Brownstoner Upstate: Across the River

The old joke goes that you can tell a lot about the side of the Hudson you’re on based on the trains: East side gets passenger, west side gets cargo. And while this remains true, the implication that Dutchess County is fancier/nicer/better than Ulster is not exactly the case these day. While Rhinebeck and Red Hook on the Dutchess side are cute, walkable towns, so are Saugerties and New Paltz on the Ulster side. From north to south, it goes Saugerties (west side), Red Hook (east side), Rhinebeck (east side), and New Paltz (west side), and while prices remain in the exorbitant range in Rhinebeck (and parts of Red Hook, as well), you might still be able to get more bang for your buck in Saugerties. New Paltz if you’re lucky. Here are some tasteful places in all four towns. Quite tellingly, all of them are in the $200,000s except for the one in Rhinebeck, which is considerably more expensive.

We’re familiar with the location of this house, and it’s not a bad spot. It’s right in the heart of the village, just a few steps from several restaurants, the local health food grocery store, the hardware store, the yoga studio, etc. Plus, it’s a nice neighborhood. It looks to be a mid-19th century Italianate with a center hallway. In any case, the kitchen wins our thumbs-up. Currently used as a single family residence, it’s zoned for commercial use. You’re going to hate the taxes, and sadly, that’s not unusually for Saugerties village. Beds: 3. Beds: 3. Square Feet: 3,250. Lot Size: .23 acres. Est. Taxes: $10,551. Distance from Brooklyn: 2 hours, 2 mins.

40 Partition Street, Saugerties (Westwood Metes & Bounds) GMAP

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This is one of those situations when it’s worth it to take a look at the Google Streetview of this address, but the house looks much better that way. It’s an oldie but goodie, clearly well cared for and inexpensive for Red Hook, perhaps because because it’s located about three miles north of the village center. There are tweaks and updates we would make (the remaining carpeting has got to go), but the potential is there. Here’s the part of the listing that gave us pause: “The property is divided into two legal living units, now rented by the relocated owner.” So it’s currently occupied by tenants? Includes a separate studio building. Beds: 3. Baths: 2.5. Square Feet: 2,292. Lot Size: .35 acres. Est. Taxes: $8,895. Distance from Brooklyn: 2 hours, 8 minutes.

113 Old Post Road, Red Hook (Paul Hallenbeck) GMAP

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Oh, Rhinebeck. Why do you have to be so darned expensive? Yes, it’s a lovely Cape right in the village, but $445,000? Really? Certainly no complaints about the way it looks. Neat contemporary interior, corner lot with a stone patio in the backyard, and walkable to town. But for us, it’s not enough for the price, although Rhinebeck schools are good. Beds: 3. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 2,300. Lot Size: .38 acres. Est. Taxes: $8,849. Distance from Brooklyn: 2 hours, 7 mins.

2 Prospect Street, Rhinebeck (Paul Hallenbeck) GMAP

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This is a rare find in New Paltz: a five-bedroom 19th-century former schoolhouse for less than $250,000. It’s a bit of a mystery. The pictures give but a passing glimpse at what the house is all about, so nothing much about it is revealed. The listing, however, touts bathroom slate floors, a screened-in porch with mahogany floors, and skylights in the master bedroom. It also includes a pre-existing structure that could be used as either a studio/workshop or separate apartment. While the listing calls it walkable to the village, we think 2.5 miles might be pushing it a bit. Beds: 5. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 1,475. Lot Size: .53 acres. Est. Taxes: $8,430. Distance to Brooklyn: 1 hour, 44 mins.

330 Old Kingston Road, New Paltz (Gunks Realty) GMAP

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