I spent 8 years living in big cities on the East Coast before realizing my ideal home was the smaller one where I grew up

Within 24 hours of graduating from college, I hit the road and drove 1,500 miles away from my hometown to begin my first full-time job. I was officially in the “real world.”

For the next eight years, I moved from apartment to apartment and city to city, spending my 20s exploring Miami’s vibrant art scene, Boston’s rich history, and New York City’s — well, everything.

Still, when it came time to sign another yearlong lease on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, my husband and I reconsidered.

With dreams to start a family and possibly a business someday, we decided to move back to my hometown of Rochester, New York, in June 2024.

Upstate New York has so much to offer

For a midsize city, I think Rochester has earned some major bragging rights. It’s the birthplace of Wegmans, has over 140 annual festivals, and is home to the largest variety of lilacs on earth (a fun fact that requires its own festival, of course).

The area’s greatness is catching on, too. This year, Redfin named Fairport, New York, (a suburb of Rochester) one of the hottest neighborhoods in the country.

The food and beverage scene is incredible

I may have been spoiled by New York City’s global cuisine, but it’s safe to say that Rochester has impressed me, too.

If I’m in the mood to go out, I like to make reservations at the upscale steakhouse Patron Saint, the buzzy farm-to-table space Good Luck, or the seven-time Michelin-starred restaurant Redd.

Meanwhile, if the day calls for casual eats, you’ll find my husband and I at the beloved hot dog joint Dogtown, the family-owned Mexican eatery Peach Blossom, or a local favorite, Pizza Wizard, for a Detroit-style slice.

Award-winning wineries, breweries, and distilleries are also rising in popularity everywhere from Rochester’s downtown to suburbs like Fairport.

The beautiful nature is next-level

We traded taxis and turnstiles for scenic trails, and we couldn’t be happier. With more than 12,000 acres of parkland, this part of New York has plenty of wide open spaces to explore, all a relatively short drive from Rochester’s city limits.

Our favorite place to hike is Highland Park, which was designed by the same landscape architect who created Central Park.

Although we enjoyed our days biking alongside the Hudson River and relaxing on the esplanade in Boston’s Back Bay, our close proximity to the Finger Lakes is yet another reason we chose to grow roots in Rochester. We love spending weekends in the summer visiting the numerous vineyards in New York’s wine country.

Living in Rochester also means we can plan a mountain escape to the Adirondacks, a day trip to Niagara Falls, or a last-minute attempt to see the Northern Lights over Lake Ontario.

There’s always a museum to visit or an event to attend

We may not be catching Broadway shows on Tuesday nights anymore, but the variety of art and culture here in Rochester is off the charts.

I recommend visiting the Strong National Museum of Play, George Eastman House, and the world-class performances at the Rochester International Jazz Festival.

My favorite event of the year is Fairport Canal Days, a weekend-long celebration featuring local artisans, trendy food trucks, and a whimsical rubber duck charity race held on the Erie Canal.

I’m so glad I found my way back to my hometown

After a year of being back in Rochester, I couldn’t be happier with my decision to return.

When I was younger, I didn’t necessarily appreciate the delicious food, proximity to nature, or thriving art scene. But now, I understand just how special Rochester really is.

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