Montgomery

While visiting Orange County and traveling Interstate 86, NY 17, NY207, or Interstate 87, you might find the pleasant little town of Montgomery NY. History buffs will know this town for the name of the fort that was built there during the Revolutionary War of the same name: Fort Montgomery. The Fort was unfortunately an American loss, but it still helped out to prevent the British from getting further up the Hudson River, and was a major contribution to the war. Today it is a museum and is one of Montgomery's greatest attractions.

Montgomery itself was named after General Montgomery who was killed during the battle of Quebec, and to have a war general named after itself only adds to the historical charm of the town itself.

Today Montgomery (founded in 1810), contains a rich tapestry of villages (five) and hamlets (also five). It is dotted with pastoral locations and verdant green. The communities within Montgomery include the village of Montgomery, a confusing situation that may lead visitors to ponder, “Where am I again?”. It currently has a population of 22,606 and counting. The median sales rate for homes are around $295,024 (great for working middle-class families). There are no Subsidized housing, but apartments are very affordable at $700 and up. There's also senior housing which is offered at Patchett's Crossing Apartments (100 Crossing Lane), and Montgomery Manor, at 4 Brescia Way.



Children who live here get to attend two excellent school districts: The Greater Amsterdam School District (fantastic reviews, teachers are excellent) and the Valley Central School District (which mostly gets 4 or 5 star reviews on all schools, as well as excellent stats on academic skills, both math and English). All schools are very encouraging. (Remember every school has one or two bad apples in the batch!)

Montgomery residents and visitors from Montgomery County can enjoy free access by card at the wonderful Montgomery Free Library (located at 133 Clinton Street). Events and features of the library include a local history section, Magazines, award-winning books for both adults and children, an adorable Children's Corner (that includes table and chairs, perfect for at least four kids to sit in and enjoy each other's company while reading), videos, the Kate Seredy collection (an author as well as illustrator of local fame), large print (as well as paperbacks), recorded books and more. There's also the Oprah's Book Club for anyone to come and enjoy (Oprah's Book Club includes specific books that were chosen by the talk show host as a special selection of books that touched her soul). The Library offers 15,000 volumes and has been around since 1912! In addition to the Library, the Senior Center at 36 Bridge Street holds the Grand Montgomery Chamber Music & Theater Series five times each season. There's great parks in town like the Montgomery Village Playground, Veterans Memorial Park (60 Bachelor Street), the Recreation Center, and the Pleasure Ground Park includes the Ground Park Pavilion which is available for visits without reservation, as well as walking trails and Boat Launch. Benedict Farm Park contains the Community Garden at Benedict Park, located at 1675 State Rt. 17K.

The wonderful restaurants in town include a Dunkin Donuts (2095 State Route 208), Amore Village Pizza (91 Clinton Street), a Blimpie (109 Hakwins Drive), Burger King (Rt. 208), Montgomery Bake Shop (141 Ward), Jim Brady's Tavern (2022 State Route 208), the Yankee Kitchen Restaurant (631 State Route 17k), the Wildfire Grill (74 Clinton Street), and Taste of Texas located at 601 State Route 17k. Both Jim Brady's and the Wildfire Grill offer excellent nightlife, and Amore Village Pizza and Blimpie are excellent places to take your kids (as well as the Yankee Kitchen Restaurant).

Stores include a Rite Aide Pharmacy, WalGreens Store and Pharmacy, Home Depot, Shoprite, and Basset Flowers.

If you're planning a visit to Montgomery, you should check out the rooms and rates at the National Hotel (73 Clinton Street), the Super 8 Hotel (207 Montgomery Road) or---for a romantic getaway that both of you are sure to love—-the Borland House Bed & Breakfast, located at 130 Clinton Street.

Montgomery is a great place to visit with your family and friends. There's the General Montgomery Day Parade, the 8K Run, the Soap Box Derby (in Septemer), as well as Fireworks on the Fourth of July. Also, don't forget to check out the (Vikings Youth Basketball games---and encourage your kids to sign up as well, if you live here!)

Montgomery, NY is an 1 ½ by car, 2 ½ hours by bus and 1 hour and 20 minutes from Beacon's Metro North train station. There's fantastic child care and medical care, as well as a low crime rate.

With affordable homes, excellent schools, awesome community that holds lots of wonderful programs and events, convenient amenities, and a very low crime rate, I'm sure you can see why Montgomery is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I highly recommend coming down for a visit and experiencing it for yourself!