why rochester is exploding right now (and why i might move there)
so rochester, new york, isn't exactly the first city that pops into your head when you think "fastest growing," right? but here's the thing: it's quietly becoming a magnet for people who are tired of paying $3k/month for a closet in brooklyn or brooklyn-wannabe neighborhoods. rochester's average rent? about $1,200 for a decent one-bedroom. that's not a typo. and it's not just cheap-it's actually got stuff going on.
let's talk jobs. the tech scene here is surprisingly alive. companies like kodak and bausch + lomb have pivoted hard into imaging tech and biotech, and the university of rochester is pumping out talent that actually sticks around. cost of living index? rochester sits around 6% below the national average. compare that to austin (now 20% above) and you start to see why people are packing up.
now, i know what you're thinking: "but is it safe?" short answer-depends on the block. some areas are super chill (south wedge, park avenue), others… less so. but that's true anywhere. crime rate in rochester is higher than the national average, but most incidents are concentrated in specific pockets. locals will tell you: just know where you're going.
*food scene: holy smokes. i didn't expect this. humble pasta spots, killer vegan joints, and a garbage plate culture that's both horrifying and delicious. check out dogtown on yelp if you want the real local experience.
weather: okay, winter is no joke. lake-effect snow will bury you. but summers? gorgeous. and fall? straight out of a postcard. if you can handle a real winter, the rest of the year is a steal.
neighbors*: toronto's a short drive, the finger lakes are basically in your backyard, and niagara falls is close enough for a day trip. you're not stuck in the middle of nowhere.
i overheard someone at a coffee shop say, "rochester is what brooklyn thought it was in 2008." maybe that's a bit much, but the energy is real. it's messy, it's growing, and it's not trying to be anywhere else.
if you're curious, poke around the rochester subreddit or hit up tripadvisor's rochester forum for the unfiltered scoop.
this city isn't for everyone. but if you want affordability, grit, and a place that's still figuring itself out? rochester might just surprise you.
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- https://topiclo.com/post/the-real-cost-of-utilities-and-bills-in-nryanganj-dont-say-i-didnt-warn-you
- https://topiclo.com/post/local-etiquette-and-traditions-how-not-to-offend-people-in-akure-4