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We are and originally from NJ have been living in FL for 3 years. We're interested in moving to Mid-Hudson Valley and, so far, have looked at New Paltz and Woodstock, having spent time in both places.
Our main concern is suitability for our two children (ages 4 and 1). We don't necessarily want to put them in private school, so we are looking for a place with a stellar public school system. We would also like many options for extra-curricular activities including dance, music and language.
Looking for access to nature and minimal suburban sprawl. Ideally a quiet beautiful setting in a place with a progressive local culture. We'd greatly appreciate any helpful info.
Your extra-curricular activities requirement is certainly best fulfilled in Westchester County. The same goes for public schools. But since you would like to somewhat secluded from the "urban sprawl," a location in Upper Westchester (Mount Kisco, Pound Ridge, Lewisboro, Salem) might work. It is also worth looking in to the following locations in Putnam County: Cold Spring, Garrison, and Brewster.
Your extra-curricular activities requirement is certainly best fulfilled in Westchester County. The same goes for public schools. But since you would like to somewhat secluded from the "urban sprawl," a location in Upper Westchester (Mount Kisco, Pound Ridge, Lewisboro, Salem) might work. It is also worth looking in to the following locations in Putnam County: Cold Spring, Garrison, and Brewster.
Wouldn't districts like Cornwall, Valley Central, Goshen, Spackenkill, Red Hook, Rhinebeck, Pine Bush, Washingtonville, Saugerties and Wallkill fit? I would have mentioned Arlington, but it is a huge suburban SD just outside of Poughkeepsie and Beacon, but I'm not sure how comfortable the OP would be.
Wouldn't districts like Cornwall, Valley Central, Goshen, Spackenkill, Red Hook, Rhinebeck, Pine Bush, Washingtonville, Saugerties and Wallkill fit? I would have mentioned Arlington, but it is a huge suburban SD just outside of Poughkeepsie and Beacon, but I'm not sure how comfortable the OP would be.
I would call most of those districts "good" but not "stellar." The best district in Orange County is Monroe-Woodbury. Most of the districts in Dutchess are good, but not stellar. Stellar is reserved for places like Irvington, Chappaqua, Scarsdale (Lower-Westchester), and maybe Somers in Upper-Westchester.
Thanks! This is great information. We haven't really been to any of these places so this is a whole new vein of options for us.
Do any of you know anything about these places: Stoneridge, Woodstock, New Paltz and the little towns in those areas?
New Paltz is an awesome little college-village --SUNY New Paltz-- I live about 20 miles south in Montgomery, NY in Orange County but visit New Paltz on a regular basis.
Good schools as far as I know and I would imagine that there are plenty of extra-curricular activities.
Awesome access to nature here as the Catskills basically form the western boundary of the town -- Mohonk is awesome.
Little to no urban sprawl to speak of this far from New York City. Easy NYC access across the Hudson in Poughkeepsie.
If you have never visited New Paltz, I would highly recommend it. I'm less familiar with Woodstock and Stoneridge.
One major thing you have to consider is budget. Housing costs in the more northern counties such as Ulster will much lower than Westchester. There is also more rural character left. You may wish to look into some neighboring areas of Woodstock and New Paltz such as West Hurley (near Woodstock) and possibly Tillson or Gardiner (near New Paltz). Stone Ridge is about 10 miles from Kingston along 209 and has many historic stone houses as does Hurley, just north. These will be a bit pricier than other Ulster county towns. Schools here may not be quite Westechester, but they are decent and the tax bills more reasonable. You're from NJ so think of Westchester as being like the really rich parts of Somerset an Morris, Ulster as being more like Warren or Sussex, and North Dutchess being like Morris or Somerset at 40% off, though a little richer and pricier than Ulster.
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