A Local Expert’s Guide To the Top Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent in Albany, NY
Albany, the capital of New York state, is a renter’s haven. With ample housing supply, little traffic and a stable economy, Albany is trending upward. I'm Patrick, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com New York Local Expert and I'd like to fill you in on some of my favorite neighborhoods in Albany and provide you with some of the detail you might need on your Albany apartment or rental search.
Here’s everything you need to know about renting in some of the best, most desirable, and affordable neighborhoods in Albany to call home.
Downtown Albany
With extensive shopping and dining options, downtown Albany is the perfect place to rent. The downtown area is positioned along the Hudson River, providing easy access for fishermen, boaters and nature-lovers.
Rent by the historic district and you’ll find everything you need is within walking distance. In total, the historic district of downtown Albany has nearly 200 buildings, many of which are commercially zoned.
Downtown draws include The Egg performing arts center, North Pearl Street restaurants, axe throwing at The Yard Hatchet House and Market 32.
Hop on to Interstate 787 next to the Hudson River and you’ll find connecting to nearby draws is surprisingly easy. The best part is Albany’s downtown area has minimal congestion, meaning driving is nearly stress-free.
Mansion Area
Located to the south of downtown, the Mansion Area is a historic district with coveted living. Perfectly positioned between the 787 Connector, Pearl Street, Eagle Street and Hamilton Street, this part of town is dotted with historic buildings dating back to the 1800s.
The Mansion Area’s residential housing consists of brick rowhouses and commercial offerings along the ever-popular Madison Avenue and South Pearl Street. Check the rental listings and you’ll find single family homes, historic brownstones, condominiums and apartments available in varying price ranges.
Washington Park, Lincoln Park and an opportunity to skate in the plaza are all within walking distance. In total, 2,879 people live in the Mansion neighborhood of Albay.
Ten Broeck Triangle
This lovely part of Albany spans a total of seven blocks. Also referred to as Arbor Hill, the Ten Broeck Triangle is the city’s second oldest residential space.
As one of the first neighborhoods to form to the north of Albany’s downtown, Ten Broeck is quaint yet features modern comforts and niceties. All in all, 4,146 people live in the Ten Broeck area.
Peruse the rentals and you’ll find detached homes, rowhouses and other properties. In total, more than 200 buildings line Ten Broeck’s streets. The best part is the neighborhood’s homes for rents feature a wide array of architectural styles ranging from Gothic to Neoclassical, Greek Revival and Federal.
Delaware Avenue
Rent in this part of Albany and you’ll find friendly locals, boutique shops and a walkable living space. From college students to families, immigrants and retirees, Delaware Avenue has renters of all types and ages.
Single family structures, two-family homes, three-decker buildings, Victorian homes and apartment buildings are available for rent. The neighborhood’s highlights include the Spectrum movie theater, Nicole’s Restaurant and New World Bistro Bar.
Second Avenue
Home to nearly 3,000 people, Second Avenue is one of Albany’s trendiest neighborhoods. Highlighted by a suburban-urban mixed aesthetic, Second Avenue is rife with parks, restaurants and plenty of other features. Second Avenue is also conveniently positioned by the Interstate 87 highway for quick access to the rest of New York state’s draws including nearby Syracuse.
Walk the neighborhood’s streets and you’ll find they are dotted with green foliage, parks and open spaces. Highlights include Krank Park, Veterans Memorial Park, the Christian Plumeri Sports Complex and Dick Green Field.
Pastures
Rent in the Pastures Historic District and you’ll find the 13-block area walkable, welcoming and fun. Pastures neighborhood is called home by 799 people for good reason. Conveniently positioned by the South Mall Expressway, Pastures makes it easy to hop onto the Dunn Memorial Bridge above the stunning Hudson River.
In total, the neighborhood has 112 buildings including Greek Revival and Federal rowhouses for rent. Grab your tennis racket for a match on the John Street court during the summer months, walk to a nearby bar for a refreshing drink and you’ll be proud to call Pastures home.
Krank Park Cherry Hill
Home to 455 lucky individuals, Albany’s Krank Park Cherry Hill neighborhood is affordable, diverse and historic. Stroll the sidewalks, venture to the local parks and you’ll quickly understand why locals have revered this neighborhood since 1787.
The neighborhood’s house museums are its top draw. Here, you’ll find 70,000 items including antiques, decorative arts, diaries, historic books and more.
Whitehall
Located a mere three miles from downtown, Whitehall is as convenient as it gets. Locals tend to work for the state Capitol, the Albany Medical Center or St. Peter’s Hospital.
Though Whitehall isn’t suburban, it has a spacious feel while remaining urban enough for those who enjoy city living. Whitehall’s homes are vintage, featuring ranch and split-level orientations. Here, you’ll find Dutch colonials, Cape Cods with wood frames, and Craftsman bungalows for rent.
Be sure to act fast as Whitehall rentals tend to go soon after listing. A total of 5,922 people rent and own in the Whitehall neighborhood. Venture out into the commercial district and you’ll find Crestwood Plaza, Spinners Pizza and Pub and Pearl’s Bagels. Whitehall Park is another one of the area’s top draws, giving renters a calming green space to rest and relax while soaking up the sun.
Mount Hope
Mount Hope is one of Albany’s smaller yet intimate neighborhoods with 508 residents. The dense living space is laden with parks, restaurants and comfy residential housing. Here, you will find quaint townhouses within walking distance of the Port of Albany along the famous Hudson River.
Mount Hope homes provide quick access to Interstate 87. Take a walk two miles to the north and you’ll find yourself in downtown Albany. Venture over to nearby Normanskill and you’ll have ample opportunity to kayak, fish and birdwatch. The neighborhood also features Mount Hope Park for basketball, playground access and picnics.
Normanskill Kenwood
Annexed by the City of Albany in 1910, this part of town is calm, quiet and peaceful. Featuring creek access, Normanskill Kenwood is a mere six miles outside of the Capital. Rent here and you’ll feel as though you are in a rural setting as opposed to a city or suburb.
Locals rave about Normanskill Creek that connects to the Hudson River. The water is stocked with yellow perch, freshwater drum and smallmouth bass.
Buckingham Lake Park provides convenient access to a green space for fun in the sun. Nearby Capital Hills golf course spans 18 holes where you and your buddies can swing the sticks. Venture through the neighborhood’s popular Delaware Avenue and you’ll find seemingly endless shopping opportunities.
South End
Albany’s South End is spacious, featuring 18th century houses, plenty of dining opportunities, historic mansions and plenty more. Rent here and you’ll be within walking distance of Krank Park where you’ll find splash pads, tennis courts and a baseball field.
Locals also rave about the 9.8 mile Rail Trail that can be traversed on bike or by foot. Bull and Bee Meadery, Suga Foots Soul Kitchen and Excelsior Pub are three of the neighborhood’s top culinary draws.
Bishop’s Gate
This Albany neighborhood is affordable, safe and chic. Rent in Bishop’s Gate and you’ll have your pick of two, three and four-bedroom apartments, studios, high-rises and houses. The majority of Bishop Gate’s housing stock was built between 1970 and 1999.
This well-maintained, walkable neighborhood makes it easy to access local employers, restaurants and bars. The average Bishop’s Gate resident’s commuting time is less than 15 minutes, making it one of America’s most convenient living spaces.
Upper Washington Avenue
Home to 5,601 people, Upper Washington Avenue is fairly dense yet comfortable for living. Upper Washington Avenue rentals are highlighted by Cape Cods, ranch houses, Victorians, Craftsman homes, American Foursquares and Colonials.
Take a walk through the streets and you’ll find parks, coffee shops, restaurants, bars and more. Perfect for young professionals looking to rent, this part of town offers easy highway access in the event that you want to get out of town on the weekend and explore the rest of the Empire state.
North Albany Shaker Park
Featuring suburban-urban hybrid living, this part of Albany houses 7,622 people. Young professionals gravitate to the neighborhood thanks to its plethora of coffee shops and restaurants. This vibrant community is walkable, safe and exciting.
Here, you’ll find conventional apartments and even some luxury lofts for rent. Colonials, Cape Cods and rowhouses make Shaker Park living affordable and unique.
Be sure to check out Albany’s first-ever Caribbean soul food buffet Good Religion. Washington Park, merely three miles from the neighborhood, is also a top draw is it is home to the yearly summer Tulip Festival.
West Hill
Albany’s West Hill neighborhood provides convenient access to a massive nature preserve. The area’s highlights also include Swinburne Park and Tivoli Lake Preserve. Quick downtown access and an ethnic culinary scene also make West Hill popular among renters.
The area’s 7,747 residents rave about local dining options including Shining Rainbow Restaurant, Jack’s Diner, El Patron and Albany Halal Grill. West Hill Farmers Market is another popular draw among locals.
The majority of the market’s veggies are grown in nearby Albany Victory Gardens. Rentals are highlighted by apartment complexes, high-rise buildings, small apartment buildings and houses.
Arbor Hill
Albany’s Arbor Hill is a residential hotspot with extensive new construction. Venture through the streets and you’ll find two historic districts in Ten Broeck Triangle and Clinton Avenue. These swanky parts of town feature Victorian architecture style homes, some of which are for rent.
Arbor Hill’s North Swan Street Park and the Stephen and Harriet Myers House and Palace Theater are some of the area’s most popular destinations. The Capital Repertory Theater is another top draw, making for the perfect date night or family outing.
Pine Hills
Albany’s Pine Hills stretches from Lake Avenue to Manning Boulevard. Rental options include traditional multi-unit apartments, semi-detached house and duplexes. The neighborhood’s population skews young, thanks to its proximity to the College of St. Rose and University at Albany.
Rent in Pine Hills and you’ll be within walking distance of Woodlawn Park, Ridgefield Park and Madison Avenue Playground. Café Madison, Junior’s Bar and Grill and the Madison Pour House are the neighborhood’s top culinary draws. If you don’t drive, don’t worry as the Albany CDTA Metro and Bus system makes it easy to reach the 200+ local businesses and public services.
New Scotland
Home to a growing population of young professionals, the New Scotland neighborhood of Albany is revered as one of the city’s top residential zones. With a suburban-urban aesthetic, this part of town is comfortable yet convenient. All in all, New Scotland spans 58 square miles.
The neighborhood offers Victorian homes converted into rentals, duplexes, three-deckers and even apartments atop corner bodega stores. John Boyd Thacher State Park is one of the area’s top attractions.
Central Avenue
Providing easy access to the Schenectady Turnpike, Central Avenue lets you live life on easy mode. Rent here and you’ll have easy access to the popular Chinatown mall and plenty more.
The best part about living in the Central Avenue neighborhood is its low cost. Central Ave rentals are priced well below those throughout the rest of the city, state and country. Here, you’ll find small apartment buildings, high rise apartments, medium size multifamily housing and more.
Most of the neighborhood’s buildings were built before 1940, meaning they are charming, quaint and full of character. The neighborhood’s diverse food scene is highlighted by 70+ restaurants.
