Schodack offers recreation and quick access to Albany
Along the Hudson River, southeast of New York’s Capital District, the sleepy bedroom community of Schodack balances convenience and recreation. “You have your slice of nature paradise in your backyard while still close to Albany,” says local broker Vera Cohen, owner of Vera Cohen Realty. She lived in Schodack for a decade and has served area homebuyers for about 20 years. In addition to recreation on the river, Schodack’s housing values draw buyers to the area. “We still have a lot of affordable housing opportunities,” Cohen says. “You can find parcels of land with fantastic mountains or river views for affordable prices, and homes appreciate nicely. I really love the growth of the area.”
Historic homes and new builds on spacious lots across Schodack
Schodack comprises several hamlets and subdivisions, from Brookview to East Schodack, with various housing styles and lot sizes. “The beauty of Schodack is you can find some beautiful pieces of history, but you can also find some new construction,” Cohen says. “There’s a really nice mix of homes that tell the history of the town.” Buyers will find a mix of early 19th-century center hall Colonials, 20th-century split-levels and ranch-style homes, and 21st-century contemporary colonials and New Traditional homes. Hundreds of homes sit on at least a few acres of land, and several properties cover at least 10 acres. “There are a lot of houses available on large parcels,” Cohen says. Vintage homes needing a few repairs and homes on lots around a quarter-acre generally sell from around $50,000 to $300,000, while sizable mid-century homes list from $300,000 to $500,000. New builds and 3,000-square-foot-plus homes on large lots sell for around $500,000 to $925,000.
Clubs and activities enrich student life at Maple Hill High
A few school districts serve Schodack, but a standard pipeline falls under the Schodack Central School District, which scores an overall B on Niche. Castleton Elementary School serves kindergarten through sixth-grade students and receives a B-plus, while Maple Hill Junior/Senior High School enrolls seventh through 12th-graders and has a B-minus. The high school offers a robust list of student clubs and extracurricular activities, from the textile arts and ski clubs to the jazz band and literary magazine. East Greenbush Central School District partially serves the area and scores an A on Niche.
Birdwatching and kayaking along the Hudson River in Schodack
Schodack’s location along the Hudson River encourages outdoor recreation. Schodack Island State Park overlooks the river’s eastern shores, sprawling across 1,000-plus acres of protected lands with a State Estuary designation. The park’s Bird Conservation Area has bald eagles and blue herons, and visitors often bring binoculars for birdwatching. The state park features nature and bike trails, volleyball nets and a kayak launch. “There are some spectacular views at the state park,” Cohen says. “The sunsets are really beautiful.” Papscanee Island Nature Preserve is a low-key spot along the Hudson River, where people hike or bring pets. The community also has a few traditional parks; Schodack Town Park has outdoor gym equipment, a basketball court and plenty of green space for sports. Burden Lake and Nassau Lake are nearby.
Schodack has casual eats, but locals shop in nearby towns
A collection of locally owned restaurants pepper the community. Schodack Diner’s bar seats and booths fill up during peak breakfast hours, serving traditional American breakfast platters. Dinner specials keep the diner busy until 8:30 every night. Overlooking the Hudson River, The Poke Jar has sushi, ramen and a couple of street taco options. Additional restaurants and a couple of stores line the community’s main state roads, but Cohen says locals head into East Greenbush for more shopping and dining options. “Chez Mike is a beautiful farm-to-table restaurant with locally curated cuisine,” she says. East Greenbush is home to Hannaford, one of the nearest grocery stores. Locals also grab groceries from one of the community’s many nearby farm stands or markets. “One of the most popular stands is [The Farm at] Kristy’s Barn,” Cohen says. The market sells locally sourced produce and meats.
Interstate access makes commuting to Albany convenient
Residents mainly rely on cars to get around. Interstate 90 bisects the community, connecting with Albany about 12 miles north. Commuters have direct access to U.S. Routes 9 and 20. Interstate 87 is accessible just west of the Hudson River. The Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak train station sits about 11 miles north of the community. Albany Medical Center is about 13 miles away, and Albany International Airport is a 24-mile trip.
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Written By
Brennen Martin
