8.1 out of 10

Rochester

Ranked 7th best city in Minnesota
44.016103504597 -92.4699511576954
Great for
  • Internet Access
  • Safe & Sound
  • Pest Free
  • Neighborly Spirit
  • Resale or Rental Value
Not great for
  • Nightlife
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
2yrs+
Editors Choice

"Finding your way around Rochester"

Getting around Rochester is easy once you get the hang of street names! Streets run east to west while Avenues run north to south. Drives and Roads are usually long and curvy. Lanes, Courts, Places and Circles are no-through ways such as cul-de-sacs, dead-ends or half-circles.

Rochester is divided into quadrants as well: NW, SW, NE, SE. The quadrant makes a huge difference in the address so don't forget about it! Center Street divides north from south and runs through the middle of downtown. Broadway/Highway 63 roughly divides east from west,

We have a good bus system, easy to navigate. There are park and ride locations to help residents make use of the public transit and car pooling. Rochester is also adding more and more bike lanes, especially downtown and you can get your bike on the buses.

In addition to bike lanes we have a fantastic and extensive hiking/biking trail system. This system allows you get around much of Rochester without going on the main streets. The trails are usually blacktop and provide a beautiful ride or jog through the parks, trees and along the river.

Downtown Rochester has a great skyway/subway system. If you've never been in the subway system I encourage you to visit. It is a city within a city. There is plenty of shopping and dining available within the subway. Visit during the week as some subway routes and shops are closed on weekends.

If you are staying in a Rochester hotel it may be connected to the skyway system or provide a shuttle to get you to downtown and shopping areas.

Rochester does have a few street names that will confuse a visitor. We have a West Circle Drive and East Circle Drive, neither ones are circles. West Circle Drive is a four lane half circle around the city from Apache Mall on the south side of Rochester to 55th St NW on the north side of Rochester. East Circle Drive is a quarter of loop around part of the NE quadrant to Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) on the SE side of town. Future plans will have West Circle Drive and East Circle Drive meeting together some day but not yet.

As Rochester continues to develop into the a major medical center destination we expect easy transit to be a priority. There are talks of bike systems so you can take a community bike from location to location as well as trolley transit. Whatever the future holds it is sure to include a variety of transportation options with an emphases an wise use of space and resources.
Pros
  • Safe
  • Great Public Library
  • Downtown Skyway/Subway system
  • Downtown shopping and restaurants
  • Get from one side of the city to the other in approximately 15 minutes
  • House lots are decent sized
Cons
  • Needs more unique shopping and restaurant choices
  • Four year university offering degrees other than medical fields
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
2yrs+

"Rochester is a lovely place to live"

Having lived in Rochester for over 40 years, I've seen lots of change. The community remains fresh and vibrant. Steady and continuous growth provide for a community that maintains a clean environment.

It's true, the people of Rochester are very nice people. Minnesota Nice starts right here in Rochester.

Rochester is very easy to navigate, with most locations within an easy 15 minute drive.

While most of the major food chains are represented, and there are many fine local restaurants, Rochester could some additional restaurant options with local flair.
Pros
  • Easy access to the Mississippi River
  • Beautiful bluff country near by
  • Quiet, relaxing community
  • Downtown shopping and restaurants
  • House lots are decent sized
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 3/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
2yrs+

"Big city conveniences with a calm easy feel"

Great town to live whether you're looking for an affordable or luxury home. Less traffic than many other large cities, biking, walking paths, great restaurants that serve locally grown foods, shopping, parks, fun local events, tours, wineries.
Pros
  • Get from one side of the city to the other in approximately 15 minutes
  • House lots are decent sized
  • Downtown shopping and restaurants
Cons
  • More concerts and events for young adults
Recommended for
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish

Unranked Neighborhoods in Rochester

Kutzky Park

4.5/5
"So close to downtown, yet this neighborhood has such a small town feel"
44.0240716 -92.4777254
"Up and Coming Downtown Rochester, just keeps getting better!"
44.0217474 -92.4639032

Pill Hill

4.5/5
"Historically significant and a great place to live!"
44.018148 -92.474311
"Always sought after, Pill Hill and Historic Southwest Rochester"
44.0158783 -92.4715422

Elton Hills

3.5/5
"Very popular choice for affordable housing in Rochester, Minnesota"
44.0477477 -92.4826726
"Great Downtown Neighborhood!"
44.0150871 -92.4529976
"Diamond Ridge Park is a huge park great for recreation"
44.037595 -92.532328

Hart Farms

4.5/5
"Hart Farms was once a family farm and is now a fast growing single family neighborhood in SW Rochester"
43.9701678 -92.4938056
"A great neighborhood in a growing area of Rochester"
43.968306 -92.4836
"NW Rochester... the future of Rochester"
44.0859346641711 -92.524367814204

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