Macedon offers rural charm with suburban conveniences nearby
Once a village of Palmyra , Macedon separated to become its own upstate New York town in 1823. The two Wayne County towns still share a bond, with a joint park along the Erie Canal, and kids from both communities attending the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District, known locally as “Pal-Mac.” Macedon has one main road with retailers and restaurants, a convenience appreciated by folks in this rural town, which is primarily comprised of farmland. “It has Walmart, Lowe’s and things like that, but also has that small-town charm feel to it in the Main Street area,” says Luke Cino, broker with Cornerstone Realty Associates, who has been selling homes in the region for more than 20 years. Macedon is also right just outside of Rochester’s eastern suburbs and within 15 to 20 miles of Rochester , the Finger Lakes and Lake Ontario.
Homes sell quickly and cost less than nearby suburbs
The median home sale price is $330,000, which is lower than nearby suburbs closer to Rochester, such as Fairport and Pittsford, where the medians are $375,000 and $425,000, respectively. Most houses in Macedon are either along country backroads or in subdivisions scattered throughout town. Some of the oldest houses in the area include bungalows and Colonial Revivals, dating back to the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Other housing options include midcentury designs, such as ranch-style, split-level and bi-level homes. New Traditional and Colonial Revival houses from the 1990s to the present can also be found, with some selling for close to the median while others cost significantly more.
Homes in Macedon sell relatively fast, lasting an average of two weeks on the market, shorter than the national average of 52 days. The town also has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Boating and hiking along the Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a significant draw for those who want to get outdoors. “They take their boats out on the canal, and it’s a big area for walking and bike riding,” Cino says. Macedon Canal Park is an island in the middle of the canal, featuring a quarter-mile gravel trail that runs along the water and through the woods. The park also has public boat launch. On the other side of the canal is the Empire State Trail, the longest trail in the state, which runs between New York to Buffalo . The 750-mile trail passes through Pal-Mac Aqueduct County Park, which has a playground and is home to the oldest wrought-iron bridge in New York, built in 1858. Sycamore Golf Club is open to the public and offers membership rates. Champions Mini Golf is also just down the street and features a driving range.
Big-box stores and local restaurants
Locals head to Highway 31, which is part of Main Street, to shop at big-box retailers, such as Walmart, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply Co. There are a few fast-food restaurants, along with several local establishments. Macedon Hills Family Restaurant and Yellow Mills Diner are two go-to spots for homestyle food. Flaherty’s Three Flags Inn offers an Irish Pub atmosphere, and Hooligans Eastside Grill is a common spot for locals to grab dinner and drinks and watch the Buffalo Bills and other sports. Log Cabin Restaurant is out in the country and draws big crowds throughout the summer and early fall for its weekly Cruze Night, featuring motorcycles, antique cars and other vehicles.
Pal-Mac schools offer IB programs
The Palmyra-Macedon Central School District serves many students, with three of its four schools located in Palmyra. Palmyra-Macedon Primary School receives a B grade from Niche. Palmyra-Macedon Intermediate School is graded a C-plus, and is the one school in Macedon. Palmyra-Macedon Middle School is also graded a C-plus, and Palmyra-Macedon High School receives a B-plus. The school district offers International Baccalaureate Programmes at each school.
Lumberjack Festival and Long Acre Farms bring locals together
The local volunteer fire department hosts the annual Macedon Center Community Lumberjack Festival. The event is held in September, featuring a community breakfast, lumberjack demos and competitions. Long Acre Farms is visited year-round, whether to play on the pirate ship playground, enjoy homemade ice cream or attend the annual Fall Festival Weekends, featuring a corn maze, wagon rides and a jumping pillow.
A 30-minute drive to Rochester
It takes about 30 minutes to drive 20 miles to Rochester via Highway 31. Regional Transit Service operates buses in Macedon that can be taken to downtown Rochester or nearly 20 miles east to Lyons. Travelers can fly out of Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
