Moving to the Albany NY area...need advice

[Divamomto3]

Hi DIS'ers! I'm a lifelong Connecticut shoreline resident and we are relocating to the Albany, NY area in June for my husband's job. He works in Albany, but we are currently looking to move to Saratoga Springs or Wilton. Any advice? Do we want to live "in town" or will we like the more suburban Wilton? Are there other towns in the Saratoga County area that other DIS'ers live in and think are great? We have 3 sons. Our oldest will be a Freshman in HS next year, our middle with start 6th grade, and our youngest will go to 1st grade. The public schools seem huge compared to what I'm used to. Remember, I can move anywhere that isn't more than a 40 minute commute one way for my husband so any advice is appreciated! I'd like a nice, fun, quaint town with good schools and I don't do well deep in "the sticks." Help! This is a hard decision! Yes, we've already been up there several times and are familiar with some towns and we're going back next week for 4 days so I'd be happy to check out other towns you may suggest.

 

[RadioFanatic]

Hi! I live in the Capital Region - Wilton is a nice area. I would also recommend Clifton Park, where I live. Good schools, good homes, easy access to shopping and in Saratoga County but not as far from Albany as Saratoga Springs itself. It's not a "quaint" town but would be close enough to quaint towns that it shouldn't be an issue. Ballston Spa is a cute town that has some nice houses. I'm unsure of the schools though so others could help you there.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I live in Schenectady county in a little hamlet called Alplaus. I'm really close to Saratoga County. I could walk to the county line in about five minutes. We're about 10-15 minutes from Clifton Park/the Northway and about five minutes to Schenectady (I wouldn't want to live in Schenectady, but living close provides easy access to some resources). It takes about 30 minutes to get to Albany. A lot of people like our little community, and consider Niskayuna schools to be fairly good. Having said that, I don't know too much about the High School. My twins are in kindergarten.

If I had my choice, I would live in the "city" of Saratoga Springs. I really like the idea of walking into town and being in the middle of things. DH wasn't really into it when we were looking for houses 7 years ago, and now we can't afford to buy anything in Saratoga. The schools in Saratoga Springs are supposed to be good. A little snooty and pretty big, but good. There are also a few private schools in the area. We were married in Congress Park, and used to spend a lot of time there when we were dating. We still try to go there as often as possible.

I personally would stay away from Clifton Park/Shenendehoah school district. It's positively huge.

Feel free to PM me and I'll try to answer any questions you have.

 

[Divamomto3]

Hi! I live in the Capital Region - Wilton is a nice area. I would also recommend Clifton Park, where I live. Good schools, good homes, easy access to shopping and in Saratoga County but not as far from Albany as Saratoga Springs itself. It's not a "quaint" town but would be close enough to quaint towns that it shouldn't be an issue. Ballston Spa is a cute town that has some nice houses. I'm unsure of the schools though so others could help you there.

Hi and thank you! I have several homes in Clifton Park saved on my real estate web site. I don't necessarily need the whole "quaint town thing" I'm just used to little towns with nice downtown areas and history b/c that's what Connecticut is like and I guess I'm looking for a place that reminds me of home. I'm a little traumatized about moving.Most importantly, I want my kids to go to a good school system. I hear great things about your Shen school system! I may PM you for advice in the future!

 

[Divamomto3]

If I had my choice, I would live in the "city" of Saratoga Springs. I really like the idea of walking into town and being in the middle of things. DH wasn't really into it when we were looking for houses 7 years ago, and now we can't afford to buy anything in Saratoga. The schools in Saratoga Springs are supposed to be good. A little snooty and pretty big, but good. There are also a few private schools in the area. We were married in Congress Park, and used to spend a lot of time there when we were dating. We still try to go there as often as possible.

I want to live "in the city" of SS also! I envision myself walking around downtown and enjoying it quite a bit. My husband is in agreement, but my kids don't know anything but suburban cul-de-sacs. My real estate agents seems to be leaning us towards Wilton, but I think I'm going to have to put my foot down and go with my gut! Thanks for your advice and opinion. I knew the DIS'ers would come through!

 

[mtemm]

we just moved from Milton (right between Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs). I loved our subdivision so much and there is tons of new building going on in it. If you are interested in the particulars, feel free to pm me. Milton was awesome...our neighborhood is part of the Saratoga Springs School district and literally just minutes to downtown. I really like Saratoga and we miss it a lot.

We did look in Clifton Park and Wilton. Both are nice areas, although we liked Saratoga area better than Clifton Park. A little less congested I guess. the prices were better, too.

again, if you have any questions, feel free to pm me. hope you love it up there as much as we did.

 

[tw1nsmom]

RadioFanatic:

I'm sorry. I hope I didn't offend you by my comments about Clifton Park (we were posting at the same time). I spend a lot of time shopping and going to restaurants in Clifton Park. When it comes to the Shen school district, I subbed there before I had my kids and just didn't like the "vibe" that I got from the other teachers/administrators. But...that was my personal experience. I'm sure there are many positives about the school district too.

 

[RadioFanatic]

you can pm me any time - and Milton is another nice area.

 

[RadioFanatic]

RadioFanatic:

I'm sorry. I hope I didn't offend you by my comments about Clifton Park (we were posting at the same time). I spend a lot of time shopping and going to restaurants in Clifton Park. When it comes to the Shen school district, I subbed there before I had my kids and just didn't like the "vibe" that I got from the other teachers/administrators. But...that was my personal experience. I'm sure there are many positives about the school district too.

nope, not at all. I know we all have our opinions! I would love to live in DT saratoga springs myself, just too far of a drive for work for me.

 

[DVC-Don]

I can highly recommend Malta. Half way between shopping in Saratoga Springs & Clifton Park and easy access to I-87. Only 5 1/2 hours away from Walt Disney World. (30 minutes to the Albany Airport, 1 hour at the airport, 3 hour flight, 1 hour to get the bags and drive to WDW)

http://www.malta-town.org/

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Hi, I also sort of live in the area--I'm in Galway, western Saratoga County. Probably too rural and too far away from Albany for consideration, but we like it here!

There are several smaller type towns in the area, both north and south of Albany. Personally, I have to second the thought that Clifton Park is huge and sprawling--if you're looking for the 2200 sq. ft. faux Colonial on a cul-de-sac, it's the place (no offense meant to anyone--clearly, people are buying there and loving it!). It's also growing and changing in flavor fairly quickly. Other towns in the area seem to have less rapid growth. But, like I said, people seem happy there, just for us country bumpkins, it wouldn't be our choice.

I grew up on the CT shore also (Mystic area)--a big shock moving here was how much SNOW we get! It's been over 20 years, but I remember that distinctly. My kids love lots of winter activities, and if you're kids are into sports at all, they'll have ample opportunities to learn to ski, play hockey, etc., if they don't already. Most schools, even small, rural ones, have ski clubs and skating rinks--even cross country skiing through the elementary school. My kids are younger (oldest is 10), but do plenty. This particualer winter, more snow has been passing south and east of Albany--that happens maybe 1 year in 5, up here we generally get ~7 feet per winter. But hey, then we have whitewater rafting in the spring!

There are many nice towns--I wish you luck in your choice. We really like it here.

 

[Divamomto3]

Thanks for the replies everyone! BuzznBelle...I am SCARED of the snow! My kids do like sports, but none are huge winter sports people--I guess that'll change! My youngest is only 5 so he will probably get right into skiing and hockey.

 

[Divamomto3]

shamelessly bumping for more replies!

 

[dandelion]

I live in one of those colonials on a cul-de-sac in Wilton.

Your realtor is probably steering you toward Wilton because there are more family homes here than in the city of Saratoga Springs. New construction in the city seems to be condos - but maybe you'd like that if you really want to be within walking distance to downtown.

Don't be afraid of the snow, the road crews here do an excellent job. Though I will say IMO the town and state crews do a better job than those in the city of SS ...

My kids attend the parochial elementary school (and I drive them daily, which is why I feel I can comment on the roads) and we're very happy there. Some of the public schools are huge, which is why we made the switch. PM me for details if you're interested.

Good luck with your move!

 

[kaylajr]

I live just outside of Greenfield Ctr
it is about a 10-15 minute drive to Saratoga Springs
and about 40 or so to Albany

We love it here
far enough to get away but close enough to "do " the city if we want