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Pittsford is an affluent suburban town located southeast of Rochester, New York, known for its charming village center, scenic Erie Canal trail, and high quality of life. Students attending Nazareth College who move off campus find themselves in one of Monroe County's most desirable residential communities, with tree-lined streets, preserved historic architecture, and a walkable village core offering shops, restaurants, and cafes along the canal. The Erie Canal Heritage Trail passes directly through Pittsford, providing miles of accessible paths for walking, running, and cycling. While Pittsford has a distinctly upscale suburban character, neighboring Brighton offers a broader range of rental options at more varied price points, and southeast Rochester extends the housing market further with more urban apartment choices. Students living in the area typically rely on cars for most daily needs, as the RTS bus system serves the corridor but with limited frequency. Rochester proper, roughly 10 to 15 minutes away by car, provides additional dining, entertainment, arts venues, and employment opportunities that complement the quieter suburban lifestyle of the Pittsford area.
The historic village center along the Erie Canal is the most walkable part of Pittsford, with easy access to local shops, dining, and the scenic canalway. Rental options here are limited but convenient for students who want to live within walking distance of everyday amenities.
Brighton sits just west of Pittsford and offers a wider variety of rental housing at a broader range of price points. Many Nazareth students choose Brighton for its balance of proximity to campus, access to grocery stores and dining along Monroe Avenue, and generally more affordable rents than Pittsford proper.
The southeast neighborhoods of Rochester, including areas near Monroe Avenue and East Avenue, provide more urban apartment options with greater density and variety. Students comfortable with a short drive to campus can find larger apartments and more competitive rents in this part of the city.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Nazareth College.
The Regional Transit Service operates bus routes connecting Pittsford and Brighton to downtown Rochester and other parts of Monroe County. Service along the main corridors including Route 15A is available, but frequency is limited compared to urban transit systems and schedules may not align well with student needs. Students relying on public transit should plan around bus schedules and allow extra travel time, particularly for evening or weekend trips.
Pittsford Village is one of the more walkable parts of the suburban Rochester area, with local shops, restaurants, and the Erie Canal trail accessible on foot from nearby residential streets. The Erie Canal Heritage Trail is excellent for cycling and connects through multiple communities, but most daily errands and commutes to campus require navigating suburban roads that are not fully bike-friendly. Students living close to the village core benefit most from walking and biking options.
Parking in Pittsford and Brighton is generally plentiful and free or low-cost at most residential properties, shopping centers, and restaurants. The Nazareth College campus also provides student parking, making car ownership practical and relatively hassle-free for off-campus students. Street parking in the village center can be limited during busy weekend times, but this rarely presents a significant issue for daily student life.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Rental prices in Pittsford Village tend to be on the higher end for the suburban Rochester market, with one-bedroom apartments typically ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 per month. Brighton generally offers more options in the $900 to $1,300 range, and southeast Rochester can be somewhat lower depending on the neighborhood and unit type.