I know this isn't the geographical forum, but there isn't one for Dutchess County so I'm spreading it around.
Married white couple, one girl starting High School next year, one girl in middle school next year. Wife is retiring from municipal job late 2017 or early 2018. I also have municipal job but have 9 years before early retirement. At least that's the plan...
Looking for info on the Wappingers / Fishkill / Hopewell areas. Not too familiar with Stormville but it looks good on paper. Commute to Midtown Manhattan is a no-brainer.
We've been there a few times, sat on the schools and watched (With my wife... not a creep!). Spent a few weekends there, went to some restaurants, (11 Eleven was nice) Read the school ratings, studied real estate market, taxes, etc. We feel very comfortable in the area and decided to pull the trigger.
We own our home (best guess 350 - 400k value now?) so it should be a simple process with regards to financing etc.
What I'm looking for is any differences between the towns that we may have missed? They all seemed to flow into one another without anything glaring variation. Is there anything we might need to know that local knowledge can provide us? Benefits or problems with any of them with regards to schools, services, or the normal things that concern a family relocating to a new area?
We will appreciate any information you may provide.