5 Good Reasons To Consider Living in Rochester ....Charm, Community, Culture, Convenience, and Cost. It's a major challenge to find another city with Rochester's quality of life that is more affordable. There is definitely a supply of both single and multi family dwellings in all areas. In 2009 Buyers in general were insisting on properties in especially good condition. While housing in 2007 and into 2008 had been ranging from $65,000 to over a million dollars, the average home in 2008 price is hovered in the $110,000 to $120,000 price range. 2009 started out quite actively, helped in great part by the First-Time Buyer $8,000 Incentive.Rochester is the county seat for Monroe County. It is located in upstate NY with Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, as its northern border. The Genesee River flows from Pennsylvania north through farmlands, dams, falls in Rochester, and eventually empties into Lake Ontario.Originally known as the "flour" city, due to the mills powered by the Genesee River, the city is now known as the "flower" city. Rochester is famous for it's Lilac festival in the spring which draws many visitors from outside the area. Museums, planetariums, the Eastman School of Music, play groups, and a revitalized High Falls mill area all add to the quality of life in Rochester.Several large corporations have substantial operations in the area, including Eastman Kodak, Xerox, Bausch and Lomb, and Wegmans. There are many fine colleges in the area. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and The National Institute for the Deaf (NTID) ...The University of Rochester has a working medical school, Strong Memorial Hospital. Local networked hospitals provide the greater Rochester community with excellent health care.