Whether you’re relocating to Rochester to educate that big brain of yours at U Rochester, climbing the company ladder with Kodak, or simply searching for the abominable snowman who’s said to reside here during the bitterly cold and snowy winter months, Rochester has a warm abode for you somewhere, and we’re here to help you find it. Rochester is a young, small city of 200,000 located in upstate New York (yes, there are OTHER cities in this state), where your dollar will stretch quite a bit further than you might expect. The presence of the University adds 10,000 undergrad and graduate students to the mix, so this little slice of upstate heaven has no lack of funky bars, coffee shops, boutiques and a ragingly popular weekend Public Market.
If you like living in mansions (and who doesn’t?), the Park Avenue district is for you
Whether you’re relocating to Rochester to educate that big brain of yours at U Rochester, climbing the company ladder with Kodak, or simply searching for the abominable snowman who’s said to reside here during the bitterly cold and snowy winter months, Rochester has a warm abode for you somewhere, and we’re here to help you find it. Rochester is a young, small city of 200,000 located in upstate New York (yes, there are OTHER cities in this state), where your dollar will stretch quite a bit further than you might expect. The presence of the University adds 10,000 undergrad and graduate students to the mix, so this little slice of upstate heaven has no lack of funky bars, coffee shops, boutiques and a ragingly popular weekend Public Market.
If you like living in mansions (and who doesn’t?), the Park Avenue district is for you. This sought- after historical area is where all the old money lived and, thankfully, left their digs. The great thing about it, for you at least, is that Rochester has an affinity for converting old, large houses into a handful of smaller apartment units. So you actually CAN live in a mansion starting at a measly $700/1BR – if that’s how you roll (Note: Butler service is not included.). That same $700 can also get you a studio apartment in a five story high-rise, the other popular rental housing option here, and both will put you in close proximity to museums, galleries, boutiques and other shi-shi nightlife options. If you’re an upwardly mobile professional, the Park Ave area is the first place you should look.
If you like to hit the books hard and the bars harder, however, South Wedge is probably more your style. Thisy area is the up and coming spot for Rochester. Hip and edgy, South Wedge is located just south of downtown and offers less expensive accommodations than Park Ave, but a plethora of amenities. The city newspaper runs a “Best Of” contest every year and South Wedge won all of them last year. And by “all”, I mean all. Best bars, best neighborhood, best coffee, best salons…apparently South Wedge is the best. There are fewer studio options here, but plenty of converted houses (sorry, no mansions) and 1-2BR options, typically starting at around $500. If you want to double up on the roomies and don’t need a lot of space, room shares can be had for as little as $350. South Wedge is understandably popular with university students, and living here will put you around a 10-minute walk to campus or an even shorter bike or bus ride. South Wedge is also home to the city’s famous Public Market – “Farmer’s” market is bad form - that serves as a community meeting ground and all-around shopper’s paradise. In short, for South Wedge, cool people only need apply.
Rochester’s residential streets aren’t for everyone, and for those people, there’s the East End. Rochester’s downtown living area retains a more urban feel with lofts and penthouses in high-rises; and if you just relocated from Manhattan, or simply enjoy a walking city, this area is for you. Arts and Entertainment options abound here, so you can walk to your fancy corporate job in the morning and enjoy a four star meal and violin concerto at the Eastman Theater on the way home. Apartment prices vary tremendously depending on what you’re looking for, and while converted homes and apartment complexes are still available here, that fancy penthouse can set you back as much as $1500 a month. But you can’t put a price on culture, right?
Homes are extremely reasonable here, and this picturesque suburban living can be yours for around $1000/3br home. For the retirement-minded, Rochester proper offers a number of seniors-only apartment buildings near the river with community activities and a multitude of options to keep your ticker, well, ticking.
In case you weren’t aware, upstate New York gets cold. Very cold. Your heating bill can easily climb into the stratosphere during the winter months, but some apartment offerings include heat, which will obviously make a huge difference in your monthly costs. When apartment shopping, be absolutely sure if heat is or is not included in your monthly bill. You can also ask RG&E for the recorded average heating costs associated with any place you’re considering, too. As for other major caveats, renting in Rochester is honestly pretty straightforward. Typical standards apply here, so you’ll probably need references, verification of employment or a background check and potentially a $25 application fee. Leases for the academic year are sometimes available owing to the university population, but otherwise the standard one year leasing applies.
Rochester, like much of the rest of upstate NY, is a picturesque place, and its proximity to Lake Ontario, the Erie Canal and of course the beautiful Genesee River that bisects the city makes enjoying the outdoors easy. Small parks dot the rest of the city and bikes are welcome here. Bus routes are also thorough and a good option for commuting downtown or to the university, but in general, cars are the go-to option. Parking isn’t a huge problem, but it’s a good idea to verify if it’s available in your apartment search, especially if you’re leaning towards high-rise living.
Rochester offers a lot of things for a lot of different people, and almost always at an incredibly reasonable price. Whether you need a high-rise penthouse to make your friends jealous or a funky studio in a converted Victorian home to go with your hipster pocket square, you’re guaranteed to find something that fits your style. So pack your respective pants and get out there!
