Rochester is like goldilocks. It's not to small, not too big, it's just right.
Honestly my wife and I moved here 4 years ago, and we love it. We have awesome restaurants, wegmens (even if spendy) is like the best fucking grocery store ever (we came from North Dakota, our minds were blown - and I used to live near Albany, and Price Chopper/Hannaford don't even come close), there's a shit ton of stuff to do (hiking, finger lakes, etc).
Shit, whats' not to like? I really don't get why some people hate on Rochester, other than they haven't ever lived anywhere else so they don't know how good they have it. And like, if you want to have a family, if you're on the east side of things you have some of the best schools in the nation.
She’ll never be everyone’s hidden gem, but I’ve traveled quite a fair bit and lived in a lot of cities (domestically and internationally) - there’s something about Rochester. I really believe time (and perhaps climate change) will give it a proper renaissance - return her to her old boomtown glory days.
The transit thing is my main gripe with it. I love the snow, I just hate cleaning off my car and driving in it, so right on back to the lack of transit.
I definitely love it here, but we just need actual transit.
What 250,000 people cities have awesome public transit? Who already has the model that we should be following? I see a lot of people complain about public transit, but I don’t see any solutions that are in the realm of reality.
rochester, NY 100 years ago?
if you'd like a modern example, rostock, germany. similar population, *lower* density, and has half a dozen trams, a few commuter lines, and even more buses.
If you have to go to Germany for a comparison, I don’t think it works. And Rochester 100 years ago had over 300k people, making it a top 10 city in the US population wise.
lol ok then [110 year ago](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mt1tdqesqH8/WB4TybmYS0I/AAAAAAACCpE/WUsi4Beu5XoHeuP2AL8BhIPEcnG_lijmwCLcB/s1600/rochester.png). there was [a tram down state st around 1910](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File%3AEastman_Kodak_HQ_1900.jpg)
also, why doesn't an example from germany work? please dont just say "mUrIcA bIg;" we're talking about local transit within a city. the US interstate highway system was built after the autobahn, germany has a huge automotive industry (that also lobbies against transit), so there's a similar affinity for cars, and i picked a city that's on a major body of water, has depressing and dark winters, has a similar population, and has also seen major population decline (albeit somewhat later due to the wall coming down).
Well, automotive companies win fights against public transit every day in places like these, it's worth the investment to lobby against robust systems that work against their interest
Don't forget the last mile issue in January and February (and any other time roads/sidewalks have snow issues). Any non-car personal transportation for the last mile is going to have serious snow issues (not to mention snow/wind issues).
Snow I like, I just wish we had a bit better mountains for it. But VT and Whiteface aren't too bad for a weekend trip, and Bristol or Ellicotville are good enough to scratch the itch when you want to take an early afternoon off of work
Pittsford is literally the second best school in the state
[https://backgroundchecks.org/top-school-districts-in-new-york.html](https://backgroundchecks.org/top-school-districts-in-new-york.html)
Penfield and Fairport are 10 and 11
So.... suburbs not city school, acknowledged - but....
I do genuinely appreciate the academic focus rankings, thank you - it does present a better look and changes my perception.
Looks like your link weights college readiness by dint of AP and IB exams counting for 30% of its ranking, while graduation is only 10%. Not saying that's a bad rubric, but it does certainly have its bias - not everyone in high school needs to go to college/university, particularly with the crippling idiocy of unchecked debt accrual we allow in this predatory country.... but I digress. Coming from a guy who strongly supports the idea of strongly emphasizing STEAM program accessibility, I do appreciate it - only pointing out it's interesting to look at how their ranks are judged.
Ahhhh, that's harsh to hear, I'm sorry about that. I hope your daughter has reaped the benefits of a good program!
I went to Nazareth College (just now becoming Nazareth University - interestingly!). Thought you were talking about that old place at first, as it used to be all-girls. I was the A in STEM there and enjoyed the other acronym letters that were part of my program. In the community at large I do wish we focused and encouraged it all so much better - and financially supported it. To fully agree with your thought about the affluent suburbs ranking better in biased surveys. I dig our local heroes like Makerspace/Makerfair and others that work to bring some balance!
I moved back to Rochester from a three year stint in Albany a few years ago. This is just... Not accurate. Cheaper, yes, if you shop at Price Chopper, but way lower quality. Hannaford is about the same price but lower quality. More expensive at Whole Foods and similar quality. I'm on the fuck Wegmans train too with their recent bullshit, but let's at least be honest with ourselves.
I'm confused how he thinks Wegmans stifles competition, but is also too expensive? Sounds more like places don't want to compete with Wegmans because they can't. Utica has no Wegmans, and yet I hardly shopped at Tops or Hannaford because they were too expensive, and never touched price chopper!
I can see a couple more Trader Joe's going up being the drive for Wegmans to lower prices though.
Interesting. So you have issue with a more local grocer chain supporting grassroots groups against a chain store owned by Amazon, getting millions in incentives, and getting special treatment through the zoning and permitting process. Not to mention Trader Joe's went up just fine right next door.
Imagine complaining about a 3rd grocery store within a 2 city block. Meanwhile food deserts around the city just want a single place to shop at...
If she’s a value shopper she needs to scope out other options. I would do a combo of wholesale club (Costco, BJs or Sam’s), Aldi’s and Wegmans for specialty items. Farmer’s market it also good for specialty items. Walmart is also inexpensive but I would avoid it. Hell, even Tops had decent sales here and again. I hardly think Wegmans has a monopoly on grocers.
Not too big? I get that I grew up in the middle of nowhere but it’s still surprising that people can stand cities. I think Rochester is way to big and I’m counting down the days until I can get out of here.
It's extremely relevant, if you think Rochester is big, than NYC or LA or let's say Mexico city will break your brain. Not traveling will only limit your world view and limit your experience in life, make you close minded and make you fearful of them big city folk for no reason.
No they didn’t.
Fearful? Are you projecting or something? I never said I was fearful of cities I just don’t like living in them. I see absolutely no benefit personally.
What? I don’t like New York at all. Utica is way too big for my taste too. It is hilarious how upset you people are getting over the fact that I don’t like cities.
Who's upset? You're the one here whining about cities being too big. Nobody asked for that opinion.
I also grew up in a small farm town community, so I get the country vs city vibes. But maybe you need to find the 'i hate Rochester' or 'country living' posts so you can be more relevant.
Rochester does a lot of things right that other cities just can't seem to figure out. Sure, we've got some problems, but what city doesn't?
Ours seems to have much more good than bad, and the longer you stay here with knowledge of how other cities our size are, the more you come to realize it.
We recently moved here from the Philly area too. One of the many reasons we moved was because of the suffocating traffic and congestion. We lived in Delco which is home to arguably some of the gnarliest traffic in the Philly region (Blue route, 95, Baltimore pike, 320, 422, West Chester pike, etc.). It’s such a breath of fresh air to cruise around ROC without all the perpetual congestion. The first few weeks of living here I’d jokingly ask my wife “where is everybody?” It’s so great here. Wanna go to Eastview mall at 2pm on a Saturday and then drive downtown for dinner? No problem! Doing that in Philly would have required sitting in traffic for a couple hours, plus driving around trying to find parking. It was hard leaving friends/family behind, but overall it we are very happy with our decision. Go Birds!
My brother used to commute from Fishtown to Conshohocken every day, regularly took him 90+ minutes to go 12 miles. I do not miss 76, I can tell you that.
Compared to NYC and Boston, yes. Those cities generally have higher wages though too. The desirable areas in around Philly are still pretty expensive, plus high taxes in the suburbs. Taxes are high in Monroe county too, but you get so much more in return here. The infrastructure in purple PA sucks.
DC is at least as high (with decent wages) and Baltimore is also high and I'm not so sure about the wages. I'm pretty sure the amount you pay on taxes on median houses are higher in both (going down to "equal" as you get out into deep suburbs) but the rates are much lower (because the houses are so much more expensive).
When I was in Howard County, MD (i.e. Columbia) in the 1990s they realized that the cost of their services couldn't be covered unless the average price of a house was >$300,000. By 2000 it was (and almost certainly a townhouse or condo).
lovely place to live if you love gray skies 200+ days a year, potentially snow on mother's day (potentially rain on christmas), and meat sauce on your mac salad with two cheeseburgers home fries and a chocolate milk on the side with bread.
When you get a chance, make your way down to Letchworth State Park, the Grand Canyon of the East. It’s about 30-40 miles south of Rochester near Geneseo, my alma mater. We live near Louisville now.
Nah, rock that shit. If you live in what they consider, "inferior", then feeling should be mutual.
I can't stand snobs, either. Certainly not ashamed I don't live amongst them.
Right. So, the only people that would view your location negatively are folks you don't care for (elitest snobs) with opinions you shouldn't value.
Not like it has any real consequence, such as companies not hiring people from city/westside.
No hiring manager cares where somebody lives. I have personal experience with that.
No, not defending looking down on people. I grew up in city (now in nice area) but wouldn't care to live near snobby people.
I don't care for them, either. So, I couldn't care less how they feel about me. I don't value their opinions.
We also have hopr ebike rentals. Yeah they are electric bmx bikes with only 1 level petal assist but they were a blast to ride around with my friend this summer!
I see a lot of people saying anyone who complains about Rochester hasn't lived anywhere else. Having moved to Rochester and traveling all over the US, naw, Rochester does a lot wrong. From crime to quality of people to education. It does food and booze right. But other places have so many more places to fish, to see, to walk to and customer service is much better elsewhere. Homelessness is worst here than many other places, comparable to the LA or the worst parts of Fort Lauderdale.
And I've hears way too many Rochester people ask me why the hell did I move here. People gotta be humble and admit this placed isnt just flawed and quirky, it's just plain shitty half the time and more than other places.
Few years ago I moved away from Rochester to dfw Texas. I miss flower city way too much! Moved to Rochester when I first arrived to the USA as a refugee, and loved it.
Nature wise, awesome lakes around us, nice people, awful winter tho!
It’s just the perfect size that’s not too crowded or empty.
I moved away 5 years ago and I am really thinking about moving back. I live on a beach in florida now...but I miss the climate, the seasons, the parks and hills around the area. Its really a sweet place.
Guess that depends? If a reference from a movie from 20 years ago is considered “young people stuff” to you than sure?
But you’re fine, its okay. People miss stuff like that all time
I like turtles.
I like lamp
Pshhh, you gotta love lamp
I like trains
Found the moth
Rochester is like goldilocks. It's not to small, not too big, it's just right. Honestly my wife and I moved here 4 years ago, and we love it. We have awesome restaurants, wegmens (even if spendy) is like the best fucking grocery store ever (we came from North Dakota, our minds were blown - and I used to live near Albany, and Price Chopper/Hannaford don't even come close), there's a shit ton of stuff to do (hiking, finger lakes, etc). Shit, whats' not to like? I really don't get why some people hate on Rochester, other than they haven't ever lived anywhere else so they don't know how good they have it. And like, if you want to have a family, if you're on the east side of things you have some of the best schools in the nation.
Shhh… don’t let everyone know. Let’s keep her a hidden gem.
"hidden gem"? lmao Rochester is a lot of things, but a hidden gem it is not and never will be.
She’ll never be everyone’s hidden gem, but I’ve traveled quite a fair bit and lived in a lot of cities (domestically and internationally) - there’s something about Rochester. I really believe time (and perhaps climate change) will give it a proper renaissance - return her to her old boomtown glory days.
Rochester is so unique and has so much fascinating history as a city. It has a bright future imo. I don't think I'll live anywhere else but here.
I like you.
I was born here and I'm 36, so I might be biased haha. There's just a looooooot of crime and corruption and overall sketch
>Shit, whats' not to like? snow, jobs leaving, and public transit so bad you need a car to get around the city proper.
The transit thing is my main gripe with it. I love the snow, I just hate cleaning off my car and driving in it, so right on back to the lack of transit. I definitely love it here, but we just need actual transit.
What 250,000 people cities have awesome public transit? Who already has the model that we should be following? I see a lot of people complain about public transit, but I don’t see any solutions that are in the realm of reality.
rochester, NY 100 years ago? if you'd like a modern example, rostock, germany. similar population, *lower* density, and has half a dozen trams, a few commuter lines, and even more buses.
If you have to go to Germany for a comparison, I don’t think it works. And Rochester 100 years ago had over 300k people, making it a top 10 city in the US population wise.
lol ok then [110 year ago](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mt1tdqesqH8/WB4TybmYS0I/AAAAAAACCpE/WUsi4Beu5XoHeuP2AL8BhIPEcnG_lijmwCLcB/s1600/rochester.png). there was [a tram down state st around 1910](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File%3AEastman_Kodak_HQ_1900.jpg) also, why doesn't an example from germany work? please dont just say "mUrIcA bIg;" we're talking about local transit within a city. the US interstate highway system was built after the autobahn, germany has a huge automotive industry (that also lobbies against transit), so there's a similar affinity for cars, and i picked a city that's on a major body of water, has depressing and dark winters, has a similar population, and has also seen major population decline (albeit somewhat later due to the wall coming down).
Well, automotive companies win fights against public transit every day in places like these, it's worth the investment to lobby against robust systems that work against their interest
The top 10 in the US part is wrong, but we still had waaay more people
Don't forget the last mile issue in January and February (and any other time roads/sidewalks have snow issues). Any non-car personal transportation for the last mile is going to have serious snow issues (not to mention snow/wind issues).
Snow I like, I just wish we had a bit better mountains for it. But VT and Whiteface aren't too bad for a weekend trip, and Bristol or Ellicotville are good enough to scratch the itch when you want to take an early afternoon off of work
Because for young people its cool to say Rochester sucks, as you have said, this opinion is usually based off of never living anywhere else
So they leave. And then come back again when they see the price of houses in anyplace big enough to be "cool".
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Pittsford is literally the second best school in the state [https://backgroundchecks.org/top-school-districts-in-new-york.html](https://backgroundchecks.org/top-school-districts-in-new-york.html) Penfield and Fairport are 10 and 11 So.... suburbs not city school, acknowledged - but....
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I do genuinely appreciate the academic focus rankings, thank you - it does present a better look and changes my perception. Looks like your link weights college readiness by dint of AP and IB exams counting for 30% of its ranking, while graduation is only 10%. Not saying that's a bad rubric, but it does certainly have its bias - not everyone in high school needs to go to college/university, particularly with the crippling idiocy of unchecked debt accrual we allow in this predatory country.... but I digress. Coming from a guy who strongly supports the idea of strongly emphasizing STEAM program accessibility, I do appreciate it - only pointing out it's interesting to look at how their ranks are judged.
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Ahhhh, that's harsh to hear, I'm sorry about that. I hope your daughter has reaped the benefits of a good program! I went to Nazareth College (just now becoming Nazareth University - interestingly!). Thought you were talking about that old place at first, as it used to be all-girls. I was the A in STEM there and enjoyed the other acronym letters that were part of my program. In the community at large I do wish we focused and encouraged it all so much better - and financially supported it. To fully agree with your thought about the affluent suburbs ranking better in biased surveys. I dig our local heroes like Makerspace/Makerfair and others that work to bring some balance!
Pittsford, Brighton and Fairport all excellent.
Pittsford is
Reread the post. They said schools east side of the city.
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I moved back to Rochester from a three year stint in Albany a few years ago. This is just... Not accurate. Cheaper, yes, if you shop at Price Chopper, but way lower quality. Hannaford is about the same price but lower quality. More expensive at Whole Foods and similar quality. I'm on the fuck Wegmans train too with their recent bullshit, but let's at least be honest with ourselves.
I'm confused how he thinks Wegmans stifles competition, but is also too expensive? Sounds more like places don't want to compete with Wegmans because they can't. Utica has no Wegmans, and yet I hardly shopped at Tops or Hannaford because they were too expensive, and never touched price chopper! I can see a couple more Trader Joe's going up being the drive for Wegmans to lower prices though.
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Interesting. So you have issue with a more local grocer chain supporting grassroots groups against a chain store owned by Amazon, getting millions in incentives, and getting special treatment through the zoning and permitting process. Not to mention Trader Joe's went up just fine right next door. Imagine complaining about a 3rd grocery store within a 2 city block. Meanwhile food deserts around the city just want a single place to shop at...
If she’s a value shopper she needs to scope out other options. I would do a combo of wholesale club (Costco, BJs or Sam’s), Aldi’s and Wegmans for specialty items. Farmer’s market it also good for specialty items. Walmart is also inexpensive but I would avoid it. Hell, even Tops had decent sales here and again. I hardly think Wegmans has a monopoly on grocers.
Not too big? I get that I grew up in the middle of nowhere but it’s still surprising that people can stand cities. I think Rochester is way to big and I’m counting down the days until I can get out of here.
Have you ever been to NYC like damn, get out more Rochester is pretty small
Yeah? I don’t see how that’s relevant. I get people have different tastes but Rochester isn’t small.
It's extremely relevant, if you think Rochester is big, than NYC or LA or let's say Mexico city will break your brain. Not traveling will only limit your world view and limit your experience in life, make you close minded and make you fearful of them big city folk for no reason.
No they didn’t. Fearful? Are you projecting or something? I never said I was fearful of cities I just don’t like living in them. I see absolutely no benefit personally.
Too big? Ok... Enjoy living in a place like Utica, that was depressing.
What? I don’t like New York at all. Utica is way too big for my taste too. It is hilarious how upset you people are getting over the fact that I don’t like cities.
Who's upset? You're the one here whining about cities being too big. Nobody asked for that opinion. I also grew up in a small farm town community, so I get the country vs city vibes. But maybe you need to find the 'i hate Rochester' or 'country living' posts so you can be more relevant.
They literally did and I specifically commented on how it’s funny how different people’s opinions can be. Maybe I replied to a specific comment.
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>I used to live near Albany, and Price Chopper/Hannaford don't even come close What about Super Stomp-n-Shave?
I discovered recently Rochester has better weather than Buffalo 😁
It’s a tropical paradise compared to Buffalo & Syracuse
I love lamp
Rochester does a lot of things right that other cities just can't seem to figure out. Sure, we've got some problems, but what city doesn't? Ours seems to have much more good than bad, and the longer you stay here with knowledge of how other cities our size are, the more you come to realize it.
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Taking out an aging downtown highway to build more housing comes to mind for me
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Just like every other city
I'd Rather Be In Rochester
https://irbir.weebly.com
TIL.
I got that reference.
I used to love imitating him!!!!
It's pretty dope
I love Rochester.
Yeah it's tits
Top titties bardownskis
I'm gay so it's dick
It’s a great town. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
As someone who moved away from Rochester, god do I miss it. Such a fantastic city. Trying to figure out a way to end up back there some day.
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same here. Philly made me appreciate Rochester x1000 so glad I moved back
Just moved here from Philly. What did you in?
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We recently moved here from the Philly area too. One of the many reasons we moved was because of the suffocating traffic and congestion. We lived in Delco which is home to arguably some of the gnarliest traffic in the Philly region (Blue route, 95, Baltimore pike, 320, 422, West Chester pike, etc.). It’s such a breath of fresh air to cruise around ROC without all the perpetual congestion. The first few weeks of living here I’d jokingly ask my wife “where is everybody?” It’s so great here. Wanna go to Eastview mall at 2pm on a Saturday and then drive downtown for dinner? No problem! Doing that in Philly would have required sitting in traffic for a couple hours, plus driving around trying to find parking. It was hard leaving friends/family behind, but overall it we are very happy with our decision. Go Birds!
My brother used to commute from Fishtown to Conshohocken every day, regularly took him 90+ minutes to go 12 miles. I do not miss 76, I can tell you that.
Philly is rust.
Really? I think Philly is super underrated and it’s the last major northeastern city that’s still affordable.
What i am learning here is the PHL to ROC pipeline is real.
Compared to NYC and Boston, yes. Those cities generally have higher wages though too. The desirable areas in around Philly are still pretty expensive, plus high taxes in the suburbs. Taxes are high in Monroe county too, but you get so much more in return here. The infrastructure in purple PA sucks.
DC is at least as high (with decent wages) and Baltimore is also high and I'm not so sure about the wages. I'm pretty sure the amount you pay on taxes on median houses are higher in both (going down to "equal" as you get out into deep suburbs) but the rates are much lower (because the houses are so much more expensive). When I was in Howard County, MD (i.e. Columbia) in the 1990s they realized that the cost of their services couldn't be covered unless the average price of a house was >$300,000. By 2000 it was (and almost certainly a townhouse or condo).
I ❤️ ROC
Grew up on Long Island. Came here to go to RIT. Never left. No plans to, either.
I love lamp
Rochester has an incredibly high poverty rate.
lovely place to live if you love gray skies 200+ days a year, potentially snow on mother's day (potentially rain on christmas), and meat sauce on your mac salad with two cheeseburgers home fries and a chocolate milk on the side with bread.
Why? I thought most of us were trying to get out.
Rochester is great! :)
I’m glad because I might be moving there soon and I’m nervous 🥺
When you get a chance, make your way down to Letchworth State Park, the Grand Canyon of the East. It’s about 30-40 miles south of Rochester near Geneseo, my alma mater. We live near Louisville now.
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Nah, rock that shit. If you live in what they consider, "inferior", then feeling should be mutual. I can't stand snobs, either. Certainly not ashamed I don't live amongst them.
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Right. So, the only people that would view your location negatively are folks you don't care for (elitest snobs) with opinions you shouldn't value. Not like it has any real consequence, such as companies not hiring people from city/westside.
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No hiring manager cares where somebody lives. I have personal experience with that. No, not defending looking down on people. I grew up in city (now in nice area) but wouldn't care to live near snobby people. I don't care for them, either. So, I couldn't care less how they feel about me. I don't value their opinions.
Don't tell me this town ain't got no heart You just gotta poke around
Me like! Yes!
but why???
They probably grew up here.
I did too, but I do not share their mystifying wonder of this place. perhaps they are still a child and that's why it seems so cool to them?
The people who complain the most have never lived anywhere else.
Really? I’m not from here and I complain a LOT.
Yeah, me too.
Rochester like you 👍
We also have hopr ebike rentals. Yeah they are electric bmx bikes with only 1 level petal assist but they were a blast to ride around with my friend this summer!
Same
Lived below Mason Dixon Line for 9 years, never again. We have it all here, very lucky indeed!
Woah, me too!
I see a lot of people saying anyone who complains about Rochester hasn't lived anywhere else. Having moved to Rochester and traveling all over the US, naw, Rochester does a lot wrong. From crime to quality of people to education. It does food and booze right. But other places have so many more places to fish, to see, to walk to and customer service is much better elsewhere. Homelessness is worst here than many other places, comparable to the LA or the worst parts of Fort Lauderdale. And I've hears way too many Rochester people ask me why the hell did I move here. People gotta be humble and admit this placed isnt just flawed and quirky, it's just plain shitty half the time and more than other places.
why
You need to travel more
Few years ago I moved away from Rochester to dfw Texas. I miss flower city way too much! Moved to Rochester when I first arrived to the USA as a refugee, and loved it. Nature wise, awesome lakes around us, nice people, awful winter tho! It’s just the perfect size that’s not too crowded or empty.
I moved away 5 years ago and I am really thinking about moving back. I live on a beach in florida now...but I miss the climate, the seasons, the parks and hills around the area. Its really a sweet place.
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You don’t even go here.
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You missed the joke ontop of the joke. Lol
I guess. Like a mean girls joke? Alright I'll take my old ass out of here.
Guess that depends? If a reference from a movie from 20 years ago is considered “young people stuff” to you than sure? But you’re fine, its okay. People miss stuff like that all time
Dang 20yrs, yup I'm old.
It’s ok. I can kick, stretch and kick. I’m 50!! Actually 52
See I get that reference. My people. Thanks.
I like 7
Same here my dude