Rochester NY attracts thousands of newcomers each year, many of whom come to attend one of the many colleges and universities in the area, and many of whom choose to make permanent moves after finishing their years of college education. Moving to rochester NY is a popular decision, presumably for a variety of reasons. For those considering a Rochester NY move, we will here outline a few of the major draws recommended by residents of the city.
City Size
Many of those choosing to move to rochester NY move because its size is ideal for those wanting a taste of city life that isn’t too overwhelming. Rochester posted a population of just over 200,000 in 2011. To provide a comparison, this is slightly less than Buffalo’s 260,000 and slightly more than Syracuse’s 145,000. Rochester is considered a small city, but holds a position as New York State’s third most populous.
Culture
A large component of Rochester’s population is between the ages of 21 and 34, a fact which has led to a booming restaurant and nightlife scene. There are hundreds of locally owned restaurants Rochester residents love to frequent, including one on the site of the Genesee Brewing Company, the brewery that produces Genesee Cream Ale, Genny Lite, and Genesee Ice Beer as well as Dundee Ales and Lagers, and Seagram’s Escapes.
Perhaps the greatest claim to fame that Rochester residents point to as the city’s greatest draw is the large number of outdoor festivals put on around the city. Rochester boasts one of the largest Jazz Festivals in America, along with its famous Lilac Festival, the oldest and most popular Rochester festival and the largest of its kind in North America. The Lilac Festival includes food, arts and crafts shows, and free concerts by major musical acts. The city is also home to more than sixteen other musical, ethnic, and interest based festivals.
Markets
Though such a heading would seem out of place in a discussion of most cities, Rochester residents are infatuated with the markets to which they have access. Wegmans, Rochester’s favorite local grocery store was opened in the early 20th century and is still known today not only as one of the best grocery markets in the world, but as one of the best employers. In 2010, it celebrated 13 years of top ten rankings in Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.” The century old Rochester Public Market is also a favorite of residents, open year round for locals to purchase fresh produce, ethnic delicacies, and specialty items from local farmers and vendors.
Many of those considering a Rochester ny move have been immersed in its unique culture through the many college and universities in and around the city, a factor which annually draws a large number of young people. As a result, the city is home to thousands of young singles, couples, and families who are bringing about a revitalization of Rochester culture. A Rochester NY move is a popular decision for good reason. It’s a great place to live, and gets better by the day.