Hey everyone, I work in engineering and Rent is about $1,039/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $46,628 in Rochester. The median home value here is around $120,600, which is actually reasonable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Does this match your experience? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
44 upvotes
45 Replies
Leo Richardson
I work in education here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is pretty good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
40 upvotes
Austin H.
I work in hospitality here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is average. Hope this helps!.
40 upvotes
Jordan
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Greenfield area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Robert C.
I'm a software engineer and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
38 upvotes
nola_adrian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Portland for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are better than expected. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Sophia Young
big facts right here
37 upvotes
Nicholas Perez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
36 upvotes
Sarah C.
thanks for sharing
35 upvotes
Jace Martinez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Maple Ridge. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
35 upvotes
Jacob Kelly
facts
35 upvotes
Stella
I'm a sales manager and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is solid and there's always something going on.
35 upvotes
Vincent G.
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's average.
33 upvotes
Gerald S.
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
33 upvotes
river_waylon8
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 4 years. Moved from Denver for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is decent - 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. The Heights schools are excellent. 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. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Ezekiel Howard
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 7 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Lakewood side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Violet Adams
nah I disagree
29 upvotes
Asher Clark
couldn't agree more
29 upvotes
Landon
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Sofia Scott
facts
27 upvotes
Axel M.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Definitely worth checking out..
26 upvotes
Sean G.
Bought a house here in 2018 and it's exactly what I was looking for. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
26 upvotes
Arianna Bennett
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 4 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
24 upvotes
Julian Evans
noted, appreciate it
24 upvotes
Ella Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem hit or miss.
I've been here 1 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is excellent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
23 upvotes
Gabriella Myers
Bought a house here in 2017 and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
22 upvotes
Julian Howard
This.
22 upvotes
Roman Lee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Eastside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Houston, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
21 upvotes
Ava Williams
honestly same experience here
19 upvotes
Maverick R.
I work in tech here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
19 upvotes
Karen P.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
19 upvotes
Genesis Myers
same here
19 upvotes
Gabriella Brooks
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it exceeded my expectations. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
15 upvotes
Christian C.
literally same
13 upvotes
Savannah Young
same here
10 upvotes
Isabelle P.
Came here for school and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The walkability is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Serenity Nguyen
yep
6 upvotes
Jonathan Ward
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Atlanta about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are wild, gas is underrated.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Happy to answer more specific questions..
5 upvotes
Camila
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to Austin it's better than expected.
4 upvotes
Stella C.
yep
4 upvotes
Leonardo Parker
thanks for sharing
4 upvotes
Grace
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 5 years. Moved from Minneapolis for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. legal 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 have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are average. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Everett P.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
3 upvotes
Samuel Mendoza
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 31, moved here 11 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in North and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Can feel isolated
3. The community vibe situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. 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.
2 upvotes
Willie T.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is improving in most areas.
0 upvotes
Allison B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 4 years. Moved from Houston for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are challenging. 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. Winters are long and cold. Limited high-paying job options. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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