin' to a town, And you'll always know your neighbor, you'll always know your pal, If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal." ("Erie Canal")
Located just south of Rochester in western New York, Brighton is known for its architectural beauty, and for the Erie Canal, which runs through the middle of town. More than 36,000 people are located in this suburban area, also noted for its amenities. Named for Brighton, England, it was settled in 1790, and it remained a farming community until Rochester grew up around it, eventually surrounding the town. Today, this upscale suburb packs a lot into its 15 square miles. A thriving business sector lets you work close to home and after a hard day's night, you can enjoy its six major park sites, the annual Brighton Arts Festival, the Farmers Markets or maybe a songfest about the Erie Canal.
Finding an Apartment
Even if you're going to be living in an apartment complex, it never hurts to join a group like a neighborhood or apartment association. You'll get to know who's coming and going, but don't be too nosy, you don't want to end up committing to Wednesday bridge with Ethel and Carol.
How Much Will it Cost?
You won't have to worry too much about the cost of renting here. In 2009, apartments for rent cost slightly below average. So, even if your apartment isn't all bills paid you'll still have something left over to buy marshmallows with. The perfect accompaniment for a fire on those cold New York winter nights. Start your apartment search at least two months in advance, and most apartments will want proof of employment or income, plus a good credit history, to get started with an application.
Brighton Neighborhoods
In Brighton, neighborhoods still matter. The town boasts 42 neighborhood associations, including Brighton-Browncroft, Cobbs Hill, and Westfall Heights, to name a few. The heart of Brighton lies at its main intersection of Winton Road, Monroe, and Elmwood Avenues, known to the locals as Twelve Corners. Not to be confused with the famed Twelve Oaks of "Gone With the Wind," this triangular-shaped area holds only a simple gazebo and some local businesses. But, if you want to make pretend you are Scarlett O'Hara, we won't stop you -- feel free to ignore the odd looks coming your way from passerbyers.
The area offers a number of amenities close to the neighborhoods, including the West Brighton Plaza Shopping Center ,Townline Business Center, Genesee Valley Regional Market, (and park) and South Town Plaza Shopping Centers. Most folks travel by car, but depending on your work arrangement or situation, you can also get to a lot of necessary spots by walking or taking a bicycle.
Here is a breakdown of some of the main areas in Brighton:
Brighton-Browncroft: This is an architecturally eclectic area near Ellison Park. The area's neighborhood association holds an annual summer picnic. Many enjoy the isolated and bucolic nature of the roads and sidewalks of the neighborhood for walking, bicycling and jogging.
Cobbs Hill: A primarily residential area near Cobbs Hill Park and Washington Grove, this quiet neighborhood is within easy walking or biking distance of restaurants, as well as the Twelve Corners shopping center.
Fairport: The village of Fairport, once a major port on the Erie Canal, is a tourist and recreation attraction with canal-side shopping and eating establishments along with a developed small-town business area.
Highland Park: Many of this neighborhood's tree-lined streets were once part of world-renowned nurseries. More than a century later, this spot has retained its lush landscape and a diverse array of 19th and 20th century homes. The Highland Park area is an easy stroll to the district areas of Swillburg and South Wedge, and their boutiques, restaurants and pubs.
Penfield: A small town near Brighton. Remember what they say - "great things come in small packages."
Perinton: A booming 1950s-era suburb of Rochester was voted by Money Magazine as one of the "top 100" places to live in 2005. Thankfully, you won't need too many Benjamins to live there. You can lovingly refer to your new neighborhood as "Trail Town" for all the trails it has to explore.
Pittsford: This neighborhood and its apartments are within walking distance of Pittsford Plaza, banks, major bus lines, the historic Erie Canal Path and many great restaurants. Don't let its name fool you, it's not the pits.
