Thanks to all for the great advice and recommendations. For the one suggestion to look a little further south, the issue is there's really not much at all as you move south of Albany until you get to NYC suburbs (northern Westchester/Putnam). Then home prices and taxes - holy cow! But we are looking at places on the south side of the Albany area to shave off a few minutes. It looks like it might work out well. And hopefully the reserve part won't be for that long. Lastly, I do have some family options within about an hours' drive so hopefully won't need a hotel/crash pad that often.

Thanks again for all the advice and first hand experience! Good to know about the unreliable ALB-EWR flight schedule as well.

Jim