ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Russ Finkelstein spends most days catching up on phone calls and emails. Finkelstein and his husband moved from Portland to Rochester last winter. 

Working remotely made Finkelstein the perfect candidate for the Greater ROC Relocate program. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Greater ROC Relocate program helps remote workers move to the greater Rochester area

  •  It offers on neighborhoods, school districts and attractions

  • Greater ROC Relocate has received more than 4,000 applications from individuals representing all 50 states

The program helps remote workers move to the greater Rochester area, giving them advice on neighborhoods, school districts and attractions the nine-county region has to offer. 

“There is a richness here very few cities its size can compete with,” said Finklestein.

Melanie DellaPietra runs Greater ROC Relocate, which received more than 4,000 applications from individuals representing all 50 states. Now she’s looking to build on that success. Greater ROC Relocate is opening up to anyone interested in the Rochester area. 

"It’s not the same region when people grew up here or left home for college,” said DellaPietra. 

An affordable cost of living, accessible arts and culture and a growing social scene and easy access to nature are the top reasons DellaPietra sees for people moving to greater Rochester. 

All those reasons and more are what kept Finklestein in the area. As he settles into the city, he can’t imagine living anywhere else. 

“There’s a thing about moving to a smaller city, an intimacy,” said Finklestein.