Welcome to Albany, the capital metropolis of New York State, the place historic meets fashionable, and potentialities are infinite. In the event you’re questioning whether or not Albany is an efficient place to stay, relaxation assured that residing in Albany gives a wide selection of perks, from catching a hockey recreation to indulging in apple cider donuts to taking within the lovely surroundings. Town boasts beautiful structure, small-town allure, and considerable out of doors leisure alternatives to discover and revel in. That stated, there are some drawbacks to think about earlier than making the transfer. So whether or not you’re a pupil looking for residences in Albany, or a household in search of properties on the market, Redfin can help you. Maintain studying for a complete checklist of the professionals and cons of residing in Albany to assist decide if Albany is an efficient place to stay.
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Fast Info about Albany
Median residence sale worth
$268,000
Common month-to-month lease
$1,461
Stroll Rating
65/100
Transit Rating
52/100
Bike Rating
55/100
1. Professional: Inexpensive value of residing
Albany is thought for having an inexpensive value of residing, making it a super place to name residence for these wanting to economize. Housing costs in Albany are notably decrease than in different main cities within the Northeast. The median sale worth is $268,000, and the common lease is $1,461, making renting or proudly owning a house at an affordable value attainable. Town additionally has a decrease general value of residing, with groceries, healthcare, and transportation comparatively cheap in comparison with different cities within the area.
2. Con: Snowy winters
The common annual snowfall in Albany is 59 inches, and through the winter months, snowstorms can result in journey disruptions and generally even college and enterprise closures. Within the winter, the temperature ranges round 34 levels Fahrenheit with January being the coldest month, with lows of 14 levels Fahrenheit. Town does take measures to take care of the winter climate, equivalent to plowing the streets and sidewalks and salting the roads, however residents nonetheless must take precautions to remain protected and heat. Try this text on the best way to put together your house for winter.
3. Professional: Entry to out of doors leisure actions
The Hudson River runs by Albany, offering residents with beautiful views and numerous water-based actions equivalent to kayaking, fishing, and boating. As well as, quite a few parks and inexperienced areas are scattered all through town, together with Washington Park and the Albany Pine Bush Protect, which supply climbing, birdwatching, and picnicking alternatives. The close by Adirondack Mountains are a favourite vacation spot for out of doors lovers, with year-round actions equivalent to snowboarding, snowboarding, and snowshoeing within the winter and climbing, tenting, and boating in the summertime.
4. Con: Excessive property taxes
On common, property homeowners in Albany County pay 1.74% of their property’s assessed truthful market worth as property tax. Albany has comparatively excessive property taxes in comparison with different areas of the nation. Owners in Albany could pay a major quantity of their revenue in direction of property taxes annually, making it troublesome to afford different bills. The excessive property taxes are partly as a result of the price of operating town’s authorities, which incorporates funding for public faculties, roads, and different important providers.
5. Professional: Hockey is the game of selection
Albany is an efficient place to stay in case you love hockey. Town holds an important hockey tradition and an extended historical past of supporting the game. There you can find the Albany Devils, knowledgeable ice hockey workforce that has garnered a powerful native fan base. The workforce performs on the Occasions Union Heart, which frequently hosts numerous hockey occasions and tournaments, together with NCAA Division I and AHL All-Star Video games. Along with the Albany Devils, town is residence to quite a few native youth and grownup hockey leagues, offering alternatives for residents in any respect phases to get entangled within the sport.
6. Con: Restricted transportation choices
In comparison with bigger cities, Albany has restricted transportation choices. Town has a public bus system (CDTA), which offers transportation inside and to some close by areas. Nevertheless, the bus system has restricted routes and could also be much less dependable and frequent than some residents would really like. Town additionally has a prepare station that connects to different main cities within the Northeast, however prepare service might be costly and should solely be an possibility for some. In the event you stay outdoors town, think about a automotive to get round.
7. Professional: Proximity to main cities within the Northeast
Boston, New York Metropolis, and Montreal are all inside just a few hours’ drive or prepare experience from Albany, making it a super location. Make the most of all of the cultural and leisure choices of bigger cities whereas nonetheless having fun with the quieter tempo of life in Albany. Town can also be near widespread trip spots just like the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George, and the Catskills, offering residents with easy accessibility to year-round out of doors leisure actions. Albany’s central location and proximity to main highways and airports make it a hub for journey, enterprise, and leisure, making it a pretty metropolis to relocate.
8. Con: Excessive humidity through the summer time months
Albany experiences excessive humidity through the summer time, making the nice and cozy temperatures really feel much more oppressive. The humidity ranges within the metropolis can rise to uncomfortable ranges, notably in July and August, usually the most well liked months of the yr, averaging round 82 levels Fahrenheit. Excessive humidity could make it difficult to remain cool and cozy with out air-con and result in different points like mildew and mildew development. You’ll wish to study extra about the best way to management residence humidity so you possibly can defend your house and your self.
9. Professional: Stunning seasonal adjustments and surroundings
A picturesque mix of historical past and modernity is the right solution to describe New York State’s capital. Town consists of beautiful structure, together with the enduring Empire State Plaza, which homes authorities workplaces and is surrounded by reflecting swimming pools and sculptures. Moreover, town is located alongside the Hudson River, offering breathtaking views of the water and the encompassing mountains. In the course of the fall, town is very lovely because the leaves on the timber change to vibrant shades of pink, orange, and yellow. Whether or not you’re strolling by parks in Albany, wandering by its historic neighborhoods, or admiring the great thing about the Capitol constructing, Albany has a allure you possibly can’t deny.
10. Con: Massive school presence
Whereas some could not think about a major school presence a con, Albany has a number of schools all through town bringing in a considerable amount of college students. There you’ll find the College of Albany, Albany Medical School, Albany Legislation Faculty, The School of Saint Rose, Maria School, Bryant, and Stratton School, to call just a few. With a number of schools in and across the metropolis, you possibly can anticipate many college students and younger professionals, which might add to elevated site visitors congestion and noise.
Methodology: The median residence sale worth and common month-to-month rental knowledge is from the Redfin Knowledge Heart. The Stroll Rating, Transit Rating and Bike Rating knowledge is from Stroll Rating.
