Oakfield offers a rural lifestyle with access to nearby cities
Residents who choose Oakfield settle into a slow-paced town in the middle of two major cities. “Oakfield is a rural farming community. People who live here understand that we truly have more cows than people,” says Melissa Haacke, the town clerk. “We’re between Buffalo and Rochester, so it’s an easy drive if you’re commuting to a job in the city, but we’re also 5 miles north of Batavia where your grocery stores and shopping are.” Though a small-town with both family-family suburban neighborhoods and stretches of open farmland, Oakfield isn't isolated. Batavia offers amenities like a casino and indoor waterpark, and state Route 63 connects residents to Interstate 90.
Housing options range from ranch styles to farmhouses
Oakfield’s housing landscape is defined by quiet, tree-lined streets and a mix of home styles that reflect both its village’s charm and its rural surroundings. Colonial-style and ranch-style properties are more common around the village center, where sidewalks line most streets. The town’s outskirts are dotted with farmhouses on larger lots. “A lot of times people move here because they can get a house with more land and a lesser cost than moving into a city or a newer development,” Haacke says. Prices can start around $95,000 for homes in need of renovations. More spacious homes with front porches and attached garages can reach $300,000. Though rare, sprawling properties with over a dozen acres can list for upwards of $925,000.
Oak Orchard and Triangle Park provide community events
The town of Oakfield offers a mix of traditional parks and expansive natural areas for recreation. On the north side, Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area spans 2,500 acres and provides hiking trails, birdwatching spots and quiet places to explore the outdoors. “Oak Orchard is protected wetlands, and people can hunt on the land,” Haacke says. “There’s also a welcome center on the Alabama side, and they always have displays on-site. Sometimes they offer crafts like birdhouse building. At Christmas time, they host a nighttime lantern walk through the property.”
Centrally located in the village, Elroy Parkins Town Park features Little League fields, tennis courts and open grounds for gatherings. Triangle Park, a small green space in the heart of town, hosts the annual Oakfield Labor Daze Festival, a weekend event with live music, food and a 5K run. “We’re a tight-knit community with a lot of traditions we’ve stuck by for many years,” Haacke says. “We have a Christmas tree lighting called Majestic Lights at Triangle Park, where we display 100 lights that people purchase, whether it’s their business or a memory of a loved one.” Haacke also says that across the street, a more interactive and photo-worthy tree lighting with music takes place at the Village Memorial Park.
Tight-knit Oakfield-Alabama schools serve local students
Oakfield-Alabama schools serve the local community with a small, close-knit educational environment. Both Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School and Oakfield-Alabama Middle-High School receive a B-minus rating from Niche. About 375 students attend the middle-high school, giving classrooms a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1. In addition to a more individualized learning experience, the schools foster community involvement. Haacke mentions the schools put on plays and other performances throughout the year that are always well-received with a supportive crowd.
Main Street eats and nearby Batavia meet everyday needs
Retail and dining in Oakfield are modest but locally loved. Main Street features Caryville Inn, an American steakhouse with a cozy atmosphere; Santino’s, a go-to spot for pizza; and Straight out the Boot, known for its fried fish. “We still have working farms, the largest being Lamb Farms,” Haacke says. “They’re third generation and looking to expand.” For broader shopping and dining options, residents typically head down the road to Batavia, where they’ll find larger stores like Tops and Walmart. Batavia also houses the nearest hospital—Rochester Regional Health—making it the main destination for healthcare.
Interstate 90 connects Oakfield to Buffalo and Rochester
Oakfield is a car-dependent community with no public bus or train service available. State Route 63 and Route 262 meet in the center of town, the former linking residents to I-90 about 4 miles south. Once on the interstate, Buffalo is a 40-mile drive west and Rochester is 35 miles east. For air travel, locals rely on either Buffalo Niagara International Airport or Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.
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Written By
Mary Beth Greene
