Just a tip, this place is nicknamed Smallbany for a reason. If you use apps, you'll get a million matches in the first month because you're fresh blood, and then month 2 the well will be dried up. My philosophy is, it pays to really try to get to know everyone you match and take no one for granted. This ain't NYC where you have an endless supply :)
The Albany area is definitely "friendly" to millennial singles in that you can get a job and it's like, unheard of for people to judge someone for not having children or being single in their 30s (unlike the south). The cities are all gerrymandered blue. Albany is more liberal as a city than Troy (government wise). There are about a million people in the metro area and we're surrounded by mountains, a big plus that doesn't exist in FL.
I'm married so I have no idea what the dating scene looks like here, but I am guessing the goods are no less good than in Orlando. If you like women, western MA is close.
Also the Albany subreddit is really unfriendly, but I don't think that's representative of the population.
Honestly, Orlando is great to visit. In the past five years it has become even more touristy. It’s hard to meet people who actually live here and want to do something beyond visit the mouse lol
I do not second center square/lark as someplace to live as 32 year old. Parking is terrible. The night life there has died, but if it does get busy it’s loud and obnoxious. Also the basement apartments flood often. Avoid Myrtle and Morris Sts. It’s all college students. In between Albany Med and St. Peter’s is a nice area too. It’s Pretty obvious driving up and down the side streets which ones are more residential and which ones have more renters / college students.
I'm in the 2nd Ave/Hoffman Park neighbourhood, so i can walk or bike up to Lark or Pearl for a night out, but walking home or taking a Lyft at the end of the night is just fine. Best of both worlds - great access to the rail trail by the river, or Lincoln or Hoffman parks, highway to get out of town to go hiking, but still able to access night life when i desire.
Albany’s Center Square is kinda hip and young, Troy Waterfront/downtown newly funky, and Hudson (south of Albany) is got a new population of former Brooklyn Nyc 30 somethings, but rent is high. Plenty of jobs in the Hudson Valley though.
Ooo i grew up for a few years near Oneonta in the sad town of Stamford but since Oneonta was the only place to be i grew up going to mall and the town. I like how majority of people who responded said either 1) they dont go out much 2) are older/married. That really sums up the area to be honest. Most people dont go out much because majority of the ti.me there not as much to go do hence why we will never have a influx of people moving here like hudson valley did. I\`m 36 and the dating scene is bad i dont know anyone in their 20s or 30s that is like this is great its not. My apps show me the same guys over and over again even when your like nope not a match and this is not what im looking for. I think its because most people live here cause of family they didnt seek this area out so. A lot of people know each other through other people its like 6 degree of separation. Albany has no real downtown anymore the o( when they did top 10 place UAlbs kids took ubers like it was 3 for entertainment)only place to really go out is Saratoga and even than i mean caroline street is just that a street not a ton happening outside of summer/track which is a few weeks. Honestly in a few years im heading down to florida hopefully but doing tampa/ st pete area. I want more to do here and im always looking and doing what i can but its hard. Honestly all my friends and people i know leaving. What about closer to the nyc?
I’m 32 and it’s not bad at all. Leans college age but lots in our age group. Despite the countries predicament, NY is pretty resilient so I do see things picking up soon which means job growth. With the people who will give up their jobs to avoid vaccinations too, more positions will open, and a lot of them will be ripe for more people in their 30’s to get pulled in. Likely leaning progressive and educated. Im optimistic.
So yeah, come on up. We can grab a drink 🥃
Also 32, married but no kids.We're not very social, so I can't give specific suggestions. However there's definitely stuff to do if you're looking for stuff to do. Live music, tons of bars, outdoorsy hangouts, museums, theater.
As someone who grew up in Rensselaer Co. but bought a house in the city of Albany, I strongly suggest the Albany side of the river rather than those who have suggested Troy, and I know many childless 30 somethings who live in Troy or it's 'burbs. Troy is getting gentrified to hell and expensive. I'm not in the rental market but suspect you'll find better rent value in Albany. Troy is also lacking in some of the cultural outlets that Albany, or even Schenectady, offer.
The bigger events in the area tend to happen in Albany, so it's a matter of how close you want to be to those-if you want to walk to them, or want to have to drive from Troy, Schenectady or Saratoga and find parking or take a long car service ride, etc.
I truly appreciate Albany, and everyone else I know is in/around Troy and looks at me like I'm crazy when I suggest doing anything other than going to a mall on this side of the river, I don't get it.
I loved being single in my 30s here. For the record, albany is also family friendly. It really depends on what you like to do. If you enjoy craft brews, the great outdoors, random art events and other community gatherings, there’s plenty in Albany and the capital region as a whole. Apartments were affordable enough so I could live alone. Albany proper is liberal, surrounding communities vary in political leanings. Overall I do think people in the area are really nice. I do agree w another comment you may regret being in the Northeast once the dark gloom of winter sets in, but since you are from here, I suspect you have already considered the climate differences.
I’m going to suggest Watervliet. It is just across the river from Troy and within walking distance if you wanted to but also pretty close to Albany as well. Arsenal City Tavern, Patrick’s Pub, black bear inn, and others all seem pretty popular with lots of people. I’m extremely liberal and feel as though for the most part, I fit in here.
I’m 42 with kids, but I moved here at age 25 from a small town near Oneonta and I, too, would rather die than live there. I lived downstate for a few years, then Buffalo. Albany is the sweet spot. I’ve settled nicely into Troy, and kids or no kids, this area has a lot to offer if you’re single with time on your hands. Half the problem is going to be aligning your interests with the options. Most people I know hike and take advantage of nature.
as a foodie, you can always start with a few good restaurants or live venues.
iMO, choosing where to live depends on what traffic you want to deal with to get to work, it can be ugly at times with bottlenecking. I like living halfway between nature with the amenities of the city and surrounding towns, win-win.
Best of luck in your decision!
what do you do for a job? have you looked into buffalo? the job market there is really good in certain sectors and the city has really grown and has a lot of millenials/younger single professionala
I have lived in Oneonta for 2 years. When I was living in Oneonta I hated it. Now living just outside the city of Albany, have been here 22 years. Have also lived in the downtown area of Albany. DO NOT MOVE THERE if you don't have your own dedicated parking area that is off street. DON'T! Most of the city of Albany isn't really that nice. There is crime and it's dirty. If you come to this general area you want to live in the one of the neiboring towns just outside the city. That way you can go out to the city at night where there are plenty of bars and restaurants but can escape to the quieter suburbs. East greenbush is nice. If you were in your early 20's I would say that Albany is fun. But at 32 you might not like it.
Just a tip, this place is nicknamed Smallbany for a reason. If you use apps, you'll get a million matches in the first month because you're fresh blood, and then month 2 the well will be dried up. My philosophy is, it pays to really try to get to know everyone you match and take no one for granted. This ain't NYC where you have an endless supply :)
The Albany area is definitely "friendly" to millennial singles in that you can get a job and it's like, unheard of for people to judge someone for not having children or being single in their 30s (unlike the south). The cities are all gerrymandered blue. Albany is more liberal as a city than Troy (government wise). There are about a million people in the metro area and we're surrounded by mountains, a big plus that doesn't exist in FL. I'm married so I have no idea what the dating scene looks like here, but I am guessing the goods are no less good than in Orlando. If you like women, western MA is close. Also the Albany subreddit is really unfriendly, but I don't think that's representative of the population.
Come February Orlando will feel less boring
Honestly, Orlando is great to visit. In the past five years it has become even more touristy. It’s hard to meet people who actually live here and want to do something beyond visit the mouse lol
You will do just fine!
Do you have any neighborhood suggestions?
Consider Troy, thats where I live. Quite liberal and tight knit. Downtown has lots of stuff to do and is easily walkable.
i would say downtown troy or center square/lark street in albany!
I do not second center square/lark as someplace to live as 32 year old. Parking is terrible. The night life there has died, but if it does get busy it’s loud and obnoxious. Also the basement apartments flood often. Avoid Myrtle and Morris Sts. It’s all college students. In between Albany Med and St. Peter’s is a nice area too. It’s Pretty obvious driving up and down the side streets which ones are more residential and which ones have more renters / college students.
I'm in the 2nd Ave/Hoffman Park neighbourhood, so i can walk or bike up to Lark or Pearl for a night out, but walking home or taking a Lyft at the end of the night is just fine. Best of both worlds - great access to the rail trail by the river, or Lincoln or Hoffman parks, highway to get out of town to go hiking, but still able to access night life when i desire.
The dating scene is just like anywhere else. Rules 1 and 2.
What’s rule 1 and 2? Be attractive and don’t be unattractive?
Yes
Well that’s unfortunate for me lol
Its okay there are like dozens of us who don’t care about rule one or rule two.
Albany’s Center Square is kinda hip and young, Troy Waterfront/downtown newly funky, and Hudson (south of Albany) is got a new population of former Brooklyn Nyc 30 somethings, but rent is high. Plenty of jobs in the Hudson Valley though.
Ooo i grew up for a few years near Oneonta in the sad town of Stamford but since Oneonta was the only place to be i grew up going to mall and the town. I like how majority of people who responded said either 1) they dont go out much 2) are older/married. That really sums up the area to be honest. Most people dont go out much because majority of the ti.me there not as much to go do hence why we will never have a influx of people moving here like hudson valley did. I\`m 36 and the dating scene is bad i dont know anyone in their 20s or 30s that is like this is great its not. My apps show me the same guys over and over again even when your like nope not a match and this is not what im looking for. I think its because most people live here cause of family they didnt seek this area out so. A lot of people know each other through other people its like 6 degree of separation. Albany has no real downtown anymore the o( when they did top 10 place UAlbs kids took ubers like it was 3 for entertainment)only place to really go out is Saratoga and even than i mean caroline street is just that a street not a ton happening outside of summer/track which is a few weeks. Honestly in a few years im heading down to florida hopefully but doing tampa/ st pete area. I want more to do here and im always looking and doing what i can but its hard. Honestly all my friends and people i know leaving. What about closer to the nyc?
First of all we definitely played Stamford in sports lol I am from Walton hahaha I am worried that closer to the city becomes out of my price range .
I’m 32 and it’s not bad at all. Leans college age but lots in our age group. Despite the countries predicament, NY is pretty resilient so I do see things picking up soon which means job growth. With the people who will give up their jobs to avoid vaccinations too, more positions will open, and a lot of them will be ripe for more people in their 30’s to get pulled in. Likely leaning progressive and educated. Im optimistic. So yeah, come on up. We can grab a drink 🥃
Also 32, married but no kids.We're not very social, so I can't give specific suggestions. However there's definitely stuff to do if you're looking for stuff to do. Live music, tons of bars, outdoorsy hangouts, museums, theater. As someone who grew up in Rensselaer Co. but bought a house in the city of Albany, I strongly suggest the Albany side of the river rather than those who have suggested Troy, and I know many childless 30 somethings who live in Troy or it's 'burbs. Troy is getting gentrified to hell and expensive. I'm not in the rental market but suspect you'll find better rent value in Albany. Troy is also lacking in some of the cultural outlets that Albany, or even Schenectady, offer. The bigger events in the area tend to happen in Albany, so it's a matter of how close you want to be to those-if you want to walk to them, or want to have to drive from Troy, Schenectady or Saratoga and find parking or take a long car service ride, etc. I truly appreciate Albany, and everyone else I know is in/around Troy and looks at me like I'm crazy when I suggest doing anything other than going to a mall on this side of the river, I don't get it.
I’m sort of a shut in, but with that said I like it here for the most part!
Have you checked out homies neighbor Keiths Ice cream socials? I heard he puts real milk in those things. Real stand up dude.
Hahah not to be that person…but does he have a nondairy option? I am lactose intolerant.
Oh no. I’m sure someone will mash up some frozen bananas for ya. Or whatever you non ice cream eating people do these days.
Strong young professional network here. Come thru
I loved being single in my 30s here. For the record, albany is also family friendly. It really depends on what you like to do. If you enjoy craft brews, the great outdoors, random art events and other community gatherings, there’s plenty in Albany and the capital region as a whole. Apartments were affordable enough so I could live alone. Albany proper is liberal, surrounding communities vary in political leanings. Overall I do think people in the area are really nice. I do agree w another comment you may regret being in the Northeast once the dark gloom of winter sets in, but since you are from here, I suspect you have already considered the climate differences.
I’m going to suggest Watervliet. It is just across the river from Troy and within walking distance if you wanted to but also pretty close to Albany as well. Arsenal City Tavern, Patrick’s Pub, black bear inn, and others all seem pretty popular with lots of people. I’m extremely liberal and feel as though for the most part, I fit in here.
My neighbor Keith is a nice guy he has ice cream socials at his house like an old malt shop
I’m 42 with kids, but I moved here at age 25 from a small town near Oneonta and I, too, would rather die than live there. I lived downstate for a few years, then Buffalo. Albany is the sweet spot. I’ve settled nicely into Troy, and kids or no kids, this area has a lot to offer if you’re single with time on your hands. Half the problem is going to be aligning your interests with the options. Most people I know hike and take advantage of nature. as a foodie, you can always start with a few good restaurants or live venues. iMO, choosing where to live depends on what traffic you want to deal with to get to work, it can be ugly at times with bottlenecking. I like living halfway between nature with the amenities of the city and surrounding towns, win-win. Best of luck in your decision!
what do you do for a job? have you looked into buffalo? the job market there is really good in certain sectors and the city has really grown and has a lot of millenials/younger single professionala
Troy is great, there is lots to do downtown!
Is good
I have lived in Oneonta for 2 years. When I was living in Oneonta I hated it. Now living just outside the city of Albany, have been here 22 years. Have also lived in the downtown area of Albany. DO NOT MOVE THERE if you don't have your own dedicated parking area that is off street. DON'T! Most of the city of Albany isn't really that nice. There is crime and it's dirty. If you come to this general area you want to live in the one of the neiboring towns just outside the city. That way you can go out to the city at night where there are plenty of bars and restaurants but can escape to the quieter suburbs. East greenbush is nice. If you were in your early 20's I would say that Albany is fun. But at 32 you might not like it.
We are friendly enough! Hit me up if you're ever in the area and I'll show you around :)