Secluded charm and outdoor living in Bristol
Large lots and natural surroundings define Bristol, a rural Ontario County community within a short drive of Canandaigua. “Bristol is really quaint with a lot of wooded properties tucked in the hills,” says Craig Emmerling, a real estate associate broker at Re/Max Integrity with more than 30 years of experience. “It’s in between Honeoye Lake and Canandaigua Lake, and that’s some of the richest waterfront in the United States. … It’s a great place to be with family because you can be at two different lakes, skiing, and you can get to malls within 30 minutes.”
Custom-built cabins and historic farmhouses on multiple acres
There’s a variety of property types in Bristol, from manufactured homes to log cabins and 19th-century farmhouses to custom-built homes built in the past decade. But no matter the style, buyers can expect properties with acreage. “It has good value but also privacy,” Emmerling says. “Most houses have three acres or more.” Dense woods and farmland separate homes, offering seclusion in natural surroundings. Private wells and septic systems are typical, and some of the long driveways may require all-wheel drive to traverse. Fixer-uppers range from $70,000 to $200,000, but many homes fall between $200,000 and $400,000. Custom builds can start around $500,000 and cost up to nearly $1 million for a five-bedroom custom cabin. “There are some short-term rentals in Bristol, but it’s mostly a year-round community,” Emmerling says.
Skiing at Bristol Mountain and boating on Canandaigua Lake
Bristol Mountain Ski Resort is a hub for winter recreation, with 39 slopes and trails for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. The ski resort is also a go-to spot to see fall foliage. Hiking, biking and hunting are popular at preserved habitats like the Stid Hill Multiple Use Area and Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Area. Canandaigua Lake offers year-round recreation, with boating and swimming in the summer and ice fishing during the winter. After a day spent on the lake, visitors can stop by one of eight wineries on the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail, which stretches from Victor to Naples.
Nearby Canandaigua has groceries, shops and restaurants
Bristol is rural and largely residential, so folks head to Canandaigua to grab groceries at stores like Wegmans and Walmart. Downtown Canandaigua is lined with boutiques and local eateries. Farms, nurseries, vineyards and orchards thrive in the countryside, and residents can purchase seasonal produce, eggs, meat and even flowers or fruit trees from local growers and producers. Adults can enjoy a glass of wine at Heron Hill Tasting Room and indulge in craft beer at Other Half Brewing or The Irish Mafia Brewing Company in nearby Bloomfield.
Four public school district options in the area
A handful of public school districts serve the area, including Honeoye Central School District, which receives a C rating from Niche, and the B-rated Naples Central School District. East Bloomfield Central School District is graded B-plus, and Canandaigua City School District gets an A-minus. All four districts offer career and technical education courses through Finger Lakes Technical and Career Center. The career center offers more than a dozen programs in six pathways, such as agriculture, construction and communications.
Clear roads and light traffic even in winter
Canandaigua and FF Thompson Hospital are about 10 miles away. Drivers can get to Rochester and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport within 30 miles. “It’s not like California traffic or New York City traffic. You can go 55, 60 miles per hour anywhere you want to go,” Emmerling says. He adds that during the winter, “The roads are always clear. If you’ve got a long driveway like I do … you plow your own driveway.”
Fall brings changing colors and the Naples Grape Festival
Residents head to neighboring towns for events like the Naples Grape Festival, a September tradition that marks the start of the grape harvest season. Bristol Mountain hosts a Fall Festival every year with live music and ski lift rides with views of fall foliage.
Low crime score but past flooding challenges in Bristol
Bristol has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, which is lower than the national score of 4 out of 10. Bristol’s hilly terrain encompasses numerous wetlands and floodplains, and the area has experienced significant flooding in the past. Flash flooding in 2023 damaged 100 homes and closed roads in several Ontario County communities, including Bristol.
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Written By
Leslie Klosterman
