country style living on metro north line? (White Plains, Poughkeepsie: house, to buy)

[nomadicmom]

Hi. Can anyone recommend a town/area that is in westchester/putnam/dutchess that is commutable via metro north (a reasonable drive to a metro north station is ok and up to 2hr commute to grand central OK), where the vibe is more country living. I would like to be able to buy a house on ~2 acres of land in the $400k-$650k range, I would like good public school districts, and horse stables near by for lessons as my kids are into that.

[globetrekker96]

I would say Pawling and North Salem. They are both on the Harlem mine. Pawling has a unique downtown and is 85 mins to Grand Central.

Croton Falls is the train station for North Salem and is 20 mins closer to Grand Central. Croton Falls is on the other side of 684 but if you live there you will go to North Salem schools. North Salem has a lot of horse riding stables and people that are passionate about those activities.

You should go there and check them out yourself to get a feel of the area. Just be aware living in North Salem will get you a new piece of property, but you will have to drive to Croton Falls or Katonah for the train.

[ABQConvict]

If by "country style living" you mean "woodsy", then just about anywhere in Westchester and Putnam from Croton or North White Plains northwards has stations within a 10 minute drive of properties with hilly, wooded plots studded with big rock formations, old stone walls, and the occasional horse farm, etc. For the most part, though, real farm country with fields, orchards, the occasional tractor on the road, lots of barns and other farm buildings, and that sort of thing, you are looking at north of I-84.

There are a handful of farms further south in SE Putnam/NE Westchester around the Southeast/North Salem/Brewster area, served by the Harlem line, which is still a relatively easy commute time to Grand Central. This farming valley extends north into Paterson, Pawling, and Wingdale. The train keeps going but you are getting pretty far out. Then again, this is real farm country as you go north, not just woods.

There are also farming areas northeast of Poughkeepsie (Hudson line) near Pleasant Valley, but it really increases north of there. But by there, you are really pushing to the max extent of your acceptable commute times.

Anywhere north and east of Poughkeepsie all the way to the Capital Region and Connecticut border is farm country. But will feel very far out for a reasonable commute to the city in my opinion.

[hotkarl]

Try the Hamptons.

[Wells5]

Originally Posted by globetrekker96

I would say Pawling and North Salem.

I'd add Patterson to the Pawling recommendation.

[homestead123]

anywhere from Cold Spring north. Enjoy! Its beautiful!