Living in Rochester

Rochester is a vibrant, mid-sized metropolis located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. Within driving distance of New York City, Toronto, and Buffalo, Rochester is close to major metropolitan areas and international airports.

The city is home to several nationally renowned businesses, such as Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch & Lomb. Many organizations here work closely with local government and academia to help train entrepreneurs and support new business ventures. Since 1996, 51 start-ups have been created based on University of Rochester technologies alone.

Rochester boasts a vibrant arts and cultural scene. The Eastman Theatre offers a variety of performances throughout the year and is home to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Music lovers can also enjoy the annual week-long International Jazz Festival in downtown’s East End cultural district.

There are numerous ways to stay active with more than 12,000 acres of parks in Monroe County. Prefer to take advantage of the beautiful New York winters? There are three ski resorts located within two hours of Rochester, with the closest only 35 miles away. Rochester is also home to several professional sports teams, including the Red Wings baseball team and the Amerks hockey team.

City of Rochester Skyline