Rochester (New York, Monroe, York: section 8, find a job, neighborhoods)

[Sonnenwende]

Heh, before I saw the post about wind turbines, I had completely wrote off New York altogether (thought I was priced out). However, now I see that the northern part of the state could be something to take another look at.

Is it possible to find a decent 2 bedroom for between $600-$800 there or in one of the suburbs? How walkable is Rochester? Are there a lot of ethnic festivals or enclaves there? How is the area doing economically?

Thanks!

[Lax]

You can find a good 2 bedroom apt for that price. When I lived there, I paid inthat range for a big 2 bedroom apt in a nice neighborhood in the city. The area is walkable if you live in certian neighborhoods (south wedge, park ave, monroe, etc). There are many ethnic festivals. More than you would expect for a city of its size.You don't see too many ethnic neighborhoods there anymore. Unfortunately the areas that were dominated by ethnic groups have been taken over by section 8 housing and people that commit crime, splitting up the neighborhoods. There are still neighborhoods that are dominated by Italian business though. Economically it is not great, but if you can find a job, you are set.

[I'minformed2]

The Italians split the city and fled to Irondequot 30 years ago. There are still some heavily Italian neighborhoods in the far east of the city though. There is also still a large German and Irish population in NW Rochester. NE Rochester is largely Puerto Rican, SW Rochester is mostly Black, and SE Rochester is mostly WASP.

[Sonnenwende]

Cool, thanks for the info.

One more question: What about public transport? Good? Bad? Neither?

[I'minformed2]

I have never used public trasnportation in Rochester. There is a good bus system, but no light rail. One of Rochester's biggest "attractions" is the abandoned subway system that goes right through the city that closed down in 1956. Rochester was the smallest city ever to have a subway system in America (at it's peak only about 340,000 people) It is in the original bed of the Erie Canal from the 1820's. They are talking now about filling it back with water and making it a downtown attraction, the original path of the erie canal. It's pretty neat, but it doesn't really help you with your commute. lol

[Sonnenwende]

Heh, well, I'd have a car in any case, but I was just curious as to how PT was there.

There is a German community there? Is it mostly of actual German immigrants and ex-pats or is it like 3rd generation?

[I'minformed2]

It is mostly middle aged and younger 2nd or third generation Americans in the NW area of the city, it's not a huge proportion of the population that still identify themselves as really "german". But there are quite a few elderly German expats in the NW city and especially the suburbs that still talk cook and do whatever else german. I believe German is the largest ancestoral group in Monroe County.

[Sonnenwende]

That was kind of what I thought.

Thanks though. Rochester is definitely on the list now.