Swillburg - Rochester, NY

Overview

Swillburg is a neighborhood in southeast Rochester, bordered by Field Street, South Clinton Avenue, Meigs Street and Interstate 490. It shares a commercial border with the Highland Park Neighborhood along South Clinton Avenue, and both neighborhoods often are lumped in with the South Wedge neighborhood. Swillburg’s unusual name dates back to the 19th century, when a man named George Goebel ran a prominent pig farm and collected garbage for swill for the animals’ feed.




Essentials

Swillburg and the surrounding area have small independent stores. For grocery shopping, the closest Wegmans supermarket is on East Avenue near Winton Road, about 2.5 miles east. There’s a Tops Friendly Market on South Clinton Avenue in Brighton, about 1.5 miles south, and another Tops on Winton Road, also about 2.5 miles away. South Clinton, Goodman Street and nearby Monroe Avenue have several chain retailers, such as Rite Aid and 7-11, and Monroe Avenue has a collection of funky, boutique-style shops. For more extensive shopping, The Marketplace mall in Henrietta is only five miles south. Highland Hospital is on the western edge of Swillburg. Residents here are part of the Rochester City School District. McQuaid Jesuit High School in Brighton, a Catholic school, is about a mile south of Swillburg. The Highland Public Library is at 971 South Avenue.




Recreation & Entertainment

Within Swillburg, the Cinema Theater is a great place to see cheap movies just after the films have completed their first run at other theaters. The theater often hosts special events. Swillburg has many popular restaurants and nightclubs. Just a short walk from here you’ll find the scenic and tranquil Highland Park, and, a bit further, Cobbs Hill Park. Another interesting outdoor spot, especially popular with history buffs, is the historic Mt. Hope Cemetery. Monroe Avenue, with its eclectic feel, funky shops and colorful crowds, is a short walk from Swillburg. The attractions of downtown Rochester, including the Blue Cross Arena, are just a mile or two to the northwest.




Transportation & Traffic

Interstate 490 runs past the Swillburg neighborhood. The busiest thoroughfares are South Clinton Avenue, Goodman Street and Highland Avenue. This is a great neighborhood for strolling.




Pros & Cons

Despite the less-than-flattering name, Swillburg is a great neighborhood for city living. Many attractions are within walking distance. The neighborhood attracts young first-time home buyers as well as families and more-established residents who have lived there a long time. You’re close to two parks, a hospital and downtown.



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