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I was just in Schenectady for a wedding (actually Scotia, NY) and have become very fond of the Albany region, visiting friends many times over the years.
Albany itself has such great architecture-love the rowhomes downtown, even if some parts need to be better taken care of. Troy and Schenectady seem to be in worse shape, but I still love the urbanity and coming from Philly the architecture seems so familiar yet somehow different to me. Of course Saratoga and Lake George are beautiful areas close by as well. I really enjoy the people from these parts of NY.
I'm not as familiar with Hartford, but my favorite city in CT is New Haven.
Numbers don't tell the whole story, anyway. As someone who is completely unbiased (I don't have a preference for either, really), Hartford feels quite a bit larger. The Capital Corridor may have 1.2 Million people, but it's significantly spread out and still doesn't make Albany feel as large as Hartford. You have to also take into account that Hartford's MSA may be 1.2 Million but that number doesn't include the Springfield area (downtown Springfield is less than 25 miles from Downtown Hartford). The Knowledge Corridor, or Hartford-Springfield area, is just as cohesive as the "Capital Corridor" in New York and has around 2 Million people. No matter how you slice it, Hartford is the larger city and area. And it feels that way to any unbiased person who has spent time in both cities.
Hmm. The Hartford area does feel more populated. But it's not really because Hartford itself is larger (though it is) but because the metro contains a long stretch of older towns mixed in with newer development. To me, it's not so much Hartford suburbs but the lower Connecticut River Valley.
I wasn't saying that Schenectady wasn't an city with any urban neighborhoods, but the built structure is more similar to a New England city (or Rochester or Buffalo) than the other cities in the Capital region, which all have dense rowhouse neighborhoods.
Cohoes is another small city which is similar, which I did miss. Few people outside of the Capital Region would know it exists.
Albany has a lot of other rowhouse neighborhoods, just not desirable ones. Some examples here, here, here, and here.
Oh, I know. It just reminded me that there are some undeniably urban neighborhoods in that city.
Yeah, in Albany, Arbor Hill, West Hill and the South End are the roughest neighborhoods in the city, but for the nice rowhouses, look around Washington Park/ Center Square. This is the Pastures neighborhood just south of Downtown Albany: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Al...e728c4!6m1!1e1
I was just in Schenectady for a wedding (actually Scotia, NY) and have become very fond of the Albany region, visiting friends many times over the years.
Albany itself has such great architecture-love the rowhomes downtown, even if some parts need to be better taken care of. Troy and Schenectady seem to be in worse shape, but I still love the urbanity and coming from Philly the architecture seems so familiar yet somehow different to me. Of course Saratoga and Lake George are beautiful areas close by as well. I really enjoy the people from these parts of NY.
I'm not as familiar with Hartford, but my favorite city in CT is New Haven.
Although I might tilt towards Hartford in some ways because of its convenient location, the more I think about it, the Albany area has far more geographic interest and variety. It lies in an attractive river valley. The Adirondack, Berkshire, and Catskill Mountains are all a short ride away. Saratoga Lake, Lake George, Sacandaga Lake are nearby. As well as the bucolic charm of Columbia and Washington (Grandma Moses country) counties.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Originally Posted by ABQSunseeker
Although I might tilt towards Hartford in some ways because of its convenient location, the more I think about it, the Albany area has far more geographic interest and variety. It lies in an attractive river valley. The Adirondack, Berkshire, and Catskill Mountains are all a short ride away. Saratoga Lake, Lake George, Sacandaga Lake are nearby. As well as the bucolic charm of Columbia and Washington (Grandma Moses country) counties.
2.5 hours to NYC, 3 hours to Boston, and 3.5 hours to Montreal is a pretty good place to be located. I think the small disadvantage to Albany is its generally colder and snowier than Hartford. I'd agree that Albany is pretty close to a lot of beautiful country.
How would you compare Northampton to Saratoga Springs? I've never been to Saratoga Springs, but I have been to Northampton and find it to be quite appealing. On paper, there appear to be similarities. Not sure how that translates to real life though. I'd wager the area around Saratoga Springs is prettier, but Northampton isn't exactly in an ugly spot either.
Well, I went to school near Northampton and have first-hand knowledge of both. In the immediate downtown area there is a good comparison as Saratoga and Northampton have attractive centers. And Smith College is a pleasant addition to Northampton. But Saratoga Springs has Saratoga Lake and close proximity to the Adirondacks, the Green Mountains, as well as Lake George. And the cultural attractions are far greater in Saratoga, especially in the summer.
Oh, I know. It just reminded me that there are some undeniably urban neighborhoods in that city.
Yeah, in Albany, Arbor Hill, West Hill and the South End are the roughest neighborhoods in the city, but for the nice rowhouses, look around Washington Park/ Center Square. This is the Pastures neighborhood just south of Downtown Albany: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Al...e728c4!6m1!1e1
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