Situated along the Hudson River in New York State's Capital Region, Albany—the state capital—has a rich history reflected in its art and architecture. From the Empire State Plaza's underground shopping concourse adorned with artworks to the original Capitol building built in 1804, every turn tells a story of how Albany has grown from a fur trading post to the political powerhouse that it is today.
Already inhabited by the Iroquois when Henry Hudson found his way there in 1609, the area was originally named Haudenosaunee and was home to a fur trading post established by Dutch settlers. Albany was officially established in 1636 and succeeded New York City as the state capital in 1797. Several notable historical figures have ties to the city, including Albany native Philip Livington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Martin Van Buren founded the Albany Regency, and Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt served as New York State Governors while living in Albany. All four went on to serve as President of the United States.
Today, Albany is home to retail and banking industries and various non-profit organizations. Some of the city's largest employers include The Research Foundation for SUNY, Equinox and St. Peter's Health Partners, an integrated healthcare network. Nearby hospitals include St. Pete's Hospital, Albany VA Hospital and Albany Memorial Hospital. The Port of Albany and Albany Port District Commission also make the city a prime location for railroad transport and international trade.
The Mansion Area has a population of around 3000 and is on the outskirts of Albany.
Below Empire Plaza connecting the capital and state Museum is a shopping and dinning hall.
Completed in 1899 and the seat of government for NY in Albany, NY.
Albany Medical Center is the largest in the capital region and also home to multiple colleges.
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Homes: Capital Region vs. Capital City
Because of its location, Albany regularly experiences Upstate New York winters, which cause active home listings to decrease and new listings to slow on a seasonal basis. From 2023 to 2024, "Active listings in the city dropped 114 to 97 from December to January, so about 15%," says Chris McMahon, Realtor with eXp Realty and founder of Living in Saratoga Springs. "New listings decreased by 52%, but winter weather tends to do that." Home prices throughout the Upstate New York region hover between $300,000 and $400,000. In Albany, average sales prices are slightly lower, ranging between $200,000 and $400,000.
State Street is known for its iconic, sought-after brownstones. Other roads are lined by historic homes that showcase Dutch, Georgian and Greek Revival influences. Prices for these properties can range from as low as $50,000 for a fixer-upper to $750,000 for a historic three-story home in the heart of downtown. Multi-unit properties can sell for as much as $1 million. Adjacent streets feature colonial-style rowhouses and bungalows ranging from the $100,000s to the $300,000s. Farther west, urban streets give way to suburban residential pockets that feature modest single-family homes starting in the mid $100,000s to stately colonial-style and Tudor Revivals on leafy roads selling into the high $700,000s.
Albany residents enjoy all four seasons, with moderate summers and snowy winters that average around 60 inches of snowfall. Summer highs hover around 83 degrees and winter lows can reach 15 degrees. As a river city, sections of downtown are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall, with the city receiving an average of 40 inches of rain a year.
A great example of a tudor home in New Scotland.
Vibrant and beautiful town homes dot the streets in the Washington Park area.
Single family home with a large front yard in Delmar.
Several mixed styles are all connected with a sidewalk so neighbors can take a stroll.
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Green spaces, golf courses and waterfalls
The city boasts four community centers, an ice-skating rink that converts to a spray pad in the summer and nearly 40 parks. Green spaces like Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Washington Park, Buckingham Lake Park and Tivoli Lake Preserve feature hiking trails and city retreats. Adjacent to Tivoli Lake, Livingston and Lake Playground was renamed Black Lives Matter Park in 2020. Renovated in 2021, Black Lives Matter Park features several recreation areas, including sports courts, playgrounds and zip lines. In 2022, the city added a splash pad to the park.
About a 10 mile drive from Downtown Albany leads to Cohoes Falls, one of New York State's largest waterfalls along the Mohawk River. The Mohawk feeds into the Hudson River, which serves as a popular spot for kayakers, anglers and boaters. The southernmost point of the Adirondack Mountains is about 65 miles away and is a popular destination for waterfall chasers, hikers, skiers and snowboarders.
Capital Hills at Albany has been a favorite among Albany's golf community since 1930. The public 18-hole course has proudly hosted the Fuccillo Kia Classic of New York Symetra Tour for the last 20 years. Referred to as the Road to the LPGA, the Symetra at Capital Hills hosts over 140 international players, all competing for the top $125,000 prize.
Bleecker Stadium is a 10-acre multisport complex that welcomes youth and adult sports leagues and high school and college home games. Sports played at the complex include baseball, softball, football and soccer. The stadium's field house is the site of its summer youth employment participants and is also the home of the Albany Twilight Baseball League.
If you want a long stroll along the Hudson and enjoy the breeze Corning Preserve is a safe bet.
You can enjoy the annual Tulip Festival right in Washington Park next to the Capitol Hill.
Wolferts Roost Country Club keeps your swing in check.
With 5.9 miles of biking trails the Albany Pine Bush Preserve is a great place to visit.
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Historic museums, mansions and theaters
Art and culture flow through Albany's streets. Architectural masterpieces like the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception showcase intricate neo-Gothic details, marble floors and stained-glass windows. As the second-oldest cathedral in the state, it's also a popular tourist destination. Historic churches with towering stone facades are a common sight. However, Albany also features numerous synagogues, Islamic centers and Hindu and Buddhist temples.
Several museums chronicle the history of the region and its people, including the Irish American Heritage Museum, the American Italian Heritage Museum & Cultural Center and the Iroquois-Indian Museum. The Albany Institute of History and Art showcases iconic Hudson River School artworks, a favorite site for locals and visitors alike. Downtown, the New York State Museum dives into the state's natural and cultural history through the city's eyes.
Albany is full of history and historic sites, ranging from performing arts theaters to preserved mansions of prominent families. The Palace Theatre, opened in 1931, was known as an opulent movie house, showing all the finest films of the day. Now the sole entertainment survivor from the timeframe of entertainment, the Palace continues to show classic films, musical and comedy shows, and community events.
Built in the late 18th century, the Ten Broeck Mansion was originally the home of General Abraham Ten Broeck and his wife Elizabeth, a member of the region's revered Van Rensselaer family. Today, the site is the home of the Albany County Historical Association and highlights architects, artisans and all those who walked and served the grounds throughout the years.
Public art has exploded all around town, from colorful murals on the side of downtown buildings that tell stories of the region to giant statues and sculptures that accent the public parks. Powered by the Albany Center Gallery, Albany Barn and the Albany Parking Authority, the city hosts a Meet the Murals series so residents can learn about the inspiration of the artists who paint these murals. The Artful Albany Podcast also highlights the city's public art through interviews with artists who tell behind-the-scenes stories of their pieces.
Founded in 1791 The Albany Institute of History & Art is one of the oldest in the country.
Catholics in the Albany area convene at Cathedral Immaculate Conception which was built in 1860.
The Egg is a performance center reserved for special events and concerts.
Discover Albany's past at the NY State Museum.
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Casual and upscale shopping and dining
As a top shopping destination for the Capital Region, Albany has several malls and plazas. Crossgates Mall is the largest mall and entertainment complex in the area. Residents can peruse upscale brands like Michael Kors and Swarovski, department stores like Macy's and Primark or dine at any of the mall's 12 restaurants. Entertainment options include escape rooms, blacklight mini golf and Get Air Trampoline Park. Crossgates also has an onsite comedy club with regular shows, two Hilton hotels — Tru and Homewood Suites — and Spa Mirbeau.
Stuyvesant Plaza is the region's open-air mall, featuring over 60 shopping and dining options. Popular spots include Circles, Josie's Table and a variety of local boutiques. The Plaza's Little Free Library is stocked with books for those who enjoy a good read, and story hour takes place at the Book House every other Wednesday from February through November. In the summer of 2024, Stuyvesant debuted The Lawn. Covering 3,000 square feet, The Lawn is a central gathering point for community events hosted by Stuyvesant. From outdoor fitness classes to gaming events to patios where shoppers can sit and sip, The Lawn will bring friends and family together for tons of fun. The space also features complimentary outdoor Wi-Fi.
At the intersection of Central Avenue and Wolf Road, Colonie Center Mall is a 1.3 million square foot shopping center with over 100 retailers and restaurants, as well as a state-of-the-art Regal Cinemas that offers a revamped RPX theater. Wolf Road, one of the busiest commercial corridors in the area just minutes from the airport, is lined with several local and franchise eateries. Wolf Road is also conveniently located close to Downtown Albany and all its attractions, including high-end restaurants and eclectic shops along Lark Street, known as the "Village in the City."
Hattie's is a historic restaurant in the capital region with a new remodeled location.
Crossgates Mall is an indoor, super-regional in Campus Area.
The Delaware is a new restaurant that offers steaks and chops plus local events.
Colonie Center offers dining and shopping to the Campus Area neighborhood.
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Interconnecting interstates
Albany sits at the state's easternmost end of Interstate 90, offering motorists a straight shot to Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo to the west and Boston to the southeast. I-87 runs north-to-south, providing seamless access to Montreal, Canada, and New York City. I-787 is the major thoroughfare for traveling in and out of downtown and getting around the rest of the city.
The Capital District Transportation Authority is the public transportation system that serves Albany and surrounding areas, including routes that take passengers to and from Albany International Airport and the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Station. Its BusPlus service offers limited stops along the busiest corridors, resulting in faster commutes. CDTA also oversees DRIVE, the region's first-ever electric car-sharing service.
Albany International Airport is the primary air venue for New York's Capital Region, Northeastern New York, Western New England and Southern Vermont. Albany International is easily accessible via I-90 and I-87 and serves as a base for the New York State Police Aviation Bureau.
STEAM programs engineer success
The Albany City School District serves the area's students on their educational journeys through high school. Albany High School is the sole public high school in the region, with 12 elementary and three middle schools feeding into it. Albany High earns a B-minus rating, and its curriculum is divided into four academies — citizenship, discovery, innovation and leadership — each offering the same core courses with electives specific to that academy. Citizenship focuses on global awareness and civic responsibility; discovery covers communications and performing arts; innovation provides STEAM programming; and leadership takes on business, finance and management.
Several highly-rated colleges and universities are found in the Capital Region. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a frontrunner in defining technological advancements in biotechnology, nanotechnology, engineering, smart systems and media technology. At the State University of New York at Albany, students and faculty heavily emphasize relevant and publicly engaging research that includes weather forecasting advancements, using artificial intelligence to predict tumor growth and HIV prevention. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching also designated the school a community-engaged institution. Other institutions include Skidmore College, Union College and the Albany College of Pharmacy.
Community initiatives address crime
According to FBI crime data, there were approximately 7,495 reported crimes in Albany from January 2023 to December 2023. Violent crimes account for 3,970 reports, and property crime accounts for the remaining 3,525. Community initiatives like Pastors on Patrol aim to decrease crime rates. Through Pastors on Patrol, local clergy partner with the Albany Police Department to patrol their communities and check in with neighbors and residents. Mayor Kathy Sheehan has also announced the opening of an intergenerational center to provide resources to those who need them and maintain safety on the streets. The center is slated to open in 2025.
Karen Heath is a life long resident of the capital region and enjoys spending her free time volunteering with the American Cancer Society. As part of the Tailored REG team, she is committed to client satisfaction and making buying and selling a home a memorable experience.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
