OK so I'm retired and With a population of 32,866, Rochester is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $79,388 in Rochester. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Thoughts? Any help is appreciated.
29 upvotes
15 Replies
Noah C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 14 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Can feel isolated. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Leonardo Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 31, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in Midtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The healthcare situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
38 upvotes
Ian Gomez
it depends on the neighborhood
35 upvotes
Isabella
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
levi_mind
Came here for family and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The public transit is honestly improving and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
34 upvotes
Piper C.
honestly same experience here
27 upvotes
Oliver Peterson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 10 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into kayaking, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
Ella S.
Public transit is better than expected here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
16 upvotes
Denise R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Maple Ridge for 1 years. Moved from Baltimore for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Maple Ridge schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Limited shopping options. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
12 upvotes
Sofia Myers
underrated comment
12 upvotes
Silas
been saying this for years
11 upvotes
Reagan Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like sushi.
Definitely worth checking out..
10 upvotes
Quinn Torres
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much developing but now it's average.
6 upvotes
Adam
not my experience at all
5 upvotes
Adeline S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 4 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is school system. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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