The third-largest city in Minnesota, Rochester has plenty to offer its residents. There are countless features that make this city a great place to call home, from its picturesque setting and outdoor retreats to the affordable cost of living and outstanding healthcare. Read on to learn more about what makes Rochester so special.
Beautiful Seasons
Rochester experiences all four seasons, so you can enjoy a little of everything here. With an average high of 82 degrees in July, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to get out and soak up the sun. The city typically sees about six days each year where temperatures rise above 90 degrees.
The autumn months bring an abundance of rich colors as the leaves change, creating an ideal season for visiting pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and local Oktoberfest celebrations.
In winter, you’ll enjoy sparkling snowfall that beckons you outside for sledding and skating. Rochester’s road crews are accustomed to the challenges of snow and ice on the roadways and work diligently and efficiently to keep things clear.
May is the rainiest month of the year, and plenty of spring showers ensure bright blossoms and beautiful conditions for a hike.
Plentiful Parks
Rochester has more than 100 city parks and over 85 miles of trails for biking, skating, and pedestrian use. You’ll find a wide range of facilities, including playgrounds, horseshoe pits, baseball diamonds, volleyball courts, open play fields, hockey rinks, tennis courts, golf courses, cross-country skiing facilities, and more. The Art4Trails program aims to make Rochester’s outdoor spaces especially engaging with features like public art, a seed library, and gardens placed along the city’s pathways, enhancing any outdoor experience.
Among the top parks in Rochester are:
- Quarry Hill Park: This picturesque park boasts dense woodland around Quarry Hill Pond. You can hike, canoe, or picnic for a laid-back afternoon outdoors. Basketball and softball fields, a playground, tennis courts, and a horseshoe pit are available as well.
- Soldiers Memorial Field: This park features the Walk of Remembrance, honoring veterans, as well as several other paved trails. The park also includes a swimming pool in the summer, a skating rink in the winter, and a golf course that you can enjoy year-round.
- Indian Heights Park: Explore a sprawling prairie and endangered oak savanna in this unique landscape using several convenient walking trails.
- Foster Arend Park: If you’re interested in water activities, this is the park to visit. The 18-acre lake is open for swimming and fishing. A soft beach provides a great place to relax, while an inflatable water park pops up for extra fun in the summer.
Affordable Living
The overall cost of living in Rochester is about 6% below the national average and 3% below the state average. The median home costs $229,800, and a two-bedroom apartment rents for $959 a month on average. These numbers are below the national average and the average for Minnesota as a whole.
While the cost of living in Rochester is below average for the United States, the average earnings are higher. The average income in the United States is $28,555 a year, while the average salary in Rochester is $33,625 annually. The median household income for a family in Rochester is $63,472 compared to the U.S. average of $53,482. If you’re relocating to Rochester from another area, you may find a significant difference in your budget that leaves you with a greater surplus.
Outstanding Healthcare
Rochester has numerous options for healthcare, including the Zumbro Valley Medical Center and Olmsted Medical Center. Rochester is also home to the famous Mayo Clinic, which the 2020-2021 U.S. News & World Report recognized as the best hospital in the nation. Also, the Mayo Clinic is ranked the top facility in the country in six specialties: diabetes & endocrinology, gastroenterology & GI surgery, gynecology, nephrology, pulmonology and lung surgery, and urology.
Healthcare costs in Rochester are about 1% lower than the national average, with a cost of around $110 for a doctor’s visit and $94 for a dentist visit.
Convenient Transportation
Rochester is easy to get to and around. The Rochester International Airport offers nonstop flights to Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, and Atlanta, making it easy to travel. Olmsted County has nearly 1,700 highway miles, so you can reach and explore the city by car. Once in the city, you can use public transportation to get around. Bus service, skyways, and pedestrian subways offer ample opportunities for quick and easy movement throughout Rochester.
Decadent Dining
Rochester offers an outstanding foodie scene with plenty of innovative options for you to explore. Whether you’re looking for fresh farm-to-table dishes or you’re interested in international cuisine, you can find what you’re craving. Some hot spots you shouldn’t miss in the city include:
- Thirsty Belgian: The atmosphere at the Thirsty Belgian is designed to transport you to a pub in Bruges. You’ll find Belgian pub food — like toasties, Belgian meatballs, and smoked hard-boiled eggs — accompanied by nine beers on tap.
- Twigs Tavern and Grille: The gluten-free menu at Twigs makes this restaurant a favorite among those with dietary restrictions. The gluten-free items are prepared in a separate kitchen to avoid cross-contamination. The delicious menu is organized by land, sea, and earth for an innovative approach to dining.
- Asia Fusion: A popular choice for pho, curry, and roasted duck, Asia Fusion gets rave reviews for its Thai cuisine.
Plenty to Do
Residents have no trouble finding engaging things to do in Rochester. This city boasts a wide variety of attractions, including the Rochester Art Center, historic Plummer House, and sprawling Mayowood Mansion. The city is no stranger to special events, with the 200,000-square-foot Mayo Civic Center on hand to accommodate sporting events and musical performances. In summer, the city hosts Rochesterfest, which features food vendors, treasure hunts, and live entertainment.
These are just a few of our favorite things about Rochester. What highlights are on your list? Tell us what you love about living in Rochester so we can add to our list. If you’re looking for a new vehicle to help you get around the town, stop by Tom Kadlec Kia to find the perfect fit.
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