Possible move to Rochester this summer, need help finding a good home (Geneva: house, to buy)

[I'minformed2]

Yes, I would also agree that Rochester's heavy italian influence is one thing that more closely relates it to other northeastern cities than midwestern cities; but it also has a fairly strong german influence which mirrors that of the great lakes/midwest.

[garmin239]

I'm talking visible influence here. You can see a strong German influence in a place like Cinci. You don't see a large visible influence in Rochester like you do with the Italian influence.
I was taking a look at a German ethnicity map. I was surprised to see how much German makes up the largest ethnicity in areas around the country. Many places in the Northeast, Mid Atlantic, Midwest and Northwest all had German as the largest ethnic population. Its pretty interesting.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by I'minformed2

Rochester is NOTHING like New York City. Common misconception from people of other areas of the country. Rochester is about 8 hours from NYC and might as well be 800 lightyears. We are part of the same state only by government drawn borders that are 300 years old. We are fairly diverse for Upstate NY; but Upstate NY in general is overwhelmingly white. There are very few hispanics here so I can't imagine the diversity being similar to that of LA at all; but many white people still hold their ethnic identiy (i.e. Italians, Polish, even German). East Rochester, Gates, Irondeqouit and many areas of Greece have very large Italian-American populations, many of the east side suburbs have strong Irish roots, Brighton has a large Jewish population, Henrietta has a large asian and east indian populaiton.

Keep in mind though that the Rochester area has a pretty strong African-American community too. It is the major city in NY State with the highest African-American percentage at around 40%. Suburbs like Gates-Chili, Rush-Henrietta and East Irondequoit all have school district where students of African-American descent make up 14, 15 and 18% of those districts respectively and in that order. Greece is around 9% as well.

[skbs]

Originally Posted by I'minformed2

Rochester is NOTHING like New York City. Common misconception from people of other areas of the country. Rochester is about 8 hours from NYC and might as well be 800 lightyears. We are part of the same state only by government drawn borders that are 300 years old. We are fairly diverse for Upstate NY; but Upstate NY in general is overwhelmingly white. There are very few hispanics here so I can't imagine the diversity being similar to that of LA at all; but many white people still hold their ethnic identiy (i.e. Italians, Polish, even German). East Rochester, Gates, Irondeqouit and many areas of Greece have very large Italian-American populations, many of the east side suburbs have strong Irish roots, Brighton has a large Jewish population, Henrietta has a large asian and east indian populaiton.

LOL...East side IRISH right here.... this is so funny... but I came from West Side Irish... so I don't know how true this is since most of my family is still on West Side (and I am talking HUGE IRISH FAMILY- might actually be the entire WEST SIDE lol) and my hubby's family is Italian and on the East Side... and Not in ER... lol.... but a good read makes me want to look into this more.... thanks for the info INFORMED....

[loveautumn]

I live in Southern California and was born and raised in Fairport so I can speak somewhat of the culture shock. First, the weather, it is cold, snowy and overcast from Nov-March, the food is very different than California (alot "heavier" meals)...although when I visit I do make a direct run to Bill Grays for the best cheeseburgers ever! People there are very nice but sense of humor tends to be on the "sarcastic" side, and alot of west coasters react to it as rude instead of funny (trust me, this takes some getting used to). Shopping is limited if you're into fashion...there is no Nordies, Bloomingdales, etc. People dress very conservatively and quite casual, not alot of bright colors, more toned down. No big league sports teams locally, have to go to Buffalo for that...but Rochester is included in their market and people follow the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, etc. Bowling is very popular

If you're used to being in a "big pond" like LA, Rochester is a "small pond", so it will be real different. Course I think getting out of LA is a very good thing, but just saying, it will be an adjustment in almost every way. Not to generalize, but most people in Roch have never lived anywhere else and a 20 min drive to a mall is too far whereas in LA everybody is from someplace else and used to driving all over the place. Oh, and there's no ocean, this too takes some getting used to. But the Finger Lakes close by are very beautiful.

The cost of housing is what makes all this very appealing, and it is a pretty area, especially in the fall. And also, no hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, massive floods, etc. When I'm in Roch I feel like I'm on solid ground, in more ways than one!

[garmin239]

Originally Posted by loveautumn

People there are very nice but sense of humor tends to be on the "sarcastic" side, and alot of west coasters react to it as rude instead of funny (trust me, this takes some getting used to). Shopping is limited if you're into fashion...there is no Nordies, Bloomingdales, etc. People dress very conservatively and quite casual, not alot of bright colors, more toned down.

I notice th is when I'm out west or down south. People either don't get sarcasm or get offended easily. Whats the deal with that?
While is no Nordstroms, you can get whatever they sell there in local boutiques. I get clothing from Red Barn, Mentality and Hickey Freeman(for men at least). If you are into fashion you have choices, just not in a big box atmosphere.

[momgoingtojax]

Thank you for giving me a heads up on the local feel and ways of Rochester! I grew up in LA and lived in LA most of my life, except for a few years in Cincinnati and Cleveland. I didn't like the cold in Cleveland, but it sounds like Rochester winters are similar, if not colder. At least, I know what to expect. He, he... I needed a light box in Cleveland; I guess I'll have to purchase another one!

I'm one of those that never took sarcasm well. But hey, I can learn. And I'm not a big fashion diva so I'm sure I'll be happy with the choices Rochester has to offer. Actually, I'm kind of a frumpy housewife-mom who shops at Target and Ross (a discount clothing line in LA). Anyway, I'm lucky if I don't have some smeared banana stains and dolups of yogurt or some other food concoction on my shirt as I get out the door with screaming children.

It's good to hear that the people in general are nice and approachable. That's one thing I loved about Cincinnati and Cleveland--the people!! In LA, people are hard to approach and it's best to keep to yourself. I found the midwest much more inviting and open and I made lasting friendships there. I hope to do the same in Rochester.

It's good to hear there are not many natural disasters in Rochester--yay for that!

Thank you all again so much for helping me get a feel of Rochester and helping me out choosing a neighborhood. Keep them coming! I am learning so much and this is all decreasing my anxiety level quite a bit.

[skbs]

Originally Posted by momgoingtojax

Thank you for giving me a heads up on the local feel and ways of Rochester! I grew up in LA and lived in LA most of my life, except for a few years in Cincinnati and Cleveland. I didn't like the cold in Cleveland, but it sounds like Rochester winters are similar, if not colder. At least, I know what to expect. He, he... I needed a light box in Cleveland; I guess I'll have to purchase another one!

I'm one of those that never took sarcasm well. But hey, I can learn. And I'm not a big fashion diva so I'm sure I'll be happy with the choices Rochester has to offer. Actually, I'm kind of a frumpy housewife-mom who shops at Target and Ross (a discount clothing line in LA). Anyway, I'm lucky if I don't have some smeared banana stains and dolups of yogurt or some other food concoction on my shirt as I get out the door with screaming children.

It's good to hear that the people in general are nice and approachable. That's one thing I loved about Cincinnati and Cleveland--the people!! In LA, people are hard to approach and it's best to keep to yourself. I found the midwest much more inviting and open and I made lasting friendships there. I hope to do the same in Rochester.

It's good to hear there are not many natural disasters in Rochester--yay for that!

Thank you all again so much for helping me get a feel of Rochester and helping me out choosing a neighborhood. Keep them coming! I am learning so much and this is all decreasing my anxiety level quite a bit.

LOL.... Do you see how helpful this forum is? It pretty much is a true example of Rochester.... we really are a Friendly city...

[lovebrentwood]

Rochester is right on Lake Ontario, which looks like the ocean but with shorter waves.

[KoaKine]

Hi all I just discovered this thread so ill just drop in,

I moved from So.Cal. 5 years ago so i can give you a bit of help in the culture shock. Its a good kind of shock from LA. life out here is slower and more real than the plastic of So. Cal. You will need to get some real warm clothes . but you will see a season cali dosnt see its called Fall
I think you will get plenty of recommendations about the little towns around to buy in but the P towns are generally good lol . The schools here are much better than So. Cal so dont worrie to much about that but do ask questions.

Ill get back to this n a few dinner time feel free to DM me