Your Guide to Buying a Home in Albany, NY

Buying a Home in Albany, New York

Albany is located in Albany County

The thriving city of Albany combines the new with the history of the past. The citizens continue to restore brownstones, churches, and other traditional buildings which retain the memories of many years ago. Before the Pilgrims arrived, the city was a Dutch trading post. Albany is located in the Hudson River Valley. The Port of Albany receives over 10 million tons of cargo yearly, and adds its own importance to past and present.

The state government is the largest local employer and the number one consumer of goods and services. The region enjoys a very stable economy and consistently low unemployment rate. The approximate number of households is 42,121. The average size of a household is 2.17. Average home value is $89,650. Median household income is $25,152. City services are refuse removal, sewer, city water and a professional fire department.

A progressive high system has made traveling within Albany and its environs easy. The area is criss-crossed with major north-south and east- west interstates. From the capital district: Boston is 165 miles; Buffalo is 290 miles; Hartford is 120 miles; Montreal is 215 miles; Niagara Falls is 302 miles; and NY City is 148 miles.

The total school enrollment for Albany is 9,734. The dropout rate is 5.1%. The pupil to teacher ratio is 15:1. 82.2% of the students graduate to college.

Albany proudly serves as New York's State Capital. The building is a French Renaissance structure, which is representative of Albany's numerous historic mansions. The 96 acre Empire State Plaza is in Albany. Colleges and universities within Albany are: State University of New York at Albany; Albany Medical Center College; Albany College of Pharmacy; College of St. Rose and Albany Law School.

A wide variety of leisure opportunities are abound. Surrounded by four mountain ranges, the Adirondacks, Catskills, Berkshires, and Green Mountains, outdoor enthusiasts ski, camp, hike, fish and boat. There are sporting events for every interest. The hockey team is the River Rats. The minor league baseball team is Albany Diamond Dogs. The New York Giants summer training camp is in Albany. There are four colleges with division one teams competing in hockey, basketball, football, baseball and track. In the summer there is world class polo. Residents are known for their community involvement. There are four active chapters of Habitat for Humanity. People in Albany are among the most generous in the nation for contributing money to charitable health organizations. There is lots to choose from for performing and visual arts. There are two local symphonies. The area is the summer home to New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra. The club scene is ever growing with a selection of jazz and blues, new age and fusion. Town bands perform in the public parks.

Residents rely on the facilities and professionals of New York's Capitol Region for sophisticated, state-of-the-art health care services. The area has 15 hospitals. They are ranked among the nation's top 100 hospitals and top 20 medical academic facilities.

Albany is located with in the Capital District portion of the State of New York. The other cities which make up the Capital district are Schenectady and Troy, also there is an easy commute to Saratoga.

Schenectady is the home to Union College, and Schenectady County Community College, Ellis Hopsital, St. Clare's Hospital , Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hosptial and Proctors Theatre.

Troy is the home to RPI (Rennsselaer PolyTech Instution),Hudson Community College , Sage , Samaritian and Leonard Hospitals.

Saratoga is easy ride and home to Skidmore and Saratoga Race Track.

Great community for raising a family and education.

Also a great retirement area.