A lower cost of living near a thriving village in upstate New York
The town of Shelby has expanses of scenic farmland and the several-thousand-acre Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge within its borders. "It's pretty farm country," says Debi Woodroe, owner/broker at Woodroe Realty. She emphasizes that the lower cost of living between Buffalo and Rochester attracts new residents to this area. "Lower house prices, that's a big thing," she says. And still, this area doesn't feel entirely rural. The southern half of Medina, a historic village intersected by the Erie Canal, is also in Shelby. This village is home to many locally owned businesses and restaurants that sustain the surrounding community.
Residences on acres of farmland or village lots
Hundred-year-old traditional and Colonial Revival homes on grassy lots are common in the village of Medina. Ranch-style houses, manufactured homes with carports and split-levels from the 20th century are also throughout the town. Outside the village, farmhouses on several acres of agricultural land and woods are typical as well. Smaller properties or homes in need of repairs sell for between $40,000 and $100,000, while more spacious or updated properties go for between $100,000 and $400,000. Shelby has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2, lower than the national average of 4.
Businesses in downtown Medina and groceries off NY-31
Medina has a variety of locally owned shopping options, including vintage home decor at Ellen J. Goods, formalwear at Blissett's, books at Author's Note, and organic teas and imported olive oil at Herbalty Cottage. For a laid-back evening, Fitzgibbons Public House offers beer and Irish comfort foods, while Avanti Pizza & Wood-Fired Kitchen serves freshly made Italian favorites. The village is also home to the Orleans Community Health Medina Memorial Hospital. For groceries, Aldi and TOPS Friendly Markets are off state Route 31. Roberts Farm Market has produce grown on-site, with seasonal pickings including apples, strawberries, cherries, cucumbers, tomatoes and squash.
Outdoors at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and Erie Canal
The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge cuts through the southern portion of Shelby. Covering nearly 11,000 acres, the refuge has trails through the woods and marshes, plus overlooks where visitors can spot species like snapping turtles, bald eagles and red fox. Glenwood Lake pours into the Erie Canal at Medina Falls in the village. Anglers can throw out a line from this scenic spot, and hikers and cyclists enjoy the view from the Medina Falls Trail, which connects to the larger Erie Canalway Trail system. The Medina Canal Port has boat launches and boat slips for more waterfront fun. John E. Butts Memorial Park has ball fields, a playground and a skate park in Medina as well.
Shelby receives an average of 86 inches of snowfall each year, which is relatively lower than some other communities around the Great Lakes. "The snowbelt is on the other side of us. So we don't get the snow as badly. It's not like what Buffalo gets," Woodroe says.
Medina School District serves pre-K through grade 12
Students typically attend the Medina Central School District, starting with Oak Orchard Primary School, which earns a B-minus rating from Niche. Clifford Wise Intermediate School and Medina Junior-Senior High School both have C-plus Niche scores. High schoolers have the opportunity to take college-level courses like Statistics and Composition in the Humanities in partnership with Genesee Community College. The school also offers Advanced Placement classes such as AP Government and Economics, AP Chemistry and AP Calculus. Shelby is also home to the Iroquois Job Corps Center, where students can earn high school diplomas, participate in English Language Learning courses and learn technical skills.
MAP hosts community events in downtown Medina
The Medina Area Partnership puts on several events in the community throughout the year. Adults can wander through downtown and taste locally made beverages at the "Ale in Autumn" and "Wine About Winter" events, or bring the whole family for festivities like the Old Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights on the weekend after Thanksgiving. Brightly decorated floats parade through downtown, and the night ends with fireworks over Main Street. In June, the Enchanted Faery Festival celebrates the magical creature with a costume contest, crafts like wand making and fairy-themed food and drinks downtown.
Getting around upstate New York from Shelby
State Routes 63, 31 and 31A cut through Shelby, taking drivers across the state and connecting to major roads like Interstate 90. The town is about 40 miles from Buffalo and 50 miles from Rochester. "That's why home prices are so much cheaper here. It's right between the two cities. It's probably 45 minutes to either," Woodroe says. The Rochester and Buffalo areas both have international airports as well.
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Written By
Faith Wakefield
