Best Place to Live in and Around the Capital Region? (Gloversville: home, school district)

[Goosebuck]

There is an area about 1-1 1/2 hours from the capital district that is rural and beautiful; southwest, in the catskill mountains. Taxes are lower than the capital district, school systems are small, but offer quality (both my kids are professionals), and many civic/community opportunities. If you're interested in being that far away, post a reply.

[johntedder]

Greenwich is a nice little village in Washington County. It is about 20 minutes east of Saratoga Springs. I live just outside of Schuylerville, about 5 minutes from Greenwich and 15 minutes from Saratoga Springs. I have always loved Saratoga Springs. It's a wonderful little city.

[SMFTP]

We are LEAVING the Capital region just as SOON AS WE CAN!!! For the most part, it is one big economically depressed area with some bright spots. There are a few nice neighborhoods. There are probably 50 days of sunshine here, and most of the people seem to suffer from SAD. And, the taxes are ridiculous.
Hasta Lavista.

[juppiter]

Originally Posted by SMFTP

We are LEAVING the Capital region just as SOON AS WE CAN!!! For the most part, it is one big economically depressed area with some bright spots. There are a few nice neighborhoods. There are probably 50 days of sunshine here, and most of the people seem to suffer from SAD. And, the taxes are ridiculous.
Hasta Lavista.

I have to agree. The weather doesn't bother me that much, winter could be a bit shorter, but I never minded it. But otherwise I agree. The Capital Region has a horrible, negative attitude.

[Rumblebelly]

Originally Posted by juppiter

The Capital Region has a horrible, negative attitude.

Is it because many are from downstate?

[Ellwood]

Originally Posted by johntedder

Greenwich is a nice little village in Washington County. It is about 20 minutes east of Saratoga Springs. I live just outside of Schuylerville, about 5 minutes from Greenwich and 15 minutes from Saratoga Springs. I have always loved Saratoga Springs. It's a wonderful little city.

I agree with johntedder. I live just outside of Schuylerville also, Quaker Springs, the area is lovely.

[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!

[piperspal]

Westmere is really nice - perfect description of that area. I love the homes thru there as they all have something unique in character or design. I really love Altamont, but wish it had a bigger & busier main street/retail block. The potential is certainly there.

[Tinavasu]

I live in Voorheesville. I just love it. I would never move. It is a quaint town and friendly neighboors.It is a small town close to everything. There is little to no crime here.Everyone looks out for you. Clean,upper class and a great school district. I would rate Voorheesville as one of the best places to live in NY.

[piperspal]

Originally Posted by Tinavasu

I live in Voorheesville. I just love it. I would never move. It is a quaint town and friendly neighboors.It is a small town close to everything. There is little to no crime here.Everyone looks out for you. Clean,upper class and a great school district. I would rate Voorheesville as one of the best places to live in NY.

Although I have never lived there, a few of my friends have & I agree with you. I went to the high school graduation a few weeks ago; there were only 112 students in the graduating class. This was quite different from what I grew up with; my grad class had over 2000 students in a major city out west. Every school has it's cliques and whatnot, and I would bet Voorheesville has their (small) share. But what I saw that night was so heartening.

I got the sense that all 112 kids really did consider themselves friends, and that the boundaries and separations were few. Every single student got whoops & cheers when his or her name was called. The speeches and video they shared brought tears to many eyes. I mentioned this to my friend's son (one of the grads), and he concurred. I always thought he was fairly middle of the road when it came to the "popularity index" ; he wasn't in the same league with the high honors kids & he wasn't a jock.

We were standing outside afterward taking pics, and the valedictorian came up & gave him a hug. In her speech, she spoke of coveting a hand-made book from kindergarten that went to another student. That little boy could see how much she wanted that book, so he traded it for the one she had been given. 13 years later, they were graduating together. Sorry for such a long ramble, but if you are looking for a sense of community, it doesn't get much better than that.