Upper Monroe - Rochester, NY

The development of Upper Monroe began with the construction of the Crossman Seed Company in 1840. By 1901, the company was one of the largest seed houses in the world and encompassed more than 1,200 acres. The company defined the neighborhood throughout the 1920s. Most homes in Upper Monroe were built in the early 20th century.

The Rochester Museum and Science Center lies just a few miles from Upper Monroe. The museum has three levels of interactive exhibits, making it a great place for families with children to visit. The museum often has rotating temporary exhibits, so every visit has something new to discover.

The Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association organizes events for the community throughout the year. Events include their annual holiday party and the neighborhood seed exchanges. The association also oversees Wide Waters Gardens, the ongoing neighborhood gardening project.

The Upper Monroe community has a number of chic American restaurants, traditional pubs and family-style restaurants. The Restaurant at the Armory, affectionately known by locals as TRATA, provides a modern dining experience with upscale twists on classic dishes. Share a plate of the succulent duck quesadillas with your beer cocktail. TRATA also serves a variety of unique burgers, including the Caprese burger with pesto and mozzarella.

Those seeking a more casual dining environment should check out Jeremiah's Tavern. Jeremiah's provides customers with a classic neighborhood pub experience. Jeremiah's serves traditional bar food and chicken wings cited by locals as some of the best in Rochester. Patrons also enjoy nightlife events, such as Trivia Night on Tuesdays.

Monty's Krown brings in local musicians and has a great beer selection as well. The cover price to hear a show usually costs no more than $5. The establishment has a dive-bar atmosphere that adds to its charm, at least in the eyes of many locals. Monty's also has pool tables, darts and pinball.

Residents of Upper Monroe and Rochester rely almost solely on cars as their primary means of transportation. The city has public buses with limited routes and destinations. Buses run every 20 minutes and cost next to nothing to ride, but many riders complain that about their reliability. A single trip costs just $1, and an all-day pass costs $3. If you do not have your own vehicle or have a tight schedule, you would do well to make arrangements through Uber or by calling a cab.

Public parking options in the suburban community of Upper Monroe generally beat those in downtown Rochester. Still, you may have to walk a bit to access the busiest restaurants and shops in the community. Luckily, sidewalks and an abundance of shade trees make walking and cycling a pleasant experience. Biking in the neighborhood itself does not pose problems, but commuting downtown via bicycle seems risky as Rochester does not accommodate cyclists as well as other metropolitan cities.

Rochester provides easy access to several highways and expressways, making it ideal for those who drive. Interstate 490 and New York State Route 31 both run through Upper Monroe.

Hike up Pinnacle Hill to see one of the best views in Rochester. The area, which lies within the boundaries of Upper Monroe, sits at the highest point in the entire city. Residents of Upper Monroe enjoy spending afternoons at Cobbs Hill Park. This public park includes over 100 acres of green space and trails, including a trail for runners to jog around Cobbs Hill Reservoir, the highest point of the park. Park visitors can take advantage of scenic lake views, athletic courts, sports fields and playgrounds. Animal lovers can bring leashed dogs.

The cost of living in Upper Monroe and Rochester beats many other major metropolitan areas in the state of New York. The average one-bedroom rental residence in Upper Monroe stands at around $830. These costs slightly exceed the Rochester average, but not by much. If you find yourself without a car, you can take the public bus one-way for just $1. Dining options in Upper Monroe are relatively inexpensive. Dishes at an upscale restaurant may cost $20 or more, but you can get decent meals at most places for just $10 or so. Most beers cost about $5, sometimes less. Gas prices in New York rank among the highest in the nation. Unfortunately, residents of Upper Monroe do not get a break when it comes to paying for gas. The average gas price in Upper Monroe sits at 26 percent higher than the national average. Upper Monroe residents find that these prices compare closely to the price per gallon of gas in Rochester.

Shopping malls have not made their way to Upper Monroe. Instead, residents frequent the many boutiques and locally owned stores along Monroe Avenue and nearby Park Avenue.

Alex and Ani sells eclectic jewelry and handbags made in the United States and from recycled materials. Most of the items available have an Asian or hippie-inspired flair.

The independently owned Bop Shop specializes in the sale of jazz, blues and American roots music, including rockabilly and soul. The owners fill the store to the brim with rows of records and CDs. They also host a number of music-related events throughout the year.

Stumble into Poster Art to browse their enormous collection of rare and popular posters. The funky little shop has over 300,000 designs, and they also provide framing services.

Rochester citizens pride themselves on Wegman's, the local grocery store that has become a favorite chain along the northeastern seaboard. Wegman's meets all grocery needs, offering fresh produce, a rich display of products and excellent prepared meals, all at low prices.

Visit the Monroe Village Farmer's Market on Wednesday evenings from June through October. The market features several produce and art vendors, as well as live music, and showcases vendors who hail from the surrounding areas.