WELCOME TO THE HUDSON RIVER VALLEY

Map Hudson River Valley | New York State Guide

Welcome to the Hudson River Valley, the scenic region that surrounds Metropolitan New York and the glittering nightlife of the "Big Apple." Relocating to a new area can be a challenging transition, so this guide is filled with useful information that will be of help before, during, and even after your move. You will find details on education, healthcare, attractions, historic sites, demographics, transportation, tax and license, and the kaleidoscope of counties and communities that make up the Hudson Valley.

The entire region is filled with welcoming communities that support every imaginable lifestyle. You will be able to select from hundreds of neighborhoods offering every possible housing option. Busting urban centers, prestigious enclaves, suburban towns, charming villages, open countryside, and quaint hamlets are all included in this diverse area.

The Metropolitan New York area is literally a geo-center — truly, a world-class economic and socio-cultural hub. Many of the world’s most prestigious corporations have their United States and international offices headquartered in this region. The talents and energies of the best and the brightest are always in demand, creating a constant flow of well-educated managers and seasoned executives who are joined by their families.

As the decades have unfolded, many major business endeavors have either sprung up or migrated to the counties that comprise the Hudson River Valley. More than one top New York City executive living in suburbia has decided to move the company “closer to home.”

Westchester, Rockland, and Dutchess counties have attracted the most attention as ideal locations for commerce and industry. At the same time, the economic base has been expanding in the primarily agricultural and resort lands that make up Putnam, Orange, and Ulster counties.

Lakeside communities plus a myriad of small villages and hamlets have sprung up and flourished around the wooded splendor and vast natural resources of this often rugged but always beautiful terrain. Many homes are nestled in secluded woods, while others command breathtaking sunset and sunrise vistas across a serene lake.

The shift from strictly vacation and resort areas to year-round residential havens in Putnam and Orange counties has encouraged even more commercial growth. Many of the area’s larger towns and cities have evolved into major employment centers, offering Hudson River Valley residents the option to work in or near their “own backyards” rather than having to commute into the “big city.”

Services

Because the entire region surrounding New York City has grown and evolved as a mobile society, transportation options are some of the finest and most efficient in the nation. Travel throughout the region is easy with a complex network of interstates and parkways that traverse the sprawl of urban neighborhoods, rolling hills, and heavily wooded suburban communities.

Considering that the transportation system must serve “the city that never sleeps,” it is little wonder that its mass transit facilities run 24-hours, 365 days a week — making it possible to leave for work or return home conveniently at any time of the day or night. Inter or intra-county travel to urban employment centers is equally accessible and efficient.
Even the most rustic and rural of the suburban areas is by no means remote. Served locally by Stewart International Airport and Westchester County Airport as well as a number of other general-aviation facilities, residents can look to any one of the region’s state-of-the-art giants for comprehensive air travel connections: LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy international airports in New York and Newark International Airport in New Jersey.

The public schools in the Hudson Valley are known for excellence in their traditional curriculum, high scholastic achievement among the students, strong involvement of parents and the community, and innovative programs for both the gifted and challenged.

Combining the atmosphere and personal attention of a small neighborhood school with a highly efficient and centralized administration, many of these award-winning schools have been spotlighted as some of the nation’s finest. Schools in this area are consistently garnering recognition on a statewide and national level for academic excellence and innovation.
A large number of private and parochial schools from preschool through college preparatory are also available in this area, adding to the opportunities for a quality, first-rate education. More than 30 respected institutions of higher education are located in the Hudson River Valley and offer options for advanced degrees, adult education, and exceptional vocational or technical training opportunities. Whether you decide to attend one of the New York State University campuses or a highly respected private college or university, the list of institutions of higher education close to home is impressive.

Newcomers can also look forward to state-of-the-art healthcare services and facilities throughout the region, where leading medical centers and hospitals are complemented by every imaginable support center. Skilled physicians represent every major specialty and most subspecialties, offering private practices and multi-discipline clinics. Family practice clinics, emergency care treatment centers, same-day surgery, specialized institutes, rehabilitation and long-term care centers, and hospice are just a few of the auxiliary services that meet every need close to home. Nearly 40 hospitals and medical centers serve the Hudson Valley, although world-famous institutions such as the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and the Albany Medical Center are also nearby for highly advanced care.

Lifestyle

In contrast to New York City’s reputation for impersonal attitudes, the Hudson Valley is known for its closely knit and open community spirit. In fact, living in an area that has absorbed so many transferees over the years has fostered a real acceptance and friendliness toward newcomers. Formal newcomer clubs and Welcome Wagon services are found in almost every town and village.

Options for housing in this region are equally diverse and attractive, from coop or rental apartments and condos to luxury townhomes and single-family residences. Most communities offer a pleasing mix of architectural styles and price ranges to meet every need and lifestyle. Home designs range from Cape Cods, raised ranches, split-levels, and standard wood-frames to spacious estate properties with formal gardens and sprawling lawns. Elegant Victorians and stately Tudors are often graced by meticulous landscaping on generous lots.

In many of the scenic rural areas, summer and vacation homes have been winterized and converted to comfortable year-round residences. Housing from earlier days such as antique frame houses and colonial mansions also dot the countryside, complemented by mountains, valleys, sparkling lakes, lush meadows and woodlands.

In almost every way possible, the Hudson River Valley area harmonizes suburban convenience with rural charm. While IBM operates one of the world’s most sophisticated semiconductor production facilities, a nearby fruit farmer invites visitors to pick their own apples. Within ten miles of the Amtrak station are active dairy and horse farms, not to mention vineyards that produce excellent local wines. Living in the Hudson Valley allows you to make a rare choice between urban, suburban, or rural lifestyles within a span of a few square miles.

This beautiful, scenic land offers outstanding hiking paths, including an exceptionally fine section of the Appalachian Trail. Other popular sports and outdoor activities include downhill and cross-country skiing, boating and other water sports, fishing, hunting, camping, golfing, tennis, and swimming. History buffs will discover virtually endless sites for exploration and enjoyment in quiet corners of the valley.

Residents can also take advantage of established and well-managed recreational facilities in the mountains, at the lakes, on the seashore, and in New York City. While it is true that New York City’s internationally renowned shops, museums, restaurants, stage, and theater, ballet, opera, and symphony performances are always within easy reach, the Hudson Valley calendar is also filled with local treasures. Community theater, summer stock, free concerts in the park, colorful festivals, and community celebrations fill the annual calendar with exciting events.

With its combination of economic prowess, educational excellence, diverse housing options, scenic terrain and sheer quality of life — few locations can offer more than the Hudson River Valley.

Welcome to The Hudson River Valley