Shh, don't tell New Jersey!

nipper croppedFrom a recent piece in the Bergen County Record that touts Albany as a travel and second-home spot:

If you peel back the veneer of the business of governing, you'll uncover an interesting midsized city with an outdated reputation as a dumpy backwater. Even so, tell most people you're planning to buy in Albany and you can expect to see their eyebrows rise with curiosity. ...
Situated on the banks of the Hudson River, Albany has been the state capital since 1797, but this renewing city is redefining itself. With up-and-coming neighborhoods, a lively music scene, great restaurants, and a combination of vibrancy and smarts infused by thousands of university students, Albany is emerging as one of region's most alluring cities.
Offering most of the amenities found in major cities but on a friendlier scale, Albany is a tangle of juxtapositions. It's prosperous but still rough around the edges in some areas. Character-filled old houses share streets with stylish modern developments. And racially diverse residents rub shoulders in eclectic shops, ethnic eateries and well-maintained public spaces, all of which contribute to a community with a cosmopolitan feel uncharacteristic of the region.

Cosmopolitan, huh. Well, Jersey is like another country...

Hey, we're happy to point out that there are a lot of good things here -- but this article makes Albany sound like some sort of mini-Montreal or something.

Wait until someone tells the Jerseyites there's no IKEA here.

Comments

...or Trader Joe's. Or beach.

Or orange people. Oh, wait a minute...

Hey, now. Not nice to make snarky comments about Jersey, especially after a nice write-up like that, in which they recognize that our reputation is outdated. Maybe our impressions of their joint are outdated, too.

This is great news for Albany! While I think the claims in this article may be slightly romanticized, I think Albany is making its way there and this is a good shout out that both publicizes our City and establishes some lofty expectations for us to meet. I have several family members (oddly, predominantly from NJ) and they have always loved their stays in Albany and if they were not hitched to their current locations wouldn’t mind making the move. Unfortunately, I think those who live in the region are too close to the unfair characterizations made of Albany (taxes, school system, etc), becoming blind to all of the positives the City has to offer and the highlights of urban living. I can’t speak for other regions of the county, but my NJ counterparts love the concept of Albany as a destination for a second home because you can get that urban lifestyle while having quick/easy access to all of the wonderful outdoor activities our region possesses.

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For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

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