Should I Move to Poughkeepsie? (New Paltz, Red Hook: for sale, apartment, lease)

[defendergirl]

I live on the west coast and am considering a move to Poughkeepsie --- sight unseen--- after a job. What is it like? I love visiting NYC. What is the town/city like (housing, apts, social scene, politics)? Is it difficult to meet people? Can a single person have a life there??

[ss58yy]

I suspect you wouldn't live in Poughkeepsie itself, but rather in the surrounding towns. For example, I work in Poughkeepsie, and live up north, in Rhinebeck.

[SLP247]

Poughkeepsie is a great area, but it depends on what you are looking for. Poughkeepsie consist of two areas. The City its self which is what most people think of when saying Poughkeepsie and the town. The tow of Poughkeepsie is very suburban.

There are numerous things to do up here. We have two major colleges: Vassar and Marist. Numerous shoppings malls, stores. We have Wineries and Horse Farms along with Rural, Suburban and City neighborhoods. And of course we have the River!

I just had a client move back east from the west coast, Bay Area I believe. As someone who has done a bit of traveling, I can tell you that every area has something to offer everyone.

Do you have an idea where you might be working or what industry you would be looking into?

Looking forward to welcoming a new neighbor to our little part of the world.

[middle-of-nowhere]

I moved to Poughkeepsie for a job a year and a half ago. After my lease at my apartment ended, I packed up and headed to NYC. I have had no regrets since then.

In the end, it's really up to you and what you are looking for. But I suspect if you are really looking to enjoy your life as a single and need to mingle with people like yourself, you'll somehow have to be closer to NYC. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more laid-back and suburban family-friendly environment, then the town of Poughkeepsie (NOT the CITY of Poughkeepsie) is a good choice with fairly affordable housing (at least compared to NYC).

[defendergirl]

thanks for the heads up. i've heard mention of the town vs. the city of Poughkeepsie. the 'town' seems to have more fans. are they nearby each other? will you know when you're in one and not the other?

[SLP247]

First, as with any city/town line. the city is usual at the center and then the town is at the outskirts of that center. You will know when you are in the center of Poughkeepsie, but there is not a division line that you see. (Everything on one side is city and the other side suburban.) It is set up that way, but its not visible except for a sign here and there.

Check out post 10 on this thread: Moving to Poughkeepsie Area - Need Advice. He is a fellow Dutchess County member here on the boards.

Are you looking specifically to be in a city or village of some sort or do you like the burbs or the country?

[WHITEWOLF508]

Your happiness in Dutchess County will depend a lot on you and your goals.

Since I am an old married guy, I am not really up on the social scene that much. I know that there are a number of bars and dance clubs in New Paltz which is around 1/2 an hour from Poughkeepsie. There are a number or really good places in Woodstock and even some in the City of Poughkeepsie. As for restaurants, there are some really good places around that I am sure that you would enjoy. Part of the fun of going to a new area is "discovering" those places.

You will find housing costs to be quite a bit cheaper than the West Coast. Today's newspaper(THE POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL which has a web site) said that the average for a one bedroom apartment is $986 per month. You can buy for around $250,000 . There are cheaper rents and homes for sale in the city of Poughkeepsie if you are not that scared of cities. For the most part, I would stay away from living there although there are many semi-safe streets and areas there.

The colleges are very welcoming to newcomers with an abumdance of night and part time classes available. There are also various educational opportunities in non traditional settings. Check out the Omega Institute for new age type studies.

When you venture out into the country, you will find wonderful places like Innisfree Gardens and locales like the villages of Rhinebeck, Red Hook and Millbrook with unique shops and restaurants. There are also 6 or 7 wineries within a short drive as well as various festivals each year.

Dutchess County in very unique in the great number of celebrities living here and the great amount of wealth in the county. There are two different fox hunts here as well as a number of polo fields and privatre airports.

It there is anything I can do to assist you, just drop a note