Anyone there now that can give me some info? It looks like Steve and I will be moving up there in Jan and I don't have a clue about the place.

I used to live there. We really like it...my hubby LOVES the horse track. They don't have much for base housing...the housing isn't on the base, but there is a small area of it. There is a mall in Wilton, like 3 miles up the road and the downtown is great. What else? I'm not sure about the schools because my little one is only 3 now.

Hey USNWIFE, I don't know about any base in the area, but I can try to help you out as much as possible. I live about 30 minutes south of Saratoga, around Albany. I do know people that live up in that area, along with a little bit before Saratoga. If you have any questions, just let me know, I'll help any way that I can. Also, if I don't know the answer to a question you may have, I'll do what I can to find out the answer for you. KDMatthews is right about the track, it's open during the summer, tons of people love it. Downtown is also pretty nice. Just send me a message if you'd like to talk.

-Briana

We're headed to Saratoga in 3 weeks:shock. Still not sure how I'm feeling about it yet.:confuzzle I am excited because we are from Maine so we will be closer to home, but it is kind of bittersweet leaving SC. I love downtown Charleston, I'll miss it a lot.

Anyways, I'd appreciate any info anyone has as well.

Your hubby doing prototype in NY too?? Steve is and we should be leaving here in Jan. I LOVE SC and I do not want to leave it ever, but I'll manage.

We're headed to Saratoga in 3 weeks:shock. Still not sure how I'm feeling about it yet.:confuzzle I am excited because we are from Maine so we will be closer to home, but it is kind of bittersweet leaving SC. I love downtown Charleston, I'll miss it a lot.

Anyways, I'd appreciate any info anyone has as well.

Same thing I said before to USNWIFE, I'm fairly close to Saratoga, so if there's anything you want to know, I'll try to help you out with it all. Feel free to send me a message if you'd like with any questions or anything like that.

As for Charleston, I was there in May until the middle of June, so I definitely understand that! It really is nice there. Downtown Saratoga isn't bad though.

Do you know how long you'll be here for?

we will only be there for 6 months

I'm currently living in Cohoes which is right outside of Albany. The base is really spread out I'll tell you that.

The "base" in Saratoga (which is really in Milton even though they'll tell you it's in Ballston Spa...confused yet?haha) consists of housing and all your personnel needs like Pass and ID, Navy Fed, etc. To go to the commisary you have to go to Scotia which is like 15 miles away? I've only been there once because there's not much there. The commisary in Goose Creek is like 4 times bigger than the one here.

We were told that there was no medical on base for dependants so we ended up choosing a doctor out here in Cohoes. It's a really small base but the housing I think was renovated or rebuilt...it looked nice when I went up there.

The area it's self is BEAUTIFUL!! Especially with the leaves changing colors, it's amazing. It's a beautiful area to live in and there's plenty of shopping. I did notice that there really aren't that many "malls", stores are kinda scattered everywhere.

Well, I've only been here for about a month and I like it. I just came from CT so I'm used to the winters but I heard they can be a little tougher here so we'll see how we fair this winter. If you have any more questions let me know as well. I'll do my best to get you the info.

i grew up in that region, well farther north but its completely different than the city. my SIL lives in Troy, my family is still in a small town named Keeseville. it is really gorgous in that region, esspecially right now. my little hometown is nestled in the middle of the adirondacks. there isn't a whole lot to do in the winter if you dont' ski. but Whiteface is about 3 hours away and Lake Placid, there is lots of fun stuff there to do for a weekend its kinda pricey though. plus there is Lake Champlain and your really close to Vermont there is the Rutland Muesum there that is really cool and Burlington is a lot of fun in the summer time. i would LOVE to get orders up there but my DH"s rate won't allow it.

I'm currently living in Cohoes which is right outside of Albany. The base is really spread out I'll tell you that.

The "base" in Saratoga (which is really in Milton even though they'll tell you it's in Ballston Spa...confused yet?haha) consists of housing and all your personnel needs like Pass and ID, Navy Fed, etc. To go to the commisary you have to go to Scotia which is like 15 miles away? I've only been there once because there's not much there. The commisary in Goose Creek is like 4 times bigger than the one here.

We were told that there was no medical on base for dependants so we ended up choosing a doctor out here in Cohoes. It's a really small base but the housing I think was renovated or rebuilt...it looked nice when I went up there.

The area it's self is BEAUTIFUL!! Especially with the leaves changing colors, it's amazing. It's a beautiful area to live in and there's plenty of shopping. I did notice that there really aren't that many "malls", stores are kinda scattered everywhere.

Well, I've only been here for about a month and I like it. I just came from CT so I'm used to the winters but I heard they can be a little tougher here so we'll see how we fair this winter. If you have any more questions let me know as well. I'll do my best to get you the info.


As far as the shopping, I know there's a mall in Wilton, though I'm not sure how that is. There's one in Clifton park, which is a little south is Saratoga and Ballston Spa. There's Latham Circle Mall, which is close to you since you're in Cohoes, but I wouldn't bother with that, not much there. You're also pretty close to Colonie Center, they're in the middle of renovating it, but it's still open. They also have Crossgates Mall, which is in Albany/Guilderland, that may be the biggest (until Colonie is done, then I'm not sure). Those are ones that are inside, there's also Latham Farms, which is a bunch of stores that all outside, but connected (I'm blanking suddenly on what that type is called), they have a few stores that might be useful. There's Northway Mall, which is across from Colonie Center, they have some stores. Stuyvesant Plaza is in Albany, down the road from Crossgates. There are others, too, but those are the bigger ones that I'd stick to.

Cohoes isn't far from me, it's actually pretty close, I have friends there. Plus I work in Latham. The winters here in recent years are nothing like when I was little, much milder. You're right about it being pretty with the leaves changing colors right now. I was pretty much gone from the very beginning of September until October 15th, suddenly the trees are changing and my pool is closed! Taking a ride up the northway (87) can be pretty, you can get pretty far, then just take a random exit and drive around.

I'm not sure about the housing or any of the base stuff, since I'm not there. But just to warn you, there is a place called Wilton and a place called Milton, don't get confused.... Someone was just unoriginal, apparently.

I somehow completely forgot about being close to Vermont, but you can also go there for a day, or a weekend.

Brialee, if the weather keeps up like it has been, it shouldn't be too bad. I heard on the news the other night when I couldn't sleep that this is possibly going to be the warmest October on record. Lets just hope it carries over. You really can't predict NY weather around this time, we've had Thanksgivings where there was snow, pouring rain, and absolutely gorgeous weather. Not all in the same year, of course, but you really don't know what's going to happen that year. I believe I've also gone around without jackets around Christmas/New Years.

If anyone has any questions or anything like that, I've also got AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and myspace. (By the way, in our experience, MSN worked the best for webcams when you're apart!)

-Bri

I miss the fall leaves sooooo much, I hope that they haven't all changed and dropped by the time we get up there! We're leaving here Nov. 9th, so girls keep those leaves from changing!:lmao:P

What is there up there as far as jobs? So far from what I've seen waitressing looks like my best bet. I've waitressed in fine dining establishments before, so hopefully there will be something of the sorts. Unfortunately we will be there in the winter, so they probably won't be too busy. I have also worked as a preschool teacher and I am in school for Interior Design. Any ideas on what my best bet for working will be? We are trying to save up as much money as we can so that we can have our 'real' wedding this coming spring.

I wonder if the Navy Federal is hiring? I worked at the one here for almost a yr

I wonder if the Navy Federal is hiring? I worked at the one here for almost a yr

Do you know Sam? I don't wanna put her last name out on the internet like this. She worked at Navy Federal down here for awhile, she just quite a couple months ago.

Yeha I worked with her and was VERY UPSET when she left us......BOOO SAM!!!! But then I left too so I can't stay too mad. Do you know her?? Shes so great!

As far as the shopping, I know there's a mall in Wilton, though I'm not sure how that is. There's one in Clifton park, which is a little south is Saratoga and Ballston Spa. There's Latham Circle Mall, which is close to you since you're in Cohoes, but I wouldn't bother with that, not much there. You're also pretty close to Colonie Center, they're in the middle of renovating it, but it's still open. They also have Crossgates Mall, which is in Albany/Guilderland, that may be the biggest (until Colonie is done, then I'm not sure). Those are ones that are inside, there's also Latham Farms, which is a bunch of stores that all outside, but connected (I'm blanking suddenly on what that type is called), they have a few stores that might be useful. There's Northway Mall, which is across from Colonie Center, they have some stores. Stuyvesant Plaza is in Albany, down the road from Crossgates. There are others, too, but those are the bigger ones that I'd stick to.




Thanks for the info! I've gone to Colonie Center which is great. The malls that I've been to which were in Latham, Clifton Park but they were pretty small with lots of vacant shops. I just haven't made my way to Albany yet. But there is a ton of shopping I'll tell you that.

I hope the weather doesn't get too bad. It has been really warm here. Our winter in Ct last year wasn't much of one either. I think we had one storm and it really didn't do much. Hopefully we luck out this year too!

Thanks for the info! I've gone to Colonie Center which is great. The malls that I've been to which were in Latham, Clifton Park but they were pretty small with lots of vacant shops. I just haven't made my way to Albany yet. But there is a ton of shopping I'll tell you that.

I hope the weather doesn't get too bad. It has been really warm here. Our winter in Ct last year wasn't much of one either. I think we had one storm and it really didn't do much. Hopefully we luck out this year too!

Yeah, Colonie Center is going to be pretty nice once they finish doing the addition and all the work on it. I just want it to be done already, I'm getting bored with it! I see the plans for it at work and then I see it in person, it's like I can't get away!:hehe If you went to Latham Circle Mall, I'm not surprised at all that there were a lot of vacant stores, I haven't been in there in so long, though I do go to the bank that's right there for work, and sometimes to Lowes, that's really all. I haven't really been to Clifton Park's mall in a while either, but that also doesn't surprise me too much. You'd probably like Crossgates, depending on what kind of shopping you want to do. They also have a movie theater there, plus on the weekends they have a rule that if you're a minor, from Friday until the end of the weekend, you have to be accompanied by a parent/adult/whatever. That really cuts down on the crowds, it used to get packed with kids. Stuyvesant is literally right down the road, they have a bunch of little shops and some restaurants, you might enjoy that, too. If you ever need directions to those places, or anywhere else, feel free to ask me.

I think our winter last year was pretty mild, too, though I don't really remember, I was busy taking care of my mom. But not too long ago I was talking with someone, maybe my sister, about how the winters here haven't been bad lately. I think we've really only been having a few big storms and then some dusting's of snow.

Do you know how long you'll be here for?

-Bri

I miss the fall leaves sooooo much, I hope that they haven't all changed and dropped by the time we get up there! We're leaving here Nov. 9th, so girls keep those leaves from changing!:lmao:P

What is there up there as far as jobs? So far from what I've seen waitressing looks like my best bet. I've waitressed in fine dining establishments before, so hopefully there will be something of the sorts. Unfortunately we will be there in the winter, so they probably won't be too busy. I have also worked as a preschool teacher and I am in school for Interior Design. Any ideas on what my best bet for working will be? We are trying to save up as much money as we can so that we can have our 'real' wedding this coming spring.

I mentioned something to my mom about this earlier, she said there were openings at preschools lately, so you might be able to find a job doing that, if you wanted. There's usually a restaurant or a store hiring, I think it really depends on what you want to do. It also will probably depend on where you're living, for what would be convenient and everything. If you want, I can send you the link to the local newspapers website, they probably have classifieds on there. Do you have any idea of where you're going to be living yet?


Are you planning on driving up? Do you have any idea when you'll be getting up here? I'll do my best to try to keep the leaves from all changing and dropping before you get here, but I can't make any promises!! I might be going on a trip to somewhere a little south of here, if there are any leaves changing, I'll take pictures for you...if I remember to bring a camera.

-Bri(

for fine dining your going to need to look in the Lake George Area. my SIL works at the social secruity office in QUeensbury. there is a HUGE teaching shortage up in that region. i am SO jealous we would LOVE to get orders up there.

Yeah, Colonie Center is going to be pretty nice once they finish doing the addition and all the work on it. I just want it to be done already, I'm getting bored with it! I see the plans for it at work and then I see it in person, it's like I can't get away!:hehe If you went to Latham Circle Mall, I'm not surprised at all that there were a lot of vacant stores, I haven't been in there in so long, though I do go to the bank that's right there for work, and sometimes to Lowes, that's really all. I haven't really been to Clifton Park's mall in a while either, but that also doesn't surprise me too much. You'd probably like Crossgates, depending on what kind of shopping you want to do. They also have a movie theater there, plus on the weekends they have a rule that if you're a minor, from Friday until the end of the weekend, you have to be accompanied by a parent/adult/whatever. That really cuts down on the crowds, it used to get packed with kids. Stuyvesant is literally right down the road, they have a bunch of little shops and some restaurants, you might enjoy that, too. If you ever need directions to those places, or anywhere else, feel free to ask me.

I think our winter last year was pretty mild, too, though I don't really remember, I was busy taking care of my mom. But not too long ago I was talking with someone, maybe my sister, about how the winters here haven't been bad lately. I think we've really only been having a few big storms and then some dusting's of snow.

Do you know how long you'll be here for?

-Bri


I'm glad you mentioned the rule about the weekends because our apartment manager was kind of explaining everything and she did tell me that crossroads was big but that it was getting kind of rough and it had a problem with cars getting vandalized out in the parking lot. I was told it was similar to Providence Place, the huge mall in Rhode Island that's 6 stories tall. I loved PP so I was wanting to go but was too :scared hehe.

I don't think I've heard of Stuyvesant, then again, I may have been there and didn't realize it. Is it in Latham, or Colonie?

We're only going to be here till next April which is pretty much for the winter time only. The principal at Bri's school also said that the winter was mild last year with only 2 big storms that weren't too bad. She said the school even had left over snow days which never happens.

for fine dining your going to need to look in the Lake George Area. my SIL works at the social secruity office in QUeensbury. there is a HUGE teaching shortage up in that region. i am SO jealous we would LOVE to get orders up there.

That depends where she ends up living, there's fine dining all over, Clifton Park, Saratoga, Albany, etc. And my moms a former teacher and she's always looking at preschool jobs, she told me there's a bunch of openings for those, too.

yeah i guess to me that is all the lake george region. my DH's grandparents live in South Glens Falls. and it just all kinda blends in. you can get some jobs to pay for your education up there as well esspecially teachers and nurses because its considered a "depressed" region. my sister got some of her student loans paid for because she is a Math Teacher up there.

I'm glad you mentioned the rule about the weekends because our apartment manager was kind of explaining everything and she did tell me that crossroads was big but that it was getting kind of rough and it had a problem with cars getting vandalized out in the parking lot. I was told it was similar to Providence Place, the huge mall in Rhode Island that's 6 stories tall. I loved PP so I was wanting to go but was too :scared hehe.

I don't think I've heard of Stuyvesant, then again, I may have been there and didn't realize it. Is it in Latham, or Colonie?

We're only going to be here till next April which is pretty much for the winter time only. The principal at Bri's school also said that the winter was mild last year with only 2 big storms that weren't too bad. She said the school even had left over snow days which never happens.

Yeah, I wouldn't say Crossgates is getting scary, and I've never had a problem with my car getting vandalized or anything. They've only really got 2 floors, but they're still a decent size. There's also Crossgates Commons, which you can get to from the same entrance. That has a few more stores and a Panera. I just checked their website, apparently the minor thing is in effect after 4pm on weekends, but I don't think many people know that. I was just there about a month and a half ago with my boyfriend, who really hates crowds, and neither of us had any problems.

Stuyvesant Plaza is in Albany, right by Crossgates on Western Ave, if you want directions I can send you them. You'd probably like it, there some stores and some restaurants, a spa & salon, stuff like that.

What kind of stores/shopping do you like?

I think a lot of schools had snow days left, even the schools that always close when there's snow. With any luck the weather will start warming up a bit before you leave, and not get horribly bad while you're here! Though I suppose for the benefit of the kids (because I remember when I was in school), we should maybe hope for at least 1 or 2 storms bad enough to get snow days.

I'm going to be the odd ball out and say that I'm hoping for a lot of snow this winter!:devil:yes I missed last winter because we were down here and we are hoping to get stationed in Guam or Hawaii after prototype is over so I really want to get my fill of winter because I might not see it for a few years.

I'm going to be the odd ball out and say that I'm hoping for a lot of snow this winter!:devil:yes I missed last winter because we were down here and we are hoping to get stationed in Guam or Hawaii after prototype is over so I really want to get my fill of winter because I might not see it for a few years.

Maybe I'll switch to your side. You reminded me that once he gets home, I'll be moving to California, then who knows when I'll be living somewhere that has winter again....And if it gets bad enough, I can't go to work (oh damn.).... although I can still work from home, but I can always "forget" that little fact!

I actually do miss having ridiculous amounts of snow at a time, we used to have so much fun with it growing up. And I'm saying I miss it now... when it's still nice out... 76 to be exact.

they get a lot of snow, although lately the winters have been mild. up there. the winters i remember as a kid a foot of snow by thanksgiving. now they are lucky to have a dusting at christmas. :(

I have another question. It looks like we are going to have a friend live with us for the 4 out of 6 months we are going to be in NY. We are looking into getting an apartment. What do you ladies think? How far is the Mitchell Complex housing away from the school?? Can Navy even get into the Mithcell Complex housing??

:bump

I grew up in Saratoga...anything you want to know...just ask...It's absolutely beautiful there, and I miss home alot!

Ok is the base in Saratoga Springs or Ballston Spa?? I am looking for apartments and I don't know if Clifton Park is to far away.

Ok is the base in Saratoga Springs or Ballston Spa?? I am looking for apartments and I don't know if Clifton Park is to far away.

I don't know where the base is located, but Clifton Park is about 20ish minutes from Saratoga or Ballston Spa. There are some nice apartment complexes in CP though. I've got family in CP (I'm 20 minutes away) and some have lived in different apartments there, if you want, I can find out some complex names for you.

Clifton Park is about 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. The base is actually in Milton, it's a very confusing area but if you look in Ballston Spa, Saratoga Springs, Milton, or even Malta...they're all pretty close.

Clifton Park is about 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. The base is actually in Milton, it's a very confusing area but if you look in Ballston Spa, Saratoga Springs, Milton, or even Malta...they're all pretty close.

Ah yeah, I forgot to factor in traffic. It's usually just a problem during the morning and evening commute. It can get annoying in the summer, around track season, and when there's big concerts at SPAC, but that's usually just up closer to that area. I think there may be some back ways to the area from CP.



Brialee, did you get to the malls and stuff yet?

i guess we should just live in housing. it is going to be the best bet. its just money is kind of tight and we really wanted to be able to keep some of our BAH money. I have to find a job there as well, so I am just alittle stressed.

i guess we should just live in housing. it is going to be the best bet. its just money is kind of tight and we really wanted to be able to keep some of our BAH money. I have to find a job there as well, so I am just alittle stressed.

I think I said most things in the PM I just sent :hehe If you plan on getting a job, getting a place in CP might be easier, depending what you want to do.

We just got up here. Today is DH's first day. We went last night to see how far away base is and I'm a little dissapointed because it is almost 30 minutes away, which is not going to be nice come snow.

We live on rt. 9 basically right between downtown saratoga and the wilton shopping area. We tried going to base one way (through downtown saratoga) and coming back another way (up 87) and both were about as equally long.

Anyone know of any shorter ways to get there? I hate seeing DH have to get up and leave so much earlier than he has to be there. But with the run around we got with trying to find a place to live we didn't exactly have a choice.

Brialee, did you get to the malls and stuff yet?

Yes I did! Thanks for your suggestions, we actually had dinner at Mangia's at the Stuyvesant Plaza the other day and I spent most of Friday at Colonie Center and the whole Wolf Rd, Central Ave area. I haven't made it to Crossgates yet though.

i guess we should just live in housing. it is going to be the best bet. its just money is kind of tight and we really wanted to be able to keep some of our BAH money. I have to find a job there as well, so I am just alittle stressed.

If I had a choice, I would def pick housing. At least if you need a job, you won't have to worry about your paycheck going towards rent, gas, or heat which is the biggest concern for most when they move to New England. The base could probably help you find a job and I know Ballston Spa and Saratoga are decent size so it shouldn't be a problem. Did you email the lady from housing? She can probably give you some good pointers.

We just got up here. Today is DH's first day. We went last night to see how far away base is and I'm a little dissapointed because it is almost 30 minutes away, which is not going to be nice come snow.

We live on rt. 9 basically right between downtown saratoga and the wilton shopping area. We tried going to base one way (through downtown saratoga) and coming back another way (up 87) and both were about as equally long.

Anyone know of any shorter ways to get there? I hate seeing DH have to get up and leave so much earlier than he has to be there. But with the run around we got with trying to find a place to live we didn't exactly have a choice.

well i am glad its not just me. I have gotten the run around from EVERYONE except you ladies. are you in an apartment?

If I had a choice, I would def pick housing. At least if you need a job, you won't have to worry about your paycheck going towards rent, gas, or heat which is the biggest concern for most when they move to New England. The base could probably help you find a job and I know Ballston Spa and Saratoga are decent size so it shouldn't be a problem. Did you email the lady from housing? She can probably give you some good pointers.

yeah I did and she basically told me to wait until we get there to worry about it. Which I am sure she means well, but I can't do that. We have less than 5 weeks and I'm freaking out. Yeah housing is starting to look alittle better on my end. Hopefully I can just find a job somewhere.

Yes I did! Thanks for your suggestions, we actually had dinner at Mangia's at the Stuyvesant Plaza the other day and I spent most of Friday at Colonie Center and the whole Wolf Rd, Central Ave area. I haven't made it to Crossgates yet though.

Did you like your dinner there? Stuyvesant really does have a decent amount of places to go, but I think it does depend on what type of shopper you are and everything. Crossgates is just down the road from there, along with Crossgates Commons, which has a few stores and 1 place to eat (Panera). I'm waiting to go to Colonie Center for a little while, they just opened the book store and Sephora about a week ago, and while I'd love to go there, I'm sure it's gonna be crowded :sigh I'll drag my sister to Sephora though :) I can't wait to see what the movie theater is gonna look like when they're done, too. Did you have a good time shopping? :hehe

Oh, I had a blast! I actually left my kiddo with my husband and I took off ALL day. I started at 3am went home, took a nap then headed back out till like 9pm.

Colonie Center was VERY crowded and getting into Sephora was a nightmare but I got what I needed, it only took about an hour, lol.

Dinner at Mangia's was great! I love Italian food and it was very good.

yeah I did and she basically told me to wait until we get there to worry about it. Which I am sure she means well, but I can't do that. We have less than 5 weeks and I'm freaking out. Yeah housing is starting to look alittle better on my end. Hopefully I can just find a job somewhere.

I'm sorry, she was pretty helpful to me. Actually, let me see if I still have the list of apartments she had given me, that way at least you'll have an idea of where to look. Let me dig them up really fast.

http://www.nsusaratogaspringshomes.com/

http://www.nsusaratogaspringshomes.com/

http://www.saratogian.com/

Craigslist also has a great housing section so try looking there as well.

my DB is thinking of going to New York for shore duty.

He is an E-6 and a nuke and will be coming off the USS Stennis

well i am glad its not just me. I have gotten the run around from EVERYONE except you ladies. are you in an apartment?

Yeah we are. It is BRAND new. Like we had to pull the plastic off of the appliances new! It's a 2 bedroom 2 bath with a garage. Private entrance. Cathedral ceilings in the living/dining/kitchen. It is really nice. They are very military friendly as well. I can PM you more info if you want. I am not sure if they have any one bedrooms or not. But I think as of right now they still have quite a few of the brand new units open and they are still working on finishing more. They do have some older units too, but they still look very nice. We are also some of the younest people that live in the area, so it's not like a college party place at all.

As for a job I think that we are located in a great place. We are not even 5 minutes from all the shopping and businesses in Wilton as well as downtown Saratoga Springs. So there are TONS of options really close. And definitely NO lack in shopping! I think every store I have ever wanted to shop at is within a 10 minutes drive. Haha. Which might not necessarily be a good thing!:hehe

Can you pm me with the info please!!!