What's Cornwall like?

[grassroots]

Just as an outsider looking in (I'm a Rocklander), I agree with the above posters that there is no comparison between Monroe and Cornwall.

Just drive through both towns yourself, you will see that Cornwall has a personality to it that Monroe doesn't hold a candle to.

Cornwall for the win.
Monroe for the loss.

[winnie]

How are your property taxes up that way?

I know the schools are great. If the commute is the same access to public transportation then yes I would also recommend cornwall. Though I do like the monroe area as well especially the resturants and the schools also have excellent reputation and the latest report card on their regents scores was quite good.

I think for some cornwall might be a little too quiet depends on your personality.

[cathy710]

Originally Posted by winnie

Cathy, how long would it take to get from Cornwall to Monroe's park and ride? Just curious because I have never done it before and I do not trust Mapquest's estimates one bit...

I do like Cornwall it just seems like the commute would be much longer than that from Washingtonville or Monroe.

Goshen is also quite nice and many of the towns I am familiar with in the area do have quaint activities on the holidays..I am particularly fond of going apple picking up in Wallkill.

Hi Winnie, Actually there is a train station to Penn Station on the outskirts of Cornwall, near the Washingtonville border... which is about 15 minutes from my house. The other train station at Beacon, which goes into Grand Central is a little over 20 minutes and they just started ferry service from the Newburgh landing direct to the Beacon Station which is 10 minutes form my house. To get to Monroe’s park and ride, and actually the park is located in Harriman, would take me 30 minutes.

Yes.. Goshen is also absolutely beautiful and very quaint and also another beautiful place to live... lots of beautiful horse farms. Goshen is the home of the birthplace of Hambletonian (Harness Racing) and the track is the oldest horse track still in use in the United States. When you’re in the area stop by the museum and check it out. Years ago, they use to let you go back by the stables to see the horses but not sure if they still allow it.

[cathy710]

Originally Posted by winnie

How are your property taxes up that way?

I know the schools are great. If the commute is the same access to public transportation then yes I would also recommend cornwall. Though I do like the monroe area as well especially the resturants and the schools also have excellent reputation and the latest report card on their regents scores was quite good.

I think for some cornwall might be a little too quiet depends on your personality.

Yes depending on your personality, Cornwall for some may be too quiet... I always think of Cornwall like a Norman Rockwell setting... a friend of mine visiting once told me I live in a place where most people pay to go to relax and vacation.

I think the cost of paying property taxes is subjective and depends on one’s finances... to me they are reasonable compared to other towns but I have heard other people complain about them.

[joe moving]

What is the difference between Cornwall, Cornwall Landing and Cornwall on Hudson?

[Nancy-NJ-NY-ME?]

Good question JoeMoving! As I was reading other posts it occurred to me that the municipalities in OC can be confusing to those outside of the area. You've given me the opportunity to elaborate.

Orange County is comprised of several towns; many towns have incorporated villages within their borders along with unincorporated hamlets. Additionally, there are three cities in the county (Port Jervis, Middletown & Newburgh).

Many names are duplicated between towns, villages and cities. For example, the Town of Newburgh is vastly different than the City of Newburgh. The city is where the crime is. The town is large and the homes are some times cheaper since they are associated with "Newburgh".

Many towns do not have a central business district of their own. Rather the CBD may actually be in a village. This is the case with the Town of Warwick and the Village of Warwick. And with the Town of Cornwall and Cornwall-on- Hudson. (Cornwall Landing is an area / park along the Hudson River. It's either in the Town or the Village; I'm not sure which.)

Washingtonville is a Village inside the Town of Blooming Grove. BG also contains the recently-incorporated Village of South Blooming Grove, along with the unincorporated hamlet of Salisbury Mills. Additionally, some development names start to seem like towns of their own, e.g., Mountain Lodge Park in Blooming Grove.

Now to add to the confusion, some properties, while located in one town may be serviced by a different Post Office - whch is the case with Mountain Lodge Park. Their mailing addresses are Monroe.

And for final confusion - school districts. Unlike many other states where school distict lines coincide with municipal lines, school districts here overlay municipalities. For example, Washingtonville Central School District's students come from the towns of Blooming Grove, Hamptonburg, New Windsor, and Cornwall. (Have I left anyone out?)

So, if moving here, be sure you know where the property "is". Don't just take a real estate agents word for it. You may think you are in one school district or village and find out that you're in another. Find out to which jurisdictions does the property pay taxes. The municipal offices are typically very friendly and helpful places. Stop in and they will look up the property and give you tax info. Same with the school districts. You can call them and verify if the property you're considering is in a particular district.

[joe moving]

BTT - would love some more info on Cornwall from an insider's perspective!