Chili blends suburban conveniences with rural charm
Chili mixes suburban and rural living about 20 minutes from downtown Rochester. Despite the appetizing name, Chili is actually pronounced “chai-lai,” a pronunciation quirk still argued over by local historians. Around 30,000 people live in the area, with homes spread across miles of farmland and developing subdivisions. “Prices are reasonable, it’s got a good school system, it’s got great shopping, and it’s got really close access to all the major expressways,” says Bob Malone, team lead of Bob Malone Homes and an associate broker at Keller Williams with more than 30 years of experience.
Developing subdivisions stand alongside long‑established family farms in Chili.
The Marketplace Mall is the centerpiece of nearby Henrietta’s busiest shopping area.
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Townhouses, subdivisions and farmhouses with acreage
Housing stock in Chili ranges from rural properties with acreage on the outskirts to townhouses and new builds in subdivisions. Colonial-style homes are common, but buyers can also find early 19th-century Nationals and Cape Cods, midcentury split-levels and ranch-style homes, and New Traditional homes built within the last decade. Land is available for sale, too. “There’s a decent amount of new construction, but not as much as we need,” Malone says. “It’s definitely a growing area.” Single-family homes typically range from $200,000 to $400,000, but larger homes and properties with acreage can sell for $450,000 to $700,000. Condos and townhouses cost between $150,000 and $300,000.
Open space and subdivision amenities reflect Chili’s ongoing growth.
Recent builds include New Traditional homes from the last decade in Chili.
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Public and private school options, plus proximity to universities
Kids can attend schools in the Gates Chili Central School District, which earns a B grade from Niche. About 3,500 students are enrolled across four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The district has had several capital improvement projects in recent years, including the $88 million “2025 Future Ready” project to add new classroom space and repair and replace infrastructure by 2032. St. Pius Tenth School, currently unrated by Niche, offers private education for kids in pre-school through fifth grade. Locals are less than 10 miles away from the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology. Roberts Wesleyan University is based in North Chili.
Rochester Institute of Technology near Chili is a top ranked private university.
Roberts Wesleyan University features a scenic campus with modern facilities in North Chili.
Gates-Chili High School earns a B- on Niche.
Gates Chili Central School District serves local students and has an overall Niche score of B.
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City and county parks provide ample recreation
Chili has six city parks and several recreational facilities, including nature trails and ADA-accessible kayak launches onto Black Creek and the Genesee River. “Black Creek Park is one of the major county parks, and that’s in Chili,” Malone says. The 1,500-acre green space has miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. During the winter, Black Creek Park becomes the go-to spot for sledding and cross-country skiing. “There’s a great community center and a great senior center,” Malone adds. Mill Creek Golf Club and Morgan’s Crossing, both open to the public, and the private Brook-Lea Country Club are just a few miles away. Boating, fishing and swimming on Lake Ontario are about 20 miles north.
Morgan’s Crossing provides a public golf course near Chili.
Memorial Park features playgrounds and picnic areas for family friendly recreation in Chili.
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Casual dining and grocery staples line Chili Avenue
Chili Avenue, also known as Route 33A, is lined with fast-food chains and grocery stores, including Aldi and Wegmans, which has a distribution center in Chili. The community restaurant mix leans casual with local favorites like The Original Steve’s Diner, Ferrari Pizza Bar and North Chili Family Restaurant. Chili is also within a short drive of major Rochester shopping centers such as The Mall at Greece Ridge and Marketplace Mall.
The Original Steve's Diner in Chili serves classic American fare.
Ferrari Pizza Bar serves pizza and Italian favorites in the heart of Chili.
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A short commute to Rochester by car or bus
Residents have easy access to Interstate 490, one of the region’s major highways. Rochester and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport are about 10 miles away. Airport proximity means residents may hear flyover noise from low-flying planes. Most folks drive, but there are a handful of bus stops in town with service to Rochester. There are two urgent care centers in town, but the closest emergency room is at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Black Creek has a history of flooding, and Chili can experience flash flooding during heavy rainfall. The community experienced some flood damage after severe weather in June 2025.
Year-round events bring neighbors together
The annual Chili Summerfest, formerly known as Chi-E-Fest, brings residents together every summer for a night of live music, food and vendors. The senior center hosts a summer concert series, and the town kicks off the holiday season in December with a community craft show, Christmas tree lighting and breakfast with Santa.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
Photography Contributed By
Daniel Quattro
Video By
Alex Jacobsen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Deborah Renna-Hynes,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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Discover effortless city living in this beautifully maintained 1920s Side-Hall Colonial, perfectly situated in the heart of the historic 19th Ward. Just steps from the Genesee Riverway Trail and a short bridge-walk to the University of Rochester, this home offers the ultimate blend of neighborhood charm and commuter convenience. You are minutes from URMC, Strong Memorial, College Town, Genesee
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Robert RuhlandKeller Williams Realty Greater Rochester
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