Bergen is a rural town with historic charm and easy city access
On the northeastern corner of Genesee County, Bergen is a small community of about 3,000. Miles of countryside surround a historic downtown, where local restaurants sit in quaint storefronts. Neighbors gather for annual festivals, and they like the rural seclusion the community provides. “Country people are a little different; we hunt and fish and do those kinds of activities,” says Mark Swanson, a broker with Patriot Real Estate Professionals, who lives in Bergen. “We come out here for peace, so we don’t have to deal with big crowds. You know Mayberry? That’s us.” But, with interstate access, it’s 20 miles or less to Rochester and Batavia, and Buffalo is about 60 miles away, ensuring locals can commute to nearby cities for work, entertainment or big-box shopping.
A few local eateries anchor Bergen’s quaint downtown
Trains run through Bergen’s small downtown area, and near the railroad crossing, a small strip of Italianate-style storefronts house local businesses. In a pale blue shop, Greg’ry’s Bakery has made pastries, baked goods, wraps and sandwiches from scratch since 1986. A few doors down, Ralph & Rosie’s Deli is the go-to for pizza. “Those are our two main spots,” Swanson says. Nearby, Bergen Farm Market Family Restaurant sits in a red paneled building with an awning that resembles a barn. It serves everything from omelets and French toast to double cheeseburgers and Reuben sandwiches. To grocery shop, residents must travel about 3 miles east to Churchville, where there’s an ANG Markets and a Dollar General.
Community events and outdoor fun at local parks like Hickory Park
A few local parks are scattered throughout Bergen. Hickory Park, spanning 10 acres, is the community’s largest. It features a picnic pavilion, baseball fields, basketball courts and a playground. The park is the site of ball games and events, including the Bergen Harvest Market, a farmers market that is open from July to September. On the second Saturday in June, the annual Bergen Park Festival draws much of the community for live music, a magic show, food vendors, a car show, bounce houses and games. Nearby Hartland Park has the Bergen Disc Golf Course and a large hill that folks sled down in the winter. Sage Pavilion is also in the park; locals can rent it for events. Nearby Ward Park features an open green space with walking trails and a small, white gazebo, while The Firing Pin, just outside of the town center, features a shooting range and gun shop.
Homes with rural character typically under $350,000
Near the town center, single-family homes sit on sidewalk-lined streets, and mature trees dot front lawns. On the outskirts of town, things start to spread out. Homes sit on larger lots, and farmland and open fields frame roadsides. For under $100,000, homebuyers can purchase a mobile home or a plot of land. Small cottages or ranch-style homes can range in price from $150,000 to $200,000, while split-levels or Colonial Revivals can cost $230,000 to $330,000. “There’s very little new construction,” Swanson says. “Our town board doesn’t want to see urban or suburban sprawl. They want to keep it a rural community.”
Students attend Byron-Bergen Central School District
The Byron-Bergen Central School District serves the community and earns a B from Niche. Students can attend Byron-Bergen Elementary School, which gets a B-minus, and Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. High School, which gets a B. The high school earned a School of Excellence Award from the New York Public High School Athletic Association Inc. for the 2024-2025 school year.
Convenient to Rochester, Buffalo and Batavia
Bergen is a car-dependent community. It’s located near interstates 490 and 90. The former leads about 20 miles east to Rochester, while the latter can take drivers about 60 miles west to Buffalo. Batavia is about 15 miles away via New York state Route 33, which hugs Bergen’s southern boundary. For air travel, Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport is about 20 miles away, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport is about 50 miles away.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
