Geneva is home many charming attractions: the Seneca Wine Trail, the Belhurst Castle, and the Rose Hill mansion -- a place where you can experience life in the 19th Century, firsthand.
The city of Geneva is located in Seneca and Ontario counties and is part of the Rochester metropolitan area. Yes, you read that right; this city sits on two counties, with the water portions in Seneca County and the land portions in Ontario County. Geneva prides itself as the "Lake Trout Capital of the World" and as a city that is sensational by nature. Well, this might not be too far fetched, because Geneva has a lot to offer both residents and visitors.
Moving to Geneva
Before moving here, you'll have to know where you'll be living. Confused? You're not alone; some of the residents of Geneva still don't know where they live. You see, the city of Geneva is not the same as the town of Geneva, which sits adjacent to it. Now that you've got that straight, you can rent an apartment in Geneva. This city has all types of rental housing, including one bedroom apartments, studio apartments, all bills paid apartments and premier apartments.
Have Some Savings
When moving to a new city, it is always good practice to have a cushion of savings to fall back on in case things don't go as expected. For instance, if you are moving to Geneva to hunt for a job, it's a good idea to have some money in the old piggy bank in case you don't find something as quickly as you had hoped. This extra cash will tide you over until you can find something that will pay the bills.
Pay the Landlord
You will not be able to move into any apartment -- in this or any other city -- unless you plunk down a serious wad of cash. The landlord will expect at least a security deposit and first month's rent in advance.
Transportation
One of the things you have to decide early on is if it will be better to use public transportation or keep your car. Think long and hard about this, because it costs money to maintain a vehicle, and New York has a highly developed public transportation system that is meant to make travel as convenient as possible for residents. Also, unlike most other cities, apartments do not have parking lots here. This is largely because space is limited, and every available space is coveted for some building project or another. The major airport that services this area is the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, and there are two Amtrak stations within 30 miles of the city center.
Neighborhoods in Geneva
Geneva has a few interesting neighborhoods, each with their own unique personalities. These should all be investigated thoroughly before deciding to pick one, as each has advantages and disadvantages according to one's specific preferences.
City Center: The City Center neighborhood is a suburban neighborhood with low rental rates. Available rental homes here include small apartments and single-family homes. This area has a distinct vibe to the buildings since most of them are quite old or stately. This is not necessarily a bad thing because age tends to lend character to certain buildings. You could visit Seneca Lake, which is next to Lakefront Park in Geneva. This is a good spot for picnics on warm summer days, or for walking and biking along the picturesque route.
Castle Street / West North Street: This neighborhood is slightly more expensive than the City Center neighborhood, with the usual small apartments and single-family homes you will find in most of this city. Just like the City Center, the homes here are quite old. The average commute to work from here is 15 minutes.
North Exchange Street / East North: This area is pricier than the previous two, but still cheaper than almost 80 percent of most neighborhoods in New York. The available homes here are of the small apartment and single-family home variety, with houses that are just as old as those in other neighborhoods. The commute from here to work is also within the 15-minute range.
Things to do in Geneva
The cultural and social calendar of the Geneva community is usually packed full of activities that both residents and visitors can participate in from the beginning to the end of every year. The lakefront is usually the center for most events and everyone can enjoy the scenery alongside the various entertainment options. One of the yearly events you might enjoy is the Annual Wine and Herb Festival, or you could participate in the numerous artist exhibitions. If you enjoy music, then you might like the live music performances that are held by the lakeside periodically. The Smith Opera House is another option for a more subdued type of entertainment, or you could visit the Prouty-Chew House and Museum or Mike Weaver Drain Tile Museum.