Moving to Albany next year (Rochester, Syracuse: rent, low crime, mortgage)

[Phish Head]

I am trying diligently to get a job in the Capital/Saratoga region. I'm not trying to move into the city of Albany, but I do like the suburban and rural areas that surround Albany. Can anyone tell me the best suburban areas within a one hour commute to Albany? I have visited and like Ballston Spa, Malta, Saratoga Springs, Queensbury and Clifton Park. Can anyone tell me about these towns, as well as Stillwater, Schuylerville, Greenfield, and Glens Falls?

I am 30 years old, married with no kids. I'm looking for a reasonably priced, laid-back, suburban or rural area with low crime, lots of trees, preferably with a nice downtown area. Thanks!

[Glen NY]

Phish, a move up north is a great idea and Albany has some nice suburbs, however the city is a bit rough and even the outskirts show signs of economic hardships. Saratoga as you know is beautiful. One hour commutes are something we downstate people are used to. You could be in cow country just 15 minutes outside the city. One of the great things about moving upstate in not having to deal with one hour commutes. I'm sure you'll be happy, the downstate/New Jersey traffic, congestion, crowds and so on are distressing. Good luck by the way I here Clifton Park, Guilderland and Colonie are all nice Albany suburbs (15 minutes out).

[Phish Head]

Most people now think I am nuts to move north to Albany. The close minded people of NJ think that NYC is the universe. I lived near Philadelphia and most North Jersey people think Philly is still a cow town (what is there to do in Philly?) they would ask.....funny. I would remain near Philly, but it has gotten a huge influx of people from NJ and costs here have driven as high as NJ. I lived in Bucks County for a while, very expensive but more laid-back and not as "rat-race". Rush hour was actually an hour!

My job unfortunately relocated its offices to near the Jersey Shore and I had to leave Pennsylvania. Traffic is relentless from 6 am-10 am, and again from 4pm - 8 pm. Weekends, due to shore traffic, is like a parking lot (a lot like the LIE). Since leaving NJ 5 years ago, the transformation here is unbelieveable. Rudeness is at an all time high. A fixer upper costs $400k. I've seen new townhomes on major highways selling for $460k. Construction takes place on every square inch of land- there are hardly any open spaces left. As soon as a halfway decent job comes my way, I'm leaving to go upstate for good. I went to college up there, and have not forgotten how wonderful a place to live it is.

[just_sayin']

I'm so glad that more people are realizing the beauty and greatness of Upstate NY. I'm originally from the Rochester area, and moved to NC 11 years ago thinking I would be made happier by a warmer climate and booming economy. I was wrong. I miss upstate terribly and am finaly moving back this year. Upstate NY has the friendliest people you can find and some of the most stunning natural beauty in ALL seasons. It really makes me mad when you hear "downstate" people from the NYC metro stereotype Upstate Ny as some inferior depressing region populated by nothing but dumb hicks. Just because we haven't crammed ourselves onto overpriced land and keep building and building until we can't even afford to live there any more. I'm glad to see that there are people there who do realize that Upstate is a wonderfull place and can give it some respect.

[honeychrome]

"It really makes me mad when you hear "downstate" people from the NYC metro stereotype Upstate Ny as some inferior depressing region populated by nothing but dumb hicks."

Well, did you ever think that maybe this false impression was purposely perpetrated by people from upstate NY to keep NYC metro types from flocking upstate? I'm originally from upstate NY, and hope to be returning there relatively soon, but live in NYC now and it seems like everyone I run into either has just bought a place upstate somewhere or is looking. You might want to keep things quiet, or it's only going to get worse!

[Phish Head]

honeychrome, how come the population has been so stagnant upstate for decades? Is it due to second home purchases? If so, that would not register someone as a resident. I could never understand that either. I read somewhere that the entire upstate population increased by less than 2,000 people, and of that 2,000, 30% were prisoners bound for the many prisons located upstate.

Unfortunately, the only majorly growing counties upstate are Orange, Westchester and Dutchess, still NYC 'burbs. When will people realize the amazing infrastructure in the old manufacturing cities like Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, etc? I mean, the many reasons I wish to live there: no tornados, no hurricanes, no earthquakes, cheap homes, historical architecture, lots of trees, wildlife galore, mountains, clean lakes, rivers, nice people, open space, 4 seasons, mild summers, the list goes on.

I can't understand why people aren't moving up there in droves.

[honeychrome]

I think the answer to your question is jobs, jobs and...... less jobs. The farming economy has disappeared, GE has more or less disappeared from the Capitol region... The cost of living may be relatively cheap, but there are still taxes to pay, mortgage payments to make, groceries to buy, and not a lot of ways to make a living. The promise of 'telecommuting' has largely proven to be a myth. Personally I really hope that rising oil prices and the eventual, inevitable end of oil, increased concern for where our food comes from and sustainability, etc. will someday lead to a rejuvenation of local economies. Upstate NY could indeed be a paradise....

[just_sayin']

The general mood of people in Upstate is that the only city that has potential for a modern economy Upstate is Rochester because of it's highly educated populous and it's "bubble" that helped it avoid the decline seen by most other great lakes cities in the 70's and 80's. The area has seen some tough years lately because of kodaks major layoffs due to the companies restructuring from a film company to a digital company. Kodak isn't even Rochester's largest employer anymore, that distinction know goes to the University of Rochester. I believe Syracuse is recovering from it's pretty serious decline of the 1990's, it's been adding jobs faster than any upstate metro and it's population is now growing the fastest (in the 90's, Rochester was the only upstate metro that was growing at all). If Upstete wasn't part of NY, most believe, the area would be booming. Albany and NYC dictate a lot of upstate money.

[Phish Head]

Honeychrome, I guess that is why I've been having such a hard time finding work in the Capital region. I've gotten massive interview offers from other states (mostly southern), but I've had no interest in moving anywhere but upstate. Due to the collapse of GE, and assuming state jobs are only being cut, what are the prospects of finding work in the Capital region? Not McDonalds or Burger King work, though

Are there other regions upstate I should look at? Unfortunately its coming down to the wire for me and my family, as our rent here in NJ is going up 20% in a few months and I have to find something fast. If I can't find something by then, I may have to entertain a regretful move south

[missladyl]

Hi, I just found this site and I think it's great.....I live in a small village called Broadalbin. It is about 30 minutes west of Saratoga. It has tree lined streets and a very good school district and also the Sacandaga Lake is just down the road. The people here are very friendly and you will always see people walking their dogs or with their children all year long. I have not heard of any crime to speak of in the village . The downtown does not have a lot to offer but Saratoga or Albany is not that far away...good luck house hunting