Looking for community similar to Pittsford NY (outside of Rochester) (New York: house, neighborhood)

[terryellen]

Anyone familiar with pittsford? Looking for similar that is commutable to Saratoga Springs. Excellent schools, upscale feel and village atmosphere. Saratoga fits the bill except for the schools and its a bit more conservative than we would like. Thanks!

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by terryellen

Anyone familiar with pittsford? Looking for similar that is commutable to Saratoga Springs. Excellent schools, upscale feel and village atmosphere. Saratoga fits the bill except for the schools and its a bit more conservative than we would like. Thanks!

I was actually going to suggest Saratoga Springs, but if you think it is "more conservative", I don't know. Historically, its West Side has been more culturally diverse and perhaps it may be a matter of where you look in the city.

Besides that, you may have to somewhat sacrifice and look into say Old Niskayuna not too far from Schenectady's Upper Union Street district: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8049...7i16384!8i8192
Upper Union Street BID | Schenectady, NY | Capital Region Businesses

Niskayuna is relatively affluent, has good schools and is actually pretty culturally diverse. So, it is similar to Pittsford in many regards. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profi...00US3609351264

https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profi...00US3605558365

It is a good drive depending on where you are coming from in the town to Saratoga Springs.

Also, for a shorter commute, but not as affluent, Ballston Spa is a walkable village not too far from Saratoga Springs, with good schools and generally middle class. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profi...00000US3604253

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0026...7i16384!8i8192

So, those are some options to run with.

[ckhthankgod]

Is there anything else or more specific you are looking for in a community/neighborhood?

Schuylerville is a village in the adjacent town of Saratoga is another nearby community to potentially consider. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profi...00US3609165244

https://goo.gl/maps/DJEUGzraguVWKqp47

[terryellen]

I am not sure what happened to my reply! Most important would be schools for us....any that can compare to Pittsford? Looks like maybe Shen? Also seriously considering private for middle school. Any thoughts on the Waldorf School in Saratoga or the Diane Stuart School? Thanks so much for all your thoughts.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by terryellen

I am not sure what happened to my reply! Most important would be schools for us....any that can compare to Pittsford? Looks like maybe Shen? Also seriously considering private for middle school. Any thoughts on the Waldorf School in Saratoga or the Diane Stuart School? Thanks so much for all your thoughts.

Niskayuna and Bethlehem are right up there historically in terms of say rankings like those that come out from the Buffalo Business First. Niskayuna would be more reasonable of a commute and both are a couple of the more relatively affluent school districts in Upstate NY. Here is the list from October of 2020 which shows Bethlehem at 5th, Niskayuna at 13th and Shenendehowa at 14th: https://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/...ools-list.html Voorheesville(15th), North Colonie(16th), Guilderland(22nd), Saratoga Springs(24th) and Burnt Hills-BL(27th) are also high on the list of 430 school districts. So, while Pittsford is 1st on the list, these school districts are still highly regarded

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, Shenendehowa, Schuylerville, Ballston Spa and even Saratoga Springs would be good options that are even closer.

The only thing is that Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa(81st) and Schuylerville(99th) are the only communities with truly walkable options within them.

[terryellen]

Bethlehem wasn't even on my radar so I will check it out.....I will resign myself to suburbia with walkability in favor of a very good school district....thanks for that additional info

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by terryellen

Bethlehem wasn't even on my radar so I will check it out.....I will resign myself to suburbia with walkability in favor of a very good school district....thanks for that additional info

No problem...Just to give you an idea of that commute, here is directions from Delmar(a walkable community in that SD to Saratoga Springs: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Delm...43.0831301!3e0

I don't know if I would say to give up on say Saratoga Springs itself or any of the other districts, as they are still highly regarded, some offer walkability and a shorter commute.

This is another good source to use for school districts...

Saratoga Springs: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Delm...43.0831301!3e0

Ballston Spa: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000038604

Shenendehowa: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000038684

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000038704

Schuylerville: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000038575

^All based in Saratoga County

Then, Niskayuna: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000038458 (Schenectady Co.)

North Colonie: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000061851

Bethlehem: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000055452

^ Last 2 are in Albany County...

As for private school options, besides the Waldorf School and Doane Stuart in Rensselaer, I'd also consider the Albany Academies in Albany: https://www.albanyacademies.org/#welcome

They are 2 single sex schools right across the street from each other: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6460...7i16384!8i8192

Think of The Harley School and Allendale Columbia in the Rochester area, but probably more like A-C from what I've been told(a sibling sent their kids to the latter of those 2).

[ckhthankgod]

While not for this particular situation, this article offers some insight into top ranked schools in the area.

Bethlehem, Voorheesville in top 100 of high schools in New York: https://www.timesunion.com/news/arti...0c7a6fca305390

This is based off of the US News & World Report rankings: https://www.usnews.com/education/bes...-york/rankings

From the article: "The annual report ranks high schools throughout the country. Bethlehem was ranked No. 84 in the state and No. 795 nationally.

“Every day we see our high school students doing exceptional things and finding success in so many areas,” said Bethlehem district Superintendent Jody Monroe in a statement. “This is not only testament to their hard work and perseverance but to BC faculty, staff, and an entire school community that is dedicated to seeing each student meet their potential and achieve their goals.”

The ranking system rates high schools on six factors: student performance on math, reading and science state tests; graduation rates; and how many students tried and passed Advanced Placement exams.

Joining Bethlehem in the top 100 for New York was Clayton A. Bouton High School in Voorheesville, which came in at No. 99. The school was also ranked at No. 999 nationally."

On a side note, Buffalo's City Honors is the highest ranked Upstate high school on the list.

[terryellen]

So looks like we found a private school actually in Saratoga springs that we are happy with. We will revisit public school for the high school years. Another quick question. What are the property taxes like? If we buy a house for $800,000 what would we pay per year? In Pittsford it would be close to 30,000 but seems much lower here which would allow us to buy a more expensive house if necessary. Thanks!

[ckhthankgod]

Hopefully someone else can chime in with more specific information, but this should help give you some ideas about rates and other related information: https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/dep...ervice-agency/