Pine Hills Albany, NY

Named for the pine trees covering hilltops that run along Western Avenue, Pine Hills is home to the starting spot of the first working railroad in the United States, known as The Point. From the late 1800s into the mid 1900s, the development of churches, high schools and both the College of Saint Rose and University of Albany (SUNY), drew more residents to the area.

It's hard to beat the $5 price of a movie at the Madison Theater, which features both new and older films. Get your caffeine fix at the attached cafe before settling into the reclining seats for a classic such as "When Harry Met Sally."

Experience a range of artwork, live performances and wine tasting on 1st Fridays Albany in the Esther Massry Gallery at the College of Saint Rose. This event takes place on the first Friday of every month from September into the winter.

The two commercial districts of Pine Hills contain most of the eateries for the neighborhood. The Middle and Upper Madison areas provide a solid selection of culinary, bar and theater choices for residents.

Diners craving typical American food and a casual sports bar ambiance flock to Hill Street Cafe. Grab a huge Cajun burger for lunch, or catch a football game on a flat-screen TV at this friendly neighborhood bar. In addition to the cafe's burgers and sandwiches, everyone loves the magical pizza and unique Hill Street-style wings. Wash it all down with an ice-cold beer from the cafe's selection.

Venture out for more international cuisine at Anton's Greek American Eatery. Don't let the hole-in-the-wall look of the place deter you. Anton's serves some of the freshest, most authentic food in the neighborhood. The eatery even goes easy on your wallet. Start with warm, made-from-scratch pita bread, or bite into an order of tender pork souvlaki. Try the exotic Greek fries made with a special blend of herbs and spices.

For nighttime adventures, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen is a solid spot with inexpensive happy hour beers and live music most days of the week. Open mic nights every Thursday at the Hudson River Coffee House represent a nonalcoholic alternative, with local musicians, budding comedians and unique poetry. For additional live performances, catch a new musical or play at the Capital Repertory Theatre, the first and only resident theater in Albany.

Pine Hills has two key roads running through it to connect east and west Albany. Western and Madison Ave make it easy to access any part of the city or to head off for the weekend in rural upstate New York.

The Albany bus system, biking and walking provide more environmentally friendly methods of getting around town. Washington Park touches the Pine Hills area and provides a quick cut-through for walkers and bikers. If you plan to take the bus, pick up Route 3 on Quail Street, Route 4 in Pine Hills/Corporate Woods, Route 10 on Western Avenue and Route 12 on Washington Avenue to give yourself easy access to any point in the city.

Despite being so close to the center of Albany, Pine Hills presents quite a few options for relaxing and playing in the green environs of a park. With festivals and outdoor weekend sports, picnics and gardening, the choices run endlessly for children, teenagers, college kids and adults alike. These parks are both kid- and dog-friendly as well.

Nestled right in Pine Hills near the College of Saint Rose, Ridgefield Park provides baseball, softball and soccer fields as well as tennis courts, all free for community use. High schools and colleges in the area also play their home games in these fields. Test your green thumb at one of the 20 community garden sections, growing seasonal flowers and fresh tomatoes, or any vegetable of your choice. In the summer, take your kids here to cool off in the splash-park area.

Revel in the beauty of spring at the annual Tulip Festival held at Washington Park. As Albany celebrates its Dutch heritage, take in the sight of over 150 types of tulips while bobbing your head to the live music performances. Bring the little ones for an array of children's activities, or play with your dog in the expansive green areas of Albany's own version of Central Park. The best part, the festival is free.

The cost of living in Pine Hills runs slightly higher than that of the rest of Albany, sitting at 7 percent above the city's average. However, there are plenty of options for students to share a two- to four-bedroom duplex, house or apartment to keep costs down. Almost three-quarters of the population consists of renters, with more than just students choosing this option. A one-bedroom apartment costs an average of $894 per month. Getting from Pine Hills to the center of Albany costs nothing if you walk or bike and $3 for round trip bus fare. The average cost of gas hits 9 percent above the national average. When popping into a local pub, figure about $6 per pint into your budget.

When you're shopping for clothes, music or groceries, head straight to the commercial district where Main Ave comes together with Madison Ave. This friendly area hosts both individual shops as well as larger chain stores such as Macy's.

Along with numerous other high-end boutiques on Western Ave, Circles is a self-described "touch of Manhattan." Truly a haven for all things girly, bring your mom, daughter or girlfriends here for a fashion consultation, make-over or a browse through one-of-a-kind clothing.

When looking for a more budget-friendly shop, locals hit up the women's only GreatFinds Thrift Boutique. Unlike some vintage or used shops, this one has a cozy, clean and organized atmosphere with creative, eye-catching window displays. Not only does it contain a wide variety of women's clothes and accessories, but all profits go to Clearview, a non-profit mental health agency. Just be sure to bring cash when shopping here.

Everyday groceries can be bought at Price Chopper, Hannaford Supermarket or Trader Joe's. Satisfy cravings for more international foods at Asian Supermarket or grab a bite before shopping at Cardonna's Market, a grocery store and sandwich shop combo. The Empire State Plaza Farmers Market offers fresh, organic produce and more year-round. The summer market is held May-October Wednesday through Friday; the winter market is held November-April at the Empire State Plaza Indoor Concourse every Wednesday.