Kendall has rural vibes and recreation on Lake Ontario
Rustic scenery and lakefront living come together in Kendall, an Orleans County community that includes the village of Kendall and several smaller hamlets. “Kendall is a very small community on Lake Ontario. It’s very cohesive,” says Ilene Benfer, an agent with Small City Real Estate who has sold homes in the area. “It’s got that sweet, rural feeling to it.” Expansive farmland and properties with acreage attract buyers, but the area also has newly built homes along the lake. World-class fishing at Point Breeze and outdoor activities at Hamlin Beach State Park are within a 15-minute drive of many homes.
Custom country properties and lake houses
Kendall has a mixed housing stock, ranging from 19th-century farmhouses to 1970s split-levels and ranch-style homes. Custom-built homes are scattered across the countryside, and new lakefront builds dot the shores of Lake Ontario at The Cottages at Troutberg. “It’s a farming community more than a lake community, but there are some luxury lake houses,” Benfer says. “There’s lots of farmland and lots of beautiful homes in the whole area.” Fixer-uppers cost between $50,000 and $150,000, while most move-in ready houses sell for $200,000 to $350,000. Properties with major renovations, significant acreage or prime water access can range from $450,000 to nearly $700,000. Kendall's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national score of 4 out of 10.
Kendall Central School District anchors the community
Kids can attend Kendall Elementary School, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. The combined Kendall Junior/Senior High School, rated B-minus, offers Advanced Placement courses for high schoolers. “The school is the hub of the community,” Benfer says. “There are a lot of activities that go on through the school. People are very involved in the sports and the music boosters.” The school district is in the midst of a $13 million capital improvement project. About $11 million is going toward renovations at the elementary school, including security enhancements, building updates and a new playground that was unveiled in October 2025. The project should be wrapped up by the end of 2026.
Fishing for giant trout and salmon on Lake Ontario
Rural property owners often have room to hunt and ride all-terrain vehicles on their own land, but the true highlight of the area is Lake Ontario. The lake is lauded for its top-tier fishing, especially along Point Breeze. Trout and salmon varieties are plentiful, including chinook salmon, considered the largest found in any of the Great Lakes. The lake’s depth prevents a full freeze in the winter, but tributaries like Oak Orchard Creek and Marsh Creek provide excellent opportunities for ice fishing. Less than 10 miles away, Hamlin Beach State Park has hiking trails, camping and a sandy beach.
Dining at The Grove 1848 and shopping in nearby towns
Dollar General has essentials nearby, but the closest grocery store is Tops Friendly Markets in nearby Hamlin. Folks also shop in Albion and Brockport, both less than 15 miles away. The Grove 1848 is the lone eatery in the area, serving up farm-to-table American fare. Originally built in 1897 as The Kendall Inn, the restaurant has a rotating menu of seasonal dishes and staples like pizza, pasta and sandwiches. Partyka Farms offers fresh produce and locally made goods throughout the year. Summer means fruit and veggies, fall offers hayrides and a pumpkin patch, and the holiday season brings fresh wreaths and Christmas trees to the farm.
About 40 minutes from Rochester
Although there are some sidewalks in the village, the area is mostly car-dependent. Rochester and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport are about 30 miles away, or about a 40-minute drive. Emergency medical care is about 10 miles away at UR Medicine Strong West in Brockport. The community is in the process of constructing a $13 million wastewater collection and treatment system to protect against flooding and related water quality issues.
Out-of-towners come home for the Kendall carnival
Residents come together for events like the Kendall Fire Department Carnival, a summer staple. “The annual carnival is kind of like a homecoming every year,” Benfer says. “Everybody comes home for that, and that’s usually in June.” The annual Scarecrow Festival offers family fun with a scarecrow decorating contest, wagon rides, vendors and live music.
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Written By
Leslie Klosterman
