Areas to Avoid in Rochester?

@rkrack, Have you checked with the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester to see if it is an option? @rosemarya may be able to share some experience with you. Here is a link to their website:
--- https://gift-of-life.org/be-our-guest/

@rkrack How close do you want to be to Mayo Clinic? I recommend the Serenity House Network. I stayed at one of their duplexes in NW Rochester (Eton Hills) when I was in Rochester for 6 weeks for radiation therapy. They are wonderful to work with and their houses are fully equipped and very, very clean and tidy.

Serenity House Network

— https://www.shnrochestermn.com/

If you are considering an AirBnB I suggest you avoid SE Rochester.

We are looking for a place of our own for 3 days during the evaluation. Just wasn't sure if there are any areas to avoid in Rochester.

Not sure where you live, but Rochester is pretty tame compared to most mid-sized cities. I would re-think the airBnB program. There are soooo many better choices with very few worries. Probably even cheaper, if you do your homework. a crying baby in a hotel room isn't perfect for sure.....but to answer your question, yes and no. There are better places and neighborhoods, than others, but nothing you would find frightening in my humble opinion. Certainly nothing like most larger cities I have been to. Rochester has money in general....always helps. Can't imagine the stress of having a baby and an Eval like this. Wishing you GOOD LUCK with everything!

Thanks for the insight! What other options should we look into? I saw someone posted about Serenity house, are there more options like that?

I would look at the above mentor suggestions. They know the town and resources better than I do. I lived in Roch for 7 years but haven't for awhile now. About an hour away. We have favorite hotels/motels, extended stays etc. that we stay at when going to Mayo. The mentors here are all wonderful people and know the resources that are available and where to start looking and reach out to. They can not only point you in a "customized" for your situation direction, but know other directories and such that will save you a LOT of time. Sorry I can't be more helpful. You are in the best of hands no matter how it goes. I have always said, it isn't as important how it begins....as how it ends. Again....GOOD LUCK with this journey.

@rkrack. Mayo Clinic has a Concierge Service that is free to use. Here is the website:

Mayo Clinic Concierge Services
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services

Since you will be in Rochester for 3 days on this visit I'd recommend you make this as easy as possible on yourselves and stay in one of the hotels closest to Mayo Clinic. Then, you can park your car and walk to the Clinic for your appointments. Some of the hotels are connected via the underground walkway although this time of year that may not be as necessary - unless it is raining.

I've used an app that I downloaded to my phone that has helped me to look around for lodging. You can download it at no cost from the App Store. It's called When in Rochester.

All of the hotels are very accommodating and so I'd suggest you select a hotel based on price and location.

We stay at the TownePlace Suites in the Mayo Clinic area (downtown). We've also stayed at the Residence Inn in the Mayo Clinic area.

Does this help for your search?

rkrack @rkrack
I am life long resident of Rochester, and think you would be safe in most areas of cities. There are few apartment complexes I would avoid, but doubt they would be offering AirBNB. The most common crime is people going thru your car if left unlocked or breaking in if leave valuables in sight.

If staying at AirBNB make sure you check if have parking if plan on having a car. In the downtown and St Marys area street parking is hard to find. Most hotels provide parking, though some may charge. There are also parking ramps downtown, some are owned by Mayo and others are owned by city.

I would not stay in some of the low budget hotels, if have any specific questions, I would be happy to answer, but prefer not to mention any area or hotels to avoid in this forum. If you look at reviews on google or yelp it would help you know where not to stay.

There are panhandlers and homeless in Rochester, your best bet is just ignore. Not as bad as big cities, but they are around. Many stand on street corners of busy intersection with signs, but it is against law for them to harass anyone. Mayo security does a good job keeping them out of subway / skyway system on Mayo property.

Do not be alarmed by metal detectors at entrance to clinic / hospital, they are there for staff and patient safety.

As life long resident, I have never been victim of crime, so like anywhere you go, use common sense.

Laurie

My wife and I have stayed in VRBOs in most areas of the city. All were safe and people were kind. We love the Mayo Lake area which is SW of Mayo.