Another family moving to Albany (Colonie, New Scotland: real estate, to rent, crime rate) - New York (NY) -Albany - Schenectady - Troy - Saratoga Springs metro area - City-Data Forum

3doxies · 12-23-2009, 09:55 PM

Hello there,

I've been following the threads about relocating to Albany. We are also doing so and have a couple of questions:

What neighborhood is most walkable, besides downtown? I will be staying home with our 1 yr old and would like to find things to do in the new neighborhood, as I don't like driving too much.

How is the crime rate there? Do we need an alarm system?

Also we prefer older homes, possibly colonial or victorians. Any suggestions?

Lastly, our new job is near downtown. So we would prefer a relatively short commute--less than 30 minutes. Again, suggestions anyone???

thanks

ckhthankgod · 12-24-2009, 10:43 AM

Maybe the Hudson Park area would work: H/PNA ALBANY NY: News

or Pine Hills: Home

Washington Park might be another to look at: WPNA - Washington Park Neighborhood Association

mountainclimber · 12-25-2009, 12:24 PM

The side streets off Whitehall Rd. are also good. That's where I live, in a 1920's home -- which I plan to rent out this summer for the first time, to test whether I want to move after 18 years! It's a diverse neighborhood, with young families and seniors. Two miles from downtown.

Good luck!

3doxies · 12-25-2009, 10:29 PM

Thanks mountainclimber,

In what neighborhood is this street? I dont know the area well. So I'm using real estate website to do my search and they ask for areas.

Rumblebelly · 12-26-2009, 08:06 AM

The Pine Hills area and Delmar might be worth a look.

ckhthankgod · 12-26-2009, 01:13 PM

Helderburg might be another neighborhood to look at: HNA Helderberg Neighborhood Association Albany NY

drozd · 12-26-2009, 05:15 PM

The old part of Delmar is walkable and safe. Also, parts of Slingerlands are very nice too.

ckhthankgod · 12-26-2009, 05:34 PM

You might also like suburban villages like Colonie, Westmere or possibly even Menands.

mountainclimber · 12-27-2009, 06:16 AM

This is how I find things, 3doxies.

I use google maps driving directions, and I plug in a made up number on a street I want to find.

For example, on the driving directions page, I would use a destination of 103 Whitehall Rd. in Albany, NY (which I happen to know exists because I pass it.) Then, use the map to expand the area, just moving the cursor over the page. If you head west, with side streets, you are farther from downtown and quieter/duller depending on your perspective. If you head south, you are in Delmar.

I noticed you are also getting suggestions to look at Delmar. My place in Albany is closer to Delmar than it is to downtown, and you are adding headaches adding that extra driving time. (When I feel like it, I walk downtown two miles from my place, because it is all down hill!)

Also, the Pine Hills neighborhood is the other direction, northwest. It is denser housing with a lot of students.

I would not go to the suburbs if you are going to be home by yourself and don't want to drive. If you are renting, you can see how it goes, and if you want to be closer or farther away.

Feel free to ask questions. I grew up in the suburbs (Westmere) and chose to buy a house near my grandparents old house in Albany because it's much more interesting and I love to walk.

mountainclimber · 12-27-2009, 06:25 AM

P.S. If you tell me the neighborhood names on the realtor site, I could tell you what's closest. My guess is they say "New Scotland" which is the name of a road nearby, but I am south of that. (It's not scientific! ) Some neighborhood names are old, like Pine Hills, and others are new and sort of made up.