Feedback on Hudson River Towns--Please!! (Yorktown, Tarrytown: houses, neighborhood, school)

[grollings]

Could someone please give me some feedback on the river towns?

I'm moving from northern California and LOVE the outdoors and being near the water. I'm also a single female professional (40 years old) with twin toddlers. I've heard some wonderful things about Tarrytown and Cold Spring, but a few people have told me if I move there I'll be too isolated as a single. Is this true?

Thanks so much!!!

[jdf718]

Why are you moving from Northern California? Hard to beat that lifestyle. Cold Spring in my favorite of the river towns but it's only 2000 people. Might be tough to meet people, although once your kids are in pre-school, it shouldn't be a problem. Cold Spring offers very easy access to great hiking and water activities. But it's hard to compare it to Sonoma or Marin. Those places are truly spectacular.

[dma1250]

As long as you make some effort you should be able to hook up with other parents and singles. We moved to a semi-rural area in northern Westchester (no sidewalks, no immediate neighbors) with an 18 month old and quickly found a playgroup in our neighborhood and two more formal playgroups nearby (one in Croton and one in Yorktown). I'm sure there are similar groups in Tarrytown and Cold Spring. And there are single parent groups all over.

Personally we love Cold Spring and looked for houses there but it felt too far away and too isolated. I didn't want to be in a town, but I did want to be close to a variety of towns. Cold Spring just felt too remote--but that of course is totally in the eye of the beholder.

I'd suggest also looking at Croton. It has access to the river and great hiking etc but is not as isolated.

[grollings]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I've heard wonderful things about Cold Spring, but am also a bit worried about feeling isolated--especially from all the city has to offer.

Are there any river towns you'd recommend that are closer to the city?

[grollings]

Needed a change...my children's father and family are a pain in the rear. Probably the ONLY reason why we left.

[dma1250]

The river towns are all nice in different ways. By and large, they all have a mellow, relaxed, and somewhat artzy vibe. If you love the outdoors and value natural beauty and proximity to hiking etc., then I'd put Croton at the top of the list. If a walkable town with lots of stores is more important then I would put Hastings, Irvington, even Tarrytown at the top. I suggest touring them all and seeing which ones hit the spot for you.

[grollings]

I'm looking for something with a view of water surrounded by mountains--like back home. A place that has a cute downtown area that you can walk to with nice restaurants, coffee shops, quaint shops, etc. An organic market nearby would be nice too.

Is it possible?

[grollings]

If I can't have mountains, then just water view or near water. Can be river or ocean...

[bmwguydc]

Originally Posted by grollings

I'm looking for something with a view of water surrounded by mountains--like back home. A place that has a cute downtown area that you can walk to with nice restaurants, coffee shops, quaint shops, etc. An organic market nearby would be nice too.

Is it possible?

You might have to have hills instead of mountains, but the rest should be easily accomplished. Hastings has an organic market in town that's an independent store, not part of a larger chain.

[rubygreta]

Tarrytown.