Recommendation for summer home north of Westchester (Beacon, Hudson: taxes, moving to)

[fyrisle]

We liked northern Westchester a lot but decided to keep our primary home in Manhattan. Would anybody have ideas for areas further north along the Hudson to consider for a summer home that feel somewhat similar to northern Westchester?

[ehmom]

Originally Posted by fyrisle

We liked northern Westchester a lot but decided to keep our primary home in Manhattan. Would anybody have ideas for areas further north along the Hudson to consider for a summer home that feel somewhat similar to northern Westchester?

What is it that you liked about Northern Westchester particularly? I guess having grown up there I don't really think of it as a summer home type area, so I'm not sure what appeals to you for vacationing based on that description.

As you go further north up the Hudson Valley, I like Cold Spring, Beacon and even further up to Columbia County - Chatham, Hudson, etc. All have charming downtowns, beautiful outdoors and arts/entertainment for vacationing. Low and high brow - I just got back from the Columbia County Fair last weekend in Chatham, home of fried butter on a stick and tractor pulls, but later in October they also have a really well regarded film festival... Chatham is about 2 1/2 hours north of the city, the others are a bit closer.

[fyrisle]

We considered moving to the Croton-On-Hudson vicinity and liked the abundant parks (Croton Point Park, Teatown, the Croton dam, etc.) plus the scenic commute along the Hudson. Now that we are looking for a summer home, we are less willing to pay the high Westchester taxes and thought there may be some areas further north that have scenic areas and are not as costly.

Thanks for the advice. We will take some day trips to the areas you mentioned in the Hudson Valley.

[bg7]

I like Hudson, has great old architecture and restuarants. So a country place within a short drive of Hudson would be my choice - and its right by a bridge so you can choose either side of the river.

[fyrisle]

bg7 - thanks for your input

[ponytrekker]

Cold Spring.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by ehmom

What is it that you liked about Northern Westchester particularly? I guess having grown up there I don't really think of it as a summer home type area, so I'm not sure what appeals to you for vacationing based on that description.

As you go further north up the Hudson Valley, I like Cold Spring, Beacon and even further up to Columbia County - Chatham, Hudson, etc. All have charming downtowns, beautiful outdoors and arts/entertainment for vacationing. Low and high brow - I just got back from the Columbia County Fair last weekend in Chatham, home of fried butter on a stick and tractor pulls, but later in October they also have a really well regarded film festival... Chatham is about 2 1/2 hours north of the city, the others are a bit closer.

Believe it or not, at one time it very much was (probably until the 1960s or early 70s). A lot of places started out as "summer bungalow colonies", Peach Lake in North Salem, Mohegan Lake and Goldens Bridge come to mind. In fact, a couple of bungalow colonies in Peach Lake and Mohegan Lake still exist, functioning now as (relatively) inexpensive permanent housing that is rare in the area.

[nonny]

Although not Westchester, Danbury has great lake and park communities.