As Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts, East Avenue is rich with culture and history. The district has a distinctive style that is widely appealing, with museums, art installations, and historic architecture drawing people to experience the community. “It’s one of the nicest areas in the city,” says Peter Schick, a Realtor and local with five years of experience in the area. “It’s very classy. Things are more expensive, but there’s a lot of stuff to do.”
The streets are lined with small businesses, from cafes to gift shops with artisan-made products. The theaters, galleries and museums welcome visitors and residents alike to take in some of the local art. Some attractions don’t even require museum entry: Rochester’s ARTwalk, a permanent outdoor art trail, combines the natural beauty of the shady trees with art installations. Meanwhile, the Rochester Museum and Science Center and the Straussberg Planetarium invite visitors to marvel at the natural wonders of the world.
East Avenue is home to many elegant Tudor-style homes that have historic cultural value.
The George Eastman Museum is the world's oldest museum dedicated to photography and film.
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Historic homes for living and sightseeing
East Avenue’s artistic charm extends to the residential streets. Late nineteenth and early twentieth-century homes of historic architectural styles, ranging from large classic Victorians to charming Craftsman bungalows. Homes retain much of their original character and typically include both front and back yards along the shady streets and mature trees.
Some homes are more historic than others. The Edward Boynton House was designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright and is illustrative of Wright’s distinct aesthetic, with dropped skylights and tiered windows create a dazzling light effect. The George Eastman Museum, a Colonial Revival mansion that once belonged to Kodak founder and film pioneer George Eastman, serves as a place to study the history of photography.
For the average resident of East Avenue, home prices are steeper than other Rochester neighborhoods but lower than the national average. A three-bedroom Victorian home may sell for around $300,000, while a renovated 5-bedroom Tudor commands a higher price around $675,000.
The median income in East Avenue is $54,360 which is 2% lower than the U.S average.
The median home value in East Avenue is $226,500.
Tudor-style homes typically sell for $675,000.
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Immersed in arts and culture
The streets of the East Avenue neighborhood are their own sort of museum. “There’s random sculptures everywhere you go,” says Lyndsay Compitello, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Rochester Museum & Science Center. “ The horses, and the benches, they’re all over the place and it’s really beautiful.” Nothing embraces the outdoor art spirit like the ARTwalk, an urban trail and interactive outdoor museum between the Memorial Art Gallery and the George Eastman House. The display features sidewalk murals, decorative benches, and artfully designed bus stops.
The Rochester Museum & Science Center is the central hub for the museum culture. The RMSC includes three floors that feature more than 200 interactive science and history exhibits and the Strasenburg Planetarium for stargazing tours. The museum hosts regular events that range from scientific lectures to a Repair Fair where participants can learn how to fix that broken appliance they aren’t ready to part with.
The community gathers in the neighborhood streets on summer weekends for events like the annual Jazz Festival, which features more than 1700 artists, and 300 performances across 20 venues ranging from the Little Theater indie film house to pop-up tents in the park. “It’s wild,” Compitello says. “People come from all over. It’s the most popular festival in Rochester.”
The Rochester International Jazz Festival features talented local and international musicians.
The Strasenburgh Planetarium is operated by the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
East Avenue is home to the Neighborhood of The Arts.
The Memorial Art Gallery was founded in 1913 and has several selections from George Eastman.
Shoppers at Village Gate Square can browse eclectic shops and view unique art installations.
The Rochester Museum & Science Center is the central hub for museum culture in East Avenue.
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Dining and shopping for every taste
The unique culture of East Avenue is partially created by the abundance of local shops, boutiques, cafes and bars along the main streets of Park Avenue, East Avenue and University Avenue. “There’s nightlife, there’s coffeeshops, there’s dining – you could spend an entire day just on East Avenue,” Compitello says. Vegans will appreciate the broad selections at The Red Fern, while caffeine addicts flock to Café Sasso. At the Village Gate Square, residents can browse eclectic shops and take in the unique art installations while stopping in at Get Caked bakery for a sweet treat. IPA enthusiasts will enjoy the selection at Three Heads Brewing, which features a rotating tap of brews that change seasonally.
For nightlife, Murphy’s Law is a local Irish pub that’s packed on the weekends and features live music and DJs. On Park Avenue, Blu Wolf Bistro is a hip gastropub with rotating weekly events including live music and karaoke.
Outdoor dining is a popular option in East Avenue's Neighborhood of The Arts.
Just Juice 4 Life offers organic vegan juice and smoothies in the East Avenue neighborhood.
Shopping a Stacy K Floral pushes the boundaries of what a flower shop can be.
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The School of The Arts has a B- score on Niche.
Home to the School Of The Arts
East Avenue is home to School 23 Francis Parker, which serves students through sixth grade and has a C rating from Niche. The school follows a Project Based Learning (PBL) model, where students are given projects to work on over some time to encourage problem-solving and critical thinking skills. From there, Rochester’s school choice program allows students the option of attending the Rochester School Of The Arts, also located in the neighborhood. SOTA is an audition-based secondary school that offers creative writing, dance, drama, music, theatre and visual arts programs. It has a B-minus Niche grade and is named the No. 37 best high school for the arts in New York. As of Spring 2024, the district is undergoing a reconfiguration plan that may alter the attendance zones for the neighborhood for the 2024-2025 school year.
A garden setting
Public gardens, including the Garden of Fragrance on the grounds of the Rochester Museum and Science Center as well as the Neighborhood of the Arts Community Garden, give visitors a chance to take in the fragrant flowers and grow their own produce at the community garden. The Park Avenue Green may be small, but summer music performances draw a crowd. Just south of the neighborhood, the Cobbs Hill Park and Washington Grove recreation areas attract visitors to hike to the Cobbs Hill Water Towers to admire the vibrant murals. The Washington Grove Hiking Trails are a popular hiking destination, offering scenic trails with views of giant, ancient oak trees.
Nicknamed "Neighborhood of the Arts", East Avenue is rich with culture and history.
The East Avenue neighborhood has 7,259 residents.
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Explore by foot
The entirety of the East Avenue neighborhood is highly walkable, with streetlights, sidewalks and landscaping creating a naturally appealing atmosphere. For drivers, East Avenue connects directly into downtown, with stops along the way for the Rochester Contemporary Art Center and The Little Theater. Nearby Interstate 490 provides a direct route to Interstate 90, the New York State Thruway, which connects with Buffalo to the west and Syracuse to the east. The Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) is less than ten miles away. Bus stops along Park Avenue and University Avenue connect residents to downtown and the broader Rochester area.
Wide sidewalks allow residents of East Avenue to easily walk and exercise.
East Avenue is a block away from Park Avenue and it's many amenities.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andrew Hannan,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park at Manhattan Square
Playground
Merriman Park
Playground
Washington Square Park
Goodwin Park
Playground
Cobbs Hill Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Fourth Street and Peck Street Park
Playground
Gardiner Park
Transit
Airport
Frederick Douglass/Greater Rochester International
11 min drive
Bus
University & Prince
Bus
Park & Berkeley
Bus
University & Blossom
Bus
Park & Barrington
Bus
University & Portsmouth
Bus
Park & Oxford
Bus
Goodman & College
Reviews
Niche Reviews
4.52 Reviews
5.0Niche User
6/30/2016Niche Review
I really enjoy where I live. I love that there is a lot to do that feeds my soul. I am glad I have a place that matches many parts of my personality. It is the most favorite place I have ever lived in my life.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
East Avenue
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
9
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Avenue, Rochester sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in East Avenue, Rochester over the last 12 months is $348,390, down 11% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 241-243 Merriman Street—a fully occupied, turn-key four-unit multifamily property offering strong cash flow, thoughtful updates, and long-term value in one of Rochester’s centrally located neighborhoods. This well-maintained building includes four unique units, each offering between 1–2 bedrooms and 1–2 full bathrooms, providing a flexible layout that appeals to a range of tenant
Mark SiwiecElysian Homes by Mark Siwiec and Associates
Welcome to 78 Brunswick—a rare and remarkable opportunity nestled in the heart of Rochester’s vibrant East Avenue Historic District. This stately and versatile property offers the ideal setup for owner-occupants seeking both the comfort of a primary residence and the financial benefit of an income-producing apartment. With two distinct living spaces, each full of charm, function, and
Mark SiwiecElysian Homes by Mark Siwiec and Associates
Theres luxury, and then theres 933 the U. We offer one-of-a-kind apartments for rent in Rochester, NY. Our spacious 1 & 2-bedroom apartments are the perfect fit for your on-the-go lifestyle. We provide our Rochester, NY residents with an exceptional amenities package and a central location to enjoy all the area has to offer.
Former servants quarters to the George Eastman House located directly behind it on University Ave and Russell St. This one bedroom apartment with a separate office, porch and is centrally located. No dogs allowed, cats are ok with monthly pet fee of $35/month. Landlord requires credit check (co-signers permitted) and a minimum credit score of 675 to qualify. Laundry (shared, coin-op) in every
Beautiful 1930's Art Deco building with modern amenities!Walking distance to great restaurants and bars and nightlife!Restaurants/Bars: - Ox and Stone-Locals Only -Daily Refresher -Murphey's Law-Axes and Ales -Swan Dive And More!Special Events/Things to do: -Public Market (weekly events, shopping and food truck rodeos) -Lilac Festival
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Andrew Hannan,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
7,107
Median Age
35
Population Density
12 ppl/acre
Population under 18
13.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.3%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$56,992
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$84,168
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96%
College Graduates
64.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
32.8%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
76.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
35''
Average Winter Low Temperature
19°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
82''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
71/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
74/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
43/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
