albany area selections! HELP! (Colonie, Schenectady: new home, neighborhood, construction)

[Mrs. C]

I am wondering what areas are good to live in that are not overly expensive, and have decent schools (2 young boys), and little crime. I have had a lot of people tell me that there are areas in Albany that are extremly racist, and I don't want to move into an area where we are not welcomed (not sure if my friend has all info correct or not). Anywho, we are a young african american family, and, DO NOT discriminate in anyway against any race, nationality, or religion. I am concerned because I was informed that there was a large skinhead base in the Albany area (areas not specified. again, I do not trust the person or the info that was given to me) we were looking into Saratoga Springs, Colonie, East Greenbush or Queensbury (my husband is an Army Recruiter). If anyone has any information about what areas are culturally mixed, safe for the most part, and family oriented, please let me know.

Thank You
Mrs. C

[piperspal]

The skinhead base? First time I ever heard that & I'd strongly disagree. My work has me on the road t/o the Capital District & I cover a lot of territory in a week's time. I have never seen anything even close to that.

As far as racist - I think you will always find a few of those - in all colors, across all demographic lines - no matter where you live. A friend of mine who lives here has been in a bi-racial relationship for over 10 years & put it nicely this way: She has encountered racist behaviour in every state & area she's been in, but for every idiot with backward views or something even scarier, there are so many more people who welcome this diversity with open arms. This area is no different.

I understand why you wouldn't want to endanger your children by exposing them to something that negative, but sometimes society needs to depend on individuals like yourself to stand firm. The more the good guys come out in force, the sooner the bad guys fade away. My neighborhood has probably 5 different nationalities, ethnicities, & religions (at least!) well represented in a 3 block area. It's pretty cool to drive thru & see so many different faces from so many walks of life.

Do a search of some of the past threads & posts - you'll get a pretty good feel for opinions of diff. schools & towns. Best of luck & welcome!!!

[ckhthankgod]

I would think that Colonie would be the place for your family. It is a suburb that has a decent Black population, especially the South Colonie School District. North Colonie wouldn't be bad either. Guilderland is also a good choice. Saratoga Springs would be OK too. There is a Black community there and has been there for a while. East Greenbush is another good district close to Troy, a very diverse city of about 45,000 people. Queensbury is a suburb of Glens Falls, eventhough it is a bigger community and school district. Glens Falls wouldn't be too bad either and is more diverse than Queensbury. Here's some information you would like as far as schools go:https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Di...t=010601060000

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Di...t=010605060000

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Di...t=010802060000

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Di...t=521800010000

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Di...t=520302060000 (In Saratoga county and has a Black superintendent)

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Di...t=630300010000

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Di...t=630902030000

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Di...t=490301060000

and here are the school districts for the counties in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy netro area:https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...nty=Rensselaer

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...ounty=Saratoga

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...&county=Warren

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...&county=Albany

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...ty=Schenectady

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...nty=Montgomery

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...&county=Fulton

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...&county=Greene

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...ounty=Columbia

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...nty=Washington

and for the whole state:https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Home.do?year=2007

Some other communities that are smaller, but are pretty diverse are Rensselaer, Cohoes and Watervliet. All of these communities are more blue-collar in character, but I don't believe they are bad or rough in terms of crime. A couple of other suburbs to consider might be:Bethlehem, Mohonasen in the Schenectady suburb of Rotterdam and Niskayuna(good sized Asian population and small, but noticable Black population).

[ckhthankgod]

Also, where is his recruiting station located?

[Mrs. C]

ty all for the info, I was sure my so called friend had false info. so I am very happy I went to the soure....the recruiting station in either gonna be in the Colonie Mall Center, Wilton Square in Saratoga Springs, or in Mount Roayl Plaza in Queensbury. Still waiting on a confirmed assignment. But we should know by thend of the week.

[ckhthankgod]

Personally, if it is at Colonie Mall Center, go with South Colonie(Colonie High is the HS there). If it is in Saratoga Springs, go with Saratoga Springs. If it is in Queensbury, go with Glens Falls.

[1950Albany]

Albany, NY is a nice city being one of the oldest cities in the northeast and has alot of history. Like all cities, it has its bad areas but other than that it is very nice & their is alot to do. I have lived in Westmere my whole life (a hamlet of guilderland about 5 minutes from Albany near crossgates mall). If you like Albany but dont want to live right in the city, Westmere is the ideal move. We even get city bus service (CDTA) that comes to Westmere that goes into Albany (bus stops run about every 15 minutes). The average home price is about $250,000. My home is a well built 1950's ranch with around 1,900 square feet all on a large lot and in a great quiet development. Everyone is close in the town and everything is close (grocery store, gas stations, shops, everything. If you are looking for new construction I would move to the Slingerlands area (close to Altamont, about 20 minutes away from Albany) where a new home goes up every time you turn around. If you want more rural but close to Albany I would sugest Altamont (about 30 minutes away from Albany) where the homes are all charming 1800's victorians or farmhouses close to the once a year historic Altamont fair (rides and all kinds of things to do). People come from all over the capital region to go to this fair. If you prefer to be closer to Schnectady but still in the Guilderland area I would sugest Fort Hunter (around carman road). The schools in Guilderland are great with school bus at door (Albany Citys schools dont have school buses unless you pay for a mini school bus). Colonie is also a great suburban area about 15 minutes from albany but I just like Guilderland better personally. Hope this helps!

[cleo25]

Glad to know the skin head thing was false. Unfortunately though, gangs are growing- esp in Albany, Schenectady too. Stay out of Albany and Schen. schools. Troy schools too. Troy isn't too bad (see many other posts), but I think most of us agree that it's not for families. Honestly, if there is anything else racist to worry about, it would be rednecks in the country. Hey folks.. you know they're here---I live in Columbia County, we've got our share. There are still some, but I don't think they are prevalent.
Colonie HS is going to be very racially mixed. Excellent district. Don't know much about further north.