George Washington Slept Here…Really!
Kingston is the perfect place to be if you want a weekend retreat, but don’t necessarily want to be stuck in the woods. It’s about an hour closer than Hudson and housing is significantly less expensive.
The Hudson River city is comprised of three districts: Uptown Stockade, Downtown Rondout and Midtown. There is also a mall area for all of your big box needs.
There is a wide range of housing stock, from modest cottages to grand mansions. For those who have dreamed of owning a brownstone but are priced out, Kingston offers some lovely brick row houses within walking distance of many amenities.
PROS
- 2 hours from city. There is commuter bus service leaving frequently during rush hour and Amtrak across the river.
- Affordable prices for gorgeous homes.
- It’s an orgasmic experience for the history buff. You do know it was the first capital of New York, right?
- Plenty of shopping and dining.
- Perfect base for exploring the Catskills. You’re in the country in 5 minutes.
CONS
- 5 hours from city in traffic. That’s 3 hours to get out of the city and 2 hours to get to Kingston.
- Be on the look out for people playing banjos on their front porches in some parts of town. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!)
- Property taxes…not so good.
- Although the 3 districts are somewhat connected, it’s a hike to get from one end to the other. A car is more convenient.
National Registry of Historic Places
