Hudson Valley – A Real City Break
Hudson Valley is designated as a National Heritage Area. The valley is steeped in history, natural beauty, and an incredible food and farmer’s market scene. Among the various attributes, it is brimming with unique neighborhoods and tons of art and culture.
Brief Overview of Hudson Valley
Hudson Valley, also referred to as the Hudson River Valley, consists of the Hudson River valley and the adjacent communities in the upstate region of New York. The area extends from the Capital District, including Troy and Albany, to Yonkers in Westchester County.
The Hudson Valley is divided into three regions—Upper, Middle, and Lower. The Upper Hudson Valley encompasses Albany, Greene, Columbia, and Rensselaer. It is mainly known for its rolling hills, farms, and orchards alongside the beautiful river and mountain views.
The Middle Hudson Valley comprises the counties of Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster – with magnificent estates. The Lower Hudson Valley is considered a part of Downstate New York due to its close proximity to New York City. It embraces both the Westchester and Rockland counties. Compared to the other two regions, the landscape in the Lower Hudson Valley transforms from the urban cityscapes of Manhattan to the marshes and hills of the Hudson Valley.
Some of the best places to live in the Hudson Valley include:
- Rhinebeck – A seducing city for people who wish to abandon busy urban lives. The main streets are lined by an old-fashioned-style candy shop, an old movie theatre, and some of the best restaurants in the city.
- Pine Plains – An under-the-radar place, the village is reminiscent of small towns throughout America where people still sit on porches, ride bikes, and stroll.
- Nyack – The neighborhood gives out bohemian vibes, mainly because it has been home to writers, actors, and artists for generations. Luxury housing developments and large condo complexes can be found in the village, Italianate homes along the river can be found in Upper Nyack, and colorful Victorian homes in South Nyack.
Homes for Sale
The Climate in Hudson Valley
Hudson Valley experiences a cold and temperate climate. There is considerable rainfall throughout the year. Even the driest month still gets a lot of rain. As a result, summers are warm and wet, whereas the winters are freezing and snowy. It also tends to be partly cloudy all year round.
Mid-June to mid-September are the most comfortable months in the Hudson Valley. The temperature varies from 18 degrees to 83 degrees over the course of the year.
Public Transportation in Hudson Valley
Two airports with commercial airline services provide air transportation to Hudson Valley—one at Westchester County Airport (HPN) near White Plains and another Stewart International Airport (SWF) near Newburgh.
The MTA Metro-North Railroad offers commuter rail service in the region with five Railway lines that will take you into and out of Hudson Valley—Hudson Line, Harlem Line, New Haven Line, Port Jervis Line, and Pascack Line. The rail service is operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The New Haven Line serves southeast Westchester County, the Harlem Line serves Central and Eastern Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties, the Hudson Line serves western Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess Counties, Pascack Valley Line serves Central Rockland County, and Port Jervis Line serves western Rockland County and Orange County.
The Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry operated by the NY Waterway runs between Haverstraw in Rockland County and Ossining in Westchester County. Additionally, a ferry service also exists between Newburgh in Orange County and Beacon in Dutchess County.
Intercity and commuter bus transit services are offered in Hudson Valley by Rockland Coaches, Short Line, and Leprechaun Lines. Furthermore, several local bus providers, including the Bee-Line Bus System in Westchester County and Transport of Rockland in Rockland County, serve the region.
Make Your Home in Hudson Valley
Regardless of your interests, the Hudson Valley won’t disappoint you. It offers so many things for many people—from nature and outdoors to history, museums, music, culture, foods, drinks, and more. The types of living that the region is famous for are small industrial river towns, sleepy walkable villages, and rustic rural escapes. Of course, the best thing about living in Hudson Valley is that you can live in a small town and be just 20 minutes away or less from the city.
