What is Rochester really like?

[jbertol2]

Originally Posted by shibainu

I understand the if. I asked you what is your defintion of a good job. Most of the jobs here are working class or people making under $14 dollars an hr.

You did? I didn't see that anywhere in your post. Anyway, that's besides the point. The whole idea behind my post was to provide the traits of a person that would enjoy living in Rochester. Therefore, it's not my opinion of a good job that counts, it's the reader's.

[smalltownusa]

Originally Posted by NYMD67

I tried to add this to my post last night and wasn't able to.. so I apologize for the continuation.
One thing that I have to say about the residents of Rochester who are posting on here (not just this thread,but many others) is that they are so willing to say negative things about their city but yet when facts are pointed out ,facts such as the extremely low cost of living (minus your insane taxes),the low cost of housing,the low demand for CERTAIN TYPES of jobs,etc... they get completely defensive.
Most of these issues are factual, all you have to do is read any newspaper there,go to realtor.com and look at the cost of homes in other areas,compare the same house there to the same house elsewhere (and it doesn't have to be a larger city).
Rochester is unfortunately not the same place it was back in the 80's and people have to be able to see that.
As for the post stating that they have 2nd homes,etc... well they are of the very few and fortunate who probably worked for Kodak and was able to retire doing well. That is not the case anymore and the 40yr olds out there today won't see that kind of extra income.
This obviously isn't the case just in Rochester,it is all over for the most part, however, there is a lack of opportunity for many people in Rochester.
It is not meant to be a criticism towards Rochester or it's residents so there really is not any need to be defensive, although I understand wanting to "stick up" for my hometown (because Roch doesnt' have a great reputation in other areas, I am CONSTANTLY sticking up for it!! ) It is the facts, and nothing more.

Hey there..I was the one who mentioned second homes and if you think it's not possible, take a drive around the Finger Lakes from the baby ones like Conesus to Seneca and Kueka and Canandaigua etc etc.....majority are second homes and not family hand me downs, they are selling like hotcakes and the majority to families from the Rochester area....

[skbs]

Originally Posted by shibainu

First of all Rochester is not a mid-size city. Every time people post about Rochester they always want to make it sound so small. If you think over 1 million people is a mid-size city than what is Ithaca or Batavia. No the truth is it is large city that has mid-size to small size entertainment and leisure. If you compare cities of the same size to Rochester, you will find out Rochester has less to do. I would also like to see what are the good jobs in Rochester. Rochester has lost about 20,000 jobs since 2001. Employment has been very tough in Rochester the past few years but it may be close to the national average. Rochester does have four season, which lately have looked like: Late November(beginning December some years) to March is winter. April to Mid-June is Spring, Mid to late June to Mid sept is summer; fall is mid sept to late November.

You can come see Rochester or you can also check out the local newspaper and news channels to get an Idea.

Rochester has a population of about 220,000 people... where does this 1 million come into play? The addition of surrounding towns?

[shibainu]

Originally Posted by skbs

Rochester has a population of about 220,000 people... where does this 1 million come into play? The addition of surrounding towns?

Actually it is 208k for the city. The MSA of Rochester is a little over a Million.


Detailed Tables - American FactFinder

Rochester city ranks 94 out of 259 cities for population.
List of United States cities by population - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Rochester MSA ranks 49 out of 567. Only 50 cities have a MSA with a population over 1 million or more. Which again shows you that the area called Rochester is not mid-size.
Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



Rochester city is ranked 250 out 258 in 2007 for fastest growing city.
City Mayors: Fastest growing US cities 2007

[igadget]

Getting back to what the OP was asking....

Rochester isn't what I'd call boring. Part of it though is people need to get out and do stuff out of their comfort zone. Many Rochester activities do vary depending on the season. It is possible to survive here if you never go outside all winter, you will be considerably bored doing so. To enjoy Rochester you need to have a mind that doesn't need to have an activity spoon fed in tiny bites. You have to want to make it interesting for yourself. Rochester activities are loosely around the topics of local history, geology and community.

Rochester activities are not just in Rochester. A large part of the Rochester experience is your ability or willingness to leave the town for short drives and day trips to other areas.

What I'd say to anyone considering Rochester is look at the worst point in your local summer and the worst point in your local winter. What are you doing at these times?

Know that for the most part the Rochester summer is milder than most of the US, and the winter is not the coldest in the country. The lake's close proximity does have a moderating effect on our overall temperature, Buffalo is likewise a mild town in the summer, but in the winter they have a long straight fetch off of Lake Erie for snow. Syracuse likewise gets a fair amount of lake effect off of Lake Ontario. Rochester has the potential for lake effect, but it seems to fall on either side of us more than on us directly. Rochester has lost the snow derby for at least the last 3 years, we have received less snow than either Syracuse or Buffalo over the season.

I would say if you consider moving here to visit in late January or early February and see if you can handle it. Then try to understand that winter can start as early as October and as late as May. Since 1990, I've seen snow before Halloween and during college graduation in the middle of May. It doesn't happen every year, but it does happen.

[I'minformed2]

snow before halloween and after mid april is very rare....really more of a once every several years thing. This past year we didn't get any snow until December and here it is mid April with no snow yet (unless you count the flurries from the other night that didn't even stick) and a forcast of all 60+ degree temperatures with 70's for thursday and Friday...making for what will probably be a snowless Apri.. Also, even when we do get snow in October or late April/early May; it's not like there's freezing temperatures and snow on the ground the whole time inbetween. After a snow in October, we go back to the normal 50/60 degree temps and continue with fall....and before and after a late spring snow, we its the same thing.