Rush provides a rural lifestyle south of Rochester
Contrary to its name, Rush offers a slow pace of life, less than 20 miles south of Rochester . The town unfolds across vast farmland in southern Monroe County, where homes sit back from quiet rural roads. Though primarily residential, locals frequent independent restaurants close to home and make short trips into the Flower City for big-box shopping needs. Highly rated schools and abundant recreation, from the state’s oldest operating railroad museum to the glacial lakes at Mendon Ponds Park, also define the area.
Parks, golf and kayaking offer ways to enjoy the outdoors
There are several ways to spend time outdoors in and around Rush. Town Hall Park is located at the community’s center, and has a playground, basketball court and William Udicious Pavilion, which residents can rent for birthday parties and other gatherings. Wild Wood Country Club on West Rush Road is a semi-private club with an 18-hole golf course, driving range and indoor golf simulators open to the public. Mendon Ponds Park is a 5-mile trip northwest. The 2,500-acre green space is known for its glacial ponds, where visitors launch kayaks to paddle. Other amenities include pickleball courts and hiking trails, which transform into cross-country skiing routes in the winter. The Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum is on the town’s west side. The museum offers train rides, a close-up look at different train cars and exhibits that detail the industry’s history.
Lot sizes range widely, with some exceeding 20 acres
Rush primarily consists of single-family homes. These range from mid-19th-century Colonials to 20th-century split-levels to modern ranch-style houses built over the last 25 years. They are located along hilly roads that wind past dense forest and sprawling crop fields, home to the occasional red vintage barn. While the median lot size falls around one acre, lots can exceed 20 acres. The median single-family home sales price is roughly $350,000, higher than Rochester’s figure of around $230,000. Small cottages start around $180,000, and homes on more significant acreage and recent construction can sell for up to $720,000. The town’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Rush-Henrietta Central School District gets good grades from Niche
Rush-Henrietta Central School District serves most of the community and receives an A from Niche. Monica B. Leary Elementary School enrolls kindergarten through third grade and also scores an A. Mary K. Vollmer Elementary School, which teaches fourth through sixth grade students, earns an A-minus, alongside Charles H. Roth Junior High School and Rush-Henrietta Senior High School. The high school offers dual-enrollment courses in partnership with Monroe Community College.
Residents dine locally in town and shop in Rochester
Rush Creekside Inn is one of the few restaurants in the area. The laid-back eatery serves typical American fare and is popular for its Friday fish fries. Montesano’s Pizza is a family-owned and run spot that sells slices of pie, specialty subs and more. Residents do most of their shopping in Rochester’s south side, about 8 miles north. Alongside Wegmans for groceries, this retail area is home to The Marketplace Mall and dozens of big-box retailers like Target and Walmart Supercenter.
Nearby interstates support regional travel
Interstate 390 passes less than a mile to the west, connecting commuters to Rochester. The city is home to Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport and Strong Memorial Hospital, the nearest medical facility. Interstate 90 is also easily accessible and supports east-to-west travel across the region.
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Written By
Matthew Simmons
