Top schools, premium homes and nearby parks define Mendon
One of the most affluent suburbs in Rochester, Mendon offers elevated country living in Monroe County. "It’s kind of like a countryside version of a classy, refined area, where you’ll have some of the same equestrian stuff and rolling hills, but really high-end premium homes and neighborhoods, too," says Realtor Matthew Sharman with Empire Realty Group. Highly rated schools, room to roam and the county’s largest park draw buyers to the community, which includes several small hamlets, including the hamlet of Mendon. “You’re in that Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District, which is a very sought-after school district, and because of that, it drives up the price.” The community also receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national score of 4 out of 10.
Upscale housing options with room for horses
The community has a blend of historic farmhouses, custom builds, condos and recently constructed New Traditional homes. “Mendon is really known as horse country. A lot of people own horses,” says Kurt Engebrecht, an associate broker with Re/Max Plus with 40 years of experience. “It’s not as densely populated as some of the Rochester suburbs. I think the reason people choose Mendon is that they want a little more land. They don’t want to sit on top of each other. The developments down there typically have at least an acre.” Buyers can mostly expect septic systems and private wells, aside from properties near the village of Honeoye Falls. The median price of a single-family home is $500,000, much higher than the Honeoye Falls median of about $400,000. The median townhouse price is about $450,000.
Honeoye Falls-Lime Central schools are some of the best in Rochester
Kids can attend schools in the highly rated Honeoye Falls-Lima Central School District. Niche ranks it one of the top five school districts in the Rochester area and gives it an overall A grade. Engebrecht says the district has one of the strongest cross-country teams in the state. Lima Elementary School receives a B, while Manor Intermediate and Honeoye Falls-Lima Central Middle both receive an A. Honeoye Falls-Lima Central High is graded A-minus.
Mendon Ponds Park offers year-round outdoor activities
“Mendon Ponds Park is a huge draw because it’s massive,” Sharman says. “There are trails, and you can even ride horses there. There’s sledding, bird watching and, in the summer, you can do kayaking.” Cross-country skiing is also a popular pastime in the park. "You’ll pay a lot more money to get not-as-good cross-country skiing elsewhere," Engebrecht says. Mendon Golf Club is private, but nearby Victor has several courses open to the public. The 15-mile Lehigh Valley Trail runs through Mendon and Rush toward Henrietta, providing recreation and an off-road alternative for traversing the area.
Local staples and casual dining anchor Mendon’s food scene
The hamlet of Mendon has Mendon Meadows Marketplace for groceries and a handful of casual eateries, but one stands out above the rest. “There’s a bar that’s been there forever called The Cottage Hotel. I’m 67 and it’s been there about 60 years,” Engebrecht says. “It’s sort of the mainstay of that area.” Main Street Café is a go-to for breakfast fare, while 20 Deep Winery offers a relaxed setting in the country. Honeoye Falls has its own set of eateries. “Honeoye Falls has the falls, which is a beautiful attraction,” Engebrecht says. “There’s this really beautiful venue called The Grist. It’s more expensive, and it’s right on the river.” Additional shops and restaurants are a short drive away in Pittsford and Victor.
Thruway access and a short commute to Rochester
Mendon is a few miles from Interstate 90, a major east-west highway also known as the New York Thruway. Rochester and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport are within a 20-mile drive. “It’s a pretty convenient commute to Rochester,” Engebrecht says. “You’re probably looking at 20 minutes, and being able to come from a rural area into a city is kind of unique.” Medical care is available at FF Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua or Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, both less than 20 miles away.
Mendon and Honeoye Falls host small-town celebrations
Mendon has a small but highly anticipated slate of events throughout the year. “They have a fireman’s carnival, which is really cool, and they’ll do the tree lightings and stuff like that,” Sharman says. Honeoye Falls has events, too, including the annual Festival at the Falls in August and the Good Vibes Flowing summer concert series.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman