adirondack and children (Syracuse, Albany, Utica: best town, low crime, how much)

[natepickle]

Hi,
My family and I are ready for a change we live in Virginia about 2 hrs west of DC we have found the mountains still have the no outsiders allowed feel to them.

What is the best town there for a family with a 10yr and 6 yr old; they love to swim on swim teams. We thought Shenandoah Valley here got snow but we have not seen any in 2 yrs. We want to see snow with bright sunny winter days. We want to be close to water, but not right on it. Within a short drive would be nice. A pet friendly place with allot outdoor activities

We would like to be within 2 hrs of museums and zoos like DC , a town where kids are safe, a sense of community, great job growth, low crime and communities with children for mine to play with.

I grew up all my life at the beach of NC. I miss friendly people, the kind that invite you to dinner to welcome you and handshakes mean something. Almost a Mayberry feel with clean streets and modern stores nearby.

Are there any towns like that there?

[ckhthankgod]

I would say Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs, as both are within an hour of Albany. If you go further up, Plattsburgh is another possibility. Plattsburgh is within an hour of Montreal and the Adirondacks.

[natepickle]

What about Lake Luzerne

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by natepickle

What about Lake Luzerne

I don't know much about Lake Luzerne, but it is a much samller town than the ones I mentioned. It's in Warren County and it's pretty much a rural town. It is in between Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs. Here's some information to check out, if you want to:http://www.townoflakeluzerne.com/

http://www.lakeluzernechamber.org/activities.htm

http://www.lakeluzerne-ny.com/

Here's some information on the places I mentioned earlier:
http://www.cityofglensfalls.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glens_Falls,_New_York

http://www.poststar.com/

http://www.glensfalls.com/

http://www.atfestival.org/

http://www.chapmanmuseum.org/

http://www.sgfny.com/

http://www.saratoga-springs.org/docs/bpwebsite.asp

http://www.saratoga.org/

http://www.saratoga.com/

http://www.discoversaratoga.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saratoga_Springs,_New_York

http://www.saratogian.com/

http://www.thesaratogalife.com/

http://www.cityofplattsburgh.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plattsburgh,_New_York

http://www.pressrepublican.com/

http://www.northcountrychamber.com/

and even more info.
http://www.lakegeorge.com/

http://www.visitlakegeorge.com/

http://www.lakegeorgechamber.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_George_(New_York)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Ge...age),_New_York

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Falls

http://www.fortedwardnewyork.net/

http://www.port-henry.ny.us/

http://www.townofmoriah.com/

http://www.ticonderogany.com/

http://www.ticonderoganewyork.com/

http://www.townofticonderoga.com/

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

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

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

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...7&county=Essex

https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb/Co...county=Clinton

Some other places you might like are Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and Lake Placid, which make up the Tri-Lakes Area.

[Cigarboo]

I'm not sure if the Capital Region is your answer. There is no decent zoo withing 2 hours. No big museum within 2 hours. At least it's nothing compared to Washington DC. I wouldn't call the winters bright and sunny. You get some of those days, but mostly the winters are cold and gray. For me personally, I think I'm suffering from SAD which seems to be my only explanation as to why I'm so negative about the area at this point. We're about 5 hours from Cape Cod, so not really that close to any significant water.

With that said, I do think it's a nice place to raise a family. The schools are fine and we feel safe. There are friendly people, probably not as openly friendly as the south, but good people open to becoming friends. There are many things I like about it. It definitely has the community feel.

For me, I would like to be closer to a bigger city and the winters are just a bit too long. If you don't mind that, then I think your family would do fine here.

Can't speak for jobs as it seems it's a bit tough everywhere these days. I would not consider this area a high job growth area even without the recession.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by Cigarboo

I'm not sure if the Capital Region is your answer. There is no decent zoo withing 2 hours. No big museum within 2 hours. At least it's nothing compared to Washington DC. I wouldn't call the winters bright and sunny. You get some of those days, but mostly the winters are cold and gray. For me personally, I think I'm suffering from SAD which seems to be my only explanation as to why I'm so negative about the area at this point. We're about 5 hours from Cape Cod, so not really that close to any significant water.

With that said, I do think it's a nice place to raise a family. The schools are fine and we feel safe. There are friendly people, probably not as openly friendly as the south, but good people open to becoming friends. There are many things I like about it. It definitely has the community feel.

For me, I would like to be closer to a bigger city and the winters are just a bit too long. If you don't mind that, then I think your family would do fine here.

Can't speak for jobs as it seems it's a bit tough everywhere these days. I would not consider this area a high job growth area even without the recession.

That's why I mentioned the Plattsburgh area, as it is only an hour south of Montreal, if that.

[ckhthankgod]

Also, the area I live in might be a better fit. Central NY is an area with beaches on many lakes, museums in Syracuse and Utica, among other places and both Utica and Syracuse have zoos. Utica is closer to the Adirondacks, but Syracuse is only about an hour and a half from the Adirondacks.

Also, you can try some areas close to the Catskills too. Binghamton also has a zoo, one of the oldest in the country and it is a city close to the Catskill mountains and about 2 1/2 hours from NYC. I would think they have swim teams/clubs.

There is a zoo in Broadalbin and Petersburg as for zoos in the Capital District.
http://www.adirondackanimalland.com/index.html

http://www.birdparadise.org/

[natepickle]

What about property taxes in ny? How much higher are they?

We are really looking for a friendly, safe place with alot of winter activities. Also alot of lakes to swim in and ride jet skis.

With kids

[ckhthankgod]

They are higher in comparison to most states, but the housing prices tend to make up for the taxes.

[natepickle]

my wife thought she read a blog about Gleen Falls / saratoga/ lake luzerne that said they are not very kid friendly. She read they are more for the hernit type. Is this true?

Does anyone know how to find out about the id population? We have 2 children and settling in a place that isnt kid friendly is a no go.