Troy Is a Top City to Call Home in the Hudson Valley

Just north of Albany on the eastern bank of the Hudson lies Troy, a Victorian-era industrial hub that’s become a cultural hotspot.

Just north of Albany on the eastern bank of the Hudson lies Troy, a Victorian-era industrial hub that’s become a cultural hotspot. Just over 10 square miles, the city offers urban living plus suburban neighborhoods where residents can enjoy space and privacy.

Nicknamed the “Collar City,” Troy has a rich history as a manufacturing center for textiles, especially the detachable shirt collar, which was invented there in 1827. Production continued until 1990, when Cluett Peabody & Company (the city’s last major textile maker) relocated to Atlanta.

Troy’s business district has been the focus of several restoration efforts, especially over the past decade. Beautification of storefronts, renovation of old manufacturing buildings, and more have brought in new businesses. Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul announced last year that Troy will receive nearly $10 million as a Downtown Revitalization Initiative Grant. This will fund 11 projects—including the restoration of the American Theatre on River Street—to further enhance the city’s arts scene, walkability, housing opportunities, and community services.

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The Culture

A key component of Troy’s values is the pride the city takes in its history and community. City council president Carmella Mantello describes the area as “one of the most diverse, inclusive, and welcoming cities in our state.” Of its population of just over 50,000, nearly 66 percent identify as white, 17.7 percent as Black, 9.4 percent as Hispanic or Latino, and 4.8 percent as Asian.

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Adobe Stock | Christopher Boswell

To immerse yourself in the city’s past, visit the Hart-Cluett Museum, which hosts exhibits on Troy’s commercial background and WWI icon Uncle Sam. The 1896 John Paine Mansion is another must visit. A masterful example of 19th-century architecture, it was one of many fabulous backdrops for the HBO series, “The Gilded Age.” That era in the city’s history is celebrated every December during the Troy Victorian Stroll, a day of music, dining and other festivities.

When industry left Troy, music venues and art galleries moved in. New concert spaces (some in converted factory buildings) like No Fun and The Hangar on the Hudson along with the circa-1875 Troy Savings Bank Music Hall bring culture to the community.

Family Life

Residents of Troy live in one of nine neighborhoods. North Central, Downtown, The Hill, and South Central make up the urban center and tend to have more properties available to rent. Lansingburgh, Eastside, South Troy, Sycaway, and Frear Park surround the city center and are more suburban. The average home value in Troy is $241,763 (at press time), reports Zillow.

Children attend schools in the Troy City School District, rated “B” on niche.com. The city is also home to several colleges, including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, ranked No. 51 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

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On The Town

Troy always has something for residents and visitors to do. New eateries that have become favorites include Little Pecks, an all-day café; Jacob Alejandro, an award-winning coffee shop; Tavern Bar, a cocktail bar serving food from Donna’s Italian (directly below it); La Capital Tacos, an authentic Mexican eatery; and Nighthawks, a farm-to-table restaurant and bar. While you’re in the area, hit up shops like Market Block Books, Troy Cloth & Paper for locally printed cards, art, and clothing, and Elixir 16, the spot for craft beers. Every Saturday, downtown hosts one of the largest farmers markets in the Capital Region on the streets surrounding Monument Square.

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Courtesy Rensselaer County Tourism & Special Events

Throughout the year, residents can head to the local colleges to watch Division III sports or performing arts. RPI’s Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC) frequently hosts student shows, visiting dancers, and other artist residencies and exhibitions that are open to the public.

If you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors, head to the 80-acre Prospect Park, Frear Park (which has a public golf course, fields, tennis courts, and a playground), or Knickerbacker Park for ball fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, and a track.

Mantello, a lifelong resident who is running for mayor in November, says, “We’re on the verge of great things happening in Troy; right now it’s really about building on the momentum.”

To find a real estate agent in Troy or any Hudson Valley town, visit our directory.

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