Moving to Rhinebeck with kids/tweens - Any advice? (Poughkeepsie: neighborhood, theater)

[KidsMake5]

My husband just accepted a job in Poughkeepsie. We have three kids ages 13, 10 and 7 - all of whom are bright and creative. We have decided to settle in Rhinebeck after looking at the various towns in and around Poughkeepsie and after speaking with many people about where might be the best place to live. We are now hoping to find a neighborhood that is kid friendly and safe, yet hopefully walkable/bike-able to the village. We are also hoping someone could give us some information about their experience with the Rhinebeck CSD. We hear the schools are good but have not been able to really speak with anyone whose kids go there.

Also - if anyone could recommend a back-up kid friendly town/neighborhood with good schools and places where our kids could take art/computer, dance, gymnastic and fencing classes and as well as community theater that is near Poughkeepsie (within 30 minutes but no bridges over water ) we would love to hear those options.

We will be moving in August....

Thanks so much!

[gailzmoon]

I have 4 kids that went through Rhinebeck schools- anything they need is available to them here. RB made the Newsweek list of the top 1000 schools in the US based on rigor of curriculum. The other nearby towns did not make it. All the honors and AP classes are available. It is a small school, 100 kids per grade. It is also heavily involved in the arts. My kids all did sports and the program for that is good but there are better schools for that if that is your preference. It is accepting of alternative lifestyles. All the activities you mentioned are available around here- not sure about fencing- maybe at Bard College. I am also a realtor and if you need help would love to show you around.

[KidsMake5]

Thanks so much for the information. One reason we liked the area was due to their focus on the arts. Currently working with an agent but if that does not work out will let you know