albany for gay couple? (Hudson, Jordan: crime, neighborhood, theater)

[Jordan475]

My boyfriend may very well be accepting a position at SUNY Albany, and I was wondering how accepting the Albany region is for gay couples. We are in our late 20's, both professionals. Are there any particularly accepting areas? We don't need the Castro, but we would like to live somewhere where we will not be scorned and harassed, and we would like to start a family within the next five years. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks

[mom2kids]

extremly accepting...matter of fact...Lark Street and Center Square is where it's at...I don't think it's an issue here...haven't heard of any hate crimes and when the Gay Pride Parade hits the streets there is never any trouble...Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for

[mzfields]

Originally Posted by Jordan475

My boyfriend may very well be accepting a position at SUNY Albany, and I was wondering how accepting the Albany region is for gay couples. We are in our late 20's, both professionals. Are there any particularly accepting areas? We don't need the Castro, but we would like to live somewhere where we will not be scorned and harassed, and we would like to start a family within the next five years. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks

Albany is perfect for you guys. People are actually nice and non-judgmental, you'll feel right at home.

I grew up in Albany for 20 years it's wonderful, like one reader post, Lark Street and Center Square is great. It's a good move and your'e gonna love it.

I wish you both luck. Albany is great!

[mom2kids]

thanks for backing my reply up....there are nice people in Albany and especially in the areas I mentioned. Kind of crazy with parking and the weather (snow) but worth looking into. Peace and luck with your search.

[Rachael84]

My cousin and his husband have been in living in Albany for at least 10 years. They seem to enjoy it since they haven't moved or said anything negative about it.

[Saratoga Aaron]

I work at SUNY Albany -- it's a very accepting and positive environment. NY State offers domestic partner benefits, and the City of Albany also has a domestic partner registration ordinance.

(Frankly, the city's ordinance isn't much use, but it does guarantee equal treatment from the city. NY state may have civil unions in a few years, and when they pass they will make a lot more of a legal impact.)

[vter]

My friend and his boyfriend live in Saratoga and rave about it. They've never had any problems. Saratoga is a little north of Albany. You may want to check it out if your bf gets the job.

[ryangiggs]

i grew up in the albany area. yes, center square is gay friendly. very much so. but..... albany is a small city, at least the city proper is. and center square is very close to arbor hill, which is a horrenous ghetto. and even though center square is right by washington park, you do not dare walk through the park at night. a guy was murdered doing that a few years ago, right by the lake. if you want to move to the albany area and you want to live in a nice area that has some action and is gay friendly move to saratoga. albany is a big ghetto. it has a lot of crime and also a lot of college students and like someone else said there is no parking in center square. the area itself is fine, there are plenty of nice suburbs and small towns. i will say that the bars stay open late in albany, and there are a lot of bars. but lets face it, saratoga is a much nicer place to live. i you want to live in the city proper i reccomend going west out on western avenue towards guilderland. maybe in the pine hills neighborhood around the colege of saint rose, that is more civilized. 5 miles west of downtown is where suny - albany is anyway. living downtown is just a mess. crime and no parking. i forgot to mention that center square is surrounded by actually two ghettos, the aforementioned arbor hill and on the south side by the utterly hideous south end. from center square you can walk to a price chopper grocery store that has long been called the "ghetto chopper." that should give you some indication.

[smileyone]

Have you and your bf heard about Hudson? The gay community has discovered this hip, hot place and have been steadily increasing their presence there. The architecture is fantastic, the restaurants, shops and waterfront are all top-drawer and there's already one great bar, another music club is coming soon, and a fantastic dance bar is just getting started. There's great theater, too. Very, very cool place to be...

[beachcomberT]

Visiting Albany area this summer & would like more info re the growing gay scene in Hudson -- names of clubs etc.