Cohoes, New York, is a small city with a rich history along the banks of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. Known as the "Spindle City," Cohoes rose to prominence in the 19th century as a major hub for textile manufacturing due to its strategic location along major waterways. The Cohoes Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the Northeast, powered the mills that transformed the city into a manufacturing powerhouse.
Today, Cohoes is an old mill town undergoing a fresh resurgence over the last few years, notes Brian Brosen, an associate broker and leader of the Capital Team. The city has diversified its economy, with small businesses contributing to its ongoing growth. Nearly $35 million has been invested in the city's infrastructure, as highlighted in Cohoe's Downtown Revitalization Initiative. In addition to a growing downtown area, other draws include a small-town feel, comparatively affordable housing, and proximity to Albany and Troy, which continue to draw in residents across the healthcare, retail trade, and manufacturing sectors.
Cohoe's nickname is the Spindle City for its rich history in processing raw cotton in the 1800's.
Falls View Park is a large park with refreshing views of the Cohoes Falls.
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Townhouses, multi-units and single-family homes
Cohoes is divided into three main areas: The Islands, which include Van Schaick and Simmons; The River Plain; and the Western Plateau. "My first house was in Cohoes," says Jessica Baxter, a Capital Region native and licensed real estate salesperson with the Core Real Estate Team. "It's a more affordable, smaller city with urban and suburban areas." The Islands offers an urban-suburban setting with a mix of apartments, multi-units and single-family homes within walking distance of green spaces. The River Plain, which includes the city's downtown district, features an urban setting with eclectic 19th- and 20th-century bungalows, Italianate-style rowhouses and National style homes. The Western Plateau borders the Town of Colonie, offering residents quiet suburban streets with 20th-century Colonial Revivals, split-levels, bi-levels and ranch-style homes. New construction is also available. The median list price hovers around the low-$300,000s, ranging from the low-$100,000s to the $600,000s, while several multi-unit buildings can sell for over $1 million. "It's a good first-time homebuyer area," Brosen says. "Your money goes farther here."
You can find lovely classic Colonials in Cohoes, NY.
You can find many multi-family dwellings in Cohoes including these classic brick apartment buildings along the Mohawk River.
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Waterfalls, green spaces and winding trails
Cohoes offers an abundance of green spaces and scenic landscapes. Peebles Island State Park, located at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, features miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and stunning river views. Cohoes Falls Park offers scenic sights of the rushing waters below, with observation areas providing panoramic views. "It's a hotspot for prom pictures," Baxter says. Interpretive signs throughout the park highlight the falls' significance to the city's industrial heritage and the native Mohican people. Overlook Park may offer even better views of the waterfalls and sights of bald eagles swooping for a fresh catch. Just across the bridge, Van Shaick Country Club—once known as The Island Club—offers private memberships to its nine-hole golf course and swimming pool.
Smaller neighborhood parks, like Van Schaick Island Park and Crandall Park, feature playgrounds, sports fields and open spaces for community events. Lansing Park is home to the city's only skatepark and community pool. Additionally, the Cohoes section of the Empire State Trail, a 750-mile statewide trail, offers a scenic route for cycling, jogging, and walking. Additional trails await in the surrounding region, with the Catskills to the south and the Adirondacks to the north.
Peebles Island State Park is connected by multiple bridges and is 190 acres in size.
You can find dozens of trails and some great birdwatching on Pebbles Island State Park.
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Revitalization efforts on Remsen Street
"The City of Cohoes has worked hard to be business-friendly," Brosen says. Remsen Street's vibrant assemblage of restaurants, mom-and-pop shops and art studios is proof of the city’s work. Establishments range from locally-owned breweries to sushi and soul food restaurants. Paint Cohoes Art Studio & Gallery nourishes the mind, body and soul with art exhibits, workshops and yoga classes. "They've put in a lot of work to revitalize the downtown area with new businesses and events that draw the community together," Baxter says.
Dollar stores and pharmacies are within walking distance for downtown residents, while the city's south side features a Price Chopper. "Cohoes is just north of Latham and near Clifton Park, so you're close to a ton of shopping," Baxter says. Additional grocers, big-box stores and businesses are about 5 miles away along U.S. Route 9 or 10 miles north in Clifton Park.
Remsen Street is the main artiery of Cohoes and the center of culture and more in the area.
Chee-bog is an amazing locally owned Filipino spot with legit food in Cohoes, NY.
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Seasonal festivities in the city
Cohoes hosts numerous community events, such as a Memorial Day Parade and a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot through the heart of the city. Cohoes Music Hall is a historic theater that hosts plays and concerts, while the Rock the Block Concert Series draws residents to Canal Square Park for a summer full of live music. During the city's annual Winter Carnival, locals flock to Van Shaick Island for skating races, snowman building and a hockey shootout. It's not all frigid fun; there's also hot chocolate, s'mores and a massive bonfire.
Cohoes Music Hall has been the center of music and entertainment on Remsen Street since 1874.
Cohoes became a city in 1869 and was a major processor of cotton from the south.
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The Cohoes City School District
The Cohoes City School District, which earns a B-minus rating from Niche, is in the top 20% for diversity among New York State school districts. The district enrolls approximately 1,985 students across three elementary schools, one middle and one high school.
Cohoes residents are within commuting distance of multiple colleges in the Capital Region. Siena College is a private Franciscan school near Loudonville, 7 miles south. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Russell Sage College are two private schools in Troy, about 4 miles south, and Albany is home to several institutions of higher learning.
Siena College has an overall grade of C+ from Niche.
Shaker Middle School is a part of the Cohoes School District.
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Commutes around Cohoes
The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) offers public transit around Cohoes and the Albany metro area. Bus routes run along major roads like Main Street, Remsen Street and Columbia Street. While Cohoe's downtown area is walkable, most residents rely on personal vehicles. City commuters have about a 10-mile drive to Downtown Albany via Cohoes Boulevard, which merges into Interstate 787. Other significant roads include New York State Route 32, Route 7, I-87 and I-90. Troy's Samaritan Hospital is the closest medical facility, about 4 miles away.
Weather and crime rates
Cohoes is one of the many smaller cities within the Capital Region with hot and humid summers and chilly winters. The region's yearly average snowfall totals around 60 inches. Residential and commercial areas east of New York State Route 32 are prone to current and future flooding due to their low-lying terrain and proximity to the Mohawk and Hudson rivers.
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, property crimes increased by nearly 5% between 2022 and 2023, while violent crime rates remained the same. Both property and violent crime rates are often on par or lower than the national average. However, rates tend to spike during the summer, exceeding the national average, and drop dramatically in the winter.
Written By
Lillie Duston
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Schulman
Video By
Luke Mancari
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Cohoes, NY sell after 16 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Cohoes, NY over the last 12 months is $315,000, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Open House! Saturday, July 19, 11:00am - 1:00pm. Don't miss this well-maintained 2BR, 2.5BA townhouse in a quiet community with peaceful views of the Hudson River and Van Schaick Golf Course. Offering a spacious layout and plenty of potential to make it your own, this home also features access to an in-ground pool—perfect for relaxing on warm days. HOA covers exterior maintenance, structure
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Nestled in Cohoes, New York, within the esteemed North Colonie School District, Shelter Cove offers a convenient location for commuters heading to downtown Albany or Saratoga Springs. Embrace riverside living with stunning views and direct access to the Town of Colonie Mohawk River Park and the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail. Our newly renovated homes feature multi-level living spaces and attached
Furnished Unit-Beyond expectations: where quality meets convenience. Nestled in an incredible location and proudly boasting the esteemed North Colonie Schools, this brand-new apartment building offers a chance to start fresh in a short-term or year-long lease. Step inside and be captivated by meticulously designed floor plans, each offering a fresh perspective on contemporary living, with a range
Kelly SharifipourDarby Real Estate of New York Inc
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