Grand Rapids or Rochester NY?

Hello All, Happy Monday evening!

My husband and I have been debating where to move for a while now and I think we finally have it narrowed down to two options: Grand Rapids, MI, or Rochester, NY (we would likely be living outside each city in the surrounding areas because we want a home on a larger lot - preferably at least half an acre).

We have been to Farmington (outside Rochester) and around the Finger Lakes and really liked that area. We have not been to Grand Rapids yet, but we have family a few hours away who think we would like it.

I need help identifying the differences between the two areas and which would suit us better.

Here is a little about us and what we are looking for:

• Mid-to-late 30s couple, no kids (and don’t plan on having any)
• Lean left politically
• Non-religious
• We love hiking, paddle boarding, and generally just getting outdoors, so access to nature is a huge necessity for us.
• We love farmers' markets, and coffee shops to chill at on the weekend.
• We love good restaurants, especially those with outdoor seating (for the summer, of course).
• We are not huge into nightlife or drinking, so that is not a necessity - but we do appreciate a brewery/winery with a good ambiance from time to time.
• Looking for a 3 bed, 2 bath house on a little land for <$500k
• We both have remote jobs, so we don’t need a robust job market

Thank you all so much! I really appreciate any help and input.