Rose is mostly undeveloped, with peaceful landscapes
Rose is a small farming community in Wayne County with sprawling landscapes that range from tranquil fields and forested groves to serene wetlands. “It’s a rural setting. You can buy properties with bigger acreage; there’s peace and quiet and lots of country roads. That’s a big draw for people,” says Tom Collier, an associate broker at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services with over 25 years of experience. “You’re right next to Lake Ontario too. It’s not far from there.” Infrastructure, including road conditions and internet availability, has improved dramatically in recent years. Still, outside of two village centers that have a select few businesses, locals rely on mail delivery and neighboring towns like Wolcott for many daily necessities.
Older homes with acreage and rural character
Homes are more densely gathered in the two village centers of Rose and North Rose, while the rest of the community is dotted with multiacre properties spread out along country roads. Late-19th and early-20th-century farmhouses and Victorian-era homes make up much of the local inventory, though some midcentury ranch-style properties are mixed in. Ornate Tudor Revival or Colonial Revival-style properties are much rarer and tend to fetch a higher sale price. Overall, home prices largely depend on acreage and condition, typically ranging from $70,000 to $430,000. Lot size can be a determining factor in home sales, with many buyers looking for forested parcels for hunting or agricultural land for hobby farms.
Since farming is such a central part of Rose and Wayne County, there are certain considerations that prospective residents may learn about during the buying process. “There’s wells and septic tanks; we always have to have that stuff tested. There are a lot of sprays out there too. If you’re near an apple orchard, there can be pesticides being sprayed and things like that,” Collier says. “When someone buys in Wayne County, we have them sign a Wayne County disclosure, and what that states is if there’s noise, dust, odors or tractors going by. It’s a farming community.”
A community-run park, plus hunting, hiking and waterfront activities
Marshall Park is a public, pet-friendly space funded by The Marshall Family Foundation, a nonprofit commemorating the contributions of Gilman and Ina Marshall to the Rose community. In addition to playgrounds, the park's sports facilities include pickleball courts, basketball courts and several ball fields of varying sizes. The town’s rural character offers ample space for hunting and camping, with several nearby nature reserves dedicated to similar outdoor activities, as well as extensive waterfront space on Lake Ontario. The Lake Shore Marshes Wildlife Management Area, located on the banks of Sodus Bay, is popular for freshwater fishing and birdwatching. Huckleberry Swamp, another nature preserve, spans about 80 miles of wetlands with 2 miles of hiking trails. The Brantling Ski Slopes are a very popular within the larger region, located about 15 miles west of Rose.
Students attend North Rose-Wolcott Central School District
North Rose-Wolcott Elementary and North Rose-Wolcott Middle both earn a C from Niche. The B-minus-rated North Rose-Wolcott High has a driving range that’s available for the school’s P.E. classes and golf team, along with the general public. The school also offers some courses in partnership with the Finger Lakes Community College, which allows students to earn college credit in conjunction with their high school diploma.
A few restaurants and farm stands
There are very few businesses in the Rose area. Hometown Eatery is one exception, a small diner-style restaurant serving classic comfort food with a weekly Friday fish fry. Near the Sodus Bay waterfront, Riley’s Bar & Grill serves American fare with a scenic outdoor patio and live music. Residents can shop for produce at local vendors like Crane’s Market or visit grocery stores like Bob’s Supermarket in Wolcott and Aldi in Lyons, which are both less than 15 miles away.
About a 40-mile drive to Rochester
State Route 414 connects the village centers with state Route 104, which leads about 40 miles to Rochester. Newark-Wayne Community Hospital is about 20 miles away and Fredrick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport is about 50 miles away.
