Schenectady is an affordable, walkable small city with a revived downtown, historic architecture, a lively arts scene (Proctors Theatre), riverfront trails, growing craft‑beer and dining options, and regular community events—comfortable and interesting for multi‑week stays.
You’re minutes from Albany for larger regional healthcare hubs and extra dining/nightlife (~10 miles) and about 25 miles from Saratoga Springs for weekend racing, spas and outdoor recreation, so you get quiet, community living with bigger‑city amenities close by.