Cute neighborhoods and Downtowns near Albany (Schenectady, Union: apartments, rent, loft)

[Ed M]

Heather,
Could try looking a little south of Albany- Glenmont,Selkirk,Ravena area. Smaller towns with sidewalks and shops, Ravena is even a little more rural but has a little village with some smaller shops. I am a realtor in the area and could email some information if you would like.
Thanks
Ed

[carolinajack]

cambridge is nice, hudson could be nice, Rennslearville is awesome, delmar, ravenna all good

[Phish Head]

I am looking in PA and upstate NY to possibly live. I'm looking for an area with good neighbors, nice neighborhoods, clean, good schools. I prefer an area with nice homes around $200k, and would like to be in a hilly forested or mountainous area rather than farmland. Which side of Albany is best?

Northside: Ballston Spa, Saratoga, Clifton Park, etc.
Southside: Ravena, Glenmont, Delmar
Eastside: West Sand Lake, Sand Lake, Averill Park, East Greenbush
Westside: Voorheesville, Guilderland, Slingerlands, not sure what else

Thanks!

[Phish Head]

Forrest, I never really researched the other areas, but I've always liked the northside, particularly Ballston Spa, Queensbury, Lake George. It just feels closer to the Adirondacks. Maybe someone else might have an answer on here, because I am also curious how these areas stack up.

[soccermom121]

Oh, goodness, forget the burbs - you should check into Albany neighborhoods, especially if you want a home w/in 200k in a nice, walkable community.

The Helderberg Neighborhood along New Scotland Ave. between the hospitals is fantastic, full of 1920s single-family homes and duplexes - one one of the friendliest & tightest communities anywhere. Lots of kids, great neighborhood elementary school, plus a little business strip with restaurants & services. Pine Hills, a residential/business neighborhood farther north, is also nice.

Albany gets a bad rap, but it's actually a terrific place to live, and it has a decent bus system. It's big enough to be a city but small enough to feel like a homey town, especially in its residential neighborhoods.

Hope this helps.

[GCGuy]

Originally Posted by hmtklein

Hi,

My husband and I are moving to Eastern Upstate NY in a few months. We love Saratoga and Ballston Spa but we are concerned about how expensive they are and how far they are from Albany if we end up having to get jobs there. We haven't had much time to explore the area (we live in Colorado). We can only afford a house upto about 200K. We'd really like to be in a walkable community with a kinda cute downtown. We love old Bungalow, craftman, or victorian type homes. Someplace like Clifton Park or too suburban would not be a good fit. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas? or where I can go to find pictures?

Thank you soooo much for your time!

Heather

I have no real input on this, but I was curious...why the move? Good luck with everything.

[nynoggin]

albany is not very far from saratoga it takes me 20 minutes and ballston spa is less time: They are not expense at all outside of saratoga or even in ballston spa you can find beautiful places

[hmtklein]

Originally Posted by GCGuy

I have no real input on this, but I was curious...why the move? Good luck with everything.

To be closer to my family in the Adirondacks.... Colorado is great but it's not home.

[GCGuy]

Originally Posted by hmtklein

To be closer to my family in the Adirondacks.... Colorado is great but it's not home.

Good for you. IMO, too many people are chasing the big house, etc. at the expense of family and friends. To each his own, but congrats. I think you'll be much happier.

I do hear the Saratoga and Ballston Spa are great. Never been. I have been to Woodstock, though, and it's quite nice.

Good luck. From one mountain range to the other.

[hmtklein]

-Bump-
I know someone just posted a similiar thread...