Longtime lurker here, We're a young couple and With a population of 7,705, Colonie is a small town. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
9 Replies
Levi
big facts right here
40 upvotes
Madelyn Campbell
hard disagree but ok
38 upvotes
Weston Walker
We moved here with our family and I have mixed feelings honestly. Schools in West area are excellent. Kids love it here.
34 upvotes
Emma Ross
noted, appreciate it
28 upvotes
Benjamin Gray
I've lived in East for about 1 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The healthcare scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
Angela T.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
Jayden M.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 43, moved here 8 years ago from LA. I've lived in The Heights and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The outdoor recreation situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. average vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from LA, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
24 upvotes
Peyton Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Lakewood. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
15 upvotes
Adeline Cruz
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. public transit used to be much stable but now it's pretty good.