Thinking of moving to Rochester (New York, Albany: car insurance, home, public schools)

[I'minformed2]

They don't know the definition of crime in Brighton and Pittsford OK that's obviously not true, but you get the point. Brighton shares a long border with the city, which is pretty much the only area in Rochester where you have to worry about a lot of crime, But it is with the nicest and safest area of the city. Bottome line...they're both very safe.

[shibainu]

Originally Posted by citysmart

Thank you so much for the information, as I greatly appreciate it. I will look into moving to Brighton or Pittsford. In terms of crime, how are these two cities?

Both towns are probably the Best in the Rochester area. Brighton seems to be very diverse. Monroe Ave, Winton, Elmwood, South Clinton, and Westfall are the major streets in Brighton.You have to be careful because most of those streets goes in to the city But that area of the cities is not bad.

[Jansu]

Originally Posted by citysmart

Thank you so much for the information, as I greatly appreciate it. I will look into moving to Brighton or Pittsford. In terms of crime, how are these two cities?

Now that I think about it, you might want to check out the city itself. Lots of trendy new devlopment in terms of apts and really, parts of Brighton are just continuous with the city. Look at East Avenue in Brighton or the city for upscale apartments.

[citysmart]

Thanks again for the info. Any latin communities? Or latin clubs? Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Brazilians? Or caribbean culture?

[Jansu]

Originally Posted by citysmart

Thanks again for the info. Any latin communities? Or latin clubs? Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Brazilians? Or caribbean culture?

There is a Puerto Rican festival every summer. The Puerto Rican neighborhood is one of the very poorest in the city-- it is to the north of downtown. Rochester has a horrendous child poverty rate and crime rate, but it is confined to very distinct, desperately rundown areas. They call that area "the crescent" because of its shape and it encompasses the neighborhoods to the north and to the west of downtown, within the city limits. The zip code most associated with the crescent is 14621. The "Puerto Rican" neighborhood is actually not exclusively Puerto Rican but they have renamed all the streets in Spanish and under the previous mayor there was an attempt to provide that neighborhood with an identity and encourage businesses to develop there but, sadly, that has not taken off. Rochester has a fantastic farmers market, though, that abuts that area. There have been a couple of Caribbean restaurants-- not sure what is still in business these days and there is/was a little eatery on State St. (more like a diner) that had Caribbean/ Veggie cuisine. Check out the Rocwiki website for an ever-evolving source of info and reader reviews about restaurants and other stuff. Also, google "Rochester meetups"-- a new way for people get together around all sorts of interests. If I can think of anything else I will add that.

P.S. Edit: Just looked at the Rocwiki site and there seemed to be several Puerto Rican and Caribbean eateries. Can't believe I forgot about Rich Port- a yummy Hispanic bakery at the Farmers Mkt and in Corn Hill (a very trendy neighborhood in the city on the river with new apts. and condos-- you might want to check that out).

[moparboy]

Originally Posted by citysmart

Thank you so much for the information, as I greatly appreciate it. I will look into moving to Brighton or Pittsford. In terms of crime, how are these two cities?

You mentioned Ontario, in your original post. That is a small town on the other side of Webster, from Rochester/Monroe County. Ontario is generally quiet and rural, with Williamson as the next town up the way.

Williamson has a large black population, which is out of character for most small towns in Upstate. It's been that way since the 1800's, when it was the last stop on the Underground Railroad for some slaves smuggled north. The whites out that way generally stay away from the city (and they'll tell you so, too!), but are pretty tolerant and co-exist with blacks, migrants, assorted Hispanics, etc. Same goes for everybody else, people are pretty nice and tolerant, if not downright friendly towards each other. It can cut different ways. Lots of rural character, very religious area, etc. Pretty conservative.

The towns in Monroe, as well as the city, offer just about every type of living situation imaginable for an urban area. Depends on lifestyle, etc. If you like things more upscale, check out the east side. Some towns are more diverse than others, and offer various amenities. On the west side, there's slightly less character, and more of a middle class/working class feel, although there's plenty of affluence out that way, too. Some of the west side is somewhat sparsely populated, compared with the inner 'burbs, which some folks prefer.

You'll definitely run into a "locals" mentality, amongst some folks, and renting from some of the more closed minded folks who depend on rents as their sole income, as well as don't get out of the house too often, can be interesting. You should have no problem finding a place for a reasonable price. Ask for utility bills from the winter time, which is sound advice from a lot of folks, up there. If they ask for references, ask them for references.

Brighton and Pittsford are nice towns. Brighton is more diverse than Pittsford, if that's more up your alley. Crime is nary a problem in most towns around Rochester. Brighton has some property crime issues, occasionally. I'd stay away from Fairport, as some Fairport people don't relate well with people not from, well, Fairport;-)

[moparboy]

Originally Posted by I'minformed2

I think they day that moparboy left, Rochester's "brain" score went up quite a bit.

Nah, just one of the many tens of thousands of educated, talented, hard working people whom have left Upstate for greener pastures in the last 15 years or so. We see there's an end game, elsewhere.

Not one friend of mine from my younger years, who left that region. has returned to live there. I'd venture to guess a lot of the folks who move back (and they are few in number) were overly dependent upon others when they left Rochester. At least that's what I gather from folks who know people whom have moved back.

I can't fathom how someone educated in Rochester area public schools, with at least one college degree on top of that, would:

A) Want to move back there.
B) Get home sick.
C) Have a difficult time finding a job, elsewhere.
D) Just HAVE to move back home, as if they have no other choice.

One thing Rochester does have, in some areas, is it's a decent place to raise a family. I can understand why some folks move back for that reason, alone. I can't get my arms around why people would want to pay that much for the price of admission, but, to each his own.

Other than that, I can't imagine why anyone would move back.

[citysmart]

Originally Posted by Jansu

There is a Puerto Rican festival every summer. The Puerto Rican neighborhood is one of the very poorest in the city-- it is to the north of downtown. Rochester has a horrendous child poverty rate and crime rate, but it is confined to very distinct, desperately rundown areas. They call that area "the crescent" because of its shape and it encompasses the neighborhoods to the north and to the west of downtown, within the city limits. The zip code most associated with the crescent is 14621. The "Puerto Rican" neighborhood is actually not exclusively Puerto Rican but they have renamed all the streets in Spanish and under the previous mayor there was an attempt to provide that neighborhood with an identity and encourage businesses to develop there but, sadly, that has not taken off. Rochester has a fantastic farmers market, though, that abuts that area. There have been a couple of Caribbean restaurants-- not sure what is still in business these days and there is/was a little eatery on State St. (more like a diner) that had Caribbean/ Veggie cuisine. Check out the Rocwiki website for an ever-evolving source of info and reader reviews about restaurants and other stuff. Also, google "Rochester meetups"-- a new way for people get together around all sorts of interests. If I can think of anything else I will add that.

P.S. Edit: Just looked at the Rocwiki site and there seemed to be several Puerto Rican and Caribbean eateries. Can't believe I forgot about Rich Port- a yummy Hispanic bakery at the Farmers Mkt and in Corn Hill (a very trendy neighborhood in the city on the river with new apts. and condos-- you might want to check that out).

Thank you for the information. I am originally from NYC, so I am used to a vast array of restaurants. Again, I greatly appreciate all your help.

[citysmart]

Originally Posted by moparboy

You mentioned Ontario, in your original post. That is a small town on the other side of Webster, from Rochester/Monroe County. Ontario is generally quiet and rural, with Williamson as the next town up the way.

Williamson has a large black population, which is out of character for most small towns in Upstate. It's been that way since the 1800's, when it was the last stop on the Underground Railroad for some slaves smuggled north. The whites out that way generally stay away from the city (and they'll tell you so, too!), but are pretty tolerant and co-exist with blacks, migrants, assorted Hispanics, etc. Same goes for everybody else, people are pretty nice and tolerant, if not downright friendly towards each other. It can cut different ways. Lots of rural character, very religious area, etc. Pretty conservative.

The towns in Monroe, as well as the city, offer just about every type of living situation imaginable for an urban area. Depends on lifestyle, etc. If you like things more upscale, check out the east side. Some towns are more diverse than others, and offer various amenities. On the west side, there's slightly less character, and more of a middle class/working class feel, although there's plenty of affluence out that way, too. Some of the west side is somewhat sparsely populated, compared with the inner 'burbs, which some folks prefer.

You'll definitely run into a "locals" mentality, amongst some folks, and renting from some of the more closed minded folks who depend on rents as their sole income, as well as don't get out of the house too often, can be interesting. You should have no problem finding a place for a reasonable price. Ask for utility bills from the winter time, which is sound advice from a lot of folks, up there. If they ask for references, ask them for references.

Brighton and Pittsford are nice towns. Brighton is more diverse than Pittsford, if that's more up your alley. Crime is nary a problem in most towns around Rochester. Brighton has some property crime issues, occasionally. I'd stay away from Fairport, as some Fairport people don't relate well with people not from, well, Fairport;-)

Thanks for the history. I must admit that I was unaware of the historical significance of Williamson, NY. I will definitely share that with the youth in my outreach program. I am beginning to realize more and more that this website needs to be my primary resource for quality information. Again, thank you.

[rochacha]

Originally Posted by Jansu

Cops have been known to hassle African Americans in Irondequoit which is up on the lake and next to Webster.

I live in Irondequoit and I do not think this is completely true. Irondequoit police do hassle anyone that rolls into town looking like a drug dealer, but they need to since it shares a border with the highest drug and crime area of the city. However, they could be black, white, hispanic, asian, etc. I have a number of African Americans living on my street in Irondequoit, and the only problems involving cops on the street have been with a bunch of thug white kids.