Outdoor living and historic, small-town charm in Johnstown
Johnstown is a small city in the foothills of the Adirondacks, right where the mountains meet the Mohawk Valley. Easy access to outdoor recreation is a big draw here, from nearby lakes to trails and ski areas. Johnstown also has a lot of visible history, with Victorian-era homes and a quaint downtown that still shows its industrial past. Those historic houses are a big draw, not just for their character but also for price points that remain more affordable than in many nearby regions.
Victorian-era homes and competitive price points
Look at Johnstown’s homes, and the history is hard to miss. “We were the glove-making capital of the world for a long period of time, so all those people who were here built these big, gorgeous homes,” says Colleen Ioele-DeCristofaro, a local Realtor with more than 30 years of experience. Many houses date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, including Italianate and Victorian style homes with wraparound porches. Closer to downtown, you’ll also see workers cottages and American Foursquares. Farther out, the mix shifts to split-level and ranch-style homes with a bit more space.
Housing affordability is another big draw. Johnstown’s median sale price is in the low $200,000s, and Ioele-DeCristofaro says buyers appreciate how far their money goes. “Our price point is lower than the Capital District or Saratoga County, which are both within an hour of us. The same house that you could purchase here locally would probably be twice, if not more, that amount of money in those other locations,” she says. Johnstown tends to be more affordable than places like Saratoga Springs and Albany, with prices staying closer to those in nearby cities like Gloversville and Amsterdam. Prices often range from the low $100,000s to the low $400,000s, with some investment properties selling for less.
Getting outside in Johnstown: from the Adirondacks to city parks
Johnstown is a short drive from Adirondack Park attractions like Great Sacandaga Lake and Royal Mountain Ski Area, making it easy to get outside year-round. “We have four distinct seasons here. So, in the summers, you have the lakes and the boating and all of that. And then in the winter months, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowmobiling are very big,” Ioele-DeCristofaro says. Great Sacandaga Lake is the county’s largest lake, but it’s far from the only option. “We have 44 lakes in our county, which draw a lot of seasonal people. Tourism is a big thing we promote in this area,” Ioele DeCristofaro adds. While many outdoor activities are a short drive away, there are also plenty of places to get outside right in and around the city:
- The Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Rail Trail for walking, biking, running
- Washington Street Park, a local trout fishing spot along Cayadutta Creek
- Sir William Johnson Park, which hosts a Friday night summer concert series
- Johnstown Recreation Park, with baseball fields and a seasonal ice-skating rink
- Hales Mills Country Club, known for its public 18-hole golf course
Public schools in Johnstown, with private schools nearby
If you have kids, they’ll go to school in the Greater Johnstown School District. That includes Pleasant Avenue Elementary School, Warren Street Elementary School, Knox Middle School and Johnstown High School. Families looking beyond public schools can find a few private options in Amsterdam, including Perth Bible Christian Academy and St. Mary’s Institute.
Where to shop, eat and run errands close to home
Johnstown might be a small city, but it covers the basics when it comes to shopping, dining and everyday services. “Anything you need is here locally,” Ioele DeCristofaro says. “There’s a lot of shopping right within the city, and we have two very good hospitals that are also in the vicinity.” She’s talking about Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville and St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam, and those cities are also where a lot of locals go when they want more shopping and dining options. But day to day, Johnstown has a solid mix of downtown businesses and chains, including:
- Local restaurants: Miss Johnstown Diner, Partner’s Pub
- Coffee shops: Vintage Cafe, Second Wind Coffee
- Specialty stores: Toying Around, The Game Guys
- Grocery stores: Price Chopper, Aldi
- Big-box stores: Walmart, T.J. Maxx
Connecting to the rest of upstate New York and beyond
You can walk around downtown, but Johnstown as a whole is pretty car-dependent. There are bus routes connecting Johnstown with Gloversville and Amsterdam, including a stop at the Johnstown Industrial Park, though most people drive. One upside is the city’s central location in upstate New York, which puts several larger cities within reach. “We’re about three hours to New York, three hours to Montreal and three hours to Buffalo and Niagara Falls,” Ioele-DeCristofaro says. Access to Interstates 87 and 90 makes regional trips easier, including travel to Syracuse and the Capital Region.
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Written By
Sally Stimpson
