moving to Kingston or Middletown...need advice (New York, Monroe: condo, crime)

[Emmitt82]

I am a 24 yr old college grad and am moving from Maine to either Kingston or the Middletown area. I need info on these 2 places. I want to find a good job and be around educated people my age. Is there anything going for either city? Anything to do there? I could use all the info I can get before I move!

[Nancy-NJ-NY-ME?]

Emmit -- More info from you would better enable all to respond. For example, why have you narrowed your selection to Kingston or Middletown. (From your post, it doesn't sound like it's because of a job.) Are you moving to be close to family or friends?

Since you mentioned employment -- what kind of position are you looking for? What is your area of interest? Expertise? Education?

As an aside -- what town in Maine will you be leaving? I'm curious since we are seriously considering moving there.

Given my above comment - would you be interested in a condo in Washingtonville, NY? 2 bedroom, 2 bath, nice complex, close to shopping and transportation to NYC.

[Emmitt82]

I am moving with a family I babysit for. They are choosing between Kingston and Middletown so I just want a little info on each. I will most likely be looking for a job in social services...which I know is easy to find anywhere...I do not want to live in an area full of crime in poverty. I would like to meet other young professionals/college aged.
I am leaving Winterport ME which is near Bangor. It is waaaayy up in the state.
I only need a 1 bedroom unless you know of anyone who needs a roommate!

[mom2gurls]

both places are not optimal at all..quite frankly..do a search on middletown or kingston on city data...def NOT THE FIRST choice for families because the school systems are bottom of the barrel.

[Jason_Els]

You will have a difficult time finding anything like that in the Hudson Valley. If you see the thread about the NY brain drain, young people with prospects are leaving New York because there aren't enough jobs for them and, for what jobs there are, the pay and standard of living is better elsewhere.

Short of someplace like New Paltz, there really aren't any young-oriented places. Middletown is pretty grim as is Kingston. The areas around the cities' borders, can be very nice, but they are rural and generally have families with children. You can live in New Paltz and commute to Middletown or Kingston, but New Paltz's cost of living may be more than you'll make doing social work. New York does, however, have excellent benefits for state employees as do the counties in general.

I urge you to come visit both areas to see what you're getting into. See if either area has what you're looking for. From your description, it doesn't sound as if they do. It may be time to find another position someplace with a lower cost of living, a younger demographic, and a more urbane feel.

[Nancy-NJ-NY-ME?]

Well stated, Jason. When I read the OP's second post, I got a grim feeling about the places but couldn't find the words to express it.

I concur, especially coming from northern Maine, the best thing to do is to come check out the area here.

[Joe L]

Originally Posted by Emmitt82

I am a 24 yr old college grad and am moving from Maine to either Kingston or the Middletown area. I need info on these 2 places. I want to find a good job and be around educated people my age.

Good luck, buy a gun.

Kingston is a town where College professors have gotten control of the local government. Some years back the police were told to round up the criminals (and they did) however the local mayor did not like how 98% of the people arrested were Black or Hispanic.
(The Mayor said the police profiled)
Now in 2007 the Kingston politicians have the police in handcuffs, crime has skyrocketed. White kids get beaten by Apes and Mextizos every day at school and its not a hate crime.

[LeavingCuse]

I live a few hours from Middletown area but have visited friends that live in that area regularly. Both areas you are talking about have little going on. Your only saving grace is that you are a short one hour train ride into the city. New Paltz is beautiful and only a half hour from the area you will be moving to. As someone stated above, I am surprised the family would be looking into those areas as they are not very nice and schools are not the best. On a side note--you will be near the Catskills, which, at least gives you some pretty scenery. There are worse places to move to. Its just there is not going to be much for someone your age to do. One last thing--stay away from Newburgh--uck.

[derek12538]

Originally Posted by Emmitt82

I am a 24 yr old college grad and am moving from Maine to either Kingston or the Middletown area. I need info on these 2 places. I want to find a good job and be around educated people my age. Is there anything going for either city? Anything to do there? I could use all the info I can get before I move!

Dont do it!

Really though... if you must, live as close as possible to the train, so access to nyc is easy... otherwise, prepare for boredom.
I grew up in poughkeepsie, trust me. Plus, do not drink and drive in those areas at all!

[charleta]

I think Middletown is a great place to live. It all depends on where your home is located. The school system is not as bad as it seems. My son attends school there and is doing very well. No its not like your typical Monroe-Woodbury schools but it is not horriable at all. Emmitt82 i do agree with visting both places to see which you like best. If you like you could forward me your email address and I can send you some properties and other information regarding the Middletown area so you can get a better feel of the area before you actually visit. Let me know if you would like that.