Relocating to Albany area. Scotia/Glenville or is there something better? (New York: cul-de-sac, 2014)
Albany areaAlbany - Schenectady - Troy - Saratoga Springs metro area
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Husband and I are relocating to Albany. We have a child now and are trying to determine what might work best. My sister lives in Amsterdam and it is important that we are relatively close to her.
My focus has been on Scotia/Glenville, as the schools are decent, its close to my sister and gives my husband a tolerable commute. However, as we get closer to making an offer on a house I worry that I might be overlooking better options.
We will be fairly middle class for albany area, with combined income of 170000ish starting out as we move. i really prefer my child not be on the lower income side of their school environment. I've looked at BH-BL, Nisky, and the other comparable options. New construction in those areas are waaay out of our price range. No interest in raising my kid surrounded by big money and kids who get cars for their birthdays. I have no idea if these higher cost areas are snobby or of the quality of schools compared to scotia glenville are significant.
Ideal living arrangement would be a 25 min or less commute to Albany, super safe, and really good schools. Willing to pay as much as 300000 for a house, but much happier at 200-250. Would love a neighborhood with lots of other young families, with a preplanned design, but not required. Is there anywhere left that little preplanned communities where parents still try to outdo each other with Christmas lights, kids play with all the kids on their street, while running from house to house?
Last edited by Cindersmella; 12-23-2017 at 05:17 AM..
If that is your combined income, you are at the very least upper middle class for the Albany area, if not upper class. I say this given median household income data at different census levels. Upstate NY is different than Downstate NY in terms of cost of living, as it is around the national average in that regard, give or take.
Besides Scotia-Glenville, Schalmont may be another option and parts of the district are in Montgomery County. It gets its name due to its location in parts of SCHenectady, ALbany and MONTgomery counties, while being based in Rotterdam in the first county: Schalmont Central School District - USA.com™ So, perhaps you could find something in that district. More information: https://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?instid=800000038414
you may also consider Clifton Park or anything in the Shenendehowa Central School district- that's a little further east about 31 miles (40 mins) from Amsterdam. Ballston Spa schools and Colonie schools are also suppose to be decent ( a hair closer to Amsterdam and Albany. Maybe someone else can chime in...I never had kids in upstate schools- I'm from LI originally.
Also your income bracket makes it possible to live almost anywhere (in an average house) unless you want a McMansion.
you may also consider Clifton Park or anything in the Shenendehowa Central School district- that's a little further east about 31 miles (40 mins) from Amsterdam. Ballston Spa schools and Colonie schools are also suppose to be decent ( a hair closer to Amsterdam and Albany. Maybe someone else can chime in...I never had kids in upstate schools- I'm from LI originally.
Also your income bracket makes it possible to live almost anywhere (in an average house) unless you want a McMansion.
To put this into perspective, the most affluent school districts in the Capital Region, in Bethlehem and Niskayuna, have median household incomes just under $100,000(about $97-98,000). So, the OP's income could get them a very nice house pretty much anywhere in the area.
I guess the prices of houses are throwing me a bit, as homes without needing work seem to indicate higher income ranges. Guessing maybe I just prefer a lower mortgage than is typical. No McMansion, just a home with three bed, 1.5 bath, kitchen updated to at least 90's and I would love a fenced yard. Seems easy enough, but finding cute houses in the 200-250 range has been a bit difficult. I'm staying in upstate until we close on a house, so I'll have to make a few trips to try and get a better feel.
We lived in Ballston Spa, briefly, about ten years ago. Husband would love avoid the northway, if possible. We both prefer a small town feel and currently live in a rural community.
How does Scotia/Glenville compare to Bethlehem, Nisky and the others? I'd love to give my son the most opportunities. Is there a big difference in special and athletics offered? If it's just academic, that doesn't concern me.
Scotia's a very family-orientated community, without the chaos that goes on over in Schenectady. It's safe for kids to walk around and it's very nice in the summer time. Ernesto, the local jeweler, is a good friend of mine. He also has a shop in Amsterdam in the Riverfront Mall.
If you're trying to avoid raising snobby kids, I'd probably avoid Nisky. Nice community, but it's got a reputation for that sort of thing. I've met numerous people who attended that high school and they're the ones who got new BMWs for their 16th birthday and all that.
I've lived in the area most of my life and decided to spend the rest of my life in Scotia. Your husband is right about the Northway although there are times returning from Albany can be crowded. Getting to Amsterdam is a breeze.
Burnt Hills and Niskayuna have high-rated school systems but the size of Scotia-Glenville is perfect for having a sense of community. The kids look out for each other. The support for music and the arts is on par with its championship sports programs.
I always thought I'd be relocating to a warmer retirement spot. I realized I would miss everyone I have met in the community. If I ever really need help, I know many who would drop what they're doing to help me.
If you are more blue collar Scotia/Glenville is prob a better bet... Schools and everything else over are pretty mediocre (check the state stats...Nisky and Delmar and Saratoga score well). Scotia and Glenville is kind of the down by the riverside meh...just seems kind of danky...
Just MHO...upside is the Italian food in Schenectady and a lot of the eateries in town are fantastic. Close by...
Clifton Park is chain dining, lots of cul-de-sacs, and a lot of males with greased hair in ralph lauren....many whom may drive bmws but have mcdonalds wrappers on the car floor if you catch my drift.
Clifton Park is chain dining, lots of cul-de-sacs, and a lot of males with greased hair in ralph lauren....many whom may drive bmws but have mcdonalds wrappers on the car floor if you catch my drift.
Another thing you can do: since schools are most important.
Call each school district you are interested in, and make an appointment to tour the schools and talk to administration, maybe teachers, students that are around (the lunch room maybe a good time for that).
Ask about courses available and any other info needed.
There is no reason why you can't treat a public school, like a private school. If you like any particular school, then you can ask where the district covers to insure you only look at houses in that district.
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