Albany suburbs with a "small town" feel? (Syracuse: jobs, college)

[pompeyhollow]

I just recently accepted a job in Cohoes but am thoroughly unfamiliar with the area (aside from Schenectady).

Are there any "small towns" or country towns in the Albany/Cohoes area? I'm talking places that have "small downtowns" where festivals exist and everyone (sometimes) knows each other's names. Aka a relatively friendly/community oriented place that is well-kept (no rotting walls and horrible paint jobs ). Think Stars Hollow from the show Gilmore Girls.

If you're familiar with the Syracuse region, I'd like something like Cazenovia. Or if the Utica region, something like Clinton.

Does this place exist in Albany? If not, what are the closest substitutes.

[juppiter]

The Village of Altamont is pretty cute and has the most popular fair in the Capital Region every summer. Also the Village of Voorheesville is kinda nice. I know exactly what you're describing but I can't think of anything around here that meets the description. most of the suburbs are typical cookie cutter and most of the more rural towns are just pieces of crap way out in the sticks.

[Rumblebelly]

That's tough, I've been to Caz but not Clinton.

Might wanna check out Ballston Spa, Schuylerville, Scotia, Greenwich. Those are a bit of a drive though and aren't college towns. Parts of them can get a little trashy but for the most part they all have a great small town feel. Schuylerville seems to have a vibrant art scene and Ballston Spa has a nice downtown area.