Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I've had connections to the Mid Hudson Valley for 20 years, including living there for grad school 2004-2006. After 10 years in NYC, I'm relocating there. As a 30-something, SWF speech language therapist, I have a good degree of flexibility. The three options for work are southern Ulster along 209 (Ellenville/Kerhonksen/Gardner), Kingston/Saugerties, or Northern Dutchess (Poughkeepsie/Rhinebeck/Red Hook). I'd be renting to start off.
More than cost or crime (I know how to navigate these factors when it comes to housing and safety from living in Queens), my top priority is COMMUNITY. I'm very open to meeting new people and making new friends (and dates), and want to live somewhere that's pretty open in that way if I can. I love the Shawanagunks area so much, but worry it's too small town. I hear very good things about Kingston from friends of friends who have second homes there. I'm more outdoorsy than artsy, are there both in Kingston? Dutchess is at the bottom of my list --- the urban(Poughkeepsie)/suburban(high costs!)/tourist (Rhinebeck traffic) divisions seem more extreme there -- but I'm open to suggestions if I'm missing something.
I'm gonna investigate through Meetup groups and spending the night at an Airbnb in Kingston etc., but I find city-data very helpful in hearing from individuals. Thanks for your input!!
I would choose southern Ulster. You wouldn't be far from New Paltz, which has more of what you're seeking. Did you do your graduate work at SUNY New Paltz? Is that why you haven't given an indication of interest in living there?
Saugerties may also work in terms of having an artsy reputation and its proximity to Kingston, northern Dutchess County and another artsy small community in Hudson may be something to consider.
I did live and study in New Paltz, and I did externships in Ellenville, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, and Lake Katrine. New Paltz is too college-y and overtly crunchy for me. I've already accepted a job with an agency that covers Dutchess and Ulster, but not Columbia county, so Hudson is out.
Saugerties is a possibility, although so much I read on city data is people retiring! God bless them, but my fear is I'm going to end up some place geared toward retirees, families, or college kids. I like all those people a ton, it's just not my demographic. Where are young professionals? That's why I lean toward Kingston. Since I wrote, I also read about High Falls & Rosendale in Ulster and Tivoli in Dutchess. I know these are much smaller, but would love to hear about them. I could live there and drive down 209 to work in southern Ulster.
I did live and study in New Paltz, and I did externships in Ellenville, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, and Lake Katrine. New Paltz is too college-y and overtly crunchy for me. I've already accepted a job with an agency that covers Dutchess and Ulster, but not Columbia county, so Hudson is out.
Saugerties is a possibility, although so much I read on city data is people retiring! God bless them, but my fear is I'm going to end up some place geared toward retirees, families, or college kids. I like all those people a ton, it's just not my demographic. Where are young professionals? That's why I lean toward Kingston. Since I wrote, I also read about High Falls & Rosendale in Ulster and Tivoli in Dutchess. I know these are much smaller, but would love to hear about them. I could live there and drive down 209 to work in southern Ulster.
In that case, I would still consider Kingston, as it is likely going to fit what you are looking for.
There's a sizable and growing late 20s to early 40s community in Kingston these days with a lot of them being people who were originally upstate and did a stint in NYC before going, people from NYC moving there, or people who were drawn to NYC from elsewhere and then moved up there. It seems quite artsy (more craftsy, really) and entrepreneurial.
I would pick Gardiner first for someone who is both outdoorsy and artsy - there is an active arts community plus you have access to great running/biking/hiking in addition to the rock/ice climbing. As I am sure you are aware the college/school system does attract a younger demographic.
Kingston is also a good choice and would be more affordable. The area is definitely becoming more well-rounded again after quite a few years of struggle - there are more younger people moving in and revitalization efforts underway.
Tivoli and the rest of northern Dutchess are definitely artsy but there's less variety in outdoor activities. Tivoli is its own little island in a way and yes it is a great community, but it is also Bard-centric, which may or may not be what you are looking for
I'm native to the area and would not choose Ellenville as my home base. I also don't think Saugerties is right for you - it's very family centric these days and a lot of the people moving in are young families priced out of Dutchess County.
If you are considering Rosendale add Stone Ridge to the list.
Wow, thank you so much, y'all! I'm headed up Tuesday and Wednesday to explore. I'm gonna focus on Kingston but I'll also check out Rosendale, Stone Ridge, and Gardiner. I'm also waiting for some clarification from my employer about my options, so that will affect my choice too.
Anybody know the best bet for apartment hunting up there? Craigslist? Trulia? Zillow?
stone ridge is the nicest looking town imo. Idk why anyone would suggest Kingston
Because it has 100+ restauarants. Because it has uptown and downtown, which are nicely restored area. Because it has a waterfront. Because it is the biggest city in the area. Because it has all the big box stores on 9W. That's why.
With respect to crime, if you live in a nice area, and you are not buying or selling illegal drugs, you should be fine.
Kingston has problems, but overall, it rocks.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
