Coming back to New York...Where to Purchase a Home in Schenectady area (Buffalo: relocate)

[Lena716]

Hi Everyone-
I have lived out here in the South/Southwest for the last 12years straight after I finished college and I recently landed a competitive offer to relocate back to New York with GE in Schenectady, NY (no I am not craz). I was born and raised in Buffalo and even went to college in Troy, NY (RPI) so I remember the cold winters and grey skies. I was wondering if anyone could recommend friendly and cool neighborhoods I should check out for a home purchase that is not too far from Schenectady? My price range is 200k-300k.

I was a poor college student in the 1990s and now I got some dollars to live comfortably yet reasonable (simply). I have a dog, enjoy the parks and outdoors and would like some access to the "night life" or cultural events.

Can anyone help a former New Yorker find her way back home Cheers!

[Zyll]

hello,

I live in Troy currently, but some of the good areas to live in, I have heard are Schenectady's Stockade district, Rotterdam, now getting more popular. Other towns nearby are Scotia, Niskyuna, Glenville are also good. My father worked for GE many years ago, he moved from Pittsfield in 1969. In the late 80's GE sold the plant he worked at to IMI (Era when they were downsizing). All the towns I mentioned seem nice, I have been through them as a kid. Schenectady is a tough commute to the rest of the Capital District it seems like. 4 Years ago, My brother was selling his house and at the time I was looking. He wanted me to buy his place in Schenectady, but I did not want to live there do mainly to the cut off feeling of Scenectady has to the rest of the area and that neighborhood had gone South (Though he did a great job restoring the house). He got the hell out of there and moved to Galway. Any job that I got would prob be near Albany or Troy area. Though I think Schenectady is on the way up otherwise.

Good Luck.

[Lena716]

thank you for your inputs. the area is much larger than what i remembered.

[j12308]

I think Glenville would be a nice option. That's a good amount of $$$ to buy a place with. You could find a nice house & yard there. Nice schools, if that matters. Scotia has a cute downtown. Maybe a place not far from I-890 so you can go into Sch'dy for work & Albany for more night life. I love the outdoors as well and like being North of Albany & Sch'dy because I tend to head to the Adirondacks in the summer. Being closer to the Northway which of course is convenient for going north or into Albany, may be a bit too out of the way for work.

[koolkatskid]

Schenectady is not as bad as it is made out to be. The Bellevue area is very nice. Van Corlaer Elementary School has an AWESOME staff. They have great programs and the teachers are like one big family!! The middle school age can be tough, but they are making positive changes.

The HS is not nearly as scary as Albany High... They have an incredible [Fine] Arts department, and have just been nationally recognized for it!

I read a post about Schenectady being 'cut off' - crazy talk! Sch'dy is not cut off, as a matter of fact is a hub for thruway access and also near I-88. Not a bad drive to get to the Northway either...

Bellevue is the area to go if you are looking to be IN Schenectady. Rotterdam and Niskayuna are BOTH within Schenectady county.

[merce]

Hi, I am new in this forum. I am Spanish and moving to Schenectady on August with my husband and children. My husband is going to work for the school district in a middle school and we do not know where to look for a house. The youngest will attend Fulton next year and we are hesitating between Van Corlaer Elementary (near Fulton) or Howe (near Union Street) for the older. We have to rent an appartment and hesitating between BELLEVUE, WOODLAND and UNION STREET. Can you give me some advice? We are middle class and we want to be in a safe neihgbourhood. Thanks.

[j12308]

Merce,
Fulton School has been getting rave reviews! Howe is a magnet school and you need to enter the lottery for that, which has already passed. Van Corlear school I haven't heard much about. Paige elementary and Zoller have good reputations. I would not go to Pleasant Valley or King. There is another opening in the fall, in the old St. Luke's school. I can't remember the name. Yates is the Art Magnet. Neighborhood wise, Woodlawn, near Paige Elementary is very family friendly, near lots of stores; Bellevue, I don't know much about but think it's ok. Union St. is nice and convienient. Near shops, grocery store, Central Park. Union Street is the area I know most about. Areas to avoid would be Hamilton Hill, Vale neighborhood, the areas near State St. & Albany I consider a little shady. Lower Goosehill area, Foster Ave is shady as well. I would think the school district, since your husband will be working there could help. I think also depending on what school he's working at may have an impact on where you might want to live. Feel free to email me w/any other questions.

[merce]

Thanks for all information. Regarding the school we may choose because of him working for the district. Paige, Howe and Van der Corlar has been highly recommended by the school district administrator. So I think we'll choose one of this. Woodland has also been highly recommended. Do you know how much can cost an apartment of 2-3 bedrooms to rent? Is is easy to rent? We are thinking in paying and hotel for some days and find once we get to schenectady. Do you think is a good idea?
And thanks a lot for all zones to avoid, it will be very helpful for us.
thanks

[rosette8]

I would agree with the PP regarding Glenville or Stockade. Stockade is a little cooler with being able to walk everywhere and its by the river (just don't get too close because of flooding issues). It is a historical area (some homes back to the 1600's) At your price range i am not sure what you would get there, but do know they have cool condo's that have been re-done well. Also your commute is about 90 seconds.

If you are after more of a yard Glenville could be cool. If night life is very important to you (and Schenectady's new downtown isn't enough) then you might think about Saratoga. My husband plays hockey with a lot of GE R&D guys and a few live in Saratoga (they are in their 20s and loving the life)

Good Luck....I think you will like it here. It has changed a lot since the mid 90s (that is when we arrived!)

Originally Posted by Lena716

Hi Everyone-
I have lived out here in the South/Southwest for the last 12years straight after I finished college and I recently landed a competitive offer to relocate back to New York with GE in Schenectady, NY (no I am not craz). I was born and raised in Buffalo and even went to college in Troy, NY (RPI) so I remember the cold winters and grey skies. I was wondering if anyone could recommend friendly and cool neighborhoods I should check out for a home purchase that is not too far from Schenectady? My price range is 200k-300k.

I was a poor college student in the 1990s and now I got some dollars to live comfortably yet reasonable (simply). I have a dog, enjoy the parks and outdoors and would like some access to the "night life" or cultural events.

Can anyone help a former New Yorker find her way back home Cheers!

[Zyll]

It's painful to drive over there, if only alt-7 was taken all the way to Schenectady, back when it was built. From Clifton Park the drive is ok. From Albany/Troy you get a lot of lights or the toll booths on the thoughway. It seems cut off this way....