7 things to know before you buy in Gates
Your mailing address will say “Rochester”
Gates homes use Rochester, NY mailing addresses. The town you pay taxes to and the services you get come from where the parcel sits, not the city on your mail. Look it up by parcel, not by ZIP code.
Gates is not one school district
The town names two school districts serving Gates: Gates Chili Central and Spencerport Central. Depending on the parcel, a Gates home can be in either one. If schools matter to you, confirm the district for that exact address with the district office before you write an offer, and look at the districts yourself.
The district shows up in your tax bill
Each school district sets its own rate, so two similar Gates homes can carry different school tax bills. Budget off the full bill as the new owner, not the seller’s exemptions.
Plan on a mid-century house
A lot of Gates grew after World War II, which means plenty of ranches, capes and split-levels that are 55 to 75 years old. Roof, furnace, electrical panel, sewer lateral and windows are my first five questions.
Check the noise before you fall in love
I-490, I-390 and Route 531 run through or along the town, and the airport is close by. Stand in the backyard at rush hour and check the flight paths for the specific street. Some buyers never notice. Others can’t unhear it.
Buffalo Road and Lyell Avenue are the commercial spines
Shopping and services line Buffalo Road, Lyell Avenue, Chili Avenue and Spencerport Road. Close is convenient. Right on top of them means traffic, so visit at the busy hours.
Condos and townhomes come with documents
If you’re looking at a townhome or condo, read the association budget, reserves, rules and any planned assessments before you’re committed. The monthly fee is part of the price.
Which part of Gates fits you?
Here’s how I break the town down when someone asks where to look. These are housing types and features, not boundaries, and every street has exceptions.
| Setting | What you typically find | Ask about first |
|---|---|---|
| Near the city line East Gates, off Lyell Avenue, Buffalo Road and Chili Avenue | Some of the town’s older homes, close to city services and bus routes | Age of systems, lead paint in pre-1978 homes, exact town versus city boundary |
| Postwar neighborhoods Much of central Gates | Mid-century ranches, capes and split-levels on mid-size lots | Roof, mechanicals, sewer lateral, basement water, updates versus original |
| Newer subdivisions Pockets around town | Later colonials and ranches, larger garages | School district for the parcel, drainage, HOA rules if any |
| Townhomes, condos and apartments Near the main roads | Lower-maintenance options, many with associations | Fees, reserves, assessments, rental and pet rules |
| Near the expressways and airport | Quick access to I-490, I-390 and the west side | Road and flight noise, visit at different times of day |
Looking on both sides of the town line? See my Greece guide, or the city side in Lyell-Otis and the other Rochester neighborhoods.
A short history of Gates
Gates started out much bigger. It was first called Northampton, and on April 1, 1813 it took the name Gates, after Revolutionary War General Horatio Gates. Its first supervisor was Zaccheus Colby. Back then the town ran north to Lake Ontario and east to the Genesee River, taking in land that is now part of the City of Rochester and the Town of Greece, which became its own town in 1822. Gates joined the new Monroe County in 1821.
The early settlers were farmers, and the Hinchey family’s farmhouse on Hinchey Road survives as the town-owned Hinchey Homestead, run by the Gates Historical Society. In the early 1900s, industry moved into the Lincoln Park area just west of the city line, and Rochester annexed pieces of the town over the years. The town counts nine annexations, which is how it ended up at about 15 square miles, the smallest in Monroe County.
Gates grew fast in the 20th century. A fire district covering Gates and parts of Chili formed in 1929, the Gates Chili Central School District was centralized in 1956 from four smaller districts, and the town started its first full-time police department in 1960. The current town hall and community center on Buffalo Road opened in 1969, and the town marked its 150th anniversary in 1963 and its bicentennial in 2013.
Selling in Gates
Gates buyers are usually comparing your home with similar ones in Gates, Greece and Chili, all at once. Condition and pricing decide who gets the showing. Know the age of your roof and mechanicals, have your permits ready, and set a list price that draws a crowd on day one. How Rochester pricing really works.
Then show buyers what sets your house apart from the one around the corner: the updates, the yard, the commute. How we sell.
What to verify for any Gates address
- School district: Gates Chili or Spencerport, confirmed with the district for the exact address
- Full tax bill: town, county and school taxes for the parcel, figured for you as the new owner
- Water and sewer: who supplies water to the address, and which sewer district charges apply
- Flood zone: the FEMA map and an insurance quote, especially near a creek or drainage channel
- Noise: road and flight paths for the specific street, at different times of day
- Permits: open and closed permits with the town for additions, decks, sheds and finished basements
Gates FAQ
Is Gates part of the City of Rochester?
No. Gates is its own town in Monroe County with its own town government. Homes there use Rochester mailing addresses, which is where the confusion comes from.
Which school district is my Gates address in?
The town names two: Gates Chili Central and Spencerport Central. Confirm the assignment for the specific address with the district before you make an offer.
Is Gates the same as Gates Chili?
No. Gates is the town. Gates Chili is the name of the school district, which serves Gates and the neighboring Town of Chili. Some Gates addresses are in the Spencerport district instead.
Will I hear the airport?
It depends on the street and the flight path. Visit the house at a few different times of day before you make an offer.
What is my Gates home worth?
Similar houses can sell thousands apart because of a roof, a basement or a yard. Request a human-reviewed home value and I’ll show you the comparable sales behind the number.
Sources
- Town of Gates, Yesterday and Today (town history): townofgatesny.gov
- Gates Chili Central School District, district history: gateschili.org
- Joseph W. Barnes, “The Annexation of Brighton Village,” Rochester History, January 1973, Rochester Public Library (Lincoln Park industry and the annexation era): libraryweb.org
- NYSED school district data: data.nysed.gov
- Monroe County real property and tax information: monroecounty.gov
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center: msc.fema.gov
Thinking about Gates?
Buying, selling, or both. Tell me the street and I’ll tell you what I’d look at first.