Country and suburban living in Ogden
West of Rochester , the town of Ogden opens up to the countryside of Monroe County. Ogden’s abundant farmland surrounds the town’s village of Spencerport, a suburban community with a lively, downtown strip by the Erie Canal. “Ogden is where you go to find more spacious land,” says James Klossner, an associate broker with Whitetail Properties Real Estate, who has been selling homes in the region for five years. “It’s good if you’re looking for something private with a few acres, but still want close access to Rochester.”
Homes sell fast in Ogden, with prices below Rochester’s
Subdivisions in and around Spencerport feature a blend of midcentury ranch-style, split-level and Colonial Revival homes. Townhouses are also available, many of which come with built-in garages. Larger New Traditional homes can be found out in the country with 1 to 5 acres of land. The median homes sale price in Ogden is $210,000, about $20,000 less than Rochester’s median. “More developments are going up. They’re buying farmland and building on it,” Klossner says. These homes typically sell for much more than the area median.
Homes stay on the market for an average of 16 days, much less than the national average of 52. The CAP Index Crime Score in Ogden is 2 out of 10; compared to the national average of 4.
Shops and restaurants in Spencerport's canal-front downtown
Spencerport has more than a dozen restaurants lined along South Union Street. Texas BBQ Joint is a local favorite for brisket and other barbecue staples. Mangia Mangia offers Italian-American food and is notable for its Fish Fry Fridays. Clutch on the Canal is a popular spot for bar food while watching sports on the indoor projector screen or hanging out on the string-lit patio by the Erie Canal. Spencerport also has several locally owned shops, along with a Tops Friendly Market grocery store. More fresh produce is available out in the countryside. “There are a lot of fruit and vegetable stands around every corner,” Klossner says.
School-to-Career program prepares students at Spencerport High School
The Spencerport Central School District serves the northern half of Ogden. Students zoned here attend Canal View Elementary School, which receives a B grade from Niche. They’ll go on to Cosgrove Middle School, which is also graded a B, followed by Spencerport High School, graded a B-plus. The high school offers a School-to-Career (STC) program, which allows students to get paid, hands-on experience with local employers. Students in the program may qualify for an STC scholarship. College students may attend Roberts Wesleyan University in North Chili, which is just south of town. The Christian-based institution offers nearly 100 programs of study and NCAA Division II athletics.
Empire State Trail, Northampton Park and golf courses
The Empire State Trail is the longest trail in New York and runs through Spencerport along the Erie Canal. “A lot of people go up to the canal to go hiking and ride their bikes,” Klossner says. The 750-mile trail starts and ends in Buffalo and New York City, cutting through various towns and villages along the way. Northampton Park is nearby, with 973 acres of nature trails, athletic fields and a playground. Horseback riding is permitted on the trails, and there is also a field for flying model airplanes. During winter, locals head to the park to go sledding, cross country skiing and downhill skiing. Eight golf courses are within a 5-mile radius of Spencerport, including country clubs with courses open to the public, such as Salmon Creek Country Club and Deerfield Golf & Country Club.
Spencer Port Canal days and other events by the water
Spencerport Canal Days is held every summer, where locals gather downtown to celebrate the historic Erie Canal through food, vendors and live music. The village hosts Music on the Canal, a free summer concert series held every Sunday from June through August. Bands perform in a gazebo by the canal. The Spencerport Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival is another summer event, featuring a parade, carnival rides and live music.
About 10 miles to Rochester
Ogden is a car-dependent community with no public transportation. Spencerport Expressway, or State Route 531, is the main highway commuters take to get to Rochester. It’s about a 10-mile drive, which takes approximately 20 minutes. Travelers can fly out of Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport or take an Amtrak train out of downtown Rochester.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
