C h a n g e  o f  A d d r e s s USPS Online Address Change   C o u n t y Albany   A r e a   C o d e 518 G e o g r a p h y Albany, the state capital, is located in east-central New York, approximately 150 miles north of New York City. The city covers 20 square miles and is located on the west bank of the Hudson River a few miles south of the confluence of the New York State Barge Canal, the Mohawk River and the Hudson. The Port of Albany, with year-round facilities for ocean-going vessels, serves as a link between canal barges and ocean freighters. C l i m a t e Continental. Average temperatures range from 14°F to 84°F. Average annual precipitation totals approximately 36 inches of rainfall and 64 inches of snowfall.   P o p u l a t i o n City: 101,082 County: 292,594   G o v e r n m e n t Board of Supervisors City - Mayor/Common Council County - County Executive County Seat - Albany Information about city and county government policies and procedures can be obtained from: Albany City Hall - 24 Eagle Street, Albany 12207, 434-5075 Albany County Offices - 112 State Street, Albany 12207, 447-7000   T a x e s Property tax rates may fluctuate yearly and vary according to location of residence. For information contact the City Assessment & Taxation Department, phone 434-5155.   L i c e n s e s State auto and driver licenses may be obtained from: State Department of Motor Vehicles - Albany District, 224 South Pearl Street, Albany 12202, 473-5599   E c o n o m y   &   E m p l o y m e n t The local economy is primarily based on manufacturing, banking, insurance, government and educational employment, health services and the wholesale, retail and service industries. For current information about employment opportunities in the area, contact: State Department of Labor - Community Service Center, 115 Ontario Street, Albany 12206, 465-0797 roy 95020, (408) 369-3611   H o u s i n g Because the availability and cost of homes and apartments change constantly, it is advisable to check the classified columns of the local newspaper, particularly the Sunday editions, for current information. Or, contact the following for assistance and/or names of realtors: Greater Capital Association of Realtors - 838 Western Avenue, Albany 12203, 489-5476 Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce - 540 Broadway, Albany 12207-2706, 431-1400, web site address - www.ac-chamber.org   U t i l i t i e s Water & Refuse - City of Albany - Water - 434-5315, 434-5316 Refuse - 427-7480 Gas & Electric - Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation - 800-932-0301 Cable - Adelphia Cable - 474-4444 Phone - Bell Atlantic - 890-7100   E d u c a t i o n Elementary and Secondary/Public Elementary and secondary public school information may be obtained from: Albany City School District Administration Offices - 1 Academy Park, Albany 12207, 462-7100 - Information, 462-7216 - Special Education Colleges/Universities Public - State University of New York at Albany. Private - Albany College of Pharmacy, Bryant & Stratton Business Institute, Albany Law School, Albany Medical College, College of Saint Rose, Maria College and a number of business, professional, trade, technical and special interest schools.   B a n k s Albany has nine banks, five savings banks, 11 credit unions and one trust company. In order to transfer credit information ask your present banker for assistance, or contact: Equifax Credit Information Services - 3 Corporate Plaza, Albany 12203, 869-6699 New checking accounts may take ten working days to open. Grocery stores will not cash out-of-town checks. New residents may need traveler's checks, cash and/or credit cards.   P l a c e s   o f   W o r s h i p The community has six synagogues and more than 100 churches of various denominations. Information concerning them may be obtained from: Capital Area Council of Churches, Inc. - 646 State, Albany 12203, 462-5450   N e w s p a p e r s The local daily newspaper is the Times Union (mornings). For home delivery service, contact: Times Union - News Plaza, Albany 12211, 454-5454, web site address - www.timesunion.com   L i b r a r y Albany Main Public Library - 161 Washington Avenue, Albany 12210, 449-3380 In addition to the Main Library, there are four branch libraries located in the area. The New York State Library is located in the State Cultural Education Center; phone 474-5355 for information.   M e d i c a l   C a r e Local hospitals include Albany Medical Center, Albany Memorial Hospital, Child's Hospital, St. Peter's Hospital and a Veteran's Administration Medical Center. For assistance in selecting a family doctor or dentist, contact the referral services of: Medical Society of Albany County - 1 Executive Centre Drive, Albany 12203, 456-8571 Dental Society Third District - 180 Old Loudon Road, Latham 12110, 782-1428, 888-282-1429 For Medicare information, contact: Social Security Administration - 1 Clinton Avenue, Albany 12207, 431-4051, 800-772-1213   O r g a n i z a t i o n s A listing of local organizations can usually be obtained from the local chamber of commerce, the phone book, or your present chapter can usually refer you to the local organization in your in your new city.   C u l t u r e Among the area's cultural attractions are the Albany Center Galleries, Albany Civic Theater, Albany County Historical Association, Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Capital Repertory Company, New York State Capitol, New York State Museum, Cathedral of All Saints and Dudley Observatory. The cultural activities of the local university and colleges are usually open to the public. A variety of entertainment and sporting events are held at the Knickerbocker Arena. Nearby is the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.   R e c r e a t i o n For information about area recreational programs and facilities, contact: City Park & Recreation Division - 434-4181 YMCA-Albany Branch - 274 Washington Avenue, Albany 12203, 449-7196   S h o p p i n g Major shopping areas, in addition to the downtown shopping district, include Colonie Center, Crossgates Mall, Northway Mall and Stuyvesant Plaza. Retail Outlets - Caldor, Family Dollar, K-Mart, Macy's, J.C. Penney, Sam's Club, Sears, T J Maxx and Wal-Mart. Grocers - Grand Union, Hanaford Superstore, Price Chopper, Stewart's Shop, Super Mart and The Trading Port.   T r a n s p o r t a t i o n The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) furnishes public bus service; phone 482-8822 for routes, fares and schedules. Taxicabs and rental cars are also available. Amtrak, furnishes interstate ground passenger service with stations in Rensselaer and Schenectady, and Greyhound and Adirondack Trailways Bus Lines, with a station in Albany. Albany County Airport, northwest of the city, serves a number of commercial airlines.   C h a m b e r  o f  C o m m e r c e Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce - 540 Broadway, Albany 12207-2706, 431-1400, web site address - www.ac-chamber.org     A d d i t i o n a l  I n f o r m a t i o n Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau - 52 South Pearl Street, Albany 12207, 434-1217, 800-258-3582, web site address - www.albany.org