Dutchess County relocation recommendations? (New York, Poughkeepsie: 2009, theatre, school district)

[khbrowning]

My family would like to relocate to Dutchess County from NYC. We want a small town (not rural, a proper town) that is in a good school district. A strong arts scene, and/or a college nearby, would both be considered pluses. Which towns would you recommend we check out? Thanks!

[ckhthankgod]

What about New Paltz in adjacent Ulster County? Community of New Paltz, NY
Welcome to New Paltz, NY - The Heart of Ulster County

Welcome to the State University of New York at New Paltz!

New Paltz Chamber of Commerce 2009

Town of New Paltz, NY

VoNP - The Village of New Paltz

New Paltz Central School District

and more info.: Art Along the Hudson - 100 Miles of Art Along the Hudson River in NY - From Peekskill NY to Beacon, NY to Newburgh, NY to Poughkeepsie, NY to New Paltz, NY to Kingston, NY to Catskill, NY

[khbrowning]

Thanks! New Paltz is on our shortlist, but we want to consider Dutchess County in addition to Ulster. But New Paltz definitely meets our criteria!

[pburgess68]

I graduated from Arlington High School in the 80s and one of my classmates in now a teacher in the same school district. I LOVED growing up there. I felt the schooling was phenominal. I sent my oldest to high school for his freshman year there and made the HUGE mistake of moving to SC in 2004. I regret it for his education's sake. However, they don't have the same special education budget we have down here, and my daughter is thriving. Catch 22!!

Many of my friends are still in the area. My favorite places were Pleasant Valley, LaGrange (where I owned my home), and Hopewell Junction. PV and LaGrange both go to Arlington High. You really can't go wrong with ANY high school in Dutchess county, honestly. If your kids are into sports, then you can narrow it down a bit more.

New Paltz is a very small town, artsy, and cute. However, the school is small compared to any school in Dutchess. Which could be a plus or not. Depends on what you're looking for, of course. Arlington is more known for education than arts, other than their outstanding music program, last I heard.

There are several colleges in the area: Vassar College, Marist College, Dutchess Community College, Ulster Community College, and the Culinary Institute of America.

Good luck on chosing where to go! I truly miss home, that's for sure!!

Where ever you chose, make sure you go to Adams Fairacre Farms on Rte 44 in Pleasant Valley and get some fresh veggies and such. You won't be sorry, I promise!!

[mom2gurls]

Arlingston school district for dutchess NO Question. (from a mom who has lived here 10+ years).

Rhinebeck has a wonderful artsy vibe, millbrook. Colleges..you pick em' Vassar, The famous CIA school. Hudson valley performing arts theatre. There is tons of "artsy things to do"..wine tasting, walking trails..all here in dutchess.

Pretty much dittoing the above poster. I love it.

[ckhthankgod]

What about Spacenkill or Hyde Park?

[pburgess68]

Spackenkill is great. The schools are awesome, or they were when my kids attended briefly. Very "small school" feel. That would have been my first choice for a small school district, and Arlington for a large.

Hyde Park is ok. My grandmother lived out that way, in Clinton Corners. The taxes are higher, and if I remember, they are famous for having issues getting budgets passed for the schools. Doubt that's changed very much. The area is very pretty, however.