Richmond offers recreation and relaxation on Honeoye Lake
Rolling hills, rich forests and Honeoye Lake set the backdrop for Richmond, a rural and recreational outpost in Ontario County. The town includes the better-known hamlet of Honeoye, which is what most locals think of when looking to buy in the area, according to Matthew Sharman, a Realtor with Empire Realty Group and one of the top agents in the region. “In a lot of ways, Richmond is almost a misnomer for Honeoye,” he says. “It’s got more of a local lake feel" compared to nearby Conesus Lake. "It’s peaceful and there’s a lot of community closeness; they’ve got a strong sense of identity.” Residents enjoy year-round recreation on and off the water and beautiful natural surroundings less than an hour from Rochester. The community has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, which is lower than the national score of 4 out of 10.
Sandy Bottom Park and Honeoye Lake offer year-round recreation
“Honeoye Lake is one of the smaller Finger Lakes and it’s more shallow, but it’s still an excellent lake community,” Sharman says. “They’ve got a really cool park called Sandy Bottom Park that’s awesome for a picnic or to listen to some bands.” The park also has a small swimming area, boat launch, swimming area and playgrounds. An 18-mile hiking and biking trail loops around the lake. Honeoye Lake allows boats with unlimited horsepower, making it a preferred location for water skiing and other water sports. Anglers can catch walleye, largemouth bass, chain pickerel and an abundance of panfish. “They have ice fishing and even an ice fishing derby,” Sharman says. For those interested in wildlife and more rugged outdoor experiences, the Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Area offers opportunities for hunting, fishing and hiking.
Historic homes, rural acreage and lake views in Honeoye
Buyers can find waterfront homes along Honeoye Lake, 19th century houses in the hamlet and countryside properties set on multiple acres of hilly terrain. Architectural styles vary widely, including Colonial Revival, farmhouse, cottage, ranch-style, log cabin and contemporary homes. Many properties, regardless of age or style, are priced between $200,000 and $350,000. For those dreaming of lakefront living, homes with water frontage typically start around $400,000 to $650,000, while luxurious estates featuring docks and deeded water access can exceed $1 million.
Small-town staples mix with farm shares and lakeside hangouts
The hamlet has groceries at West’s Shurfine and essentials at Dollar General, but residents also head to Canandaigua to shop at Wegmans, Walmart and Aldi. Many local farmers participate in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs, a subscription-like service in which consumers pre-pay for “shares” of the farm’s harvest and receive regular bundles of fresh produce in exchange. Tranquility Coffee Bar is a new, hole-in-the-wall coffee shop offering baked goods, breakfast sandwiches and lattes. Next door, Pop’s Bakery and Deli serves up monster subs and cinnamon rolls. Friends meet around the fire pits at Birdhouse Brewing Company, and Twisted Rail Brewing offers craft brews with a view of Honeoye Lake.
Honeoye Central offers small class sizes and school spirit
Kids can attend schools in the hamlet at Honeoye Central School District, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche. Honeoye Elementary and the combined Honeoye Middle/High School each receive C-plus grades. The district has a total enrollment of about 500 students and offers small class sizes, which Sharman says adds to the tight-knit feel of the community. The annual fall homecoming brings the community together for a weekend of sports and school spirit.
Ring of Fire and strawberry fest are local summer staples
One of the community’s most notable traditions is the Ring of Fire, where residents light flares around the lake to celebrate the Fourth of July and the Saturday before Labor Day to say goodbye to summer. Canadice United Methodist Church has served residents since the 1820s and hosts an annual strawberry festival each June to kick off the harvest season.
Rolling hills and rural landscapes 30 miles from Rochester
“The drive into Honeoye is beautiful with rolling hills,” Sharman says. “It’s really a gorgeous setting.” U.S. Route 20 and Route 15A serve as the main thoroughfares, and Route 65 can get drivers to Rochester and Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport in about 30 miles. Medical care is available about 15 miles away at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua.
![Leslie Klosterman]()
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
