Brownstoner Upstate: Second Homes off the Taconic Parkway

That Friday afternoon drive to the country is long enough. Why add an extra hour along windy back roads at night just to get to your upstate abode’s driveway? We think you shouldn’t. Get home faster by sticking close to the main thoroughfares.

This week, we’ll be doing just exactly that by looking at some fabulous housing situated 10 minutes or less from the Taconic State Parkway, which runs east of the Hudson River, passing through both Dutchess and Columbia Counties.

Our first stop: Milan. Nope, not in Italy. We’re talking about the town in central Dutchess County, west of the Taconic, where we found this pristine 18th century Colonial farmhouse on five acres. We always find ourselves concerned for tall people when we look at these antique homes from the 1700s. The ceilings often seem so low.

Throw in some ceiling beams and you’ve got an accident waiting to happen. Here, however, the ceilings seem more than sufficient. No need for protective head gear.

Located approximately 8 minutes from the Taconic. Beds: 3. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 1712. Lot Size: 5 acres. Est. Taxes: $10,050. 

75 Willow Glen Road, Milan (Gary DiMauro Real Estate) GMAP

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This Victorian farmhouse is one of two offerings from Pleasant Valley, which is a rural town in Dutchess County south of Milan and west of the Taconic. It doesn’t get much more stately than this nicely restored, elegant farmhouse on a 4.5 acre lot surrounded by rolling meadows and picturesque countryside.

The photos hint at colorful gardens in full bloom during the warmer months while the interior contains original details like moldings, plaster walls, and bay windows. If you decide to visit the area, make sure you schedule in a trip to the Innisfree Garden, which is right down the road.

Located about five minutes from the Taconic. Beds: 3. Baths: 1. Square Feet: 2072. Lot Size: 4.5 acres. Est. Taxes: $10,163.

1758 Salt Point Turnpike, Pleasant Valley (Schoenfeld French & Lull Real Estate) GMAP

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Indeed, our second Pleasant Valley property today is pretty as a picture inside, but we’re here because of the outside. First and foremost, it comes with its own waterfall, next to which is situated a screened-in porch. Also comes with a refurbished barn/studio, sauna, koi pond, and 6.5 acres of land.

Located about 6 minutes from the Taconic. Beds: 3. Baths: 1.5. Square Feet: 1476. Lot Size: 6.51 acres. Est. Taxes: $4877.

32 Oswego Road, Pleasant Valley (Paula Redmond) GMAP

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And finally, our most inexpensive pick today is another 18th century antique farmhouse, this one in the Columbia County hamlet of Livingston. There’s not much in town, but the city of Hudson is about 15 minutes if you’re dying for a thrift store or a tapas bar.

With this house, we found ourselves most excited about the exposed brick walls, hand-hewn ceiling beams, and copious amount of storage space and shelving in the kitchen.

Lot size isn’t as generous as the others since the circa-1773 Federal-period center-hall Colonial is located in a residential neighborhood. Getting onto the Taconic takes about seven minutes of drive time. Beds: 3. Baths: 2.5. Square Feet: 3216. Lot Size: .63 acres. Est. Taxes: $4949.

108 County Route 19, Livingston (Gary DiMauro Real Estate) GMAP

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