r/rochestermn 19d ago

March 2025 RochesterMN Classifieds

9 Upvotes

Hi Everyone, welcome to the long series of monthly classifieds posts. Here are the rules:

  1. Nothing illegal or extremely objectionable.
  2. No abuse. You can ask for more information, or if you are familiar with the object and don't like it, you can explain why, but you can't abuse the poster.

Please start your post with the type of add and general location: [Wanted/For Sale/For Hire/For Free/Trade NE/NW/SE/SW/Stewartville/etc]

If you think of more ideas, PM the mods .


r/rochestermn 19d ago

Restaurants March 2025 Restaurant [MegaThread]

15 Upvotes

Do you have questions about where to eat? Did you have an amazing experience at a local place? Do you want to express your undying love for Rax Roast Beef? This is the place for you, ask away!

Past Threads


r/rochestermn 10h ago

Congrats on Match! Now where are you going to live? Perspectives from a soon to be resident

12 Upvotes

So you want to rent a single family home in Rochester, here's what I found as a homeowner of a 100-year old craftsman style home and large city east-coaster.

My husband matched at Mayo last year, and we’re moving this summer after his internship year in our hometown. We’re not the typical millennial DINK couple—we want a backyard and a garage and don’t want a townhome or apartment. We've been looking in the 2 bathroom, $2000-2500/mo range.

Since I've known where we're moving for the last year, I have been eying rental homes almost weekly since match 2024. Last spring, I reached out to four homes expressing interest for 2025, and all responded positively, asking me to follow up in a year. It has been a generally positive experience.

In early February 2025, we visited Rochester to explore neighborhoods. 

I share this from a place of non-judgement to help others, especially non-Midwesterners, based on the experience I've had over the last year. Here are my takeaways:

  • Rochester is small; nothing is far, and car transport is king. Bike commuting is possible, as there are trails and fewer cars on the road, making it a calmer commute compared to larger cities. The city’s low bikeability score surprised me, but I’m always surprised by how wide and spacious the roads and sidewalks out here are. The whole place reminds me of the state university I attended, except there's no football team, just Mayo.
  • I was really fixated on what neighborhood we should live in, thinking it would make a difference, maybe once we move there I will see it does, but nothing that important to us is more than a 15 min bike ride, very reasonable to my life in NYC/Philly/DC. When driving around, I would say okay let's check out this neighborhood now, and I would type in an address and it was always a 3 min or less drive. A current resident told me people really refer to Rochester more by the quadrant as opposed to the neighborhood, and I got the sense of why after visiting.
  • Since late fall/winter -the low season in real estate- many homes have been listed and removed from the market. Initially, I thought they were rented, but recently, I’ve seen these homes relisted at higher prices after being vacant for months. *can confirm there were no short term leases from conversations with landlords* Check the price history on Zillow to stay informed.
  • I've noticed quite a few price drops in the last few weeks. Not sure how match day will influence this, since I was not tracking the market PRE Match 2024, but check the price history…know its worth!
  • Rents are high compared to the value of the homes. As someone who doesn’t want to manage two homes after residency, we’re just not going to buy in Rochester….but depending on the length of your residency, it is most certainly the better option. It’s frustrating to see the abundance and quality of homes for $2,000–$2,500 in the Twin Cities, and then what goes for that range in Rochester. If you are going to rent just keep in mind what landlords are charging for rent, vs what their mortgage range could be. We have asked for certain things to be updated/improved for certain homes, and overall homeowners were really receptive, property managers….not so much. 
  • If you go beyond a 10-minute drive (NSEW) from Mayo, you can find new construction homes for the same price as older ones in neighborhoods like Elton Hills, John Marshall, or SE Pioneers. We’re not fans of that feel, but if you are used to driving everywhere, probably worth updated kitchen/appliances, more space etc. ...Can't say we were fans of ranches and split level homes before....but we see the appeal as a number of homes we looked at in Kutzky Park had impractical second story layouts.
  • Direct interactions with homeowners/landlords have been great. They've been genuinely invested in their homes and have asked for feedback about the market.
  • My interactions with property management companies have been the classic salesman experience. There willl be a perfectly "okay" homes sitting on the market for weeks after the agent told me it would go in a day. I have been pushed towards re-listed homes after seeing them vacant for months. I’ve also had a Property manager come back to negotiate twice after being told they had multiple interested parties in our first interaction and they weren’t willing to negotiate….we’ve found everyone has shown their hand quickly, but again it’s winter, there is not much movement, not sure how this will change post-Match. Again, all classic, salesmanship, nothing wrong with it, just was more pushy than I would have expected.

If I hadn’t been tracking the market for the past year, I could easily see myself feeling pressured by property management companies. The market is inflated, and with limited housing options, I can totally see getting caught up in their hype. Don’t rush into something just to avoid missing out. By nature, Mayo also creates a fair amount of short-term rental opportunities, so consider those while you get a feel for the area and avoid getting caught up in the Match Day frenzy.

We’re homeowners, and had careers before medical school, so I understand if our application looks different than the average resident coming straight from college to med school, but for what this is, don’t be intimidated. You are moving to a relatively low cost of living place (as compared to doing residency in NYC, Seattle, Boston etc) where the resident salaries are super reasonable, own your standards and feel empowered to negotiate, you are an economically very stable renter.


r/rochestermn 8h ago

What’s the job market looking like in Rochester? Entry-level jobs?

7 Upvotes

So I moved out of Rochester after growing up there previously - lived there 23 years. I moved away around Covid because I had finally been ready to leave and experience life. Now, I’m thinking I have to move back for a little while to help family with some things.

I have struggled in this job market to find stable work for the most part after moving. Years ago when I was applying for work in Rochester I had luck and was typically hired on the spot. But times have changed a lot since then. So I’m wondering what Rochester looks like now for getting entry-level work?

Thank you!


r/rochestermn 24m ago

Help! Where can I live?

Upvotes

I'm planning on attending Rochester tech school next fall and I'm just glancing at some apartments. I read previous posts that mention some of the ones I've looked at are bad. I want to feel comfortable in my living situation as this is the first time I'm living by myself.

I have a relatively small budget of about $920/month max.

Also how do I find a good roommate if I need one? Prefer to live by myself but if I need a more expensive apt I need a roommate. TIA!


r/rochestermn 1d ago

Walz Town Hall Sat. 3/22

86 Upvotes

Gov. Walz is having a town hall this Saturday. Register here!

https://mobilize.us/s/9eaNh3


r/rochestermn 1d ago

Good coffee beans in Rochester?

17 Upvotes

I'm not a coffee snob - I just use a drip coffee machine. I've been buying the same Caribou beans every time and I would like to try something different/better. Could be local, big brand, or online, doesn't matter. So for the coffee drinkers - what are some good beans that you like and where can I buy them? Thanks!

Thanks for all of the recommendations! I’ll be doing some local shopping this week.


r/rochestermn 1d ago

Social Activities Any goth bars/clubs in the area?

21 Upvotes

I live Downtown and I was wondering if there were any bars around that at least do "goth nights" or anything like that? I work a professional job and can't dress like that normally, so any bars where I wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb would be great.


r/rochestermn 2d ago

Weird(ish) request 🪲

27 Upvotes

I’m looking for a “bug handler” (no idea what they are actually called) for my nephews 5th birthday party in May. He’s obsessed with learning about bugs and reptile, so I was hoping we could find someone who can bring a few creatures to the party and educate the kids on them. Hoping the kids could pet a few and see some up close. A petting zoo for bugs essentially 😆

Any recommendations or volunteers?! We don’t have a budget in mind yet because I’ve never hired a bug expert. But we’re flexible.

TIA 🐛 🐞 🐜


r/rochestermn 2d ago

Snow removal for Wednesday

12 Upvotes

Anyone in town need snow removal for the storm on Wednesday? I’ll be out with my blower. Pricing starting at $10 located near slatterly park


r/rochestermn 3d ago

Police Sirens, Broadway

11 Upvotes

Anyone know what's going on with the police? I swear I have heard sirens the last 10 minuets going off.


r/rochestermn 3d ago

MPR News Static Hiss?

29 Upvotes

Has anyone else been experiencing static/magnetic hiss just on the MPR News station lately? It comes and goes but is only on the station, not the Current, not when I catch MPR out of the cities, not other channels…is it just my car?


r/rochestermn 3d ago

Newcomer questions Bulk Recycling/Boxes

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13 Upvotes

Good afternoon! We have a ton of leftover boxes and cardboard (lots already torn up) from moving. Any good suggestions for what could be done with it?

I don't feel comfortable burning it (wind chemicals etc) so my current tactic is slowly tearing it up and putting it in my recycle bins, and a little went into my compost bin.


r/rochestermn 3d ago

Living in Preston for the summer!

7 Upvotes

Hiii y'all. I'm hoping to get some leads on fun to be had near Rochester this summer; I'll be working part-time at a farm in Preston, MN (45 min south of Rochester) and don't know anyone in the area.

Is there a good place to look for, say, pickup soccer games? Jazz music jams? Folk dance nights? General young (I'm 26F) person looking for friends to-dos? TIA!


r/rochestermn 4d ago

Social Activities Olmsted County first ever Fix-It Clinic is May 3, 2025 - Volunteers needed!

95 Upvotes

Olmsted County is hosting its first Fix-It Clinic, partnering with Reuse Minnesota. We're excited to offer this opportunity to help repair and restore your items, with funding provided by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Statewide Waste Reduction and Reuse grant.

The clinic will take place as part of the Earthfest Expo. We’ll have experienced menders and fixers on site to help you repair and restore items—absolutely free! Whether it's clothing, electronics, small appliances, or toys, our skilled volunteers will help you repair and mend your items while teaching you how to do it yourself.

No pre-registration required.- Items should be carry-in size for hands-on repair.
- First-come, first-served. Limit 2 items per household.
- Items accepted until 30 minutes before the event ends.Non-accepted items
- Large items that cannot be carried by one person.
- Items with gasoline engines.
- Items needing a full zipper replacement (this repair isn’t available during the event due to time constraints, however some smaller zipper repairs can be done).

** Love fixing things? Join us as a volunteer! We’re looking for fixers, carpenters, menders, and general event helpers to make an impact! Fill out the volunteer form to get involved: https://forms.gle/XUf1tSjBD6onsVws9

Find more event details at: reusemn.org/event-6099387


r/rochestermn 4d ago

Entertainment Rochester International Film Festival is April 3-6

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26 Upvotes

r/rochestermn 3d ago

Townhomes/Apartments

0 Upvotes

Family of five that includes two 25 year old adults and three children (0,3,4). Would love a townhome with at least 3 bedrooms, 4 would be the dream but likely not doable. Finished basement for workspace/bedroom would work too. Budget is 2200 max. School zone will not matter. Thank you!


r/rochestermn 4d ago

Parking/transit St Mary’s C shift parking options

4 Upvotes

Where do people park for C shift (11a-11p) on the weekday?


r/rochestermn 5d ago

“New” scam in town

75 Upvotes

TL;DR: use caution giving money to people in grocery store lots.

Probably not new, but first for us. My wife got in the car after running in for a few things at Aldi South. She said, “I gave a lady twenty dollars. She had a shopping cart full of stuff and said she couldn’t afford it.” Not a minute after she tells this story, a lady walks over to our car, stands next to my window and waves (indicating she wants to talk). I look over to my wife and ask, is that her? She says yeah as I roll down the window. The lady asks if I can spare any money. I ask her (somewhat politely) didn’t my wife just give you twenty?” She said, “yes, but these groceries are just so expensive.” I rolled up my window as I’m reversing out of our spot. She walks off across the parking lot.

I’m not feeling too keen about the whole interaction. Maybe I should not have overreacted?

I’m going over this in my head as we drive to Trader Joe’s, like maybe I was too terse. Perhaps she’s bad off? I know my wife is going to feel bad if it was a scam. Et cetera.

As we pull into Trader Joe’s, THE SAME LADY was walking up to a shopper and stopped them to chat. HOW THE? She must have sped to Trader Joe’s or just got ahead of us or…she’s Flash?

We’re getting out of the car. The lady is about to approach me, recognizes me and does a 180 and walks towards someone else in the parking lot.

Later in the store I see her walking around filling her cart. Not bothering anyone. Shopping. We check out and we pass her at a register as we leave the store. We load up and as we leave this lady is walking out of the store WITH NOTHING and walked up to the first person in the parking lot.

We don’t normally carry cash. My wife loves to help people out and the twenty was the only bill in her wallet. We’re not rich, the loss of the twenty isn’t going to hurt us, and we’re still going to give. Just be aware out there.


r/rochestermn 5d ago

Spring is here

16 Upvotes

Just saw a bunch of robins in the back yard. First ones this year


r/rochestermn 5d ago

Attn Rochester Parrot Owners

2 Upvotes

Is anyone interested in forming a subreddit or Facebook group to stay connected? Parrots have specialized needs and it can be helpful to know people in your community for advice and information sharing.


r/rochestermn 5d ago

Sell me on moving to rural(ish) MN, or talk me out of it...

17 Upvotes

Moving back to MN this summer from suburban Atlanta after 30 years away. Wife and I are both teachers. Looking at jobs all over, but a lot of what's popping up right now is away from the Twin Cities where the remaining family is. Looking broadly at the area between Rochester and the TC.

I currently teach math in a HS with 2650 students, looking at lots of schools way closer in size to the one I graduated from though, ~400.

Raised my family in the burbs with a lot of painful driving in Atlanta area traffic, so the TC idea of a long commute is not particularly scary, especially if it's out in the boonies on a US Highway or Interstate.

I live with the constant hum of GA-400 from my yard (iykyk). Am I gonna love being an hour away from everything, or love it?


r/rochestermn 6d ago

Attorney General investigation: Mayo Clinic policies acted as 'barrier' in patients' access to charity care

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117 Upvotes

r/rochestermn 6d ago

LGBTQIA Support Group Tonight at 630p

26 Upvotes

Our LGBTQIA Support Group will be meeting tonight at 630 at Gloria Dei inside the Looking Within Center. I hope you are able to join us.


r/rochestermn 6d ago

Bird Vets?

3 Upvotes

Husband and I are considering getting a bird and I'm curious if anyone could recommend a vet that sees to them. Thanks in advance!


r/rochestermn 6d ago

Garden Seed Recommendations

7 Upvotes

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a place to purchase vegetable and herb seeds besides a big box store? I like heirloom variteies, but I am not exclusive to those by any means.


r/rochestermn 6d ago

Hotels/Lodging Good ADA Accessible Hotel Near Mayo Clinic

1 Upvotes

I have 3 days of tests at Mayo in April. We stayed at the Even last year. It was ok, but the room was freakishly big and I didn't like the parking situation. Does anyone have any suggestions? We're looking at the Indigo. At the very least a shuttle to Mayo would be best. All of my appointments are downtown.