RELOCATING ADVICE anywhere from Saraotga to Poughkeepsie

[piperspal]

If it's the Preston Hollow I'm thinking of - in the hilltowns near Rensselaerville off Rt. 145 - a very pretty area. I think you'd have to go into Greenville for your groceries, which isn't that far. Maybe someone else on this forum knows for sure? I think that area is (or was) mostly farms and woods; not a lot of neighbors. Are you moving there? I lived in Knox-Delanson for 2 yrs. (about 35-40 minutes away), and found the few neighbors I had to be so friendly & helpful. They plow you out if you're snowed in, stop in the road to say hi if you're out doing yardwork, etc. If you move there, get to know those around you both for emergency reasons and also because there are a lot of hunters out that way. I myself do not hunt but had no problem with those that do. Hunters will often ask if they can use your land. Just want to be sure everyone (incl. pets) is inside &/or accounted for. Some fantastic views from the higher points along 145. It's also a nice road trip to Schoharie County & it's attractions.

[c~mom]

Preston Hollow although absolutely adorable is a blink and you'll miss it place, used to drive through once a week on my way back and forth to college (SUNY Cobleskill) it was the half way point for me...beautiful old architecture, nestled in the valley between steep mountains, only one sign for an antiques store that I always wanted to stop at that was never ever open, otherwise I think there was a little league feild, and I got pulled over once, so definately do the speed limit for that half of a mile long trip from one end of town to another...Preston Hollow is fine if you like the middle of nowhere, I mean that in a nice way, its about 25 miles to any decent size grocery store though, but you could also drive the same distance for skiing, Albany, a college town, and hey there's nothing wrong with country living!

[nymetschick5]

If you want an artsy feel and a nice town....New Paltz for sure.

[contrerry]

Thanks!!

[sevengenerations]

Hello, Contrerry,

Just a brief note.... I don't know whether you have made it down (or up or over or whatever) this way yet, but I would just like to put a plug in for Kingston, NY in your search. Some of the details, like population and other things, you can look up yourself online, but if you haven't investigated it, yet, I'd just like to throw some facts out about the area. We are 90 miles from NYC, bus and train service is frequent, located at the foot of the Catskill Mountains and Shawangunks (world-famous rock climbing routes), 3 nearby community colleges; also Vassar College (Poughkeepsie), 45-50 mins., Bard College (just across the Hudson in Rhinebeck) - 20 mins.; the premier culinary arts college in the world, Culinary Institute of America is located in Hyde Park ( - 45 mins). Located on the New York State Thruway at Exit 19; easy driving access to New York City as well as public transportation. An easy 45 mins. drive to Newburgh's Stewart airport, or a bit over an hour to Albany's. Nationally famous trout streams, sailing etc., etc. on the Hudson River (home of the internationally know environmental sailing programs on the sloop Clearwater; nice, small local airports - in particular Kingston itself, for flying lessons, charter, etc.; several other private airports offer lessons also for hang-gliding, etc. Hot-air balloon festival, ice-boating, ice-skating rinks, strong alternative schools, alternative medical practitioners, alternative lifestyle magazines, many good restaurants since the Culinary graduates are always looking to open or cook at their own places; much rich local history; many local artists and musicians; open personal art studios, house tours, two historical theaters (Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, where I grew up) and Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston, where I'm living now. Strong local theater groups who are always looking for actors/actresses of all ages and have good children's theater teaching programs, stagecraft, etc. for all interested parties. Kingston waterfront rebuilding, many marinas, restaurants, shops, etc. New amazing park opening this fall on top of historical train bridge crossing high above the Hudson at Poughkeepsie. Several good local radio stations, a feeder station for the best public radio station in the U.S. WAMC (wamc.org) out of Albany. Just some of what is here..... reply if you need more info.

Good luck!!

[AmbassadorNY]

Originally Posted by contrerry

I'm looking to relocate to NY and am looking anywhere from Saratoga to the Poughkeepsie area. I'm looking for a place that has a Burlington, VT type of feel....small city feel, a good music scene (local & touring), good food & brew pubs, good vibe, shops, outdoor activities, waterfront hopefully, diversity....hippies to professionals. I'm a 40 yr old teacher, so I need some place I can afford to live on a teacher's salary. Also a place that's cool not just for the college age kids, but also the "young at heart." Am I asking for too much? Does such a place exist in NY? Also, any web links that would help me explore the cities your recommend would be great. Thanks!!

Rhinebeck, Poughkeepsie, hands down!! I can give you some info on the areas if you want to send me a direct message. You'd LOVE walking the Rhinebeck village!! It pretty much has everything you mentioned! Poughkeepsie Township also has Burlington and everything you mentioned except the small city feel.

[1newyorker]

A bit off the beaten path but the closest thing to the feel of Burlington would be Ithaca, home to Cornell University and Ithaca College. The city of Ithaca is vibrant and its location is physically spectacular sitting on the southern end of Cayuga Lake. Although an obvious college town you will not feel too "old" (I'm 46) taking in all there is to do there. If you like the outdoors you cannot beat all its parks, waterfalls, nearby vineyards, lakefront, walking the commons, etc. Excellent music scene as well.
Currently I live in Saratoga Springs and it's a completely different scene, more upscale, much less diverse and some locals are a bit full of themselves. However, there are many nice restaurants and bars, parks, and absolutely beautiful architecture. But remember this is like living on a very pretty island once you step out of the city limits there's nothing of note culturally until you get into Albany. It also lacks the physical presence that Ithaca and many of the lower Hudson Valley towns possess. Within 25-45 minutes to the north you will find much beauty in the Adirondacks/Lake George area. As someone mentioned previously Saratoga is best suited for a nice visit.
The city of Albany is quite beautiful with outstanding architecture and centrally located to NYC, Boston, and Montreal. Although the crime rate can be excessive and panhandlers a nuisance, overall you should feel safe in Center Square (Lark Street area). Although Albany has many entertainment venues (The Egg, Times-Union Center, and the Palace Theater, etc.) after 5pm the city can seem vacant as the state employees and other workers return to the "burbs", it's an odd feeling seeing it go from all hustle and bustle to "where is everybody"???
New Paltz is a beautiful small college town and has a very liberal feel much like Ithaca and Burlington, and of course it's located much closer to NYC. Being across the Hudson from Poughkeepsie you'll have the benefit of that city's music scene as well. But at the end of the day it's still a small town that can be overrun with students who can be a bit on the wild side.
Good luck!

[Phoenix lady]

Originally Posted by piperspal

sorry - one more tip & then I really have to get some work done...

If you haven't been thru the Hudson Valley yet, here are some neat things to check out:
-The Taconic State Parkway, esp. in the fall. Lots of deer so be alert.
-The Vanderbilt and Roosevelt estates in Hyde Park (others here and there too - but these two are the most opulent)
-Katterskill Falls near Hunter (Route 213? can't remember)
-Thatcher Park & the Helderbergs
-The tulip fest every Mother's Day weekend in Albany's Washington Park
-Cool towns like Rhinebeck & Goshen ( further south & west)
- The pedestrian "rail-to-trail" bridge over the Hudson. In Highland, adjacent to the Mid-Hudson bridge.

Now, I'm really homesick.

Does the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park still do tours, too? It was a monastery prior, I think.That place was beautiful and the grounds, too.

Olana, the former estate, along Rt. 9G, towards Hudson, beautiful, breathtaking views and check out the heart shaped lakes.

Other estates along the Hudson River.

Wineries,too, all around.

We have cactus out here. Great.