Over at Naomi's Simpler Living blog, someone asked where's the best place in the Capital Region to live without a car (with a few other preferences, too). Earlier on AOA: How walkable is your neighborhood?
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Comments
I would love a post on great neighborhoods in the area. My husband and I are looking for a starter home in the capital district after 3 years out-of-state and I feel like there must be towns and neighborhoods that are great to live in but which I know nothing about.
As far as what we're looking for in a neighborhood: friendly, walkable, established (we're looking for an older 1920s/30s/40s home), and affordable! (Saratoga would be swell, but way too much $$$ for us right now.)
What do readers love about their neighborhoods/towns?
I hear there are areas of Troy and Castleton that fit the bill, but I don't know much about those areas. So far our list includes Pine Hills in Albany, the Helderberg area of Albany, Scotia, Altamont and Delmar.
Love AOA -- it's kept me connected while I've been away. Thank you for doing it!
... said Cole on Aug 11, 2009 at 2:55 PM | link
Pine Hills for sure. Also in Albany--New Scotland and Delaware.
... said KM on Aug 11, 2009 at 3:21 PM | link
@Cole - check out Cohoes. Fairly low-cost housing, easy access to the bigger cities, and sort of a renaissance going on there, I believe.
... said Slacker on Aug 11, 2009 at 3:21 PM | link
@Slacker - a renaissance going on in Cohoes?
Not in the parts I have to visit for work.
Sorry, in advance, to any Cohoes loyalists. But I'm scared of that place.
... said BLT on Aug 11, 2009 at 3:45 PM | link
There are plenty of (relatively) affordable bungalows and ranch houses between Western and Washington, and between Washington and Central, from the Pine Hills and up toward the SUNY campus. Walkable is also relative--but there are supermarkets in that area.
And the whole Whitehall Ave/New Scotland neighborhood is great.
... said chrisck on Aug 11, 2009 at 4:29 PM | link
I'm seeing a lot of "for rent" signs in Center Squares these days, and as we all know, in Center Square you're better off without a car.
As for outside of the city, Delmar and Slingerlands are nice, so is Altamont and Loudonville. As far as I know, all are accessible by bus.
... said Summer on Aug 11, 2009 at 4:49 PM | link
oops, I mean Center Square...just the one...not plural...
... said Summer on Aug 11, 2009 at 4:56 PM | link
I've lived in the Altamont/Voorheesville area. It's lovely, but there are very few busses that run out there--maybe once or twice a day for commuters into Albany. You wouldn't be close to supermarkets unless you live in the village of Voorheesville itself. It's not really a walkable area if you live outside the villages and even then you really have to have a car.
... said chrisck on Aug 11, 2009 at 5:22 PM | link
In our case we'd have a car, but would like to live in an area where we can walk to restaurants (even just 1 or 2), stores (at least a place to pick up milk), etc. We'll probably have at least 1 car to get to work-- my main concern is the neighborhood itself rather than ease of getting out of it!
Thank you for the suggestions, folks! (And keep 'em comin'!)
... said cole on Aug 12, 2009 at 10:53 AM | link
@ chrisck: I grew up in Voorheesville, and the train tracks were the main thoroughfare for us kids. It was great! No traffic, no prying eyes, no police...
@ cole: Based on what you've just said, I will reiterate Center Square. It's a short walk to the museums, theaters, restaurants, bars and all of the other perks of downtown Albany. Plus, it's safe and aesthetically pleasing. The downfall is the parking, but it's manageable.
... said Summer on Aug 12, 2009 at 1:20 PM | link