Albany - a storied city for architecture and agriculture
The storied architecture in Albany offers a glimpse inside the Gilded Age of the Pacific Northwest. In Downtown Albany, colorful Victorian houses and Italianate-style buildings blend old-world charm with modern America. The Willamette River flows through the city center, feeding the valley's agriculture that lends to its culinary reputation, as restaurants pride themselves on serving locally sourced wine and fresh produce. From annual festivals to trendy attractions, this city of 58,000 is developing a unique culture around its ancient riverside structures.
Residents and visitors of Broadway-Albany visit the Willamette River often.
Albany, Oregon is the type of place where you still see youth outside enjoying the fresh air.
Dave Clark Trail has a viewpoint with scenic views of Ellsworth Bridge and Willamette River.
The Albany Farmer Market is only 10 minutes driving distance from East Albany, OR.
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Historic architecture, landscaping and top employers
The Monteith Historic District is in Central Albany , with storied pioneer houses from the 1800s. The district's stately Victorian homes, Queen Annes and pastel Craftsman-style cottages line gridded streets. Farther out from downtown, quarter-acre lots with eclectic New Traditional and ranch-style homes have increasingly intricate landscaping. North Albany is one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods, with spacious lots and equestrian properties north of the Willamette River. Citywide, the median price of a single-family home is $450,000, compared to the statewide median of $522,000. “Albany has lower home prices, and you can have more of a house,” says Tammy Morrison, Broker at Town & Country Realty, who has lived in the valley for over 30 years. “A first-time homebuyer can buy a much newer house with a much larger yard.”
Albany is a rare metals capital because its manufacturing companies produce zirconium, hafnium and titanium. ATI Wah Chang Corporation is a metal and alloy producer with about 500 employees based in Albany. Other employers include the Oregon Army National Guard and public schools in Linn County.
Albany is in the central part of Oregon's most populated region, the Willamette Valley.
Large victorian and historical homes line the streets of the Broadway-Albany neighborhood.
Albany and the surrounding communities are major exporters of grass seed.
Albany is known as the rare metals capital of the world and companies like ATI thrive here.
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Fresh ingredients at the Albany Farmers Market
Italianate-style buildings in downtown Albany have ornate detailing with lower-level restaurants, coffee shops and vintage antique stores. The Heritage Mall is a regional retail hub with over 50 stores. The North Albany Farmers Market is a gluten-free bazaar open on Thursday evenings. The Albany Farmers Market is held on Saturday mornings through November. The Willamette Valley also has over 300 vineyards distributing wine to the city's restaurants, often with fresh ingredients from the surrounding farms. "Downtown is up-and-coming," Morrison says. "It's starting to embrace eclectic dining options, and it's the best downtown during the holidays. They decorate everything, and it's beautiful."
North Albany, OR borders downtown Albany, a hub for restaurants and shopping.
Heritage Mall is where many of the Albany locals go to shop.
Albany Farmer's Market is held every Saturday and is 5 minutes away by car from Santiam, OR.
Vineyards and farms are a local attraction in North Albany, OR.
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Albany's attractions and festivals
Downtown's most significant attraction is the Historic Carousel & Museum, an antique centerpiece with 50 hand-carved animals. Volunteers manage the museum and frequently add new pieces to the exhibit. Most of Albany's tourism comes from the Northwest Art & Air Festival, a three-day event that draws 40,000 people each year to witness a sea of hot air balloons above Timber Linn Park. Summer concerts bring life to downtown, with live music at Monteith Riverpark for Summer Sounds and River Rhythms in July and August. The Pix Theatre is the city's historic cinema. "Even in the rainy season, which is about seven months out of the year, there is always something to do," says Lonna Capeci, the Visitor Services Manager at Albany Visitors Association. "On a stormy day, it's fun to drive to the beach and watch the king tides - or stay in town and catch a movie at the Pix Theatre."
Santiam, OR is close to many attractions like the Historic Carousel in Albany.
Apples, strawberries and other fruit are sold at Albany Farmers' Market in Oregon.
Local vendors set up shop at the annual Downtown Albany Block Party and Market.
For a nostalgic theater experience, Albany locals head over to Pix Theatre for the latest movie.
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Riverside parks on the Willamette and outdoor facilities
Albany has 30 city parks scattered across the city, many with boat access, trails and athletic facilities. Bryant Park is a 72-acre space with an 18-hole disc golf course and fishing holes where the Calapooia River meets the Willamette. Following the river downstream, Monteith Riverpark has a splash pad and playground built in 2024 and the 1.5-mile Dave Clark Trail. Timber Linn Memorial Park in East Albany is a 100-acre campus with a war memorial. The Willamette neighborhood's Waverly Park has a lake with paddleboat rentals and a giant sculpture of a floating duck.
Bryant Park in Albany, Oregon is a popular park for disc golf.
Dave Clark Trail in Albany is considered an easy route and takes about 45 minutes to walk.
Timber Linn Park in Albany, OR is a beautiful park with waterfront views and activities.
Waverly Park in Albany, OR is a prime fishing spot in the area.
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Top school district and high scores at West Albany High School
The Greater Albany Public School District earns a B grade from Niche and serves over 9,000 students. It also ranks among Niche’s 50 best school districts in Oregon. Linn-Benton Community College is in southwest Albany, and about 1,700 students pursue Liberal Arts, Nursing and Automotive majors.
Central Elementary School is a public school in Central Albany.
West Albany High School is a public school in West Albany.
Memorial Middle School serves grades 6-8 in West Albany.
Linn County Community College is a prominent employer in the region drawing employees from the vity of Albany and nearby Sweet Home.
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Crime and climate data
According to FBI data, Albany's violent and property crime rates tend to be lower than the statewide rates.
Albany has a Mediterranean climate with warm summers below 85°F and wet winters above 35°F. Homeowners should also be aware of potential flood risk on the river, as the city gets around 40 inches of rain annually. The city participates in sustainability practices, including recycling, tree planting and annual river cleanups.
ATS and Amtrak travel
Unlike other cities in the valley, Albany has direct access to Interstate 5, a major West Coast thoroughfare. Salem is roughly 25 miles from Albany, while Portland is approximately 70 miles north on I-5. The Albany Transit System (ATS) is the city’s bus line. The Albany Amtrak Station is on the Cascades and Coast Starlight route, connecting California to Portland and Seattle. The Eugene Airport is about 40 miles south and has flights to western domestic cities and international destinations.
Hello! I am Viridiana Rivera and go by Viri for short, I am a dedicated realtor serving the Salem and surrounding areas. Originally from California, I’ve called Marion County home for the past 24 years. My journey in real estate began in 2016 as an investor, and I’ve been passionate ever since about helping families achieve the dream of homeownership—whether they’re first-time buyers, expanding their portfolio, or investing for the future.
Coming from a low-income background, I deeply understand the importance of creating stability and building wealth through real estate. I continuously seek opportunities to learn and share strategies for financial growth with my clients. My diverse professional background as a sales representative, collection agent, call center representative, insurance agent, and loan officer has equipped me with strong negotiation skills and the ability to find the best deals for buyers while helping sellers secure top dollar for their homes.
I take pride in my work, attention to detail, and making a positive impact on the lives of my clients. When I’m not working, I enjoy cooking, dancing, and volunteering in the community, especially with our senior residents. I’d love the opportunity to help you achieve your real estate goals!
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.
