SaraKaplan

Home to prestigious Cornell University and Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY is a Gorge-ous College Town that’s home to more than 30,054 people. To live here costs around $227,500, and the town also offers affordable housing (Cayuga View Apartments; Conofer Village at Ithaca, Ellis Hollow, and more) and many other benefits as well, in addition to a vibrant night life.

Cornell University is a 2 as well as 4-year college, which offers an outstanding education. While you’re visiting the campus, check out the Johnson Art Museum or stroll around the beautiful Cornell Botanical Garden. Ithaca College is a private school with a breathtaking scenery of the stunning Cayuga Lake, as well as an unforgettable view of many naturally-formed gorges and waterfalls. Found on Ithaca’s South Hill area, Ithaca College is known as the northern US’s best 10 colleges (U.S. News & World Reports, 1996-2010; in 2010, it was 7 best) and its alumni have made groundbreaking moves in the broadcasting business.

In addition to the colleges, the Ithaca City School District offers a wonderful education and are very well-received by their communities. Ithaca City School District includes Boynton Middle school, Alternative Community school, and Dewitt Middle School. Your children will know they have become a part of a caring community here, and the staff of Ithaca City School District will work hard to establish a high-quality learning environment.

Ithaca’s other benefits include excellent quality medical care (Cayuga Medical Center; Ithaca Free Clinic and Planned Parenthood) excellent child care facilities (Ithaca Community Childcare Center, Drop-In Children’s Center, St. Paul’s Nursery School, and more), a fantastic library (Tompkins County Public Library) several gyms (Finger Lakes Fitness, Planet Fitness, East Lake Recreation Club, City Health Club) and the Short Line Bus and Greyhound Lines for transportation (these can take you all the way to NYC if desired!). The crime rate is average for the area, but Colleges unfortunately sometimes bring a bit of turbulence to the area; therefore, expect a little more hustle and bustle than surrounding areas.

Planning a trip to Ithaca? You can stay at either of these fantastic and unique locations: The William Henry Miller Inn, the Inn on Columbia, the Hilton Garden Inn, the Holiday inn, the Courtyard Marriot, the Country Inn and Suites, the Inn at Gothic Eves, and the McLallen House Bed & Breakfast. Once in town, visit either the Cornell and Ithaca campuses, and have a famous vegetarian meal at the Moosewood Restaurant, which has been ranked 13th amongst the highest rated influential restaurants in the United States (Bon Apetite Magazine). While you’re here, don’t forget to buy a copy of their vegetarian cookbook! As far as other restaurants go, there are too many worth of mention, but highlights include Bandwagon Brew Pub, Blue Stone Bar & Grill, Hal’s Delicatessen, Ithaca Ale House, and Kilpatric’s Publick House. My tastes are rather specific, but you can find most cuisines represented including Indian, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, and even Tibetan!

Ithaca has lots of parks and beautiful landscapes. Parks include the Great Views at Taughannock Falls State Park and Fall Creek Gorge, as well as Buttermilk Falls State Park (which has a swimming area, as well as huge waterfalls) and Robert Treman State Park has good hiking trails for the experienced.

Downtown Ithaca Commons (which includes the Moosewood Restaurant) has more than a hundred stores, including a full range of healthcare services including Chiropractors, Therapy, Dentists, Message, Physicians, Acupuncture, and Nutritionists, as well as Green Street Pharmacy. Five bookstores are here as well, including Autumn Leaves Used Books, colophon Books, and the fantastic Comics for Collectors which is worth a trip to satisfy your inner geek. There’s a whole lot more to explore and discover! For more information, you can visit: http://www.downtownithaca.com/.

Ah, Deckert Blvd....This was the street I grew up on, from a baby until I was sixteen years old.

I lived with my mother, father and sister (who was born in 1985, five years younger than I) at 5 Deckert Blvd, which is a two-story house which was red, like a barn, and had a screened-in porch and a built-in garage. Today the house is still there but another family lives in it. I haven’t been there since, but I can imagine (and hope) that there’s still the soft rug covering the lower part of the house (which I called the “basement”), but the 70’s-style wallpaper, with a swirly design that reminded me of flowers, was probably replaced with something else entirely. The house had a modern kitchen with an island where my parents would cook, three bedrooms, a living room/dayroom, and in addition to the big space downstairs (where we watched TV and played as kids) there was also an office and a pot-bellied stove. The living room/dayroom was considered the “music room”. It also had a big bay window. It was here that we celebrated Christmas (looking out that big bay window during a White Christmas, watching the snow fall, was very magical) and we would also hunt for Easter Eggs in this room as well (a clever idea thought up by my wonderful, creative mother). It was a cozy room that I will never forget and we had many wonderful family moments and parties gathered there. The year before we moved, my parents put an addition onto the house, which included extending their bedroom, a bigger bathroom and a jacuzzi. Since the yard was huge, it didn’t make the space outside any smaller, but it did make the master bedroom look great.

One of my most special, favorite parts of this house was its property, which gave the house a lovely, secured feel, as it was surrounded mostly by nature, and trees obscured it partially from the road. The property also had lots of woods in the back (where I would roam for hours) and lots of grassy yard in the front and on the sides (where there was a beautiful, huge Weeping Willow tree with a tire swing attached to it) and to the farther end of the yard, a Dogwood tree (that I loved to climb) and we also had a garden. In addition there was also a small grove of crab apple trees towards the left-hand side of the yard (facing the house) where, behind, you would find more woods. In those days, if you walked through the woods in one part, you would find yourself---eventually---at the untouched fields of a neighboring farm. Today the small town of LaGrangeville (also known as “LaGrange”) of Dutchess County is more highly developed than when I was a kid (back then, it could have been considered “rural”, now, it is considered a “suburb” of NY state). You will probably still however find the streams that I used to walk or bike by as a kid, and Deckert Blvd---while its mouth is by a major backroad, Arthursburg Road (also known as Country Road 33 and Country Highway 42)---is still a type of road that’s known as a “Cul De Sac”, which is, in other words, a dead-end road. It’s short and has a turn-around area in the back. When I was young, my sister and I would bike up and down Deckert (but of course stayed away from the busy Arthursburg Road). At the end of Deckert Blvd is where we caught our bus (and is probably still where kids wait, along with the kids from the road across the street, known as Tom’s Way.

One of the things I liked about Deckert Blvd the most was how safe I felt there. There was a lot of space to play in the woods and yard, and the road felt safe enough to ride bikes on and take short walks. We also lived right near Freedom Lake, the resident lake of LaGrangeville, which is still there, and people go there every year to swim, picnic, play sports and have an overall wonderful time!

Today a five bedroom, three-bathroom house of 2,6000 square feet on Deckert Blvd costs around $335,000 (this one is 15 Deckert Blvd, which is currently for sale). The area is pretty safe and the schools (Arthursburg Central School District) are fantastic (I can say so as someone who went there since grade school into 9th and part of 10th grade!) After all, High School North is where I found Mr. John Clark, my 9th grade English teacher---and if it weren’t for him (and other fabulous teachers I have had throughout the years), I might not be planning on being an English teacher myself today!

All in all, Deckert Blvd is a great choice to buy a home for yourself, your family and your kids. LaGrangeville has a lot to offer as well: a fantastic community and wonderful amenities (Freedom Lake Park, fantastic schools, beautiful scenery, great shops and restaurants). Come see for yourself today what makes LaGrangville and Deckert Blvd the best choice you could make for yourself and those you love!

Colonie Center is a humungous, fantastic two-story shopping mall that’s located in the town of Colonie, NY right near the state capital of Albany, NY. Today it’s home to 120 different stores and a food court that includes the not-to-be-missed The Cheesecake Factory. Once in competition with the neighboring Crossgates mall (back in the 1990’s), it’s been doing a whole lot better since the opening of the Christmas Tree Shops as well as Boscov’s Department Store in 2007 and the movie theater (found on the third floor) in 2008.

In operation since 1966, the mall has welcomed some very popular anchor stores, such as Sears (which opened the first year, 1966), Macy’s (which opened in 1991), Christmas Tree Shops (which opened in 1998), L.L. Bean (which opened in 2007) and Barnes & Noble Booksellers (which opened in 2007). Here you can find anything from entertainment (Regal Cinemas, found on the 3rd floor, right above Colonie Center’s oustanding Food Court), to fashion (Aeropstatle and American Eagle) to fantastic gift & hobby stores such as Jay St. Video Games or the Artique Co-Op. Also, in 2013, look out for the opening of a wonderful natural foods grocery stoor, the wonderful, fantastic Whole Foods Superarket!

Colonie Center, which opened on November 1st in 1966, was Colonie’s very first enclosed Mall, as well as a great tourist attraction. In 2009, the 1,300,000 ft. mall was bought by Heitman Value Partners and is doing well. It can be found right off Interstate 87, Wolf Road and Colonie's Central Avenue intersection. Have a blast: it's fun for the whole family!

Colonie, a town in Albany County, NY, got its name from the first settlers of the area who were Dutch, and called the area “Colonye” (the Dutch word for---you guessed it--- Colony.) There are several hamlets and two different villages, Menands and Colonie (of the same name).

Colonie is a quiet town that sometimes holds community events in The Crossings at Colony, a beautiful park of 130 acres that also has a pond for ice skating and fishing. Here you will find lots of wood, marsh, and wetland, as well as wildflower-filled meadows. It’s a great place to take your entire family! Kids will love the playgorund, and you can rollerblade here as well (in-line skate). The park is open from 8am until dusk (like most public parks in the United States). In addition to The Crossings, there’s also a couple of smaller parks: Locust and Milton. In Colonie, you’ll also love the Ampitheater of the Arts, an outdoor circular theater that is great to patron in the Fall, Spring and Summer months. There’s lots of different concerts held here, anywhere from Blues to Swing---contact the town or visit their home website for more information! Colonie also offers lots of Family & Youth Services. You can also catch up with the latest by reading the town’s newspaper, “The Villager”.

Colonie offers its residents, who live in different hamlets and the villages of Colonie and Menands, four different school systems---all who offer many fantastic benefits in their own right. The four school districts are as follows: North Colonie Central School District (serving Latham, Loudonville and the nearby town of Nuskayuna), which gets an 8 out of 10 (Shaker High School has an 86% graduation rate); South Colonie Central schools (their high school has an 88% graduation rate, and has a wonderful middle school: Lisha Kill Middle School---named after Lisha’s Kill (“kill” is the Dutch word for stream, and Lisha is a Native American woman who supposedly is buried on the shoreline---which gets an outstanding 4 out of 5 stars); Watervliet City School District (of Menands and Schuyler Hights; Watervliet Junior/High School gets rave reviews, has a fitness center that is open to the public, and also has a 77% graduation rate); and Menands Union Free School District (they receive a 7 out of 10, a 92.2% graduation rate, a fantastic PE, Health, Art and Music program, and offer Multilingual and Bilingual classes (1xweek) to those in need of such classes. Colonie also offers the Christian Brothers Academy of Albany, NY (this is a 6-12 private school for junior/senior students, and is religious in nature---it can be found close to Albany International Airport). There’s also the private Liberal Arts-oriented Siena College, which can be found in hamlets Newtonville/Loudonville, as well as two proprietary private colleges: Bryant & Stratton College and the ITT Technical Institute (you may have seen this one’s commercials on TV).

After school, work or on weekends with your family, come have a great time at Joe’s Crab Shack, the brand-new restaurant right in the heart of Colonie! This prime family seafood restaurant gets a 4 out of 5. Plus you get a dancing staff, great food and excellent service! I highly recommend the “Classic Steampot”. In Schenectady, this wonderful establishment was proclaimed a “Blue Ribbon” Restaurant.

Also in Colonie you can find other excellent eats such as Smokey Bones Bar Fire & Grill, as well as a whole bunch of other fantastic choices while enjoying the fun and excitement to be found in the state’s capital city of Albany, NY.

The city of Troy in Rensselear County, NY is a popular destination for those who love River Cruises, Antique Stores, Children's Museums, Being Outdoors, History Buffs, and lovers of the Performing Arts. Fans of Kurt Vonnegut will be excited to know that he lived here for some time, and he also drew inspiration from the locale for some of his books. Quite a few of his novels have settings that are in Troy, but he used a fictional name for the city: “Ilium” (what the Romans used to call Troy). That's why Troy, NY's motto is “Illium was, Troy is.” Kurt Vonnegut is famous for such works as Cat's Cradle and Slaughterhouse Five. Player Piano is the piece in which Kurt Vonnegut alludes to Troy as “Ilium”.


Located in upstate NY, Troy is a very exciting city with lots to do for all who visit here. It's home ot the Children's Museum of Science and Technology, the Captain JP Cruise Line, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, the Arts Center, Alpha Bowling Lanes, Rensselaer Tech Park, New York Theater Instittue, the Frear Park Municipal Golf Course, and the Troy Waterfront Farmer's Market. There's also many fun and unique stores to explore such as Cathedral Music, Market Block Books, the Antique Wearhouse, Pigmant Art Supply and more (such as the Pioneer Food Mraket, for instance, instead of your typical grocery stores such as A&P and Price Chopper supermarkets). There's also wonderful unique restaurants such as The Red Front Restaurant, Holmes & Watson, Daisy Bakers, Irish Mist, Dinosaur Bar-B-Q, the Notty Pine Restaurant, and more!

If you're looking to be outside, Frear Park is a great place to be! There's ice hockey as well as a golf course (complete with 18 holes!), and Knockerbacker Park has its very own Ice Skating Rink as well. Prospect Park has Tennis Courts (14 in all), and RiverFront Park has plenty of festivals, concerts and events held all throughout the year! Troy also holds many public events such as the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market (open every Saturday, with access to over 60 businesses). There's the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, which holds many unforgettable and eclectic concerts throughout the year. Also, don't forget about the Fishing Tournament, the Flag Day Parade, Rockin' on the River, the Troy Turkey Trot Road Race, Victorian Stroll, and the Troy Pig Out: they're all unforgettable events, not to be missed!

If you're visiting, you can stay at either one of these very fine locations: the Best Western at Franklin Square Inn (1 Fourth Street), Hilton Garden Inn (235 Hoosick Street), Olde Judge Mansion Bed & Breakfast (3300 Sixth Avenue), and the Cannon Building (offers extended stays; located at 5 Broadway).

Troy is three hours by car from NYC on 1-87N. This is a city, so you'll find plenty of access to gyms, medical care and daycare facilities. Plus, Troy also offers affordable housing (including low-income and senior housing). Colleges include Renssalear Polytechnic, Institute, Russell Sage College, and Hudson Valley Community College. Troy's schools are average to fair with a few exceptions such as Bell Top Public School, whose service is well received by the community. There's a lot of public schools as well such as the Troy Preparatory Charter Schol, Sacred Heart School, the Doyl Middle School, the LaSalle Institute, the Catholic Central High School are also all great schools to choose from.

A home in Troy costs a reasonable $163,000 and is very affordable for NY state. Like every city, some areas in Troy are safer than others, and this should be taken into consideration when choosing a home. That said, Troy has quite a lot to offer and is a great place to visit, as well as a unique place to live!

Voorheesville of Albany County, NY is a beautiful little village located in the greater town of New Scotland, NY, which is located only 24 minutes by car of Albany (the state capitol of NY).

Located West of the Hudson River as well in the valley of the Helderberg Mountains, Voorheesville is a wonderful community of more than 2,789 residents and is a very diverse population indeed! Some of the benefits of Voorheesville is the Voorheesville Central School District which gets rave reviews, and offers many clubs such as Drama Club, whose Voorheesville Dionysians perform Shakespeare annually during the Fall season, as well as perform their own musical during the Springtime months.

In addition to school programs, both youth and adults alike can enjoy the Voorheesville Public Library's programs, such as Book Discussion Groups at the “Reading Cafe” and lots of seasonally-themed activities and regular events for the kiddies!

Plus, if you're visiting, Voorheesville has lots of fantastic restaurants to choose from, such as the Voorheesville Diner (a long-time staple on Voorheesville Avenue), the China Garden Restaurant, Brick House Pizza (there's other pizza places as well), Smith's Tavern, and more! There's also Hannaford for a unique grocery shopping experience (which also includes Hannaford Pharmacy within the supermarket as well) and A. Phillips Hardware for all your household fixing and upkeeping needs.

What I found most special about visiting Voorheesville is the John Boyd Thacher State Park, which is found off Rt 157. Here you can see a 360 degree view of Vermont's Green Mountains, as well as the spectacularly beautiful Hudson Valley! There's numerous trails here, including the Long Path, the Indian Ladder Trail, and the Paint Mine Trail, and you can do bird watching, as well as find many different spcies of plants. This park (except for the Indian Ladder Trail, which opens on May 1st and closes November 15 for safety reasons) is open all year from 8am until the sun sets. In addition to the splendor that is the nature of NY's backyard, you will also find a couple of playgrounds, grills and volleyball courts as well. There was a pool at one point but unfortunately it shut down in the year of 2006. However, there is still beautiful Thompson Lake and the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, as well as several hidden fossils to be found at the Helderberg Escarpment, which is famous and one of the greatest places for searching for fossils in the entire country! John Boyd Thacher was one of Albany's mayors, and Emma Treadwell Thacher, his widow, created the park as her own donation in the year of1914. The name “Helderberg” means “Bright Mountain” in Dutch, who were Voorheesville's first settlers.

Also, don't forget to visit the non-for-profit organization, Old Songs, whose home base is located in town (known for the famous Old Songs Festival in nearby Altamont, NY). They hold a whole host of events as well as many music teaching programs there, as well as dances, the amazing and fantastically fun, old-fashioned summer event, the Old Song Festival (Altamont NY). Old Songs' new home currently hosts their wonderful Open Mic Nights (everyone can be involved; takes place every first Wednesday of the month, from 7 until 10:30pm). There's a $3 entrance fee, walk-in, fifteen minutes to perform (don't forget to sign-up first at the door). Old Songs is located at 37 South Main Street in Voorheesville, NY and be contacted at (518)-765-2815 (hint: press 1 before area code if you're not in the local area). Discover more info at www.oldsongs.org!

Cohoes NY is a unique town that is made special because of the Cohoes Falls, which shares a lot of fascinating early history of the area---including the legend of The Great Peacemaker, of Mohawk descent and who, partnered alongside the also famous Hiawatha, founded the Iroquois League of Nations. According to this exceptionally sacred Native American Legend, the Great Peacemaker of survived a miraculous jump over the falls, only to appear fine sitting beside a campfire the day after, without a scratch.

Today, Cohoes Falls is a quiet tourist attraction for people who come to visit Albany County of Upstate NY (usually on their way to Niagara Falls). Those who live here have the benefits of the phenomenal Cohoes School District, as well as a lively community center, library, and wonderful parks for excellent outdoor recreational activities. The community here is a fantastic one that tries to get everyone together with fun events like Chicken Bar-B-Que Funraisers and Vegas Nights at the Cohoes-Waterford Elks Club. This time of year, the Pumpkin Festival and the Jack O' Lantern Jubilee are favorites of the local residents. In the Summer, kids can take free swimming lessons at the Lansing Park Municipal Pool. The Falls is its own park, Falls View Park, and there's also Berkley Park to enjoy as well. The Library offers kids programs (story time) general programs (Book Clubs, Therapy Dogs), and homework help; there's also a new Teen Club called “Post Secret” (stay tuned to the Library's website for more info; right now the Club's objective is very hush-hush). There's also Cohoes Skate Park (which is unsupervised---make sure your child is of age).

Cohoes is very affordable for working middle-class families with homes that go for under $300,000 and generally for under $200,000. There are fantastic restaurants (such as local favorites like the Pig Pit BBQ and international favorites such as the Middle Eastern Restaurant, Al-Baraki; there's also great night life to be found at either Joe's Tavern or the Black Cat Ale House). There's also general staples such as a Price Chopper, Dunkin' Donuts, Stewart's Shops and Rite Aid; however there's also shops that are unique to Cohoes such as Marra's Pharmacy (217 Remsen Street), the Amerivape Smoke Shop (301 Ontario Street), and the Harmony House Marketplace (located at 188 Remsen Street). Don't forget to take your family to Burgr King or, for healthier fast-food dinners, Subway for a special treat!

Established by the Dutch in 1622, “Waterford” was in fact an actual “ford” (otherwise known as a crossing) between the Mohawk River and surrounding streams and islands in what is now beautiful, historic Saratoga County. The now famous Peebles Island, an important spot because it is where the Erie Canal and Champlain Canal begins, was once home to the Mahican Native Americans. After settlement from the Dutch, Waterford became an important port for travelers along the Erie and Champlain canals and the Mohawk and Hudson rivers.

Known as NY's “oldest” of villages, Waterford is steeped in rich American history. For instance, a special spot, Second Street, can give you a tour of the town's Revolutionary War history: beginning your walk at the sight of the colonial pub (or also known as “watering hole” during that time) known as “Eagle Tavern”. Here is where famous patrons such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton stopped to quench their thirst and rest their weary bones after a hard day's work. Also along Second Street you will find “The Battery”, where the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers meet, as well as the start of the Champlain and Erie canals are located. Also, on First Street towards US Rt. 4, you will also find the Knox Trail, named after General Henry Knox, who braved this trail in the Winter of Revolutionary War years 1775- 1776, delivering artillery as well as other supplies to George Washington and his troops back in Boston, all the way from now famous, historical Fort Ticonderoga. Knox had to actually drill holes through the ice so that he could continue on towards Boston. Thankfully, he was successful, and the Artillery that he delivered there was what George Washington and Troops utilized to drive the British out of Boston, successfully continuing the American's winning side of the war.

Today as a visitor to Waterford you can enjoy learning about the Revolutionary War, visit magical, mysterious Peebles Island (the town's very own State Park) and enjoy fantastic, exciting community events such as “Tugboat Roundup” and “Canal Fest” (fun for the whole family)! There's also the Waterford Tugboat Festival, where you can enjoy food, arts & crafts, music, games, storytelling and boarding actual tugboats! This is the largest of tugboat festivals in Saratoga County, and you won't be disappointed---as well as a fantastic learning experience (don't forget to visit the Waterford Historical Museum, as well as the Cultural Center located at the gorgeous Hugh White Homestead (built back in the year 1830). The museum has a Victorian room on display, as well as the George and Annabel O'Connor Library for Local History.

Waterford also has lots of fantastic, fun places to eat and places to shop in town, as well as wonderful schools: there's two school districts, The Waterford-Halfmoon Central School District and the Shenendehowa School District (which also serves nearby Clifton Park). There's fun recreational activities to be had here as well. Come on down!

If you're on the search for a single family home for under $80,000 or under $2,000 a month's rent, with beautiful surroundings and a quiet, gentle atmosphere, then Halfmoon Cir is the right road for you to build your new life on!

Halfmoon Cir is located in the wonderful town of Clifton Park, which has lots to do to keep everyone busy throughout the year---from fun recreational activities, to community events, to an exciting nightlife, Clifton Park is the perfect town for families with kids, singles looking to mingle, or pretty much anyone looking to relocate.

Shaped in a circle, Halfmoon Cir is perfect for people who want to feel safe while riding their bikes, walking their dogs, or simply taking a refreshing walk outdoors for a while, enjoying nature. There's lots of trees and shade here in the summer, and it's equally as beautiful in the Fall, Spring, or Winter.

Here you can find lots of mobile and manufactured homes, which are some of the most beautiful types of these homes to be found on the market today. If you're looking for homes that are very cheap to rent (as in, for example, $365 a month), than this is the place for you! It's very safe and very affordable, and very convenient to those who wish to live near Clifton Park and in the upstate part of NY. Located in Saratoga County, your neighbors are the delightful, vibrant and exciting towns of historical Saratoga Springs and equally as delightful the town of Ballston Spa. You're also not far from Albany as well as the Great Lakes Region, and Clifton Park has its own lake: Ballston Lake, as well as several different parks which offer lots of fun activities for everyone in the whole family to enjoy.

Halfmoon Cir shares the name of the nearby town Halfmoon, which also has a lot to offer, and in the immediately surrounding area, there's always lots to do and discover!

Great for families, singles, couples, and students, as well as a most peaceful location for relocating retirees. You're also right near Orenda Elementary School, and Clifton Park's Shenendehowa School District offers an excellent, top-notch education. There's also a small park with swings for kids to enjoy as well as a walking path in the shape of a Figure 8 for adults, as well as a bench to relax on. Some properties have pools, fences, tire swings and you'll see kids riding their bikes here and having a great time. No matter what your reason for relocation, you simply can't go wrong with moving to Clifton Park, NY!

The town of Country Knolls is sometimes a confusing place to live in, as it is shared by two different towns: 850 of 1,216 houses are situated in bustling, vibrant Clifton Park, and 366 of those homes are in another town known as Malta. All three are located in Saratoga County, NY, which is famous for its natural spas, horse racing, fantastic colleges (like Sarah Lawrence), antique shows, festivals, unique landscape (such as Albany Glacial sand) and more.

The confusion of some residents live in Country Knolls comes from their mailing address, “Ballston Lake”, which is in reality the local lake, as well as the Ballston Lake Post Office. (In other words, “Ballston Lake” is not a community at all, just chosen for a more convenient address when trying to choose between two other parent towns sharing one smaller town would make things even more confusing for those who live here.)

That said, the momentary confusion (once you understand what's going on) is well worth the minor trouble, because Country Knolls is a great place to live! You have Clifton Park, which has a great variety of fun things to do, wonderful schools, and is very safe and affordable living ($252,000 is the median sales price of a home there). Most of Country Knolls' busiest, most popular areas are found in Clifton Park, as well as the town pool (which has a smaller pool for kids as well.) There's parks and restaurants and stores galore, including Kohl's, Kmart, Lowe's and more (Clifton is known for its excellent shopping environment. You won't be disappointed.)

The median sales price of Country Knolls Is $449,000, which is fairly affordable for middle class families. There's plenty to do in the immediate and surrounding areas: such as Saratoga Springs (natural spas, fantastic restaurants, art galleries, antique stores, festivals, museums, ect.), Ballston Spa (much of the same), wonderful activities to be found for kids at school (the wonderful Shenendehowa School District), and more.

Come spend a day at Country Knolls and I think you'll know what I mean!

Lincolndale, NY is an ideal place for anyone who wishes to live in the heart of beautiful, historical Westchester County. A hamlet of the lovely town of Somers, NY, Lincolndale shares Somer's rich history in Barnum and Bailey Circus fame (Somers has been called “The Birthplace of the American Circus” and its symbol is an Elephant in honor of the Elephant from Africa named Old Bet (?-1816) who came to the area with Hachaliah Bailey and immediately stole people's hearts).

Now, when driving through the heart of Somers, you can see the statue of the beloved Elephant before the backdrop of the Elephant Hotel (which is now a museum preserving Somer's cultural and historical heritage). Aside from great schools, Somers also has two shopping plazas and plenty of businesses which can tailor to any possible need. There's lots of youth organizations specializing in sports in the area, including Boy Scouts of America and the local YMCA. Restaurants like the Tazza Cafe have unique coffee drinks, and you'll love the food at other unique places like Traditions 118, Seasons: An American Bistro & Lounge and Somerfields.

Primarily residential, homes in Lincolndale go for around $368,000, which is pretty cheap as far as Westchester County is concerned (it's the second most expensive county in the United States). It's very safe and there's a real sense of community here. Whether you're just visiting or planning to stay for the rest of your life, just spend a day here, and I bet you'll feel like you already belong in Lincolndale, NY.

If you're the kind of person who loves to be outdoors and being creative, then Round Lake is the place for you! Located in Saratoga County, Round Lake has a rich history based in the Methodist religion and was once the site where many gathered to listen to enthusiastic sermons each summer.

Today, it is still an exciting place to be, especially in the summer, but also all year round---as the beauty and sense of community never fades, no matter what the season! You won't be surprised to find when coming here that Round Lake is named after the lake that resides here, offering a beautiful backdrop to the amazing Victorian and Colonial-style architecture that surrounds the center of the town. The center has a special name: the “Auditorium”. This is the place from which everything resonates---including sidewalks and streets. and It was first a platform that eventually was transformed into a pavilion surrounded by glass, and today is the location of many of the town's public events: such as live performances, arts and crafts festivals, antique shows, and other fun things to do as a community. The “Auditorium” offers 450 seats and operates during the mid-summer months starting in June and ending in August. After a show, go walking in any of the town's parks, trails and by the lake, and I'm sure that you'll feel right at home.

Round Lake is also very culturally diverse and you can enjoy the diversity every time you come to the shows here, visit the exquisitely tranquil Community Garden or visit any one of the many shops in town. There's also fun places to eat like The Mill on Round Lake (a restaurant/pub) and after a wonderful day out on Round Lake in your rowboat, kyack or canoe, have an equally wonderful dinner at the Lake Ridge Restaurant in town. It's a very special place, indeed!

Round Lake is home to less than 1,000 residents and is a very small but close-knit town. It's very affordable (cost of living is less than national average!) and safe, has wonderful schools and is a great place to raise a family.

Part of exquisit Erie County in upstate NY and located southeast of the town of Buffalo, Orchard Park is a pleasant place that is home to more than 29,054. It's considered a “Southtown” because it's in the southern part of the county, and has a village that's also named Orchard Park.

In Orchard Park, in addition to safety and wonderful commodities, you can find ample amounts of exciting and wonderful culture (the Quaker Arts Festival, an art and crafts show that takes place outdoors each year), music (free concerts in the Sunmmer at the Pavilion of the Middle School, thanks to the Orchard Park Arts Counsil), and food (its famous Taffy's Hot Dog Stand, which is on US Rt 20, 240 & 277---as well as Eckl's Restaurant, which made famous the Kummelweck rolls, and has a Tim Hortons (a famous Canadian restaurant, which has unique coffee and donuts, and is the 3000 location of Tim Hortons, which are all over Canada (not too far away and easily reachable by car).

Here in Orchard Park you can enjoy golf at the Harvest Hill Golf Course, learn about Quaker religion at the Quaker Meeting House, have a fun night at Milligan's Pub, grab ice cream at the Cold Stone Creamery, and find fun for the whole family with pizza and games at the unforgettable amusement and entertainment arcade house, Bounce Magic (it's along the lines of Chuck E. Cheese).

No matter what, I'm sure you'll have fun in Orchard Park, NY: which is very affordable and very safe, has great schools (Orchard Park Central School District---top quality school system) and more! You might not even want to leave! Come and see for yourself the next time you're in upstate NY what makes Orchard Park NY a very special place to be (I bet you won't regret it).

Niskayana, NY of Schenectady is a beautiful little town, pretty quiet and mainly residential. There is a park, Jeff Blatnick Park, which is a lovely piece of land that offers basketball courts, baseball fields, driving range, a playground, and even a pond, which creates a magical tranquility. It's a great place to bring your family and friends for a picnic, or yourself for some quiet contemplation. You're also right near the beautiful Mohawk River which offers many more recreational activities, and there's shopping to be found at the Shop Rite Square, which has a Starbucks and TCBY, and the Friendly's---while unfortunately soon to close---is going to give way to plenty more shopping and restaurant opportunities. The Town Board also plans to put more parking spaces as well as sprucing up the general landscape of the Shopping Plaza. Plus, as a town that is part of the greater town of Schenectady, NY, you have all the wonderful shopping and restaurant opportunities there as well! It's a great place to look for whatever you need and enjoy yourself as well!

Niskayana has a wonderful school system: the Niskayana Central School District. This is a top-notch education for your kids, with a 95% graduation rate and wonderful, caring teachers throughout the district.

Niskayana doesn't have any stores or “Niska-Day”, which takes place annually and includes the morning family foot race, parade, fair and fireworks (unusually, even though this fair takes place the second Saturday in the month of May, there is no Fourth of July fireworks). It's a wonderful community event that brings everyone together.

Come visit Niskayana, and I'm sure you'll see why people choose to live in Niskayana, which is very safe, affordable and accommodating when compared to the rest of NY.

Scotia, a village in the town of Glenville of Schenectady County, NY, got its name from the word “Scotia” meaning “Scotland” in Latin, as the settler who purchased the land from the Mohawk Native Americans, Alexander Lindsay Glen, was originally from Scotland. Today there's many historic homes here, such as the Abraham Glen house, and the Glen Sanders Mansion (which goes back as far as 1713). It w as the site of battles during both the French and Indian War (1754) and the War of 1812, and in the 1800s was a manufacturer of brooms (the village produced more than 1 million a year!).

Today there's more than 7,957 residents in the village of Scotia alone, and more living in the parent town of Glenville (also, of course, named after Alexander Lindsay Glen). A predominantly white neighborhood, Scotia offers great schools (the wonderful Scotia-Glenville Central School District), as well as plenty of outdoor activities at Collins Park or Freedom Park that can be enjoyed any time of the year (you can even go waterskiing down the Mohawk River!) Glenville itself has lots to offer as well such as many parks such as the stunning Wolf Hollow George, a preserve that contains cliffs that are 100 feet high as well as endangered plants. There's a bike trail and many places to fish and swim. There's even an air show in Glenville that people come from all over to see, as well as the Aeroscience Museum on Saratoga Road. You'll be blown away by the beautiful views of the Mohawk River while dining at an actual Lighthouse (the Schenectady Restaurant at the Waters Edge Lighthouse). There's also Jumpin' Jacks Drive-In near Scotia's Collin's Park. This burger joint gets 5 Stars! A must if you're visiting Scotia and the Schenectady County area as well as Glensville.

The busy city of Schenectady NY has been called “The City that Lights and Hauls the World”, as it is home to the Edison Electric Company (otherwise called GE, or “General Electric”, and the ALCO (“The American Locomotive Company”, as well as the home of New York Lottery and Price Chopper Supermarkets. Today it is still a bustling metropolis, where most restaurants and stores can be found on State Street. It's also very diverse, as there's 54.38% White, 28.19% African American, 3.62% Asian, and 0.69% Native American. There's also many Puerto Ricans that live here, adding to the colorful population of over 66,135. Here you can find the beautiful historic Proctor's Theater, which was first a vaudeville and movie theater that was built in 1926, and has its own “Goldie” version of the Wurlitzer pipe organ. Today you can visit three theaters in the Proctors: 440 Upstairs, GE Theater, and Mainstage.

In addition to the Proctors Theater, you might find yourself enjoying the colorful variety of flowers at the Garden at Central Park. Or, you can enjoy the fabulous architecture while walking through the historic Stockade District, which is the safest part of Schenectady and perfect for families raising children. (There are 17 schools offered by the Schenectady City School District, including many private schools, and once your children graduate, they can go onto attend Union College or Schenectady Community College in their very own city, and there's lots of other colleges in the immediate area to choose from---such as Skidmore College in the beautiful tourist village of historic Saratoga Springs). During your stay, or as a resident as well, you'll be amazed by the fascinating exhibits at the Schectady History Museum, or enjoy a show at the Schenectady Light Opera Company (the downtown theater group, which is small but no less entertaining than others in the area that you will find). Also, don't forget the Edison Tech Center, where you can learn all about the latest technology. Afterwards, be sure to visit the Upper Union Street Business Improvement District, where you'll find a whole slew of restaurants, shops, and businesses in Schenectady. If you're interested in African American History, you might want to visit the African American burial ground at Vale Cemetery (celebrate the emancipation of slaves on “Freedom Day”, otherwise known as “Juneteenth” here, which is held annually on June 19th.)

Schenectady, as you can see, is a very colorful, artistic city. It unfortunately has had a bad wrap due to violence between races, but schools are very good and the city is trying to take action to reduce the violence here. There's safer places in Schenectady than others, such as the historic Stockton district, and all over Schenectady you'll find affordable housing, which will help with the high taxes prices (ironically, the cost of living is actually 3.40% less than the average of the entire United States). You're also not far from NYC by train (It's only a little more than two hours away), and Schenectady has a wonderful train station, which will be great for commuters. There's beautiful parks like Central and Scotia Collins, both of which have lots of activities (Scotia Collins, for instance, has a playground, tennis courts and a jogging path). You're also right near Saratoga Springs, which is famous for its horse racing and special natural spring spas---which draws in visitors from all over the world!

Overall, Schenectady has a lot to offer, and though it could use some improvement in certain areas, it's a fun place to live. Choose carefully when moving with kids, as well as schools---there's so many to choose from---and there's private schools as well. Schenectady has wonderful amenities and plenty of restaurants to eat at, and all of different kinds. There's places to play outside as well as inside, and you'll learn a great deal about your local American history.

Saratoga Springs is named after the special healing Springs that are found here in this popular city of Saratoga County. Saratoga Springs (sometimes called just “Saratoga”) is famous for its Saratoga Race Course, a horse racing track which has been in operation since the Summer of 1863. Home to Empire State College as well as Skidmore College, not only is Saratoga a college town, but it is also an widely popular tourist attraction! It is also where many well-known American businesses were born, including several magazines: People, Time, Sports Illustrated and Newsweek. Quad Graphics, Stewart's Shops and the Saratoga Spring Water Co. also formed here.

Visitors and residents alike have access to many unique activities to enjoy in Saratoga Springs, such as the Spa State Park (also known as the “Roosevelt Baths”). Don't be alarmed by the smell of sulfur in the air: it's simply the harmless gas form of hydrogen sulfide which comes from the unique properties in the water (the smell evaporates very quickly). You can take some of this very special water home with you if you bring your own bottles. There's 18 springs in all in Saratoga!

Visitors can also enjoy the town's lively entertainment venues, such as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (home to the Saratoga Native American Festival aand it even has an ampitheater outside for outdoor shows), the Skate Park (which has a public skateboarding arena), the Philadelphia Orchestra, Lee's Park (for camping, be it tent or RV style), the Jazz Festival, the New York City Ballet, the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame and more! Unique stores include Four Seasons Natural Foods, Saratoga Guitar, the Putnam Market, Uncommon Grounds Coffee & Tea, Candy Company, G. Willikers Toys, and more! Saratoga Springs is famous for its multitude of Antique Stores, such as: Stitches & Time (Antique store), Mark Lawson Antiques, The Vault, Nine Caroline, and others. If you're into auctioning, visit North Peak Auctions on 25 Washington St. The Lyrical Ballad Bookstores is another unique place that should not be missed. There's also tons of galleries such as “The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery” found on the campus of Skidmore College, also in town; plus the Symmetry Gallery, the Crafters Gallery, and more....you'll feel as though the sky's the limit when it comes to entertainment here in Saratoga Springs!

Also don't forget to visit the Forno Bistro, the Olde Bryan Inn, the Wheatfields Restaurant & Bar, Hattie's, and more in Saratoga Springs...where the possibilities are limitless and everyone will find something to love during their stay here. It's a great place to bring the whole family, and a wonderful place to live as well! There's great schools, a community center (known as “The Rec Center). The city offers its residents affordable as well as senior housing, and perfect for the income of working middle-class families (with a median sales price of around ($295,000). Whether you plan on visiting here or living here, Saratoga Springs is a wonderful place to be, and has lots of fun things to do, and is very family friendly! It's great for those who wish to retire, and very affordable for students (after all, it is home to two great NY state colleges).

Overall, hatever your needs may be, you're sure to find it in the truly healing atmosphere of Saratoga Springs in the wonderful, beautiful surroundings that forms Saratoga County, of the Hudson Valley, and NY!

South Glens Falls, a lovely village in Saratoga County, is most widely know as the site of Cooper's Cave, which is named as such because it inspired James Fenimore Cooper to write “Last of the Mohicans”. Part of northern town Moreau and south of Glens Falls of Warren County, NY, South Glens Falls is home to many museums and within easy reach of the rest of historic Saratoga County, location of many Revolutionary War battles and historical moments. The school system is pretty good, containing four different elementary schools, one middle school (Oliver W. Winch Middle School) and one high school (South Glens Falls High School which has 251 students and an 81.3% graduation rate).

As far as things to do around town, this place is great for those who wish to learn about Saratoga's history. There's lots of museums to choose from, such as the Chapman Historical Museum (dedicated to teaching the history of Glens Falls, as well as Queensbury and including the Southern Adirondacks, which are close by). This museum has unique events such as the Annual Glens Falls Cemetery Tour (starting September 29) and shifting exhibits. Other museums include the Bolton Historical Museum and Fort William Henry Historical Museum (Fort William itself is right nearby and the infamous Saratoga Battlefield as well as Fort Ticonderoga). You can take your sailboat, canoe, kayak or rowboat out on beautiful Lake George and Lake Champlain, or hike the gorgeous West and Gore Mountains. (This area is known as the “Gateway to the Adirondacks” and within good reason!)

In town, you're never out of reach from great eats such as the Dango's Dugout (an American Restaurant, reputedly has fantastic wings), the Iron Pig BBQ, (get the famed Pulled Pork Sandwhich, a customer favorite from all over Saratoga County), Abbot's Restaurant (American, fair), China Buffet, Subway, 3 pizza places (Giavano's Pizzeria, House of Pizza, and Gino's Pizzeria South), McDonald's, and Massie's Restaurant (mixed reviews; also a Banquet Hall). Stores include Rite Aid, Racing City Hobbies, a Dollar Tree savings store, South Glens Falls Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy, as well as your awesome treat and coffee stop (the neighborhood Dunkin' Donuts) and more! You can stay at The Glens Falls In or Manor Inn (or the Country Kitty B&B in nearby Queensbury). Glens Falls is very affordable at $130,950, and is right near the glorious, stunningly beautiful parks of the Adirondack Mountains. You also are right near have even more fun in neighboring tonws such as vibrant Saratoga Springs, and right in South Glens Falls itself, you access to the well reputed Glens Falls Hospital for outstanding medical care. The crime rate of South Glens Falls is not unlike those of cities, with a comparison of 2.56 to the NY state average of 3.92, and 25 out of 100 (where 100 is the safest).

South Glens Falls of the greater town of Moreau is rich in history, has great schools and is a beautiful place to live, within reach of many fun things to do, great places to eat, convenient amenities, and more!

Schuylerville, a Hudson River town located in Saratoga County, NY is a lovely, lively little town that's rich in American history (it was the site of the historical Battle of Saratoga, as well as was once known as “Fort Saratoga” by the Dutch who settled here, and there are other links to the war as well), fantastic community events (like the Turning Point Parade in summer), wonderful schools (the outstanding Schuylerville Central School District) and a great park system.

For instance, Schuylder's Canal Park is where the British first surrendered to the American troops during the Revolutionary War, and is situated upon the Champlain Canal and is where you can enjoy many community events such as the Turning Point Parade (August) as well as many other events that take place all year long. There's also the Lock 5 Champlain Canal Park (observe boats and take a ride on a canal boat yourself), Village Beach (where you can catch a free concert and go swimming), Saratoga National Historical Park (the site of two of the most horrific battles of the Revolutionary War), Stark's Knob (named in honor of General John Stark of the Revolutionary War, where you can still find prehistoric ocean fossils of creatures that once lived in the sea), and Hudson's Crossing Bi-County Park, where you can visit the brand-new park for children, take your boat out from the dock, hike, and soon enjoy an Envrionmental Center. There's also the Youth Center, which offers programs to teens and young children which can keep kids socializing and busy in a safe environment, to explore their interests with people who care about their futures. For more historical locations, visit the Saratoga Monument and the Schuyler house (the prominent family from whom the town got its name).

Aside from excellent parks and schools (Schuylerville is one of the best Central School Districts in the area), there's many quaint shops and wonderful restaurants in town to choose from. For instance, there's Old Saratoga Books (94 Broad St.), a small yet wonderful used & rare bookstore, and Saratoga Apples Inc. (no, it has nothing to do with the computer company; this is a Pick-Your-Own Apple Farm and Produce Center, where your kids---and you---can enjoy getting fresh fruit and vegetables galore, munch on yummy cider donuts, and pick a bountiful amount of delicious, juicy organic apples right from the trees (a great way to celebrate the coming of Fall either by yourself, with friends, or with your family). There's other stores as well, like the Thrift Shop on Broad St. and the Antique Store on Milton Ave.; there's also Olde Saratoga Bike & Boards, the Dwell Gift Shop, Schuyler Sweets, the Badger Cigar Den, Stewart's Shop, Cumberland Farms grocery, and more! If you're hungry, enjoy a fantastic variety of restaurants to choose from, such as: Schuylerville Pizza & Pasta, Mac's Diner, Olde Saratoga Cafe & Bakery, American Legion, Amigos Cantina, Kitchen at the Dove Gate Inn, Whipple City Pizza, a Subway, and more!

More good news about Schuylerville: the unemployment rate is less than the US average, which is 8.60% (Schuylerville's is 6.10%), the cost of living is also under the US average (98.6%), a pretty safe crime rate (75 out of 100, where 100 is the safest). You can find great medical care in nearby Saratoga Springs (the Saratoga Hospital is a wonderful place to get help, whatever your needs), and the Greenwhich Family Health Center in Greenwhich, CT is not far away by car as well. You can feel safe about bringing your kids to Imagination Home Day Care and Baby Chick Day Care Home, both in Schuylerville, and while they're in daycare, visit the parks or go swimming at the local YMCA. You can pump up with exercise at the Saratoga Health and Wellness in Saratoga Springs, or Global Fitness in nearby Gansevoort (also of Saratoga County, NY). Homes are very affordable with a median sales price at $130,000.

Whatever your needs, you'll be sure to find them in Schuylerville, NY: where your money is well spent, for everyone in your family will be sure to benefit from it, one way or another!

While it is a beautiful residential community, there's not much to do in the immediate town of Victory, which is home to an abandoned Mill (“Victory Mill”, which the town is sometimes known by) and near the location of a Revolutionary War battle that was an American...well..."Victory".

While there is a Shop Rite, that's pretty much it; everything else to be found is in nearby Schuylerville, such as stores and restaurants and anything else, or in nearby Greenwhich CT, or Queensbury, NY: where you'll find the Six Flags Great Escape Amusement Park as well as Splashwater Kingdom: all in only about 20 minutes away! In Victory Mill itself you will find the Saratoga Monument, which honors the moment that British General Burgoyne surrendered to General Gates, which is considered “the turning point of the American Revolution” and goes down in history as an essential point in building the future of America.

Today there are over 544 people in one of America's most tiniest villages, including around 144 families and 189 households. The population consists of 97.61% White and very little diversity. The median sales price for a home goes for about $87, 234 and you'll be sending your kids to great schools at the Schuylerville School District. Victory (or “Victory Mills”) is not to be confused with the town of Victory in Cayuga County, NY. You will be within short distances of neighboring towns (most within 15 miles of reach by car), and that's where you'll find all your day-to-day needs. The nearest Train Station is in the lovely town of Saratoga Springs which is not that far away.

Overall, I would highly recommend this place for retirees who wish to move to the countryside of NY and away from everything else. It's also a great place for families with kids who don't mind the country and feel at home in nature (aka strolling around in the fields and wood with siblings and friends) is their idea of a good time. It might be a great place to build your first cabin, and not be annoyed by neighbors wanting a try in your brand-new backyard hot tub. In other words, if peace and quiet is what you're looking for, well, then you've found it here at the surprisingly historic, yet sleepy little town of Victory.