Anybody live in the Albany area?

I put in for a transfer back in April before my life was turned upside down. I could have stopped it but I think it is best for me to start a new chapter in my life....

I signed a lease for a 2 bedroom apt in Colonie (area reminds my of Old Country Road, Westbury where I grew up)....it's only $900 monthly

My car insurance is going to go from a 660 to a 340 6 month policy

Any nice restuarants to try? Supermarkets? Dry Cleaners?


I offically become an Albany resident August 1st.

Message edited 7/8/2010 4:56:18 PM.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

no info but congrats on making a fresh start!

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

I went to college up there....Siena College in Loudonville...it's right near where you'll be. GREAT area!!!
There's are two malls right near you, more bars than you can count, and a lot of fun restaurants. If you travel a little north to Saratoga, there is lots more.

It's been a while since I've lived there....so I'm sure things have changed....but it's a great place to live!
Enjoy!

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

I went to school up there. In that area, I think there are a lot of more "chain" type restaurants. Downtown Albany is kinda cool and there are some nicer restaurants down there. Down on Lark St, is a little more of an artsy/village vibe.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

I went to SUNY Albany and my cousin (who went to Sienna/Albany Med) is a pediatrician there. She lives a bit south of the city now, but we usually go into the city when we visit.

They love being near the Hudson River and they do a lot of outdoor activities around the river. Biking, kayaking, etc and tons of outdoor concerts. The Albany Marathon also ends there. it was pretty cool, b/c so many people came outtto cheer.) JazzFest.

For restaurants I love Jack's Oyster Bar and Justin's on Lark. (You must go to Larkfest in September! ) If I were ever to move to Albany, I would want to live around Washington Park by Lark (but away from the students)

Noche is a great loungey type place - sands the college kids.

For a great, greasy breakfast, you should go to Dirty Dan's (I think it's just called Dan's) on Washington Ave.

wings - Ralph's - I'm pretty sure there is one in the Colonie area. (and Albany is pretty hard core about their wings and claim to have better ones than Buffalo)

I don't know too much about Colonie (except the mall), but there is a great restaurant Grandma's on Central. They used to make a chocolate chip cookie pie...

I have a friend (who is actually a weatherman on one of the local channels) who lives in Schenectedy and loves it there. It has a large "central park" which i never really knew about until I ran through it at the start of the marathon. But it definitely has that old colonial town feel to it.

I am by no means an expert, as I haven't lived there in 14 years, but we do still visit and I do enjoy it.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

There's this really cool restaurant/bar thing on a barge on the Hudson river. I can't remember the name of it but it might be called "The Barge" lol. really cool place to go in the summer. Congrats on your new start! Enjoy Albany!!!

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Thanks all!!!!

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Posted by Erica

I went to SUNY Albany and my cousin (who went to Sienna/Albany Med) is a pediatrician there. She lives a bit south of the city now, but we usually go into the city when we visit.

They love being near the Hudson River and they do a lot of outdoor activities around the river. Biking, kayaking, etc and tons of outdoor concerts. The Albany Marathon also ends there. it was pretty cool, b/c so many people came outtto cheer.) JazzFest.

For restaurants I love Jack's Oyster Bar and Justin's on Lark. (You must go to Larkfest in September! ) If I were ever to move to Albany, I would want to live around Washington Park by Lark (but away from the students)

Noche is a great loungey type place - sands the college kids.

For a great, greasy breakfast, you should go to Dirty Dan's (I think it's just called Dan's) on Washington Ave.

wings - Ralph's - I'm pretty sure there is one in the Colonie area. (and Albany is pretty hard core about their wings and claim to have better ones than Buffalo)

I don't know too much about Colonie (except the mall), but there is a great restaurant Grandma's on Central. They used to make a chocolate chip cookie pie...

I have a friend (who is actually a weatherman on one of the local channels) who lives in Schenectedy and loves it there. It has a large "central park" which i never really knew about until I ran through it at the start of the marathon. But it definitely has that old colonial town feel to it.

I am by no means an expert, as I haven't lived there in 14 years, but we do still visit and I do enjoy it.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

DH and I are originally from LI, went to SUNY Albany and have stayed here. We like it a lot and yes, it is very reasonable!

We live a little north of you in Clifton Park, on the way to Saratoga.

We are big fans of down town albany, lark street. Dale Miller, New World Bistro, Jacks, 677 Prime are some great restaurants. There are a lot of other great places too. A favorite of ours on Lark Street is the Wine Bar. Washington Park is also in downtown albany and it is great.

Supermarkets- Price chopper and hannaford are the two in the area. If you are into natural foods, the honest weight coop is in downtown Albany and they have great produce and an amazing cheese section.

Saratoga is also a great town (exit 13) about 30 minutes north of you. great restaurants, great night life.

My salon is actually in colonie (I have been going there since I was in college) it's called Metamorhpase.

FM me if you have any questions!! oh.. and congrats! its a really great area

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

i went to RPI in troy ny- just outside of albany

all the chain restaurants you could want are on wolf rd

the colonie mall has a lot of outlet type shops

crossgates is the big mall with tons of stores

if you want nyc pizza - go over to I love in troy ny - slice of pizza and soda for 1.50

the albany area is so much less expensive - there are lots of parks for hiking and kayaking


god luck

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

My family lives up in Saratoga- there are so many nice places to go I don't know where to start LOL- my dad works off of wolfe rd and said there are many places to eat- My uncle is from Green Island/ Waterveliet and there are some great mom n pop places there. Other than the mall in Colonie I'm not familiar with that areea- but Clifton Park-Saratoga-and Lake George now we're talkin! LOL

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

congrats!!
I'm a big fan of Lark St.
LOVED bombers burrito bar back in the day!

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

oh, and if you need a hospital, I vote for St Peter's over Albany Medical Center.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Message edited 7/12/2010 7:46:51 PM.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

I live just a little north of Saratoga and went to college at University At Albany. DH and I just relocated up here 3 months ago and we LOVE it!

I don't know any specific restaurants to recommend but if you have any questions about the area in general I will try to help!

Good luck.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Posted by DiamondGirl

Posted by Palebride

I went to college up there....Siena College in Loudonville...it's right near where you'll be.

Me too-- Class of 03 DH is class of 04!

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Posted by jerseychick

Posted by DiamondGirl

Posted by Palebride

I went to college up there....Siena College in Loudonville...it's right near where you'll be.

Me too-- Class of 03 DH is class of 04!

Me three!!

I second Bombers and Genoa...if we are even remotely in the Albany area, DH makes a detour for Genoa. And food shopping, I loved Hannaford. Good luck...you will love that area!

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Posted by jerseychick

Posted by DiamondGirl

Posted by Palebride

I went to college up there....Siena College in Loudonville...it's right near where you'll be.

Me too-- Class of 03 DH is class of 04!

Me three!!

I second Bombers and Genoa...if we are even remotely in the Albany area, DH makes a detour for Genoa. And food shopping, I loved Hannaford. Good luck...you will love that area!

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Posted by Shorty

oh, and if you need a hospital, I vote for St Peter's over Albany Medical Center.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

I live in Glenville about 30 minutes north of Albany (5 minutes from Schenectady). I am a big fan of Bombers, Albany Pump Station, and the Biergarten.

The better mall is definitely Crossgates, but the better Macys is in Colonie Center.

I like Brueggers Bagels, which are located all over the place, but I went to the one in Stuyvesant Plaza (in Guilderland). At the plaza, there is also ATL and White House Black Market.

As for a gym, there is a Planet Fitness in Loundonville, 5 minutes from Wolf Rd.

For supermarkets, there is Price Chopper and Hannafords. I also go to Walmart. In Albany on the Washington Ave Ext., there is actually the biggest Walmart in America. It is very nice as it was just redone.

In the summer, there is Alive at Five in DT Albany, where bands play, which is always a good time.

Best of luck!

Message edited 7/13/2010 8:07:50 AM.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

DH is from the Albany area.

Price Chopper is your best bet for food shopping... good sales!

I'm not sure about Colonie specifically, but there's always tons to do in Albany and if you head to downtown Troy, there's a great pub/restaraunt called Browns (it used to be called the Troy Pub) and it's right on the Hudson River.

Good luck!!!


Also, you gotta try Famous Lunch in downtown Troy and Ted's Fish Fry on Hoosick St. in Troy. Yummy unhealthy food... sooooo good!

Message edited 7/13/2010 9:42:13 AM.

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Posted by Palebride

Posted by jerseychick

Posted by DiamondGirl

Posted by Palebride

I went to college up there....Siena College in Loudonville...it's right near where you'll be.

Me too-- Class of 03 DH is class of 04!

Me three!!

I second Bombers and Genoa...if we are even remotely in the Albany area, DH makes a detour for Genoa. And food shopping, I loved Hannaford. Good luck...you will love that area!

Well now I feel old!! I was class of '97!!!!

Re: Anybody live in the Albany area?

Posted by DiamondGirl

Also, sidenote JJ Raffertys that I recommended as a bar/grill is the old MIRACLES closed after my freshman year!