$285,925Average Value$204Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Dunes is located next to the Pine Bush Preserve.
Dunes offers a retreat by the Pine Bush with city perks minutes away
Dunes is an area on the outskirts of Albany that offers residents a unique blend of natural beauty and urban convenience. Homes here back up to the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, giving homeowners access to scenic trails and outdoor recreation. Despite its tranquil setting, Dunes is just minutes from major highways, popular shopping centers like Crossgates Mall and a variety of dining options. The area also features office spaces, businesses and industrial sites along Columbia Circle, for local employment. Living in Dunes means enjoying a quiet retreat with all the amenities of city life.
Styles and prices of townhouses and single-family homes
“The location is fantastic because homes back up to the preserve, and Interstate 90 and Crossgates Mall are minutes away,” says Alvis Milligan, a Realtor with Vera Cohen Realty. Most residential streets don’t have sidewalks, but many end in cul-de-sacs with no through traffic, says Kevin Clancy, the broker/owner of Clancy Real Estate. “It’s a great place to walk your dog or teach your son or daughter how to ride a bike.” Apartments make up most of the housing here, but there are also townhouses and single-family homes in contemporary, split-level and raised-ranch styles with Colonial Revival inspiration. Homes range from the lower $200,000s to the lower $400,000s, while townhouses range from the lower $200,000s to the lower $300,000s. There are also Homeowner Association fees that vary depending on location and housing type. These associations may host events, provide community resources and maintain overall neighborhood aesthetics. Homebuyers should also remember that Dunes is still within the city limits, so services like trash collection are included with property taxes, says Clancy. Dunes’ median sale price is $222,000, which is lower than Albany’s median and that of other areas such as Pine Hills, Buckingham Lake-Crestwood and Campus Area.
Homes are found in subdivisions near the Pine Bush Preserve.
A raised ranch-style home in Dunes.
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Students have access to notable public and magnet schools
The highly rated City School District of Albany serves public school students. It has magnet schools for elementary students, including the Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology and the highly rated Albany School of Humanities. Within Dunes is Excelsior University’s main campus, which offers associate, undergraduate and graduate courses. The area is about 3 miles from the State University of New York University at Albany, a public research school for undergrad and graduate students as well as a major employer. Nearby is Tech Valley High School, a regional public high school that offers core subjects as well as art, technology, foreign language and physical education.
Eagle Point Elementary School is in a large, classical building.
Albany High School provides career and technical programs.
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Commuting options and major employers near Dunes
Commuting to employers and other areas in the Capital Region is easy in Albany. “One of the nice things about Albany is that it sits in the middle of 3 other counties, which are all nearby. Within several miles, you are in multiple counties, areas, elevations, you name it,” says Jeffrey Decatur, a broker associate with RE/MAX Capitol. Decatur has been working in the industry since 1994. Using Interstate 890, Downtown Schenectady is 10 miles from Dunes, and Saratoga Springs is about 32 miles away. Using Interstate 90, Dunes is about 9 miles from Downtown Albany, which hosts major Albany employers and entertainment venues, such as the Empire State Plaza and the New York State Capitol. The area also has Capital District Transportation Authority bus stops along Columbia Circle and South Frontage Road. Many residents may work along Columbia Circle, which is lined with office buildings, health services and industrial areas.
Shopping and dining at Crossgates Mall and Western Avenue
Crossgates Mall, the biggest in the Capital Region, is near Dunes, with over 100 shops and a movie theater. Crossgates Commons Plaza along Washington Avenue Extension is even closer and features a Walmart Supercenter and a Home Depot. Near Crossgates Mall, Western Avenue is lined with eateries, such as:
Athos for an upscale Greek menu
Capital City Diner for classic, space-age aesthetics and comfort dishes
The Scene Coffee & Cocktails for all-day brunch and specialty drinks
Hana Japanese Steakhouse for sushi and hibachi
The Crossgates Mall is the largest indoor shopping center in the Albany area.
Athos serves upscale Greek cuisine.
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Outdoor recreation at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is the main green space in Dunes, with trails, hunting, fishing and nature programs; it’s the area’s backyard escape. “You feel like you’re out in the middle of nowhere,” Clancy says. “You can hike it, walk your dog, bring your mountain bike or snowshoe.” In May, the preserve celebrates Lupine Fest, a month-long event where visitors can go on nature walks through fields of violet lupine flowers and catch a glimpse of the endangered Karner blue butterflies. During the festival, the parks’ Discovery Center hosts music, games, vendors and other activities.
The Dunes neighborhood is interconnected with the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Columbia Cir E & Columbia Cir W-Pine Bush Preserve
Bus
Frontage Rd & Pitch Pine Rd
Bus
7 Columbia Cir (Excelsior College)
Bus
Daughters Of Sarah
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Dunes
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Dunes Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Dunes, Albany sell after 17 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Dunes, Albany over the last 12 months is $238,700, up 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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