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I just got a new job and will be moving to the area. I actually lived in Rensselaer Co. as a youth and so am already familiar with some parts of the area, but haven't lived there as an adult and need some advice in matching my situation/wants/needs with a new neighborhood to call home.
My situation: I am male, 35, married, no kids. Have a new job in Bennington, Vermont, but want to live in the capital region because a) close to family and b) like easy access to an urban area. I would like to live within a 50 minute drive from Bennington (I only need to be at office itself 2-3 times/week) so that means my choices are: Troy, Waterford, Brunswick, Cohoes, Hoosick Falls, anywhere else?
I would like a neighborhood that is walkable -- where I can get a sandwich or coffee/newspaper or roll of paper towels within walking distance. I like cities, but know what I am getting into and will be happy with any safe, walkable, relatively active neighborhood. We will be renting and our budget is $700-$1000/month. Right now we are leaning toward downtown Troy because we'd love some sort of loft-style industrial conversion or anything else in a safe section of town. If we cannot find walkable, safe, and active, we would settle for any area that's more residential but an easy drive from cafes and restaurants and shops. That's why I included Brunswick -- it's right on Rt. 7 which would be convenient and perhaps they have nice apartment complexes? Don't know much about that or other areas. So need some advice! Anyone have any thoughts? Many thanks in advance!
Troy sounds like the place for you as it's only 35 minutes away from VT. Lots of old buildings being renovated and their occupancy is filling up rather quickly. Many walkable places to eat/drink downtown between Fulton & Ferry, there's also an insanely good Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings that attracts people from as far away as VT and MA. LOTS of construction going on downtown, and FWIW the man responsible for building up downtown Saratoga (Bonnacio) has now invested heavily in Troy.
Also, Brunswick is basically rural Troy, but you know this already. It's by no means downtown, but check out Pawling Ave area (you should drive around the neighborhoods as places may not be listed) especially now with students moving out. You should be able to find a place within your budget and be extremely close to downtown, plus you can take advantage of the back roads to VT and avoid Hoosick Street altogether.
and don't be afraid to stop into The Man of Kent whilst traveling home from work. fine food and drinks!
I'd think you'd want to live in the Monument Square area of Troy. So the area between Federal Street in the North and Division Street in the South. That area is the most walk-able, hip, active area. There's a bunch of industrial conversions in the neighborhood and even more if you following River Street more north. There's a farmers market, antique stores, coffee shops, good bars, etc.
The rent in the area is very much in that $700-$1000 range, and you could even get lucky and find something for $650.
Troy sounds like the place for you as it's only 35 minutes away from VT. Lots of old buildings being renovated and their occupancy is filling up rather quickly. Many walkable places to eat/drink downtown between Fulton & Ferry, there's also an insanely good Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings that attracts people from as far away as VT and MA. LOTS of construction going on downtown, and FWIW the man responsible for building up downtown Saratoga (Bonnacio) has now invested heavily in Troy.
Also, Brunswick is basically rural Troy, but you know this already. It's by no means downtown, but check out Pawling Ave area (you should drive around the neighborhoods as places may not be listed) especially now with students moving out. You should be able to find a place within your budget and be extremely close to downtown, plus you can take advantage of the back roads to VT and avoid Hoosick Street altogether.
and don't be afraid to stop into The Man of Kent whilst traveling home from work. fine food and drinks!
good luck, JJ!!
Thanks for all of the advice! We are leaning toward the square or riverfront in Troy, although we'd like to know more about what lies east of downtown along route 7. You mentioned the Pawling Ave. area -- is that an area with cafes, etc.? Also, there are many complexes and other rentals closer to Rt. 7 in Brunswick -- how is that area? Are the complexes and general area nice? We are not looking for Paradise-on-Earth as it seems elusive in the area... but would not like to be depressed by our surroundings! We know there is a perfect spot that balances proximity to Bennington, easy car access to Capital Region attractions (malls, restaurants, etc.), and a walkable neighborhood to live in that's safe, pleasant, and has a cafe or bakery or someplace to enjoy a Sunday walk... THANKS again to everyone who replied!
Thanks for all of the advice! We are leaning toward the square or riverfront in Troy, although we'd like to know more about what lies east of downtown along route 7. You mentioned the Pawling Ave. area -- is that an area with cafes, etc.? Also, there are many complexes and other rentals closer to Rt. 7 in Brunswick -- how is that area? Are the complexes and general area nice? We are not looking for Paradise-on-Earth as it seems elusive in the area... but would not like to be depressed by our surroundings! We know there is a perfect spot that balances proximity to Bennington, easy car access to Capital Region attractions (malls, restaurants, etc.), and a walkable neighborhood to live in that's safe, pleasant, and has a cafe or bakery or someplace to enjoy a Sunday walk... THANKS again to everyone who replied!
pawling ave & it's neighborhoods are extremely walkable as you'll most likely see people out all the time. towards the end of pawling, on congress st. is this joint The Cookie Factory | Troy, NY | Generations of Quality Baking, Retail and Wholesale | 518-268-1060, pretty sure you'll find something good in there. further up pawling is Carol's Place & The Eatery, i've never been, but people say the breakfasts are pretty solid. take a look on google maps at pawling and you'll see more of what's available. if you wanted to you could easily walk downtown from pawling as it's not that far at all, but it is uphill on the way home so you may want to grab a cab?
regarding complexes, i haven't much experience though there appears to be new construction going on in/around brunswick, but you'll not find neighborhoods with cafes, etc. unless the complex has some of their own on-site? i can tell you the views are sure to please as the area is rolling hills/farm country.
anywhere you choose to reside in the district will most likely have excellent car access, unless you're further out in the country.
Thanks for the info on pawling ave and Brunswick! My wife and I just returned from a scouting trip to check out Troy and drive the potential commute to Bennington. We are still targeting downtown Troy, or if that doesn't work out we will likely settle for a boring (but with nice views!) complex in Brunswick. Questions prompted by the scouting trip:
-- our goal now is to look for renovated or updated or otherwise nice apartment buildings in downtown Troy, but some of the limited info is confusing that we have found. Anyone know any specific buildings that have apts (1 bedroom) for less than 1100 dollars in downtown Troy? The more nice and safe choices you supply the better if you wanna help us out! Thanks!
-- what about the Troy towers or the Caldwell apartments?
-- where is a good cafe for evening work catch-up? With wifi...
Thanks as always for your kind feedback and advice!
-JJ
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Thanks for info -- one more question...
