Ask a Level-Head Man Who Lived in Albany, NY (New York: health insurance, apartment complex)

[inpd]

Hi,

Lived there for 5 years in center square. If you have any questions
fire away.

I loved the place, but can give balanced opinions.

[Fearringtonflash]

Originally Posted by inpd

Hi,

Lived there for 5 years in center square. If you have any questions
fire away.

I loved the place, but can give balanced opinions.

Would Center Square be a good place for a semi-retired couple (no kids) to live? Is it similar to Back Bay in Boston or the Conn-Avenue/Dupont Circle area in DC (making adjustments for the fact that it is Albany, not either of those larger cities)?

Thanks!

[inpd]

Originally Posted by Fearringtonflash

Would Center Square be a good place for a semi-retired couple (no kids) to live? Is it similar to Back Bay in Boston or the Conn-Avenue/Dupont Circle area in DC (making adjustments for the fact that it is Albany, not either of those larger cities)?
Thanks!

There are a lot of retired people in center square. In fact right now its
a duality of retired people and young families. The middle and high schools
are not so good so when your kids reach 12 you go the burbs.

I've been to Back Bay and Dupont circle but not enough to compare
them to Center square.

The great thing about center square is that you can WALK to:
Theatre (Capital Repertory Theater), Lark street restaraunts and
entertainment (Lark Street BID), state museum
(New York State Museum, Albany, New York), a few private museums
Washington Park (including the Playhouse where they have
plays in the park in summer WELCOME Park Playhouse, Albany NY) .
You get the picture . Entertainment is free and plentiful in
the form of concerts in the Rockerfeller Plaza etc.
(Welcome to Alban.y., NY). Because its the state capital there
is a ton of events sponsored by the state. The Pepsi
(Time Series) Arena
(Times Union Center - Albany NY) is where you can see
acts visiting from NYC. I saw Billy Joel, Elton John, Sienfeld.
The palace theatre (The Palace Theatre)
is where I saw BB King.

Because the median salary in the area is low, this and
everything else was cheap (Theatre is $180 for a 8 show
season ticket, Elton John tickets cost $25 etc.)

In addition the housing stock is wonderful. $300K will buy you
a restored 2500 sq ft brownstone with 13 foot ceilings, marble
fire places, heart pine floors etc. Taxes are expensive
(think $6K) but being so close to the action you get your
moneys worth.

Traffic is not so bad, so people have lots of time and its
friendly.

[contrerry]

Sounds like a great place! Any rentals? About how much? Parking? Do you know about elementary schools? If so, what are good ones (I am an elementery teacher) Thanks!

[inpd]

Originally Posted by contrerry

Sounds like a great place! Any rentals? About how much? Parking? Do you know about elementary schools? If so, what are good ones (I am an elementery teacher) Thanks!

Rentals in center square are cheap. $600 will get you an 600-800 sq ft
basement apartment in one of the afore mentioned brownstones.
If your not a student, they are plentiful. A few apartment complexes in
old historic buildings which run from good to luxurious ($925 gets you
a newish 2 br apts). Some brownstones have been split into two
apartments (each about 1200 sq ft). These cost about $1300 per month.
Stay away from the brown stones split into more than 3 apartments,
its indicative of a greedy landlord.

Some of the brownstones have converted carriage homes that serve
as garages, most do not. Parking at lots spread amongst the brownstones
run from $150 per month 24 hour access. If your flexible with your times
you'll get by without them (as I did). State workers leave b/w 4 and 5pm
and I got home at 5:15pm and parked outside my home just about every day.

If your a resident at the nearby teaching hospitals or work late you'll need
off-street parking. The afore mentioned Lark Street sports bars & resteraunts
pack them in and getting parking after 10pm can get tough.

Lots of good elementary schools in Guilderland and Delmar. In downtown
Albany there is one called Toast (Albany City Schools, TOAST)
Also unionized school teachers in Albany do great.
A friend who specialized in middle school french makes 60K+
for a 9.5 month obligation but health insurance
runs the entire year.

[HomerBrink]

Is Center Square the same as Lark Street?

[inpd]

Originally Posted by HomerBrink

Is Center Square the same as Lark Street?

The historic (read brownstone) area of downtown is large. I recommend
center square since it has gentrified and is nice and safe and as its
name implies in the center of everything.

Center square is bounded to the north by Washington/Central Ave,
West Lark Street, East South Swan and South Jay Street.
See Center Square Association : HomePage
for the neighborhood association a great group founded
in the 1960's when Rockerfeller wanted to bulldoze all these
historic homes. They won that fight and are vigillant about the
neighborhood keepings it character.

[contrerry]

Thanks so much...you have been very kind and helpful!

[inpd]

Originally Posted by contrerry

Thanks so much...you have been very kind and helpful!

No problems. Keep the questions going. Feel free to IM me with more personal
questions.

[happyyouni]

I an looking for a good school district and a wonderful place to live for a family with small kids. Any suggestion?