Latham is a popular suburban community less than 10 miles from Downtown Albany. This hamlet of almost 14,000 residents is one of the many sought-after areas in the Town of Colonie. "Latham is more affordable than Loudonville," says Samantha Culihan, a local Realtor with Coldwell Banker Prime Properties. "You can go just a mile down the road and have more affordable homes, so Latham ends up attracting a wider audience, including first-time homebuyers and families."
However, home prices may be one of the only deciphering factors between Colonie's most desired neighborhoods. "There are no clear boundaries," says Jessica Baxter, a Capital Region native and licensed real estate salesperson with the Core Real Estate Team. "You can drive from Loudonville to Latham and not even realize it. They both have highly-rated schools, nearby highways and conveniently located amenities." With quick access to New York State's capital, Latham attracts a mix of healthcare, education and government employees looking for a quiet, family-oriented community.
A beautiful place to live and experience the fall in NY state is Guilderland.
A split level ranch home in Fort Hunter/Guilderland.
A grandpa and his girl coming back from sledding and enjoying the snow.
An aerial view of residential life in Fort Hunter/Guilderland.
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20th and 21st-century homes
Quiet tree-lined streets give way to well-maintained suburban subdivisions. Older 20th-century styles include Cape Cods, bi-levels, split-levels, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes. These homes typically range from the low-$200,000s to the mid-$500,000s. Other streets give way to 21st-century New Traditionals and Colonial Revivals with prices that can reach into the $700,000s. Latham's surge of new construction highlights the area's continued growth. "The taxes are much lower than in the city, which is another draw for homebuyers," Baxter says. A handful of properties can sell for over $1 million, with spacious lots on the outskirts of Latham. The median list price hovers around the upper-$300,000s, slightly below the national median.
A colonial in Fort Hunter/Guilderland.
A split level ranch with a lovely tree in Fort Hunter, NY.
A lovely row of ranch homes in Fort Hunter/Guilderland.
A modern colonial in Fort Hunter/Guilderland.
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A-rated school district
The North Colonie Central School District earns an overall A rating from Niche. Eight elementary schools and one middle school feed into Shaker High School, the only public high school in the district.
The Capital Region boasts a plethora of highly regarded private institutions, such as Troy's Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Schenectady's Union College and Saratoga Springs' Skidmore College. Siena College is a private Franciscan liberal arts college just south of Latham. About 5 miles away, Downtown Albany is another hotspot for higher learning, with schools like the State University of New York at Albany, the University at Albany and the Albany College of Pharmacy.
Open green spaces around the region
Latham Kiwanis Park features a baseball diamond, a playground, two basketball courts and two pickleball courts in the heart of the hamlet. The park is also home to the Latham Center for the Arts, a music school that offers lessons for children and adults. Numerous green spaces, trailheads and entertainment options, like the local bowling alley, are scattered around town.
The Crossings Park of Colonie is the community's largest green space. Walking trails weave past a large pond, a maze for kids, a playground, a community center and a fitness center. The grounds also host a seasonal Saturday morning farmers market that runs from May to October. "Colonie has a number of small-town events," Culihan says. "The local fire department rides around with Santa around the holidays, and we have our own community tree lighting. There's really no need to go downtown if you don't want to."
The nearby Schuyler Meadows Club is a members-only country club featuring an 18-hole golf course, an outdoor pool, and tennis and pickleball courts. A different kind of green awaits residents outside of the metro area. One of the Captial Region's largest draws is its diverse topography and scenic landscapes. Rugged mountains with miles of trails are accessible north and south of the city, while spots like Lake George are popular summer getaways.
At Volunteer Firefighters Park in Fort Hunter you can enjoy a large field to enjoy.
With miles of path to enjoy along the water.
Stanford Heights Park has many amenities, including a playground.
Lion's Park in Niskayuna, NY. The Empire Trail runs right thru it for bike riding.
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Shopping and dining along Loudon Road
According to Baxter, one of the biggest draws to the area is its proximity to amenities. U.S. Route 9, or Loudon Road, is Colonie's main commercial corridor, with dozens of chain grocers, big-box retailers and restaurants. Additional chains, locally owned cafes and eateries line both sides of Wolf Road, a few miles south. Casual and fine-dining restaurants offer a diverse food scene, with flavors ranging from American to Afghani. Crossgates Mall, the biggest indoor shopping center in the metro area, is about 7 miles away.
Trader Joe's is a national loved chain right by on Wolf Rd.
Aldo and many other shops can be found in the Colonie section.
Akanomi has you covered for your Omakasi or Japanese food in Guilderland.
One of the main entrances to the Colonie Center in the Fort Hunter/Guilderland area.
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Upstate snowstorms
Capital Region residents enjoy all four seasons. Summers are typically hot and humid, while chilly winters bring an average annual snowfall of around 60 inches.
Residential streets in Fort Hunter/Guilderland.
Wolf Rd. is a great example of the shopping and residential separation in Guilderland.
Clover Pond is a local vineyard less then ten minutes to Guilderland, NY.
Right on the Mohawk River you can launch a kayak as well.
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Getting around (and out of) town
The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) offers public transit around the Albany metro area, with bus stops scattered along U.S. Route 9. The Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Station is about 10 miles away, offering train service to Manhattan, 160 miles away. Proximity to major highways makes Latham a convenient spot in the Capital Region, with Downtown Albany 5 miles away via Route 9 and Interstate 787, while Albany International Airport is 5 miles away via Interstate 87. "I can jump on the highway from my house in less than one minute," Culihan says. I-90 is another major nearby thoroughfare. Several esteemed hospitals are scattered around the city, and Samaritan Hospital - Albany Memorial Campus is the closest, about 6 miles south.
Low crime rates
According to the Colonie Police Department's 2023 Annual Report, violent crimes increased by nearly 14% between 2022 and 2023, while property crimes increased by 7%, following a three-year trend in rising property crime.
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