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Schenectady, NY

Population: 65,554 livability score shield

Key findings

  • Schenectady has a Livability Score of 63/100, which is considered below average
  • Schenectady crime rates are 80% higher than the New York average
  • Cost of living in Schenectady is 20% lower than the New York average
  • Schenectady real estate prices are 61% lower than the New York average
  • Rental prices in Schenectady are 30% lower than the New York average

Best Places to Live in and Around Schenectady

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Compare Schenectady, NY Livability

      vs

      What do the locals think about Schenectady?

      25%Family friendly 75%Public transit is accessible 25%Walkable to grocery stores 25%Yards are well-kept 38%Lots of parks 38%Walkable to restaurants 25%Friendly neighbors 13%Safe at night 25%Pet friendly 63%Streets have sidewalks 25%A quiet area 13%Sense of community
      Based on 8 votes from AreaVibes users. See all Schenectady poll results.

      Schenectady Real estate & Rental prices

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      Schenectady Demographics

      Population65,554 Median Age35.8 Have Kids (under 18)41%
      See more Schenectady demographic data

      Top Rated Schools in Schenectady

      Name Grades Students Proficiency
      Niskayuna High School9 - 121,40798%
      Schalmont High School9 - 1263495%
      Mohonasen Senior High School9 - 1289393%
      Schenectady High School9 - 122,64680%
      Rosendale SchoolKG - 537177%
      Hillside SchoolKG - 540072%
      Birchwood Elementary SchoolKG - 532870%
      Iroquois Middle School6 - 854469%
      See all Schenectady schools

      The best places in New York

      Here are the best places to live in New YorkThese are the 10 most affordable cities in New York10 best cities to buy a new house in New YorkSee the best places to live in & around Schenectady

      Schenectady Reviews

      Write a review about Schenectady Tell people what you like or don't like about Schenectady…
      Easy place to get around & there are signs of revival, but I'd still be leery...
      Attractions6/10
      Community4/10
      Nightlife6/10
      Dining6/10
      Shopping8/10
      Depending on where you live, school & property taxes are extremely high (could more than double your mortgage payments) & the crime is off the charts- gangs, robberies, car break ins, theft, burglaries, lots of drugs & shootings too. Hamilton hill is the worst area- has been for many years & doesn't seem to be getting better (although the downtown, stockade & some surrounding areas are being revived). Mont Pleasant has deteriorated to the point that it's barely livable and Bellevue is on its way down. Some of the nearby towns/villages are better, though, like Rotterdam, Niskayuna, Guilderland, Colonie & Scotia or Glenville with property taxes that are much more reasonable. It was a great area when the GE plant was fully up & running (until the 1960s), but the company has mostly abandoned the area, taking some of the best jobs with it. There is a new casino nearby & some other small businesses are moving in downtown, so I think it could improve over time so long as crime rates can be held down & hopefully reduced. The best thing I could say about it is that it's very convenient - with many little stores & restaurants within walking distance or on the bus line.
      • booboosgirl1
      • Mar 01, 2017
      2 0
      Schenectady, NY - Artsy and Family Friendly
      Attractions7/10
      Community9/10
      Nightlife6/10
      Dining6/10
      Shopping8/10
      I have traveled to Schenectady, NY at least six times a year, for the past ten years, to visit my brother. Whether it's catching a Broadway show, attending an orchestra performance, golfing, hiking, boating, biking or fishing, there is always something to do!

      Schenectady is a gorgeous city, with sprawling parks and a manicured downtown area. I love to visit downtown Schenectady in the evening to soak in some of the wonderful night life. My favorite downtown crawl is Van Dyck's, which I think has a very unique cuisine, mixing "fancy" food with comfort food. Being one of the top listening rooms in the United States, this bar and lounge has an even more unique atmosphere! I would recommend traveling to the city of Schenectady just to experience this place!!

      Another reason I love Schenectady is for the locals. It is a common misconception that all people from New York are rude and arrogant. I am not sure if that is the case for the rest of the state or not, but the local folks in Schenectady have never been anything but accommodating and courteous to my family and me. It is not rare to have someone go out of their way to speak to you, or to help you carry a heavy parcel! I consider Schenectady a hidden gem in the United States, and think that it's a fantastic place for a quiet, yet interesting, getaway!
      • Anonymous
      • Aug 10, 2010
      0 -1
      Source: The Schenectady, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the 2016 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
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