Chances are you know more about Hudson than I do. That’s because I’ve only been there a handful of times. But that may be about to change. I took a trip up to Hudson yesterday with mom in tow, to seek out multi dealer antiques venues. I took a fancy to Armory Antiques so I may hook up with them.
The changes in Hudson since the last time I was there are so overwhelming, it’s difficult to convey in a single post. There’s a lot going on! The main shopping district on Warren Street can take a good few days to cover. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know that many of the shops are antiques dealers. There are tons of art galleries and restaurants to keep you busy if you hate antiques.
Hudson is serviced by Amtrak and the town is completely walkable, so this can be a car free weekend destination. It’s within close proximity to Albany, The Berkshires and Upper Dutchess County. I’d give it a good 3 hours from NYC even though some like to say it’s only two.
I’ve been ignoring Hudson on this blog because I don’t think of it as being affordable. There are still some bargains to be had, but look into the real estate taxes before you leap. The homes around here are to die for!
Fun fact: The Wonder Years was filmed in Hudson.
Current cool Warren Street exhibit: Best in Show
Columbia Tourism, interactive guides
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see - you learn something new every day - I did not know that wonder years factoid.
Hudson is kind f difficult to get a read on because if you just check out the antique shops on Warren you will get the impression tha the town is complely unaffordable. We are talking 6 thousand dollar chaises etc. Most of the shops are patronized by decorators - for people so fancy that they dont do their own shopping. You feel me?
That said, the armory is awesome! Because you arent paying Warren street rent the overhead makes prices much more affordable. Let me know if you decide to do it. But the rest of Hudson (home prices, food prices, access to many dreamy activities) is super afforable. You’ve see our house(which I’ll admit is probably scary to some readers)and my real estate taxes are around 1,500 a year which I think is pretty darn good (especialy based on the horror stories I hear about NYC taxes).
Oh! also want to mention that it takes exactly two hours to get there from Williamsburg Brooklyn via the Taconic. I will admit that it takes at least a half an hour longer if you go up on the other side of the river. But that two hour time isn’t a personal record or anything - I swear! It’s how long it takes me every single time. Oh it also takes exaclty two hours on Amtrac from Pen Station - if anyone is interested.
Thanks for the Hudson shout out!
Comment by hallie — August 16, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
I got the Wonder Years thing off wikipedia.
It takes me an hour and a half from Bed Stuy to Beacon. It took me nearly an hour to get to Hudson from Beacon. How do you do it in 2??!! I’ll give you this: I can’t drive the Taconic ever since I saw a squirrel run out and get hit. If I’m on the Taconic, I’m the one in the slow lane with everyone passing me out. I drove up Rt 9 the other day. One, to avoid the Taconic and two, because I forgot to look at directions before I left. So I was going through towns. Even though I live on the east side of the river, I usually cross over to take the thruway or go through Jersey. Narrow country roads really freak me out.
I called The Supermarket on Warren Street and they want between $600-1200 per month for a space, plus commission. The armory is $250, no commission. I didn’t even visit any of the Warren St places. I liked the fact that even I could afford to shop at the armory (although not this month).
I’m pretty sure I’m going to do it. I checked out Rhinebeck, Red Hook and Cold Spring shops and I’m still groovin’ to the armory. When are you coming to help me unload the van?
Comment by RH — August 16, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
honey I actually will help you unload! You are too friggin cute with the squirrel thing. I don’t know hw I do it - I do go 65-70 even though the limit is 55. I seems to be allowed since I see at least ten cops each trip. But that’s deffinitely the maximum you can go without getting popped. Going up the 9 is my ABSOLUTE FAVE. My dream day would be driving through little town after little town and rooting around for goodies.
Let me know when you decide for sure I’ll buy you a coffee at Le Gamin if I’m around. Oh - after I unload the van of course.
Comment by hallie — August 17, 2008 @ 12:27 am
I’ll probably try to do it this Saturday. Do I get a tour of your home too?
Comment by RH — August 17, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Ok - DID not see this entry at the time - I guess I was already gone.
A little nugget about my house up there - no internet yet. no lotsa stuff yet.
I’ll email you by blackberry address.
That way you can let me know in advance next time. I always drag that thing around with me.
Comment by hallie — August 26, 2008 @ 1:52 am