Rochester, New York

Stop laughing. Wegmans is the ultimate shopping experience, and if you ask any locals their favorite part about Rochester, they’ll agree with us. So what is it that gives Wegmans its allure? Maybe it’s the exclusivity, having just over 100 stores compared to Whole Foods 500. It could be the insanely nice people who work at Wegmans or the large selections of cheeses and international selections. Or it could be that Wegmans brand products are also a hit, with customers saying they just can’t find quality like that at such a low price at other places. Regardless, Wegmans is a staple in Rochester, and those who get it get it. And those that don’t will get it when they get here!

Residents of Rochester are often baffled that the Pacific Northwest gets to have all the fun of being named the dreariest place in the US. Rochester’s weather gives Seattle a run for its money, especially in the winter. It gets less snow than in the old days, and it's not nearly as cold or lasts for as long, but still, it's a legit winter.

Rochester is a city full of families and affordable living. The cost of living is well below the national average, which is why plenty of families relocate here. Besides being known for music with its rich history of Jazz musicians and the Eastman School of Music, Rochester is also known for what they lovingly refer to as the “Garbage Plate.” Don’t click away! We know it sounds…different. But the iconic dish is a late-night staple and the perfect thing after a night out. It’s a mountain of macaroni salad, home fries, baked beans, chopped onions, mustard, an infamous meat sauce, and topped with your protein of choice. The Garbage Plate has been served up to locals for over 100 years. It’s cheap, it’s hot, and a community staple to share with friends after a fun night. It’s a lot like Rochester: cheap, surprisingly amazing, and more than enough to keep you satisfied.

If you want to know what goes on in Rochester, check out the calendar of events.

We highly recommend visiting Rochester and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our partnership with Expedia as well.

Rochester is a hub for technology and education. The University of Rochester has a huge influence over the city, and the high concentration of universities in the general area drives economic growth. It’s home to a top research center, a renowned nursing school, and the Simon School of Business. Behind the University, there are also several large companies in the city, including Paychex and Carestream Health. Xerox was also founded in Rochester and maintains a large presence to this day.