Hello - moving to Albany
Oct 27th 2010, 8:50 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Currently Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 7
Hello - moving to Albany
Hello, I've been popping in a little over the last few weeks and have finally plucked up courage to register. I wanted to say 'hi'.
My husband's firm is relocating us to Albany probably between Christmas and New Year and we are currently in Albany house hunting, which hasn't been the easiest with a 3 year old and 8 year old - there's only so long they can bear being in the car!
We think we've narrowed the area to Clifton Park / Half Moon as we loved the area and have been told the Shenendehowa School Distict is very good. We are going to arrange some second viewings tomorrow / Friday.
I'm on a little emotional rollercoaster, but think today moved us a long way forward........
I just wondered if anyone had experience of these areas or general advice to offer over the obvious that we may have overlooked.....
Thanks x
My husband's firm is relocating us to Albany probably between Christmas and New Year and we are currently in Albany house hunting, which hasn't been the easiest with a 3 year old and 8 year old - there's only so long they can bear being in the car!
We think we've narrowed the area to Clifton Park / Half Moon as we loved the area and have been told the Shenendehowa School Distict is very good. We are going to arrange some second viewings tomorrow / Friday.
I'm on a little emotional rollercoaster, but think today moved us a long way forward........
I just wondered if anyone had experience of these areas or general advice to offer over the obvious that we may have overlooked.....
Thanks x
Oct 27th 2010, 9:10 am
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 47
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
Hi! Welcome to the area! 
Advice? Don't drive on the Northway at rush hour - it'll just drive you batty. Time it a half hour early or late, and your trip'll be half the time and much more conducive to retaining sanity.
Be careful about where you end up buying a house; land value and general environment can drop sharply in a relatively small space. Troy and Watervliet are perfect examples - some of it is a terrible dump, and some of it's really quite nice. Make certain you check out the area as best you can before finalizing something - being 5 blocks away from a nice area may not mean you're in a nice area, depending on where you are.
Shenendahowa schools *are* very good - they've consistently been at or near the top of the lists for the area for years. They'd be my first choice in your position.
Pay attention to events going on in Albany and Saratoga. There's some really great - and free - stuff. Albany in particular does free concerts in the plaza over the summer (though I guess that'd have to wait for next year...).
Hit the track at least once. I personally don't gamble as a rule, but it can actually be a fun day out.
Once you're actually here, take a look into day-trips or weekend trips other places in the state or nearby. Immediately springing to mind are Howe Caverns; the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame (less of a thing for Expats, but still); and the Finger Lakes (with, in my probably biased opinion, the best wines in the country in countless little wineries).
If you've never gone skiing, give it a shot. There's plenty of ski slopes in the area, and it's a great pastime. You can frequently get rental/lift ticket/lesson packages for a really great price. It's not the same kind of snow you'll get somewhere like Colorado, but it works.
Advice? Don't drive on the Northway at rush hour - it'll just drive you batty. Time it a half hour early or late, and your trip'll be half the time and much more conducive to retaining sanity.
Be careful about where you end up buying a house; land value and general environment can drop sharply in a relatively small space. Troy and Watervliet are perfect examples - some of it is a terrible dump, and some of it's really quite nice. Make certain you check out the area as best you can before finalizing something - being 5 blocks away from a nice area may not mean you're in a nice area, depending on where you are.
Shenendahowa schools *are* very good - they've consistently been at or near the top of the lists for the area for years. They'd be my first choice in your position.
Pay attention to events going on in Albany and Saratoga. There's some really great - and free - stuff. Albany in particular does free concerts in the plaza over the summer (though I guess that'd have to wait for next year...).
Hit the track at least once. I personally don't gamble as a rule, but it can actually be a fun day out.
Once you're actually here, take a look into day-trips or weekend trips other places in the state or nearby. Immediately springing to mind are Howe Caverns; the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame (less of a thing for Expats, but still); and the Finger Lakes (with, in my probably biased opinion, the best wines in the country in countless little wineries).
If you've never gone skiing, give it a shot. There's plenty of ski slopes in the area, and it's a great pastime. You can frequently get rental/lift ticket/lesson packages for a really great price. It's not the same kind of snow you'll get somewhere like Colorado, but it works.
Oct 27th 2010, 9:30 am
#3
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,105
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
Hello, I've been popping in a little over the last few weeks and have finally plucked up courage to register. I wanted to say 'hi'.
My husband's firm is relocating us to Albany probably between Christmas and New Year and we are currently in Albany house hunting, which hasn't been the easiest with a 3 year old and 8 year old - there's only so long they can bear being in the car!
We think we've narrowed the area to Clifton Park / Half Moon as we loved the area and have been told the Shenendehowa School Distict is very good. We are going to arrange some second viewings tomorrow / Friday.
I'm on a little emotional rollercoaster, but think today moved us a long way forward........
I just wondered if anyone had experience of these areas or general advice to offer over the obvious that we may have overlooked.....
Thanks x
My husband's firm is relocating us to Albany probably between Christmas and New Year and we are currently in Albany house hunting, which hasn't been the easiest with a 3 year old and 8 year old - there's only so long they can bear being in the car!
We think we've narrowed the area to Clifton Park / Half Moon as we loved the area and have been told the Shenendehowa School Distict is very good. We are going to arrange some second viewings tomorrow / Friday.
I'm on a little emotional rollercoaster, but think today moved us a long way forward........
I just wondered if anyone had experience of these areas or general advice to offer over the obvious that we may have overlooked.....
Thanks x
Kaffy Mintcake is the concierge for the US Forums...so if you feel yourself getting a little lost amongst the many forums...please contact her and she will point you in the right direction.
If you have any problems or concerns please contact a mod or admin. The mods for the US forums are Bob and MsElui.
Please yell out if you need help with anything.
Oct 28th 2010, 1:07 am
#4
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
Hi there,
My husband and I moved to the Albany area at the end of August due to like yourself, his company transferring him over. I take it you're coming over on L1/L2 Visa's. The Clifton Park area is really lovely, we have driven up that way a few times now, but like someone replied the Northway can get mega busy at rush hour. We are more to the east of Albany just the other side of the river.
I feel for you having to do this move with children, we don't have any and it was very stressful. But in other respects I think having children will also help you integrate better, as you will be doing school stuff, as your kids make friends so will you with the parents. I still don't have anyone to talk to here, can be lonely even though I try to go out and meet people. I think if you're the trailing spouse it can be harder to settle. I don't want to sound doom and gloom, just trying to be honest as to what it can be for some. But I think you'll be fine, like I said having kids will help with making links and becoming part of the community.
Any other questions, even if its small feel free to Message me, I found here there are a lot of similarities but many differences too. Have you been to the US before? I think that can help too, I never came here before I moved.
Good Luck.
My husband and I moved to the Albany area at the end of August due to like yourself, his company transferring him over. I take it you're coming over on L1/L2 Visa's. The Clifton Park area is really lovely, we have driven up that way a few times now, but like someone replied the Northway can get mega busy at rush hour. We are more to the east of Albany just the other side of the river.
I feel for you having to do this move with children, we don't have any and it was very stressful. But in other respects I think having children will also help you integrate better, as you will be doing school stuff, as your kids make friends so will you with the parents. I still don't have anyone to talk to here, can be lonely even though I try to go out and meet people. I think if you're the trailing spouse it can be harder to settle. I don't want to sound doom and gloom, just trying to be honest as to what it can be for some. But I think you'll be fine, like I said having kids will help with making links and becoming part of the community.
Any other questions, even if its small feel free to Message me, I found here there are a lot of similarities but many differences too. Have you been to the US before? I think that can help too, I never came here before I moved.
Good Luck.
Oct 28th 2010, 1:34 am
#6
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,105
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
Hi there,
My husband and I moved to the Albany area at the end of August due to like yourself, his company transferring him over. I take it you're coming over on L1/L2 Visa's. The Clifton Park area is really lovely, we have driven up that way a few times now, but like someone replied the Northway can get mega busy at rush hour. We are more to the east of Albany just the other side of the river.
I feel for you having to do this move with children, we don't have any and it was very stressful. But in other respects I think having children will also help you integrate better, as you will be doing school stuff, as your kids make friends so will you with the parents. I still don't have anyone to talk to here, can be lonely even though I try to go out and meet people. I think if you're the trailing spouse it can be harder to settle. I don't want to sound doom and gloom, just trying to be honest as to what it can be for some. But I think you'll be fine, like I said having kids will help with making links and becoming part of the community.
Any other questions, even if its small feel free to Message me, I found here there are a lot of similarities but many differences too. Have you been to the US before? I think that can help too, I never came here before I moved.
Good Luck.
My husband and I moved to the Albany area at the end of August due to like yourself, his company transferring him over. I take it you're coming over on L1/L2 Visa's. The Clifton Park area is really lovely, we have driven up that way a few times now, but like someone replied the Northway can get mega busy at rush hour. We are more to the east of Albany just the other side of the river.
I feel for you having to do this move with children, we don't have any and it was very stressful. But in other respects I think having children will also help you integrate better, as you will be doing school stuff, as your kids make friends so will you with the parents. I still don't have anyone to talk to here, can be lonely even though I try to go out and meet people. I think if you're the trailing spouse it can be harder to settle. I don't want to sound doom and gloom, just trying to be honest as to what it can be for some. But I think you'll be fine, like I said having kids will help with making links and becoming part of the community.
Any other questions, even if its small feel free to Message me, I found here there are a lot of similarities but many differences too. Have you been to the US before? I think that can help too, I never came here before I moved.
Good Luck.
Oct 28th 2010, 2:18 am
#7
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
There is an Albany area relocation forum that is filled with advice on neighborhoods, schools, etc. With a look
http://www.city-data.com/forum/albany-area/
http://www.city-data.com/forum/albany-area/
Oct 28th 2010, 3:28 am
#8
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,474
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
LOL ... which river? Mohawk or Hudson?
Oct 28th 2010, 4:08 am
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
I forget there are two rivers, we live in North Greenbush/Rensselaer so east of the Hudson. We arrived and had two weeks to find a place to live whilst living in a hotel, so we choose to be near my husbands work, so didn't get a chance to explore properly before settling. Its only afterwards we've explored and thought 'oh this would be a nice place to live' (clifton park, rexford, sand lake) not that there are many rentals in those areas.
Thank you for the welcome's.
Oct 30th 2010, 7:57 am
#11
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Currently Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 7
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
Hi there...I just wanted to say hello and welcome you to the site. We have a few members who live in your area...so hopefully they'll answer any questions you have.
Kaffy Mintcake is the concierge for the US Forums...so if you feel yourself getting a little lost amongst the many forums...please contact her and she will point you in the right direction.
If you have any problems or concerns please contact a mod or admin. The mods for the US forums are Bob and MsElui.
Please yell out if you need help with anything.
Kaffy Mintcake is the concierge for the US Forums...so if you feel yourself getting a little lost amongst the many forums...please contact her and she will point you in the right direction.
If you have any problems or concerns please contact a mod or admin. The mods for the US forums are Bob and MsElui.
Please yell out if you need help with anything.
This forum seems such a frriendly and helpful one - thanks guys.
Oct 30th 2010, 7:59 am
#12
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Currently Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 7
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
Hi! Welcome to the area!
Advice? Don't drive on the Northway at rush hour - it'll just drive you batty. Time it a half hour early or late, and your trip'll be half the time and much more conducive to retaining sanity.
Be careful about where you end up buying a house; land value and general environment can drop sharply in a relatively small space. Troy and Watervliet are perfect examples - some of it is a terrible dump, and some of it's really quite nice. Make certain you check out the area as best you can before finalizing something - being 5 blocks away from a nice area may not mean you're in a nice area, depending on where you are.
Shenendahowa schools *are* very good - they've consistently been at or near the top of the lists for the area for years. They'd be my first choice in your position.
Pay attention to events going on in Albany and Saratoga. There's some really great - and free - stuff. Albany in particular does free concerts in the plaza over the summer (though I guess that'd have to wait for next year...).
Hit the track at least once. I personally don't gamble as a rule, but it can actually be a fun day out.
Once you're actually here, take a look into day-trips or weekend trips other places in the state or nearby. Immediately springing to mind are Howe Caverns; the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame (less of a thing for Expats, but still); and the Finger Lakes (with, in my probably biased opinion, the best wines in the country in countless little wineries).
If you've never gone skiing, give it a shot. There's plenty of ski slopes in the area, and it's a great pastime. You can frequently get rental/lift ticket/lesson packages for a really great price. It's not the same kind of snow you'll get somewhere like Colorado, but it works.
Advice? Don't drive on the Northway at rush hour - it'll just drive you batty. Time it a half hour early or late, and your trip'll be half the time and much more conducive to retaining sanity.
Be careful about where you end up buying a house; land value and general environment can drop sharply in a relatively small space. Troy and Watervliet are perfect examples - some of it is a terrible dump, and some of it's really quite nice. Make certain you check out the area as best you can before finalizing something - being 5 blocks away from a nice area may not mean you're in a nice area, depending on where you are.
Shenendahowa schools *are* very good - they've consistently been at or near the top of the lists for the area for years. They'd be my first choice in your position.
Pay attention to events going on in Albany and Saratoga. There's some really great - and free - stuff. Albany in particular does free concerts in the plaza over the summer (though I guess that'd have to wait for next year...).
Hit the track at least once. I personally don't gamble as a rule, but it can actually be a fun day out.
Once you're actually here, take a look into day-trips or weekend trips other places in the state or nearby. Immediately springing to mind are Howe Caverns; the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame (less of a thing for Expats, but still); and the Finger Lakes (with, in my probably biased opinion, the best wines in the country in countless little wineries).
If you've never gone skiing, give it a shot. There's plenty of ski slopes in the area, and it's a great pastime. You can frequently get rental/lift ticket/lesson packages for a really great price. It's not the same kind of snow you'll get somewhere like Colorado, but it works.
Oct 30th 2010, 8:04 am
#13
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Currently Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 7
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
Hi there...I just wanted to say hello and welcome you to the site. We have a few members who live in your area...so hopefully they'll answer any questions you have.
Kaffy Mintcake is the concierge for the US Forums...so if you feel yourself getting a little lost amongst the many forums...please contact her and she will point you in the right direction.
If you have any problems or concerns please contact a mod or admin. The mods for the US forums are Bob and MsElui.
Please yell out if you need help with anything.
Kaffy Mintcake is the concierge for the US Forums...so if you feel yourself getting a little lost amongst the many forums...please contact her and she will point you in the right direction.
If you have any problems or concerns please contact a mod or admin. The mods for the US forums are Bob and MsElui.
Please yell out if you need help with anything.
Oct 30th 2010, 8:07 am
#14
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Currently Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 7
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
Hi there,
My husband and I moved to the Albany area at the end of August due to like yourself, his company transferring him over. I take it you're coming over on L1/L2 Visa's. The Clifton Park area is really lovely, we have driven up that way a few times now, but like someone replied the Northway can get mega busy at rush hour. We are more to the east of Albany just the other side of the river.
I feel for you having to do this move with children, we don't have any and it was very stressful. But in other respects I think having children will also help you integrate better, as you will be doing school stuff, as your kids make friends so will you with the parents. I still don't have anyone to talk to here, can be lonely even though I try to go out and meet people. I think if you're the trailing spouse it can be harder to settle. I don't want to sound doom and gloom, just trying to be honest as to what it can be for some. But I think you'll be fine, like I said having kids will help with making links and becoming part of the community.
Any other questions, even if its small feel free to Message me, I found here there are a lot of similarities but many differences too. Have you been to the US before? I think that can help too, I never came here before I moved.
Good Luck.
My husband and I moved to the Albany area at the end of August due to like yourself, his company transferring him over. I take it you're coming over on L1/L2 Visa's. The Clifton Park area is really lovely, we have driven up that way a few times now, but like someone replied the Northway can get mega busy at rush hour. We are more to the east of Albany just the other side of the river.
I feel for you having to do this move with children, we don't have any and it was very stressful. But in other respects I think having children will also help you integrate better, as you will be doing school stuff, as your kids make friends so will you with the parents. I still don't have anyone to talk to here, can be lonely even though I try to go out and meet people. I think if you're the trailing spouse it can be harder to settle. I don't want to sound doom and gloom, just trying to be honest as to what it can be for some. But I think you'll be fine, like I said having kids will help with making links and becoming part of the community.
Any other questions, even if its small feel free to Message me, I found here there are a lot of similarities but many differences too. Have you been to the US before? I think that can help too, I never came here before I moved.
Good Luck.
Hi Spirrelbabe - thanks so much for your reply - sounds like you could use thhe company too! I'm back in the UK now, but out again for good from late December - perhaps a glass of wine / coffee would be in order then?
Meanwhile as soon as I work out how to message you I am sure I will because my head is spinning!
Take care x
Oct 30th 2010, 8:07 am
#15
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: Currently Trowbridge, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 7
Re: Hello - moving to Albany
There is an Albany area relocation forum that is filled with advice on neighborhoods, schools, etc. With a look
http://www.city-data.com/forum/albany-area/
http://www.city-data.com/forum/albany-area/
