inexpensive, safe housing for a grad student (Albany, Schenectady: apartments, rentals)

[farah636]

Hi! I'm moving to Albany to do grad studies at U. Albany. I will be living alone and will have a car to commute, so I don't need to live right by the university. The main items on my checklist are (1) inexpensive (2) safe. I'd like my commute to be under 30 minutes, and - even though I'm a student - I'm not opposed to living in a quiet, suburban neighborhood that doesn't have much or any nightlife (a Walmart or Target open late = good enough night life for me)

I feel as though I've looked at every apartment in the area (minus Troy and Schenectady, as I heard they weren't good areas) and these are the ones I think I've narrowed it down to:

Latham Village Apartments - 39 Latham Village Lane, Latham
Mountain View Terrace Apartments - 31 Pollack Rd, Latham
Niskayuna Gardens - 1187 Hillside Ave, Niskayuna
Dutch Village - 195 Van Rensselaer Blvd, Menands
Rolling Ridge Apartments - 8 Denise Dr., Latham
Riverhill Apartments - 185 Van Rensselaer Blvd, Albany
Tilley Lofts - 101 1st Street, Watervliet
Bethlehem Terrace Apartments - 47 Meadowbrook Drive, Slingerlands

I'm just curious if anyone can comment on any of the apartments and/or neighborhoods, if I should rule any of them out. I'm really interested in Tilley Lofts, but from photos I suspect it might not be in a good neighborhood? Or if you know of any other apartments that might be good?

Any feedback would be great. Thanks!

[sarchivist98]

I don't think you need to worry about the neighborhood with any of these, but you will definitely be using your car a lot at most of them since they are not in very walkable neighborhoods.

Are any of them managed by Tri-City Rentals? They are pretty good about responding to tenants' needs and keeping things working well.

[sarchivist98]

Oh, and the Slingerlands complex might be the fastest for getting to campus, even if it is not the closest. Slingerlands has more of a small town feel than Latham. There are plenty of basic amenities like big grocery stores, pharmacies, flower shop, etc., but in Latham you will be right in the middle of lots of shopping - most big box stores and chain restaurants have a presence in or near Latham.