Lifestyle
This area encompasses Albany, Troy, Saratoga and Schenectady. The Capital District region broadens the area significantly, pulling in areas north towards Clifton Park, south towards Glenmont, east towards East Greenbush and west towards Mohawk. Ample job opportunities and the increasing allure of Tech Valley, compel many to commute to the Tri-City Area from outlying regions. Throughout the region, you’ll find a variety of boutiques, plazas, and shopping centers that appeal to every demographic. Start at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center Gift Shop to find handcrafted jewelry and art, head to Lark Street for some fantastic window shopping, or take an afternoon to stroll through Stuyvesant Plaza, Crossgates Mall, or Colonie Center where you’ll find your favorite retailers. Small towns and villages throughout the region offer a wide array of modern and classic shopping destinations, everything from true Shaker furniture to unique shops offering handmade gifts.
Residents get to experience all that the Capital Region has to offer in theatre, music, dance, spectator sports, festivals, and visual arts. Artists gravitate toward Lark Street, Albany’s “Village in the City”. Its composition is a blend of commercial and residential buildings that line its ten-block street. Locals find everything they need in downtown Albany’s Center Square highlighted with year-round arts, dining, nightlife, and shopping; drawing in visitors worldwide for many of Albany’s most popular events: Art on Lark, LarkFEST, and Winter WonderLark. Schenectady is home to its own resident ballet and symphony orchestra, film and live theater venues, the GE Theatre featuring giant Extreme Screen motion pictures, and the Proctors main stage, a restored 1926 Vaudeville theatre. There is an endless array of performances throughout the arts district, including shows direct from Broadway, international ballet and opera, and nationally known performers. Many of the towns and villages throughout the region also celebrate annual festivals from decade’s long traditions.
Organized semi-professional and collegiate sports have a long tradition in the Capital Region. With minor league affiliates in the MLB and NHL, as well as semi-pro basketball and football teams and Division-1 programs in 40 sports across four colleges, the region is a true training-ground in the Northeast. Add that to the huge number of youth and club tournaments in the area offered by local and county recreation departments. Sports enthusiasts and those who appreciate nature can enjoy downhill or cross-country skiing, wildlife preserves, horseback riding, primitive campgrounds, hiking trails, or placid lakes that offer the finest in boating, water sports, and fishing. With the abundance of lakes and the Hudson River that dominate this area – the opportunity for water based activities is second to none. County and state parks and forests preserve natural beauty and encourage every imaginable activity, including fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, backpacking, camping, horseback riding, boating, water sports, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and nature study. The Capital Region also serves as a gateway to the more than six million acres of the Adirondack Park, the largest state park in the country.
The craftsmanship and charm of days gone by are mirrored in the architectural styling and visual appeal of commercial and residential structures throughout the Capital Region. Newcomers can explore examples of Georgian, Colonial, and Victorian designs in many of the homes and buildings in this area. Vibrant new construction harmonizes with well-kept older homes that are graced by meticulous landscaping and ancient trees. Many buildings have been carefully restored and lavishly furnished with priceless antiques and historic treasures. From rustic cabins to exclusive custom homes, the housing in this region caters to every taste, budget, and lifestyle. Many of the rural townships in this region are experiencing exponential growth, drawing new residents to rolling countryside with its opportunity for large lots or acreage. Within the region’s cities and boroughs, friendly neighborhoods with tree-shaded backyards and quiet streets offer a close-knit community atmosphere.