Please help... Moving to warwick,N.Y (Middletown, Rhinebeck: new home, movies)

[happi28]

Hello, I am moving up to warwick in about 2 weeks..I live in New york..I don't have a clue on how my adjustment is going to be like... Can anyone tell me about the town and things to do..I have kids so that's important... I need in for on places and things to do..How bad are the winters? I am so stressed about this move I am worried about fitting in...THANK YOU..

[Jason_Els]

Hello again.

What do you like to do? What are your current hobbies, sports, and interests? What would you like to do or try? What foods do you like? What kind of people (be honest) are you comfortable with?

We get more snow than the city with two or three snowfalls greater than 6" every winter. The plows are generally out quickly on the major roads. It's not a big deal unless you're driving around a lot of back roads before or after rush hours in which case an AWD car or even decent snow tires should be fine. Don't sweat it. Newcomers have a tendency to experience snow with a siege mentality. They rush to the supermarket to stock-up on food when they're invariably out of their driveways by the next day at the latest. Otherwise winter's usually cold and windy with a few oddball weeks of weather in the 50s or 60s (usually in February).

[happi28]

Thank you for the quick reply..
Well I here in the bronx I like to go to restaurants with my friends. I like italian the best but mexican,chinesse,spanish,american,etc...Movies,Mal l,lakes,park,picnics,etc...Well I am a mom of 3 so I always have my hands full. I just left my job of 5 years being a teacher's assistant..Which broke my heart into pieces....For the reason of the 1 hour and 20 minute commute that I would have to do..Not worth it when my kids will be in school in Warwick...Need to be closer to home..I would love to try many different things to keep busy....Remember I am coming from the bronx..It's very busy here and very quiet there.. So I must keep busy...Snow I am not worried about. I have seen big snow storms before and have enjoyed them..Honestly I feel comfortable around all types of people..I am a people person..Remember I worked in a school with kids of all different nationality and parent's as-well...So that won't be a problem..You will always find people who just aren't very nice everywhere you go...So the only supermarket I found was shoprite.. What else is around..?Thanks

[Jason_Els]

We have good northern and southern Italian places. The Chinese is all the usual takeout Chinese, not as good as the city by a long shot. Ten Railroad has good Spanish food. A Mexican place just opened in Florida but I think the one in Middletown, El Bandito, is better. There are also good continental, New American, French, and even Middle Eastern places. Give them all a try.

Lakes, parks, and picnics, you're covered. Meeting other people can be tough. If you're doing the mommy routine though, you'll likely meet other moms and things will go from there. Otherwise, join the health club, go to the shops, go to church if you want, and schmooze. There are a lot of different groups of people in Warwick. Finding them can be tough but again, keep an eye on the papers for things going on. Warwick has two newspapers, The Dispatch and the Advertiser, they're actually useful papers in that respect. The county-wide paper, The Times Herald Record, is dreadful but it's part of the Wall Street Journal empire and is being sold to Murdoch. Whether anything will change, nobody knows.

Keep in touch and let us know how things go.

[Nbrakern]

Hello! I am moving to Warwick from Los Angeles as soon as our home out here sells. I have the same concerns as you. We have an almost 4 year old son and are moving for the schools as well. You can personal email me if you like. Now wasn't that easy to make a new friend?!?

[DJL]

My two cents on Warwick...

My wife and I moved here two years ago from Bergen County. Warwick seemed to offer the perfect mix of all the ingredients we were looking for...pretty town center, affordable, family oriented, 50 minute commute for me (working in Northern Bergen County)...

On the plus side....Simply beautiful 8 or 9 months a year....small town feel with tons of open spaces...very good schools...very affordable....very family oriented....I grew up thinking if you spend 500 or 600K on a house you'd better be getting a mansion. Here you pretty much can. Warwick might be the best bang for your buck within 90 minutes of NYC....There is always something going on; street sale, ladies night out, taste of Warwick, etc


The negatives...My wife is a city girl and I work for a major sports league. Finding people who share similar cultural interests has definitely been a challenge. There are no colleges nearby so Warwick lacks the hip, progressive feel of a town like Rhinebeck. We have a 9 month old daughter and feeling isolated has definitely been an issue for my wife.....small things you take for granted closer to NYC, such as ethic restaurants, are challenging up here...also there is a bit of a pick-up truck mentality from some of the locals which is not always pleasant....and winters are a bit rough....


My office is being tansferred into NYC and we are very torn about staying. Warwick has many, many good things going for it. We're just not sure it has enough for me to commute 1:45 each way....on the other hand we're hard pressed to find a better alternative....

Hope that helps a bit

D

[happi28]

DJL I am interested in knowing a bit more on why did your wife feel so isolated in Warwick....I live in the city as-well and soon to do a closing in Warwick..I was interested in the great school system for my boys and also a family oriented place...Aslo better quality of life....I am concerned about finding things to do and meeting people...Also on the issue of pick up truck mentality from some of the locals...I am concerned....Anything more you can tell me would be great thank you and good luck with your move.....

[DJL]

Happi28....I think when you grow up in NYC you take for granted how everything is right outside your door (good food, people, parks, stores, etc etc etc). We still spend chunks of time in the city as her mom lives on the Upper East Side and we are reminded of that every time we visit.

Living in the "country" just takes a bit more work, I think, and the choices are more limited. Instead of 5 good pre-schools nearby we might have one. Instead of twenty great restaurants around we might have three, etc...it's not that they aren't there it's just not nearly as plentiful and takes, as I said, some digging. And to be fair, I think my wife and I could have done more to foster relationships and done some better "digging" in our new home town.

As far as the "pick up truck" mentality I mentioned...with no undue offense intended I think there is clearly a segment of the local community with no aspirations beyond high school. It's the bunch that hangs out at the gas station late night and revs the pick-up at you when you're out cycling. Nothing too horrible but definitely not a "plus" on the quality of life scale...

All in all I still think it's a great town and I don't have a desire to move. But it clearly was a lifestyle shift for us and took a bit of getting used to....still does sometimes.

My wife might chime in next since she's here more than I...

[happi28]

DJL so do you guys still live in Warwick? I want to thank you for the information..I do understand....I know this will be an adjustment for my family.I have 3 kids 19,12,5..... So I know my 19 she will freak out at first lol but hopefully she will adjust....The boys are small they will love it I think..My husband will be commuting, so he will be busy and I will see what my plans will be when I settle down....How long did it take you guys to adjust? Sorry for all the questions....I am glad I found someone in Warwick to let me know a few things about the town...Again I thank you.....

[DJL]

Happi28...I just read that post to my wife....she confirmed, "still adjusting."

Don't worry, it isn't Siberia, though it might feel a bit like that from December through February... You just need to have some determination out here and accept the fact that it's a different style of living from what you've probably known most of your life.

If you want you can e-mail us directly if you have other questions....