Rensselaer? (Albany, East Greenbush, Hampton Manor: sale, apartments, rental)

[djknight]

I lived in E. Greenbush and in the Rensselaer/E.Greenbush area for a while but moved away about 25 years ago. It was a nice place then, and now that our kids are older, we're looking at places to relocate.

Albany is an option, but we like the lower housing costs in Rensselaer. Can anyone tell me how (if?) Rensselaer has changed in the past twenty years or so - and if there are any specific areas that we should avoid looking at?

Thanks.

[wanderlost]

We moved away from East Greenbush 2 years ago (big mistake). EG is still very nice....housing prices are going up. There are still alot of the older homes in the western parts of the town, but a lot of new building..of very expensive homes...on the east side of Route 4. The schools are very good and people seem to try to hang on to their EG addresses to keep their kids in the schools. Columbia HS recently underwent a big renovation and there is a fairly new and very nice YMCA next to an equally nice new public library.
However you don't get a feeling of urban sprawl...EG still has great character and is a great place to live. There are some new developments going up in Schodack...expensive homes.

I don't like Rensselaer too much...big difference from EG. Schools not nearly as good, bad areas, run down homes, much lower class than EG. There is a fairly big development of newer homes right near the EG/Rens. border...off Luther Road if you know the area...the homes are beautiful and in EG district, which probably isn't an issue for you now.

Anyway...that's my input, we miss EG terribly and hopefully will move back at some point.

[jfkIII]

East Greenbush is still very nice and is a thriving family neighborhood. Rensselaer is getting brand new schools (from the sale of land where the old schools existed, where new condos will be built...great night view of Albany). Rensselaer Train Station (Amtrak) is almost brand new. However, Rensselaer consists of mostly older homes, and can be dumpy in areas.

[djknight]

Yes, EG is great! I went to CHS in my Junior and Senior years. We lived at what was then Independence Square Apartments on 4 & 40. We loved it there.

I also lived in Hampton Manor, which is still part of EG, I believe, but a bit closer to Rensselaer. Really loved that neighborhood.

We're in the South now, and our youngest as 4 years left of school before she leaves for college. We're tired of taking care of 9.5 acres of land, and are open to apartment/condo living -- so once the youngest leaves the nest, our plan is to find a commercial building with retail/restaurant on the first floor and rental units on the upper floor(s).

We found what appears to be a really nice deal in Rensselaer, hence my question -- but we're wondering if this is due to the area being "dumpy" as you say: It's two buildings - one has a garage on the bottom and 2000 sq feet on the second floor, the other has a store front plus two levels of rental space -- and it's only $250K for both buildings.

Does this sound about average for Rensselaer/EG, or should I assume it's because the area is not so good?

Thanks for your replies!

[jfkIII]

If you would like...pm with the location and I'll try to check it out on my lunch hour (I work on Route 4).

[LisaFla]

Need help finding info about trailer park and its residents in Renssalaer County back in 1953. Looking for family with 5+ children, possibly Jewish.

Thanks in advance for any assistance,
lisa kay