Bethlehem
Its name brings to mind the birth of Christianity in the Middle East, or the birth of the steel industry in Pennsylvania. But here in New York, Bethlehem is one of Albany's leading suburbs -- a community of stately homes, pleasant hamlets and fine living.
Located immediately south of Albany and encapsulating Delmar and affluent Slingerlands, the region’s most vibrant villages, Bethlehem is a town of more than 30,000. It's been growing for years, and, given its popularity, that growth is likely to continue. Yet there's plenty of quiet and open space tucked away between its main roads.
Homes here range from prestigious Victorian and Colonial estates to affordable, solid, post-World-War II houses and more modern developments, with a small variety of two-family homes. You'll also find some places unique to the region, such as the hidden hamlet of Normansville, built on a dead-end street on the banks of the wide, flowing Normanskill Creek.
For the most part, Bethlehem is served by the Bethlehem School District, however there are portions of the town where children attend Guilderland schools or Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (RCS) schools.
Indeed, Bethlehem is a place of secret charms, waiting to be explored. With downtown Albany only a few minutes away, and a well-respected school district in its midst, there's plenty to appeal to most homebuyers.
Description: Suburban, small down and rural. Mature, newer and new housing stock.