New Paltz for a foreigner (New York, Kingston: apartment, to rent, houses)

[Mauzi]

Hello people. I am from Finland and am going to study in SUNY New Paltz in a month. I've got the idea that this town is pretty laid back town, but I would really like to hear opinions about this place. First of all, I am looking for an apartment in New Paltz, but so far I haven't got too much luck. I am going to live with my girlfriend and would like to find a 1 bedroom apartment, do you guys have any idea where I could possibly find one that is in a decent condition?

Secondly, I have understood that New Paltz is about 1,5 hours away from New York. What is the best way to go to the NYC? We havea car, but I feel like car might not be that useful in the city. So is there a train or something to take to the NYC?

And I would really like to hear opinions about New Paltz from people who have possible lived there or knows the place. Any kind of comments would be highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

EDIT: Oh, and I forgot to ask about the distances. Is it possible to walk to places in New Paltz and is there public transportation to get to places? Thanks again.

[recluse]

New Paltz is a very small village in the Hudson Valley and it can be somewhat isolating if you don't have a car. You can easily walk from the University to shops and businesses in town but there really isn't much there, most students go to the city of Kingston to do their shopping. The village does not have public transportation (again beacuse its so small) but it does have a bus station where you can catch a bus to NYC which is about 90 minutes away, a lot of people do that.

Because New paltz is so small (the number of students at the university is greater than the number if people that actually live in the village, just to show you how small of a place it is) it doesn't really have apartment buildings most students rent rooms in houses with others students, thats probably what you'll have to do too. Try a website called [url="http://www.craigslist.org"[/URL]and look at their housing section for Hudson Valley, New York there should be some listings of people lookng for roommates.

New Paltz is full of hippies and liberal type people. And it is surrounded by a lot of beautiful nature, mountain climbing is very popular in this area. The University is very good so over all you should enjoy yourself as long as you're open to the idea that its not going to be like Finland/Europe.

[macpat55]

New Paltz has limited buses around the County. Look at Ulster County Transit and look at New Paltz
Ulster County Area Transit

[Mauzi]

Thanks alot for your help guys!

We have an apartment now, which we managed to rent from a family in New Paltz, so that is taken care of. Our only problem is now that my girlfriend hasn't found a job yet, so I am hoping she will get one soon.

But besides all the practical arrangements, I am excited to see how's New Paltz. I've heard a lot of good things about it, so I don't think it will be a problem. Plus the hippie surroundings may jus tbe fun . I have prepared myself for living in a totally different kind of place than Finland, so I have an open mind.

I am a little nerovus to see the level of the university and how will I manage with studying in English. I mean I have been dating an american for 3,5 years and the language in general isn't a problem. But the academic language is something to get used to I guess..

Anyways, I just wanted to to thank you for all the information, it was very helpful.