With a history in Rochester, Minnesota, dating back to the late 19th century, the Mayo Clinic has grown into one of the world's leading hospitals and research centers. "Mayo Clinic is Rochester," says Robin Gwaltney of Re/Max Results, who previously worked at the clinic before transitioning to real estate 25 years ago. "Without the Mayo Clinic, there would be no city." Shuttles transport patients and employees between campuses, from the century-old brick towers at St. Mary's Hospital to the Methodist Campus Downtown. The skyline is defined by a network of glass skyways, and underground pedestrian subways protect doctors, patients and support staff from Minnesota's infamous winters. Destination Medical Center, a $5.6-billion-dollar investment, will increase accessibility and upgrade hospital infrastructure through projects like Discovery Square, also known as the "Silicon Valley of Medicine." According to Gwaltney, Mayo plans to conduct large-scale hirings in the coming years, "and those hirees will come with spouses or children. The amount of people they expect to come to Rochester over the next 5 years is 40,000." It's truly a city with an ever-changing blueprint at the forefront of medical innovation.
Historic Southwest neighborhood blends old-world charm with modern conveniences.
The Mayo Clinic is a short commute from the Glendale neighborhood.
Mayo's St. Mary's Hospital's campus is in downtown Rochester.
Destination Medical Center is a multi-billion dollar Mayo project in downtown Rochester.
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Low inventory and price points just below the national average
The average home value in Rochester hovers around $320,000, slightly below the national average of $360,000. "Our most common price range is between $200,000 and $400,000," says Gwaltney, explaining, "We do have a shortage of inventory, but it's getting better as more homes are coming on the market." Prices, along with the general age of homes, tend to increase closer to Downtown and the Mayo Clinic. "Different neighborhoods were established in different decades. If you go up into the Pill Hill area where the doctors used to live, you'll find big, beautiful mansions that are going on 100 years old." Elsewhere, there's everything from Colonial Revivals to Mediterranean-inspired estates with terra cotta roofing and, in the surrounding blocks, early 20th-century Bungalows on compact lots. "You can follow the growth of the city from the middle outwards, starting in the 1900s, then moving onto the '40s, '50s and '60s. There's also plenty of new construction in outlying neighborhoods," says Gwaltney.
Many of the older homes in Rochester are colonial in style.
Rochester is home to many craftsman inspired homes.
Traditional two story homes are abundant in Rochester.
Modern mansions are easy to spot in Rochester.
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Over 80 languages represented within the Rochester Public School System
Students can enroll in Rochester Public Schools, which receive an overall A-minus rating on the educational review site Niche. The system encompasses over 15 elementary schools, four middle schools and three public high schools. The district also partners with Rochester Community and Technical College to offer career and technical programs in the fields of agriculture, hospitality and engineering. Rochester Public Schools are also known for their cultural diversity and students speak a combined total of more than 80 distinct languages. "As someone who did raise my children in Rochester, I can't imagine a better place," says Gwaltney. "It's so kid-centric and family-centric. The city has invested so much money into its children." The University of Minnesota's Rochester campus, known for its health sciences program, is located Downtown, and is connected to Mayo Clinic buildings via subway and skyway.
The University Minnesota Rochester prepares students for success with outstanding programs.
John Marshall Senior High serves 1,573 Rochester students in grades 8-12.
John Adams Middle serves 1,072 Rochester students in grades 6-8.
Folwell Elementary serves grades Pre-k through 5 in Rochester, MN.
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International cuisine, long-running family restaurants and big-box retail
"What I love about Rochester," says Marcia Gehrt, a Realtor with the Enclave Team, "Is that there are all kinds of little neighborhoods, and it feels like a small town, but we have so many big-city features." Every year, for instance, "There's more variety of restaurants," a fact in part attributed to the diversity of Rochester's residents. There's Mediterranean food at Al Madina, updated French classics at Bleu Duck and celiac-friendly dishes at Twigs. Thai Pop, voted amongst Minnesota's top Thai restaurants by the Star Tribune, comes highly recommended by locals, and other favorites include Canadian Honker, which has served its famous coconut cake since the 1980s. At most restaurants, customers range from Mayo Clinic workers to returning patients; Sam Wilschek, a longtime employee at Canadian Honker, says some even greet her by name. For dozens of national chain options, residents can drive to the Apache Mall off U.S. Highway 52 or stop by the big box retailers in Crossroads Center.
ThaiPop is an award winning Thai restaurant in downtown Rochester.
Al Medina is a local Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Rochester.
Nearby Canadian Honker is known for their famous Coconut Cake.
The Apache Mall is a major shopping center just outside downtown Rochester.
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Hiking trails, fishing and golf courses
Local broker and owner of Amy's Fire Real Estate, Amy Lantz, says Rochester is built in a "bowl shape." Heavily forested areas surround Downtown, which represents the center of the so-called Med City "bowl." Quarry Hill, according to Lantz, is one of the best areas for nature lovers. There's Quarry Hill Nature Center, which spans close to 330 acres and includes miles of hiking trails—paved and otherwise—live animals and taxidermy at the central nature center, and summer camp opportunities for kids. There's also Silver Lake Park, which has areas for fishing, swimming and skateboarding. At Silver Lake Boat & Bike Rental, residents can pair up and rent tandem bicycles. Other popular parks include Foster-Arend, known for its floating water slides, and Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial, which has a brand-new ADA-accessible "Field of Fun" playground. Green spaces—and even the occasional backyard—throughout the city and surrounding suburbs feature seasonal ice-skating rinks and Gwaltney also points to golfing as a "popular activity" in Rochester. "When I give people a tour of the city, I'll often take them to the Rochester Athletics Club," she adds. The indoor facility includes basketball gyms, a fitness floor, racquetball and more.
Quarry Hill Park is a nature lover's dream in Rochester.
Rochester's Soldiers Field Swimming Pool has water slides and a lazy river.
Some fishermen prefer using a kayak at Foster Arend Park.
Rochester's Silver Lake park offers boat and bike rentals.
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Annual events: the Olmsted County Fair, RochesterFest, Thursdays Downtown and Social-ICE
In late July, farmers gather with their prized livestock and fresh produce to display at the Olmsted County Fair. There are also carnival rides, classic fair foods like turkey legs and live performances, all under the shadow of the city's famous Ear of Corn Watertower. RochesterFest is known for its Grand Parade through Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Park, and Gwaltney highlights Thursdays Downtown, a weekly outdoor market and music series in the summer. "It's hoppin'," she says. "They close off one of the main streets Downtown, and vendors set up food trucks, and artisans sell blown glass, paintings and jewelry. Everybody in town is Downtown on Thursday." Rochester's chilly winters are brightened by Social-ICE. "There are open fires, music. And local businesses set up bars out on the street," explains Gwaltney. The city's Civic Center underwent extensive renovations in 2017, and families like to visit the preserved homesteads, barns and single-room schoolhouses at the History Center of Olmsted County.
Thursdays Downtown features food vendors, artists, and live music.
Riverside Music Series is a summer performance series in Rochester, MN.
Olmstead County Fair is a yearly fair in Rochester, Minnesota.
The Mayo Civic Center plays host to numerous events in Rochester.
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Crime ratings and winter weather
"As far as the rest of the state of Minnesota goes, it's a lower crime rate here," says Gwaltney. According to reports from the Rochester Police Department, crime rates decreased significantly in 2023, and a 2024 study conducted by GoBankingRates named Rochester among the top five cities in the nation for safety. Local nonprofits like United Way of Olmsted County have worked to better the overall community, funding local food pantries, campaigning for the affordability of prescription drugs, and working to supply basic necessities like backpacks to school children. Lantz also speaks to the desirability of the climate in Rochester, noting that even days that get up to 89 or 90 degrees in summertime can "Feel a lot cooler because there's usually a nice breeze." Temperatures can sometimes dip below freezing in the winter months, and the city accumulates nearly 50 inches of snowfall each year.
Subways, skyways and Highway 52 to the Twin Cities
There's a subway in Rochester, "But not like the kind you'd find in New York City," says Gwaltney. A network of pedestrian tunnels connects Downtown hotels, hospitals and event centers, and the city also has a skyway system that looks like a "habitrail for Gerbils," according to Gwaltney. To put it simply, traveling between Mayo Clinic buildings can mean never going outside. There are close to 30 public bus routes throughout the city largely occupied by Mayo Clinic employees, but "You still have to drive Downtown from [some of] the outlying suburbs, so they're working on a monorail," says Gwaltney. Rochester's small airport, accessible via U.S. Highway 52, offers commercial flights to the Twin Cities and Chicago. Residents can also drive to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, about 80 miles—or an hour and 15 minutes—away. Med City, in the words of Gwaltney, is "transient," a mix of Mayo Clinic employees from around the world, some in town for long-term jobs and others for shorter-term internships. That being said, "The locals, the people who were born here, never leave."
My name is Chris Broz, Team Lead for the Brozville Group at RE/MAX Advantage Plus. I'm an outgoing, fun-loving person with an insatiable drive and a knack for creativity. I lead a crew of full time REALTORS licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin. For over a decade, we have been specializing in the Twin Cities Real Estate market listing and selling properties as well as property management, property leasing and even professional insured movers! We're a one stop shop for your real estate needs!
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