Living in Albany NY: A Definitive Mover’s Guide

Joining the Capital District? The state capital has amazing opportunities for businesses, young professionals, and growing families. As a local business in the area, we want to help you with an upcoming move. ValuSpace Personal Storage has self storage for rent and local favorites to explore. See why living in our Albany NY neighborhood is the best location in the Capital Region.

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Discover the Economy

Quick Facts

Population: 96,460

Median Home Value: $179,100

Median Household Income: $48,25

Economically, Albany is a diverse and thriving city, and its infrastructure is namely based off of three industries: State government, health care, and education. Indeed, the city is host to a number of significant government institutions responsible for large portions of the overall Albany workforce, including several influential state government departments such as the Executive Department, Department of Transportation, Department of Civil Service, and Education Department, and it is noted that nearly 25% of the city’s overall population works in government-related positions. The website All Over Albany lists Albany’s largest private employers as St. Peter’s Health Partners, Albany Medical Center, Golub Corporation (Price Chopper), and General Electric. Additionally, largely due to the city’s governmental presence and wealth of surrounding educational institutions, Albany has the fourth highest amount of lawyers in its employment pool compared to the rest of the nation (an estimation of 8 lawyers per every 1,000 jobs).

Within the modern era; however, Albany’s economy has since pivoted, and the city is currently known as a substantial technology hub. Indeed, since the 2000s the economy of Albany and the surrounding Capital District has been redirected toward a high technology focus, aptly named Tech Valley. This technological climate has been fostered by Albany-area technologically focused academic institutions including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute. Subsequently, the city has experienced significant growth in the computer hardware side of the high-technology industry, and a number of significant tech companies have settled within the area, including GlobalFoundries, a leading globally-influential computer chip manufacturing company.

Moving forward, Albany’s economy is expected to continue to thrive, a trend dictated by the city’s overall affordability and lower cost of living, as well as its established technology infrastructure that includes the surrounding universities. Are you a prospective mover considering living in Albany, NY this year? Be sure to consider the city’s thriving economy prior to planning your visit!

Discover the Culture

Culturally, Albany is a diverse and exciting city, and the city and its surrounding area is notably home to a number of prominent theaters, museums, performance arts centers, and more. Pictured above, perhaps the city’s most significant cultural venue is the New York State Museum, the oldest and largest state museum in the US. Originally established in 1836, the New York State Museum houses art, artifacts, and ecofacts that reflect New York’s cultural, natural, and geological development. Permanent collections and exhibits include the Cohoes Mastodon (the skeletal remains of a mastodon dating back to 1866), various exhibits dedicated to the surrounding Adirondack Wilderness, an American Stoneware Collection from the early 19th-century, and the Fire Engine Hall, an exhibit of historic fire fighting vehicles from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Additionally, beyond the museum’s collections and exhibits, the New York State Museum acts as a significant research institution. Indeed, the facility houses several programs, centers, and initiatives that further the geological, biological, archaeological and historical understanding of areas within and outside of New York State. Programs established include the Biodiversity Research Initiative, the Wildlife Science and Conservation Initiative, and the Laboratory for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, among many, many others. Overall, this center is a cultural destination that holds significant influence to Albany and its surrounding areas.

Previously mentioned, the Capital District is home to many venues for the performing arts, including the Times Union Center, the Palace Theatre, and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (or SPAC), among others. Of the aforementioned, Albany’s SPAC is particularly noteworthy. Housed in Spa State Park in the nearby Saratoga Springs, SPAC is a large amphitheater that hosts summer performances of classical music, jazz, pop and rock, country, comedy, dance, opera, as well as a Wine & Food Festival. Previous performers and performances include The Grateful Dead, Phish, the Dave Matthews Band, and the New York City Ballet and Philharmonic Orchestra.

Are you a prospective mover considering living in Albany, NY this year? Be sure to take some time to visit some of the city’s numerous cultural attractions, including SPAC and the New York State Museum!

Discover the Cuisine

Overall, Albany, NY offers a varied culinary scene, and the city and its surrounding area is notably host to a number of celebrated restaurants that specialize in a variety of culinary styles. We’ve gathered a few of our area favorites below. Be sure to stop in at one of these establishments if you are ever within the Albany area this year!

• Caffe Italia – Part of the business community in the greater Albany area for nearly three decades, Caffe Italia Ristorante serves traditional Italian-fare that mirrors and mimics the flavors of Siderno, Calabria and Salerno, and Naples, Italy. Menu highlights include dishes such as Capellini Ala Dugan, Shrimp and Broccoli Fussili Seminario, Fettuccini Alfredo, and their signature Veal Luciana.
• El Mariachi Restaurant – Voted No. 1 fifteen years in a row on the Best of the Capital District Reader’s Poll for Best Mexican by Metroland Magazine & the Capital Region Living Magazine, El Mariachi is Colorful neighborhood spot serving classic Mexican & Spanish bites along with house-made sangria. In particular, this Albany restaurant staple seeks to mimic the flavors and recipes of the owner’s great-grandmother from Mexico.
• Yono’s Fine Dining – Originally opened in 1985, this restaurant features Chef Yono Purnomo’s signature blend of contemporary American cuisine with Indonesian influence utilizing seasonal, farm fresh ingredients from Upstate New York and beyond. Menu highlights include the Chilled Island Creek Oysters, Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Duck Fat Roasted Lamb Loin, and the Pan Seared Atlantic Swordfish. This restaurant is the ideal visit for a romantic date night, or a celebration dinner.
• The Cuckoo’s Nest – Located in the heart of Downtown Albany, The Cuckoo’s Nest is a casual and colorful restaurant that specializes in Southern-comfort cuisine. Fittingly, the menu is host to a bevvy of Southern comfort-food classics, including Fried Green Tomatoes, a Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich, Biscuits and Gravy, and the restaurant’s signature dish, their Chicken and Waffles.
• New World Bistro Bar – New World Bistro Bar is an 80 seat gastro pub in the heart of Albany’s Delaware Avenue neighborhood. Overall, this restaurant is known its farm-fresh and locally-sourced eats, and its wide selection of regional craft beers.

Additionally, beyond the city’s restaurant scene, Albany, NY is host to a number of innovative and celebrated breweries, brew pubs, and distilleries, including:

• Druthers Brewing Company – Boasting 3 locations in Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, and Albany, NY, Druthers Brewing Company is a lively brewpub that features an innovative craft beer list, and an extensive food menu featuring pub-style fare. Previously, this popular brewery has taken home a Gold Award at the 2014 World Beer Cup and a Silver Award at the 2016 World Beer Cup.
• The Albany Distilling Company Bar and Bottle Shop – The Albany Distilling Company is a small craft distillery located in Albany, New York’s historic downtown. Using both modern and traditional methods, this distillery produces a variety of liquors, including Vodka, Whiskey, Rum, and a number of canned cocktails.
• C H Evans Brewing Co. at the Albany Pump Station – Originally founded in 1786, the Evans family has been in the commercial brew business for three generations. Currently, this Industrial brewpub is run out of the previous Albany Pump Station, a historic Albany landmark that dates back to the late 1800s.

Are you a prospective mover considering living in Albany, NY this year? Be sure to spend some time exploring the city’s culinary scene, including its numerous celebrated restaurants and breweries!

Discover the Excitement

Geographically, Albany and its surrounding area is largely synonymous with the nearby Adirondack State Park, a large protected park in North Eastern NY that is known for its fall foliage viewing​ and forested mountains throughout. Fittingly, this area is host to a number of notable hiking trails and natural attractions, including 46 scalable high peaks measuring 4,000 feet and upwards. Additionally, visitors of this park can enjoy a variety of nature-oriented activities throughout the summer season, including fishing, boating, river rafting, and more.

During the winter these same mountain ranges provide a recreational area for a variety of winter sports, including cross country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowmobiling. Notable Albany and Adirondack area ski resorts include Willard Mountain, Maple Ski Ridge, Prospect Mountain Ski Area, Gore Mountain, and the Royal Mountain Ski Area. Of the previously mentioned, Gore Mountain is perhaps the most significant destination, and the mountain is noted as a popular winter destination to visitors across the state of New York. Indeed, Gore is the largest mountain in New York nearest to the Albany metro area, and is noted to feature more than 100 trails and 15 lifts, including a gondola lift, and a fully-operation snow train. Considering a visit this year? Visit Gore Mountain’s website for their latest ticket prices and trail conditions.

Are you a prospective mover considering living in Albany, NY this year? Be sure to take some time to explore the surrounding natural setting, including the Adirondack State Park!

Rent Self Storage in Albany NY

As seen, Albany, NY is an exciting and attractive city, and it is notable due to its thriving economy, celebrated and diverse culinary scene, as well as its wealth of attractions, including an abundance of natural and cultural attractions. So, now that you’re considering living in Albany, NY; what are your next steps? Look no further than ValuSpace Personal Storage in Albany, NY!

Choosing a storage unit to help with your move should be close by and helpful. Here at ValuSpace Personal Storage on North Russell Road we have the storage units you want. Our indoor self storage is near downtown Albany NY and close to several of the higher education campuses around the city. Whether looking for summer storage or extra space for your upcoming move, we have you covered. Stop in today to take control of all your residential, commercial, and student storage needs in the Capital District.

Rent online today!

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