About three hours north of New York City, a delightful yet costly haven has captured the hearts of celebrities and visitors alike. This place, Saratoga Springs, is often celebrated as one of America’s finest small cities.

With a modest population of 28,000, Saratoga Springs is renowned for its natural springs, rich history, vibrant culinary scene, and prestigious horse racing events. The city is home to the picturesque Saratoga Race Course, the nation’s oldest sporting venue, which has been hosting races since 1863.

In a recent study conducted by personal finance firm WalletHub, Saratoga Springs was ranked as the eighth-best small city for 2025, further cementing its reputation as a desirable destination.

Notably, the area has attracted high-profile residents, including Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports. In 2023, Portnoy purchased a $1.4 million, three-bedroom property overlooking the Oklahoma Training Track, where thoroughbred horses are often seen in training.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is among the stars who have made the area home, buying a three-bedroom $1.4 million property in 2023 overlooking the Oklahoma Training Track where thoroughbreds regularly exercise. 

He demolished the property and built a new two-story home on the site.

Portnoy has raved about the area and shared his favorite Saratoga Springs pizzerias, including Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria, in his viral pizza taste-testing videos.

‘I love Saratoga, I love everything about it. I only like it in the summer but it’s probably my second favorite place on Earth… Nantucket one, Saratoga two,’ Portnoy previously told ESPN.

But $1.4 million for a home in the area is on the cheaper end of the market, as there are currently properties for sale for more than $24 million.

‘Yes, that isn’t a typo,’ relocation specialist Sheila Sperling told the Daily Mail. 

‘Over $24 million for one of our listings on North Broadway.’

Saratoga Springs is bustling with restaurants and boutiques and is home to a growing population of 28,000 people

The 19,341 sq ft estate includes six bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a home theater, fitness room, bowling alley and bar.  

According to Zillow, the typical home in Saratoga Springs is now worth approximately $624,825, a 2.1 percent increase over the past year. 

Redfin puts the median sale price closer to $670,000, while Realtor.com recorded summer listings peaking near $895,000, driven by luxury and second-home demand.

Across New York State, the average home value is roughly $508,764, up 3.9 percent year-on-year, meaning Saratoga Springs properties are about 23 percent higher than the state average. 

Though growth has cooled since the pandemic boom, the market remains steady thanks to tight supply, upscale redevelopment, and steady migration from wealthier buyers. 

Even with homes listing for more than $20 million, strong schools, a robust local economy, and year-round cultural appeal keep prices well above the state norm.

This 19,341 sq ft estate on North Broadway with six bedrooms and 13 bathrooms is currently on the market for $24,900,000

Another beautiful estate Sperling has on the market is listed at $12.9 million. This home was owned by the late socialite Marylou Whitney, who was known as the ‘Queen of Saratoga’, and her late husband John Hendrickson. She was an owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses

Sheila Sperling, of Julie and Co Realty, LLC, in Saratoga Springs, was born and raised in the city

Sperling, whose firm, Julie and Co Realty, LLC, has an agent in the office who was involved in the Portnoy sale, said Fifth Avenue, where his home is, has views of the track.

‘Saratoga is definitely on the higher end [pricewise], but we have wonderful communities that are just 10 or 15 minutes outside that are more affordable, and you can still have [access to] our downtown community,’ Sperling explained.

Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga, agreed that house prices in the fondly nicknamed ‘Spa City’ after its mineral springs, can be expensive.

‘It’s a little on the higher side as you venture throughout Saratoga County, [but] there are more affordable options in some of the smaller, more quaint, beautiful towns,’ he said. 

The current average New York state home value is approximately $500,000, and the average for Saratoga Springs is a little over $600,000, according to Zillow. 

The average home price Sperling has sold this year is $854,359. 

Horse racing has been a draw to the area since the 1800s, with Saratoga Race Course the oldest sports venue in the US. 

For the past two years, the Belmont Stakes have been held there while its traditional home, Belmont Park on Long Island, undergoes renovation. It is due to be hosted in Saratoga again in June 2026. 

Dave Portnoy does a pizza review at Spring Street Deli & Pizzeria in Saratoga Springs. The local favorite is also known for its breakfast sandwiches

How Portnoy’s $1.4 million home in Saratoga Springs looked when he bought it. The property overlooks the historic Oklahoma Training Track, where the racehorses warm up and practice. He tore the property down and built a new two-story home there

Saratoga Race Course is widely regarded as the oldest sports venue in America. Code Of Honor with jockey John Velazquez races to victory at the course in 2019

A horse racing statue welcomes visitors to the city. The population swells in summer months during the racing season 

Leggieri says one million visitors descend on the area during race season which runs from mid-July through Labor Day.  

However, you don’t have to love racing to enjoy the city. Leggieri says arts, food and culture offer ‘year-round appeal’ along with its numerous natural mineral springs believed to have medicinal and restorative properties.

Sperling, whose family also runs the historic Saratoga Arms Hotel on Broadway, said: ‘We have a very vibrant downtown, you basically can do everything.

‘A lot of people come and love to shop here. We have a lot of local-owned stores. The people who work in this community make it really special.’

The Broadway district is the core of the city, divided into two sections.

North Broadway is an upscale, high-end residential neighborhood with large, elegant Victorian houses. South Broadway leads visitors to boutiques and shopping.

With over 100 restaurants in downtown, creative chefs offer a diverse mix of dining options, ranging from French-inspired cuisine to Southern comfort food.  

Other famous faces seen around town include chef Bobby Flay, who made the city his home for two years and sold his $3,295,000 English Tudor mansion there in 2023 – almost doubling the $1.7 million he paid for it two years earlier. 

Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs is one of the oldest coffeehouses in the US. Bob Dylan was known for showing up to open mic nights there when he was 19

Oklahoma Training Track is used for horse racing training. Portnoy’s home overlooks the track

Saratoga Springs boasts plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces including Congress Park that was designed in 1875 by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted

And Bob Dylan used to perform open mic nights at Caffe Lena – one of the oldest coffeehouses in the US that opened in 1960 – when he was 19.

Sperling says it’s not just the restaurants and leisure activities that make it a great place to live. With its top-notch school districts, it’s a great place to raise a family.

‘Born and raised in this town and having businesses on Broadway, I got married and moved away, had triplets, talked my husband into moving back home,’ Sperling said.

‘There’s no better place in my eyes to raise a family, because of everything that we have to offer.’ 

Saratoga Springs City school district currently ranks 129th out of the 596 districts in New York and is among the top 20 for best schools for student athletes, according to Niche.com.

History buffs know the city for the famous sites of the 1777 Battle of Saratoga during the American War of Independence, which ended in a US victory.

Locals believe that the quality of life and the tight-knit community are key factors in attracting residents. 

‘You know, our tagline in Saratoga is health, history, and horses,’ Sperling said.

‘I can’t harp enough on our incredible community.’