Rochester - West Side vs East Side (New York, Greece: middle-class, insurance)
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I think the East side has some major advantages, the primary one being close to the SE quadrant where most of the good neighborhoods and cultural attractions are. If you live in Gates or Greece, you have a much further drive to get to Park or Monroe than say Brighton or Penfield. Schools are better in the East side suburbs too. Not really sure what the advantage of living on the West side is beyond having family nearby or lower housing costs. The West side was historically more industrial as thats where Kodak was located. The 19th Ward was a gem 50 years ago, but those days are long gone. Are there any great restaurants on the West side that people can recommend? (not Nick Tahoes!)
I think the East side has some major advantages, the primary one being close to the SE quadrant where most of the good neighborhoods and cultural attractions are. If you live in Gates or Greece, you have a much further drive to get to Park or Monroe than say Brighton or Penfield. Schools are better in the East side suburbs too. Not really sure what the advantage of living on the West side is beyond having family nearby or lower housing costs. The West side was historically more industrial as thats where Kodak was located. The 19th Ward was a gem 50 years ago, but those days are long gone. Are there any great restaurants on the West side that people can recommend? (not Nick Tahoes!)
last i heard if ur white u cant go into the west side without getting mugged
Bull. Completely and utterly untrue. I'm a white woman and I visit the West Side all the time. By bike. And I have never, ever felt unsafe or had any kind of problem. The worst place for muggings in the city is actually the corner of East and Alexander. Rates of theft, robbery, and burglary in the Park Ave area are higher than most of the West Side. Ask any cop and take a look at their homeowner's insurance rates.
The 19th Ward, Plymouth-Exchange, and West Main are all active sites of revitalization. Great things are happening over there, as you would know if you got out once in a while.
And by the way, the demographic most likely to be victimized by urban crime is young black men involved in illegal activities. Not respectable white people (/sarcasm).
Ilmara, we are a white family with two grammar school age children. We were considering moving to the Park Ave area, but based on your post we are now considering the 19th Ward. Is this a good idea?
The 19th Ward has some very nice, middle-class residential parts where people do raise families. The neighborhood also has some trouble spots that give the whole area an iffy reputation, but those are said to be improving. The University of Rochester has been building up Brooks Landing, which has brought a lot of students into the 19th Ward and nearby Plymouth-Exchange. Based on my experiences, I'd say the west side of the 19th Ward is the best part.
I don't know anything about the schools there, however. Most of the Rochester City School District is absolutely terrible, but there are good public elementary schools in the South Wedge and Upper Monroe/Cobbs Hill. The South Wedge one has actually just expanded to eighth grade. So unless you can afford a private school or intend to homeschool, I would consider looking at those three neighborhoods instead. The South Wedge especially has a ton of community (it even has two newspapers) and is very walkable with restaurants and boutiques. Definitely a great urban experience. Upper Monroe and Cobbs Hill have some walkability too but are closer to Brighton in character.
I would definitely not recommend Park Avenue for a family with children. Most of the residents there are young adults and that's who the neighborhood is really geared towards. It's downright uncanny: you walk down the street and everyone you see is in their twenties.
The 19th Ward has some very nice, middle-class residential parts where people do raise families. The neighborhood also has some trouble spots that give the whole area an iffy reputation, but those are said to be improving. The University of Rochester has been building up Brooks Landing, which has brought a lot of students into the 19th Ward and nearby Plymouth-Exchange. Based on my experiences, I'd say the west side of the 19th Ward is the best part.
I don't know anything about the schools there, however. Most of the Rochester City School District is absolutely terrible, but there are good public elementary schools in the South Wedge and Upper Monroe/Cobbs Hill. The South Wedge one has actually just expanded to eighth grade. So unless you can afford a private school or intend to homeschool, I would consider looking at those three neighborhoods instead. The South Wedge especially has a ton of community (it even has two newspapers) and is very walkable with restaurants and boutiques. Definitely a great urban experience. Upper Monroe and Cobbs Hill have some walkability too but are closer to Brighton in character.
I would definitely not recommend Park Avenue for a family with children. Most of the residents there are young adults and that's who the neighborhood is really geared towards. It's downright uncanny: you walk down the street and everyone you see is in their twenties.
Do you know anything about Pinnacle School No. 35 on Field Street in Upper Monroe? I know Martin B. Anderson Elementary on Hillside Ave is supposed to be pretty good but I just noticed this other school today.
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