Poughkeepsie

This review is for the Town of Poughkeepsie(which surrounds the small City of Poughkeepsie 5sqmi.) not to be confused! There is a HUGE difference. The town is 31sq miles with 15 different neighborhoods/hamlets. The town has a different zip code, 3 different school districts( Spackenkill, Arlington, Wappingers: which are the top in all of Dutchess County besides Red Hook) and does not include the city schools, separate town court, town police, higher taxes, no sidewalks, farms, open land, all the shopping & restaurants for entire Dutchess are in the Town of Poughkeepsie on Rte. 9. Parks galore! Each hamlet has its own park. Low crime, low poverty, low minorities. Excellent colleges (Vassar, Marist, DCC). Arlington area borders Lagrange and Pleasant Valley. Red Oaks Mill area borders LaGrange and Wappingers. New Hamburg borders the Hudson River and Village of Wappingers Falls). Convenient to Taconic, 84, and Orange/Ulster Counties. Great town to raise a family in a suburb that (when necessary) is easily accessible to the county's major hub; which is City of Poughkeepsie(Courts, DMV, Office buildings, Civic Center, Nightlife, Train, Riverfront, etc.) Although they share the same name, you will practically never need to go into the City of Poughkeepsie unless you are called for jury duty, have to attend other courts, work there, or going to see a show.

Located halfway between New York City and Albany, Poughkeepsie is both a city and town, with a combined population of 75,000. Its location along the Hudson shore adds natural beauty. Though the city has been plagued by crime and a declining economy, it has many assets, including a vibrant art scene and lots of history.

Poughkeepsie is the retail hub of the county, home to the Poughkeepsie Galleria and many big-box and national retailers. The Galleria is the largest mall in the Hudson Valley. Most of the area's shopping is found along the Route 9 corridor.

The City of Poughkeepsie has its own school district, which has a student population of 4,600. Sixty-one percent of the students live in poverty. The district has five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Its high school graduation rate has been subpar, and the state has placed Poughkeepsie on its list of districts in need of improvement. However, the district has received a large grant from the state whose funds will go toward raising graduation rates and strengthening curriculum.

Poughkeepsie town is served by four districts: Arlington, Hyde Park, Spackenkill and Wappingers. Arlington and Wappingers are both large districts, each with over 10,000 students. Both districts have mostly solid results on state exams, but Wappingers has been identified by the state as needing improvement in English across grade levels. Hyde Park, with 4,300 students, has also been identified by the state as needing improvement; the district also has a poverty rate of 21%. Spackenkill is the smallest district, with 1,675 students. Student performance on state exams is generally good.

Both the town and the city have excellent recreational opportunities and facilities; state and county-run properties also draw residents and visitors. Spratt Park, which has a pool and offers swimming lessons, is run by a partnership between the town and city. Pulaski Park, which is part of the city, is located near the regionally well-known Walkway Over the Hudson, a state park formed from the former Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge, which was initially constructed in 1889. Numerous programs are available and there are several facilities for a variety of interests.

Art and culture are valued by Poughkeepsie’s residents. In 1869 the Bardavon Opera House opened, and has remained so ever since, making it the longest continually operating theater in the state. It has expanded beyond opera to host the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Live music and movies are also featured. The Barrett Art Center, located in the 1830s Greek Revival home of artist Thomas Weeks Barrett, hosts shows and exhibits. SPARC Poughkeepsie features information about cultural happenings in the area, and promotes restaurants and arts organizations. The three area colleges, Vassar, Marist and Dutchess Community, also have events open to the community.

House-hunters will find a great deal of variety, from recently built homes, to older homes and multi-family dwellings. Luxury townhouses are being built along the riverfront. Poughkeepsie is accessible to buyers with a range of budgets, and has a great deal to offer its residents.

Spackenkill is a quaint 2.9 square hamlet in the busy city of Poughkeepsie, NY, part of the glorious Mid-Hudson Valley located along the beautiful Hudson River. It's famous for being the home of many IBM employees (a major microelectronics company that made some of the world's first computers), as well as world championship poker player Hevad Khan, 6th place winner of the 2007 Poker World Series. Being a suburban area, it's also got a great park, Spratt Park, which is a wonderful place to spend the day in the peaceful pleasure of Nature. Die-hard Golfers can enjoy a day at lovely, sprawling McCann Golf Course that is right nearby.

It's a much quieter area of Poughkeepsie and therefore much safer, mainly because it's so residential. With a median housing price of $330,000, and much of Poughkeepsie itself being around $200,000 range, it's not much of a difference. However, Spackenkill does have its own Union Free School District, that encourages the use of enrichment programs and such events like Odyssey of the Mind (the Todd Team won 22 out of 55 placements at the World Finals). Spackenkill High School is hailed by Newseek as being one of America's “Best High Schools”, and that's really saying something! Plus Spakenkill is right near great colleges like Vassar and Marist for when kids actually graduate, so they don't have to go too far from home to have an caliber education in the higher education levels. All that being said, it's clear to me that your kids will have a bright future with the Spakenkill School District.

Living in Spakenkill gives you all the convenience of living near a big city without actually living there. Poughkeepsie has great stores like Dragon's Den (an old-school gaming store where you can get your old NES fixed, or still buy Magic: The Gathering cards and attend Magic tournaments---there's even prizes to be won). Dragon's Den is located in Poughkeepsie Plaza, with lots more other stores to choose from as well! There's also a Barnes & Noble for the book lover in you, and Adams Fairacre Farms and Price Chopper for all your everyday grocery needs. There's scores of shopping opportunities at the Poughkeepsie Galleria, and the South Hills Mall---while much smaller---is a great place to shop as well. (They were around when I was a kid and it's nice to see they're still going strong.) Restaurants include such as great cozy bistros like The Artist's Palate, or the Rier Station, which is named so for its location that's right near the train station. You can sit outside and have Roasted Corn Lobster or excellent paninis on a patio overlooking the Hudson River. You can even see the Mid-Hudson Bridge on a clear day. The Bull & Buddha, for all kinds of Asian food (including Vietnam and Thailand) offers a great exotic atmosphere.

Poughkeepsie proper has lots of great things to do like the jhistoric Bardavon Opera House (home to great theater and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra) and the Hudson Valley Civic Center, where lots of events like shows and concerts are held (including the Barnaum & Bailey Circus). Neighboring Wappinger Falls also has two great water parks, Roseland and Splash Down, which are also great places to have birthday parties (especially Splash Down; I have great memories as a kid having my own birthday party there). You're never too far from NYC as well with Poughkeepsie's Metro-North train station.

Overall Spackenkill is a great place to live, work and raise a family. You'll be glad you came!

I still have fond memories of attending Dutchess Arts Camp in Arlington, NY, where I made my own tie-dye shirt and loved the counselors there. I had no idea back then that Dutchess Arts Camp is actually in the town of Arlington when I thought it was Poughkeepsie.

In fact, Arlington is a town that's just northeast of Poughkeepsie, the city and is part of Poughkeepsie, the town. Confusing? Not really. The town of Poughkeepsie is a lot safer than the city itself, and a lot closer knit, as well. It's a college town, home to Vassar College and Dutchess Community, with fine upscale restaurants and adorable shops that line its streets.

Some of the cute shops I've found most memorable here are Elizabeth's Boutique, which is a funky shop that feels more like a fancy thrift store. It's very inviting and cozy here and you feel like you've just stepped back in time: there's everything from antique furniture to things you'd think you'd only find at flea markets like that one in nearby Stormville, NY. After finding your next beloved treasure at Elizabeth's, make sure to check out the Dreaming Goddess, where you'll feel like a Goddess after applying your new favorite essential oil, and smelling like the dreamiest incest. There's gifts here for every occasion, like birthdays and weddings, and of course there's always yourself---you'll feel quite pampered just by being here. If you're stomach starts rumbling after all this fun, have some great food at hot spots like Babycakes Cafe where you can eat BBQ pulled pork for lunch and grilled filet mignon for dinner. If you're in a romantic mood, take your significant other to the Beech Tree Grill, where you can both enjoy their famous lamb and accompanying live music. If you're out with friends,make sure to hit Juliet's Cafe and Billiards, where you'll find a humongous pool hall, video games, and even old-fashioned arcade games like pinball and ping pong for the perfect end to a perfect evening with friends.

Arlington NY has its own annual Street Fair which is great event for families, singles and couples to gather and enjoy great food, excellent music and fun times for all. There's lots of artistic opportunities in the immediate and surrounding areas, including the Arlington Library, which offers its community all different kinds of programs as well as influencing cultural unity and education. Arlington is served by the highly esteemed Arlington School District, which has a high school that's strangely not in Arlington but LaGrangeville (and one of my former high schools before I moved to Yorktown Heights with my family). It's a great, fun-filled place to live, work and raise a family. You'll be glad you came!

Poughkeepsie is a both a town and a city and although it is practically impossible to talk about one without mentioning the offerings of the other, they do have their own individual governments.

The 31.2 square mile town lays claim to Vassar College, Marist College and Dutchess Community College and therefore has an abundance of educational and cultural opportunities and entertainment experiences. Vassar College alone has both the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center which houses and displays over 15,000 impressive works of art as well as the incomparable Powerhouse Theater which is a partnership between the college and New York City’s renowned New York Stage and Film. The theatre presents top-notch plays and musicals, many of which feature major Broadway and motion picture stars.

The town of Poughkeepsie has a pretty well-developed parks and rec program with two solid day camps that offer arts and crafts, performing arts, games, sports and nature activities. There is little league, youth baseball and a soccer club. They hold tennis lessons in Red Oak Mills Park, swimming lessons for kids and adults at the popular, public Spratt Park Pool and ladies recreational softball played on the American Legion Field. There are often special events held at the pretty 160-acre Peach Lake Park such as apple pressing and bird-watching walks along its four miles of trails. In all actuality, an impressive total of twenty-two plus parks abound in the town of Poughkeepsie so there is a little patch of recreational green for everyone! And then of course the city of Poughkeepsie has the absolutely glorious wonder, Walkway Over the Hudson State Park which is an old, unused bridge that was cleverly turned into a lovely pedestrian park with bike paths and stunning views of the river. And there are plenty of more parks in Poughkeepsie proper to go around.

The town also proudly offers a senior citizen emergency watch program.

Historical Locust Grove is a town of P’keepsie claim to fame. It is a glorious 200 acre estate overlooking the Hudson River which includes the former Italianate villa home of famed artist Samuel Morse, winding carriage roads and stunning grounds. Visitors can tour the home and museum pavilion and just saunter around the beauteous gardens where they often hold special events. There is also a very cool education program for kids which offers classes such as Telegraphy, Machines and Levers.

There is enough shopping all over Poughkeepsie that you don’t have to leave the area if you don’t want to. The Poughkeepsie Galleria alone has hundreds of shops, varied eateries and the Regal Galleria Mall Stadium 6. There is also the Dutchess Center and Poughkeepsie Plaza and tons of other stores well peppering the whole of Poughkeepsie.

There are just oodles of great restaurants, eateries and cafes and such all over greater Poughkeepsie so it is easy to fulfill a food craving. Speaking of, Crave Restaurant and Lounge with its CIA alumni chefs has a sophisticated New York atmosphere and exquisite food made with the freshest of regional and seasonal ingredients. The Beech Tree Grill is an American bistro often well attended by Vassar students. The Artist’s Palate is a gorgeously decorated and more upscale bistro & bar that has fabulous food in addition to rotating art exhibitions, The Bull and Buddha Restaurant is an interesting Asian fusion destination that houses a two-ton hand-carved Buddha along with its great sushi. Alex’s Restaurant is a cozy downtown breakfast favorite. The Karma Lounge makes some really tasty tapas and creative cocktails concoctions. Café Bocca is a trendy, gourmet café that also has live local music, rotating art exhibits and poetry events, Mole Mole with its highly touted Enchiladas Con Mole, the Dubliner Irish Pub with its juicy burgers and finger-licking fish n’ chips and Babycakes Bakery and Café, with its distressed wooden tables, casual atmosphere and lovingly handmade goods. And there are plenty more including diners and chain favorites.

The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is the big area event venue and is comprised of Mair Hall & McCann Ice Arena. They have large-scale special events, concerts and performances such as the WWE Smackdown tour, Celtic Thunder, GLEE on Ice, the Hudson Valley Reptile Expo, competitive figure skating, ice hockey and public skating sessions. There is also the fantastic Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, the Cunneen Hackett Art Center, Mill Street Loft, yet more parks and another public pool, a good library system and an array of great bars, pubs, dance clubs and live music venues.

Saint Francis Hospital is located in the town so you have medical coverage readily available for peace of mind.

The actual city of Poughkeepsie also has a reliable bus system as well as a Metro North and Amtrak station. Commute time to Grand Central Station in Manhattan is anywhere between one hour and thirty-eight minutes and one hour and forty-five minutes.

Town of Poughkeepsie students appear to be divided among several different school districts depending on where they live, but all of them seem to be relatively decent.

The median income is about $55,327.

The population is approximately 42,777.

Red Oaks Mill is a 3.6 square mile part suburban hamlet in the parent town of Poughkeepsie (and partly in the town of La Grange) in Dutchess County, NY. It has attractive mid sized homes and a decent commercial district around the often busy intersection of Spackenkill Road, New Hackensack Road and Vassar Road.

There are some good eats in the immediate area including Hobnobbin Pub (which is both a bar and restaurant) with its beloved burgers and wings, pool table and down to earth atmosphere, Good Fellas Pizzas which is one of the better pizza places around, Chen’s Peking Restaurant and good ol’ Subway. If you venture a little further, the food possibilities are downright endless. The city of Poughkeepsie has a wealth of great eateries ranging from authentic Irish pub grub to trendy Manhattan’esque restaurants to charming bistros, cafes and bakeries. If you are a foodie, you will not be easily bored.

As far as retail shopping in the immediate area of Red Oaks Mill, there is a Rite Aid in the Red Oaks Mill Shopping Center.

Poughkeepsie Plaza is about 2.9 miles west and has Marshall’s, Modell Sporting Goods, Jo Ann Fabrics, Famous Footwear, Just a Buck, Sew n’ Vac, Blockbuster Video, Marshall’s, the UPS Store, Marino’s Barber Shop, County Optical, Card Smart, Weight Watchers, Dragon’s Den, instyle Salon, Nail Pro, Toys R Us, The Pastry Garden, Orient Buffet, Safari Restaurant and Wendy’s and more. The very popular Poughkeepsie Galleria is 3.3 miles away and has hundreds of big name retail and specialty stores, a food court, Ruby Tuesday’s, the Melting Pot and a multiplex theater.

In order to fulfill your grocery shopping wants and needs, you will find Welcome Oriental Grocery, a Stewart’s Shop and Military Prestige Market. The closest major supermarkets would be Stop & Shop (2.9 miles away) and Price Chopper (3 miles away).

Red Oaks Mill is home to Macghee Park. But the town of Poughkeepsie as a whole has twenty-two total parks to meet your outdoor needs, with even more in the actual city. The town of Poughkeepsie actually has a very nice Parks & Rec program with two quality day camps that offer arts and crafts, performing arts, games, sports and nature activities. The town has a good little league as well as youth baseball and a soccer club. They hold tennis lessons in Red Oak Mills Park, swimming lessons for kids and adults at the popular, public Spratt Park Pool and ladies recreational softball is played on the American Legion Field. There are often special events held at the pretty 160-acre Peach Lake Park And then, of course, in the city of Poughkeepsie you will surely love the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park, an old, abandoned bridge that was oh so cleverly turned into a pedestrian park replete with bike paths and picture-worthy views of the majestic Hudson River and surrounds.

Red Oaks Mill is relatively safe and the crime rate is pretty low.

The median household income is about $77, 533.

The population is approximately 3, 613.

Fairview is a fairly attractive mostly suburban 3.5 square mile hamlet in the town of Poughkeepsie, NY.

Although you have an absolute bonanza of amazing eateries all over Poughkeepsie and none are really very far to reach, I will try to highlight some of the ones that are closest to the Fairview hamlet itself. In a two mile range you have Cosimo Trattoria, a popular Marist college student hang-out with some pretty decent specialty pizza pies, The Palace Diner with great breakfasts and desserts, El Ameer Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Restaurant with pretty good falafel, The Artists Palate, a trendy little gem with out of this world lobster mac n cheese, the amazing Crave Restaurant & Lounge with CIA graduates at the helm of the kitchen, Mole Mole with its raved about enchiladas con mole, Alloy’s Italian Restaurant with its authentic Italian fare, Dough Boy’s Pizza, Pleasant Ridge Pizza, Yeung Ho II Chinese Restaurant (with take-out and delivery), Applebees, Starbucks and quite a few more.

And don’t forget you are only a hop and a skip (1.9 miles) from the internationally acclaimed Culinary Institute of American in nearby Hyde Park. The institute has five award-winning student-run restaurants on campus that are open to the public and to reservations. These include St. Andrew's Café, Ristorante Caterina de' Medici, the Escoffier Restaurant, American Bounty Restaurant and the Apple Pie Bakery Café.

Shopping in the immediate area includes a Staples in Fairview itself and a few other stores within a two mile range including Home Depot, Rite Aid, and a Family Dollar Store. The Dutchess Center, Poughkeepsie Plaza and the ever-popular Poughkeepsie Galleria are 2.4 miles, 4 miles and 7 miles away, respectively. The Poughkeepsie Galleria has hundreds of retail stores, a bunch of good eateries and a movieplex.

The closest major supermarket is Super Stop & Shop about 2.3 miles from Fairview. In closer range, however, you will find some mini-marts.

Marist College is less than a mile away and boasts an attractive 150-acre campus overlooking the Hudson River and academic programs highly touted by the Princeton Review, Barron’s and U.S. New & World Report. They have a gorgeous riverfront park, a very high-tech library, an art gallery and some great plays and musicals produced by the theatre department. Dutchess Community College is in Fairview and also has a pretty campus and offers 60+ rock solid programs should you want to pursue an associates degree at a far more reasonable cost.

The town of Poughkeepsie has a solid parks and rec program with two day camps that offer arts and crafts, performing arts, games, sports and nature activities. There is little league, youth baseball and a soccer club. Tennis lessons are given in Red Oak Mills Park. Swimming lessons for kids and adults are conducted at the Spratt Park Pool. Ladies recreational softball is played on the American Legion Field. There are special events held at the picturesque 160-acre Peach Lake Park like apple pressing and bird-watching walks along its four miles of pretty trails. There are actually a whopping total of twenty-two plus parks in the town of Poughkeepsie!

And of course, the city of Poughkeepsie is absolutely brimming with exciting educational, culinary and entertainment possibilities including but certainly not limited to the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, the Mid-Hudson Civic Center comprised of Mair Hall and McCann Ice Arena, an astounding collection of varied artworks at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at the world renowned Vassar College, the Barrett Art Center, the Cunneen Hackett Art Center, Mill Street Loft, yet more parks and another public pool, a good library system and a wealth of cool bars, authentic pubs and lively dance clubs and music venues.

And then in the city of Poughkeepsie, there is the not to be missed Walkway Over the Hudson State Park which is an old, unused bridge brilliantly turned into a pedestrian park with bike paths and glorious views of the Hudson river.

St. Francis Hospital is only a half mile from Fairview and is considered a very fine regional hospital.

The median household income is $45,676.

The population of Fairview is approximately 5,515.

Crown Heights is a small section of Poughkeepsie made up primarily of middle income homes and trailers. The hamlet is bordered on one side by Route 9 and on the other by the Hudson River. The river offers great views and Route 9 offers access to shopping and dining. It is a pity that there is not a park or residential development yet to take advantage of the Hudson views that we can see if we take the Metro North train.

Children in Crown Heights go to the Spackenkill Union Free School District. Nassau Elementary seems to be the school serving the young kids in this area. The schools have a fairly solid reputation as offering interesting specialized programs to meet diverse student needs.

Among the good restaurants on Route 9 right near Crown Heights are Crew, Bonefish Grill and Umberto's. Red Lobster and Giacomo Pizza Express are also in the immediate area. There are quite a few exciting options further up Route 9 for those looking for varied cuisine.

Given the geography of Crown Heights and the dependence on Route 9 for access, traffic can be an issue during peak commute hours. The train line which runs through Crown Heights is not immediately useful as the nearest train station is actually New Hamburgh. NYC is approximately 75 mins by car or train.


Crown Heights is a safe and secure neighborhood for families looking for affordable options in the Poughkeepise area. While it is not hopping with activity, it is close to all the shopping and dining in the larger Poughkeepsie community and that is aplenty.

Crown Heights is a predominantly residential 2.7 square mile hamlet of the greater town of Poughkeepsie, NY.

Crown Heights proper doesn’t really have much going on other than its well kept medium income homes, but it is very close to Route 9 (S. Road) where there are a number of fairly good restaurants. Some of the standouts within a mile to two mile radius are the Bonefish Grill, Crew, Giacomo Pizza Express with its delicious margherita pizza, Café Pazzo with its authentic Italian fare, Spice Aroma Restaurant with its fresh and delicious Indian cuisine, IHOP, Subway, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Red Robins with its outstanding burgers, Robbies North Star Deli, Bonsai Japanese, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. You venture a little further than two miles and you will find a plethora of additional eateries throughout Poughkeepsie.

Shopping in the immediate area consists of the ever-popular Poughkeepsie Galleria which has hundreds of small and large scale retail stores as well as quite a few restaurants and a good movie theater.

The two closest supermarkets of worth near Crown Heights are Mother Earth’s Storehouse (1.4 miles away) and Stop and Shop which is 1.8 miles away. Mother Earth’s is quite an excellent natural food store and vitamin center.

Crown Heights is a smidge over a mile from the wonderful Casperkill Golf Club and Casperkill Country Club. The golf course has a lovely creek running through it and offers excellent pricing including an annual pass option. It once received a four-star rating from Golf Digest. The country club has a pool and you can also play baseball there.

Spratt Park in nearby Spackenkill (about 2.5 miles away) has the Spratt Park Swimming Pool which is a popular public pool run by the city of Poughkeepsie.

And speaking of Poughkeepsie, never forget that although Crown Heights may be on the quiet side, you are never far removed from the absolute wealth of restaurants, art centers, museums and performing arts institutions all within very reasonable driving ranges.

Crown Heights’ students are a part of the Spackenkill School District and Spackenhill High is purportedly very good.

The median household income is about $60, 994.

The population is approximately 2, 992.

Arlington is a historical 4.9 square mile collegiate hamlet in the parent town of Poughkeepsie, NY. I say collegiate because the biggest draw here is the renowned Vassar College. The area is laden with students and has a lively feel and as you might expect, a fair share of great bars and trendy eateries.

Some notable restaurants in the immediate area (all within a mile of Arlington) are Mole Mole with its cool atmosphere and highly recommended Enchiladas Con Mole, the fabulous Dubliner Irish Pub with its outstanding burgers and fish n chips, Babycakes Bakery and Café, with its distressed wooden tables, casual atmosphere and made from scratch fare, Beech Tree Grill, a student fave of an American bistro with great micro brews, the beloved Acropolis Diner with its delicious onion rings, Marco’s Gourmet Pizzeria with excellent pies, Tokyo Express with its amazing Volcano rolls, Twisted Soul with its yummy dumplings, Noshi’s Coney Island with its superb soups and hot dogs and S G Kismat Restaurant with its fabulous masalas. And those are but a drop in the bucket of all that you can eat and drink in the area.

As far as retail shopping is concerned, once again you don’t have to go far. Within a half mile alone you will find Kmart, Sears, Big Lots, Dollar Tree, Collage Hair & Color, House of Nutrition, Jubilee Christian Book Store and Quackles. And beyond that small radius, you have oodles of great shopping all over Poughkeepsie including the popular Poughkeepsie Galleria which has myriad retail stores, restaurants and a multiplex theater.

For grocery shopping, there is a Super Stop & Shop a little over a half mile away. There is also a My Market II, Taha Halal Grocery and Casa Latina Supermarket.

Vassar College, of course, is an incredible resource in and of itself. The 36,000 square foot Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center houses an unbelievable art collection of 18,000 works from antiquity to the present day including paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, textiles, glass works and ceramics. The Powerhouse Theater is a renowned performing arts partnership between New York Stage and Film and the college which presents exceptional plays and musicals many which feature major stars as well as a top-notch apprenticeship program. And of course you have an abundance of lectures and other intellectual engagments right at your doorstep.

The Vassar Golf Course, located on campus, is a charming 9-hole golf course with a shop.

Poughkeepsie has a well-developed parks and recreation program. There is a Skate Park in Waryas Park. Spratt Park Pool is a popular summer destination for cooling off and having gun. You can buy a family pass, an adult season pass, children (under 13) season pass or daily pass. They offer swimming instruction there for kids and adults. There is also Pulaski Park Pool. There is a great little league program.

Arlington is also less than two miles from the glorious Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park.

Parents can bring their kids to the fantastic Mid Hudson Children’s Museum (2.4 miles away) which has outstanding educational resources including STARLAB Planetarium, games, arts and crafts in the Art Activity Center, hands-on exhibits, interactive story times, a rock climbing wall, the Great Bubble Machine, science demos, field trips, outreach programs, scout adventures and summer programs to name but some of its offerings

The median household income is about $43,141.

The population of Arlington is approximately 4,061. It is a little more diverse in its racial make-up, largely due to the student population.

Spackenkill is a pleasant enough mostly residential hamlet of Poughkeepsie, NY. It is a safe and quiet area but in extremely close proximity to a good slice of Poughkeepsie’s many quality amenities.

The closest restaurants to Spackenkill are technically in the greater parent town of Poughkeepsie, but they are but a short one mile to a mile and a half up and down and around the Route 9 thoroughfare. These eateries include the excellent Giacomos with its terrific pizza and calamari, Red Lobster, Umberto’s of Mamma Mia’s with its Italian fare and banjo band on Monday nights, the Bonefish Grill with its tasty seafood offerings and self-proclaimed “big city bar,” Red Robin, famous for its delicious burgers, the modern and energetic Crew Restaurant & Bar, which offers up eclectic European fare and has received good ratings from Zagat, Caffe Pazzo with its always good old school classic Italian eats, Coyote Grill which is a 1950’s roadhouse’esque joint known for its global menu and martini lounge, the Table Talk Diner, Pizza Hut, Five Guys, TGI Fridays, Subway, IHOP and Starbucks and more. Not to mention all the other endless restaurants in greater Poughkeepsie.

Poughkeepsie Plaza is about 1.1 miles up the road from Spackenkill and is an easy convenient shopping center that houses a Modell’s Sporting Goods, Joann Fabrics, Blockbuster Video, Famous Footwear, Sew n’ Vac, County Optical, County Dental, Marshalls, Nail Pro, Weight Watchers, Harmon Beauty Discount, the Parent Teacher Store, Just a Buck, Dragon’s Den, Hudson River Yoga, Art Craft, Chase Bank, Craftsmen by Design, Rainbow, T & J’s Tailoring, in style Salon, Women’s Work, Jumpin Jakes Discovery, and more, as well as a handful of restaurants, cafes and caterers. For even more retail shopping options, you needn’t go far. The popular Poughkeepsie Galleria with its hundreds of retail stores and plethora of food choices is only about two miles from Spackenkill. It also has a good movie theatre.

Food shopping can be accomplished at the Stop & Shop or the Price Chopper, about one mile away.

Spratt Park is Spackenkill’s very own local park and has a popular swimming pool. You can buy different daily or season passes.

The Casperkill Golf Club and Country Club is right nearby (less than a mile away) and has a beautifully kept golf course, driving range, baseball field and pool. McCann Golf Course is a smidge over a mile away and has a good 18-hole golf course and a pro shop.

Spackenkill is quite safe and the crime rate is relatively low.

Spackenkill students are a part of the Spackenkill School District and Spackenhill High is apparently pretty darn good.

The median household income is about $77,689.

The population is approximately 4,123.

Poughkeepsie is a bustling, dynamic Hudson River city brimming with great restaurants, great shopping, exceptional educational institutions, oodles of history, tons of entertainment and lots of arts and culture to go around.

Hudson River Housing is an organization that provides affordable, quality housing in the area to individuals, families and seniors.

There are far too many interesting, exotic, humble, mom and pop, indie and exciting restaurants, bakeries and eateries to mention in one review, but I will do my best to provide a nice handful or two of the very best out there. Crave Restaurant and Lounge with its CIA alumni chefs has a sophisticated New York ambiance and excellent fare made with the freshest regional and seasonal ingredients. The Beech Tree Grill is an American bistro often well attended by Vassar students. The Artist’s Palate is a beautifully appointed and sophisticated bistro & bar that has exquisite food and rotating art exhibitions, The Bull and Buddha Restaurant is a very cool Asian fusion joint that boasts an enormous (two-ton) hand-carved Buddha and some great sushi. Alex’s Restaurant is a cozy downtown breakfast favorite which also makes some great shakes. The Karma Lounge puts together some really tasty tapas and some interesting signature cocktails. Café Bocca is a trendy, gourmet café that also has live local music, rotating art exhibits and poetry events. And there are many, many, many more.

Shopping is a-plenty in the area and you will find everything your little heart could desire. The Poughkeepsie Galleria has 250 shops and varied eateries. It is home to Regal Galleria Mall Stadium 6 as well as a wealth of other indie stores.

The Mid-Hudson Civic Center is comprised of Mair Hall & McCann Ice Arena. They have large-scale events, concerts and performances such as the WWE Smackdown tour, Celtic Thunder, GLEE on Ice, the Hudson Valley Reptile Expo, competitive figure skating, ice hockey and public skating sessions.

Main Mall Row is a great example of Renaissance Revival architecture and is on the National Historic Registry of protected places. The main street district in Poughkeepsie is a source of local pride and has been steadfastly revitalized throughout the years.

The Chance Theatre is “The Hudson Valley’s Premiere Live Music Venue” and hosts an outstanding roster of up and coming talents. Bardavon Opera House has been in operation since 1869 and has a stellar calendar of world-class performers and productions including the likes of Michael McDonald, Laurie Berkner, exceptional operas, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, a wonderful children’s series,

Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at the world renowned Vassar College has over 15,000 impressive works. The Cunneen Hackett Arts Center has rotating gallery exhibits, educational programs and tours of local Victorian historical houses. The Mill Street Loft offers year round art classes and the award-winning Dutchess Arts Camp. The Barrett Art Center, which is located in the historic home of Thomas W. Barrett (a former famous local artist), has incredible rotating exhibitions, varied art classes, lectures and demonstrations. Twice a year they hold an impressive shows juried by the curators of some of the most famous museums around including The Whitney Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim Museum, the International Center of Photography and the DIA Art Foundation in NYC. They hold a wonderful annual High School Show. They also have a fantastic Barrett ClayWorks program

Mid Hudson Children’s Museum has wonderful educational resources for children including STARLAB Planetarium, games, arts and crafts in the Art Activity Center, hands-on exhibits, interactive story times, a rock climbing wall, the Great Bubble Machine, science demos, field trips, outreach programs, scout adventures and summer programs to name but some of its offerings.

Empire Cruise Lines, which operates on the mighty Hudson, has just launched a new dinner, sightseeing and tour boat called M/V Mystere. They offer wonderful cruises including a High Tea Cruise, Theatre Cruise, Sunset Cruises, Theme Party Cruises, and Farm Fresh Tour amongst quite a few others.

Poughkeepsie has a well-developed parks and recreation program. There is a Skate Park in Waryas Park. Spratt Park Pool is a popular summer destination for cooling off and having fun. You can buy a family pass, an adult season pass, children (under 13) season pass or daily pass. They offer swimming instruction there for kids and adults. There is also Pulaski Park Pool. There is a great little league program with its own website.

The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is a wonderful local resource. An old, unused bridge was turned into a lovely pedestrian park replete with bike paths.

The Main Street Farmer’s Market is a terrific weekly event held every Friday from 2 to 6 from June through October. It features fantastic local producers.

The city of Poughkeepsie also has a very good and mostly reliable bus system and a Metro North and Amtrak station. Commute time to NYC is between one hour and thirty-eight and one hour and forty-five minutes.

Poughkeepsie has a very good city library system with a nice collection and a series of solid events and programs.

City of Poughkeepsie students are a part of the Poughkeepsie City School District.

The median household income is about $28,389

The population of Poughkeepsie is approximately 32, 736.

Poughkeepsie, NY is not known as “The Queen City of the Hudson” for nothing. The area was once a central hubub for whalers coming in from the Atlantic Ocean, and the Dutch settlers who lived here made oil from the whale blubber, which was a thriving industry back then. The oil was used to light lamps and to make candle wax. Later, Poughkeepsie became a city famous for its paper mills, breweries, shippings and hat factories. Today it’s a city known as the government’s home in the Mid-Hudson Valley, as well as home to historic landmarks like the beautiful Bardavon 1869 Opera House and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, as well as the living quarters of Samuel F.B.Morse (inventor of the Morse Code), and architectural marvels like the Poughkeepsie Bridge (once a railroad, now a walkway) and the Mid Hudson Bridge, which brings travellers in taking routes 44 and 55.

Living in Poughkeepsie is perfect for people who want to be on the river, in the heart of the industrial district in the Mid-Hudson Valley, and who love the performing arts. It’s affordable and reasonable to own or rent here, as the median price for housing is in the $300,000 and you can rent generally for not less than $800 a month. Habitat for Humanity works hard to keep the homeless off the streets, and there’s also lots of community centers in the area. Schools are excellent (Poughkeepsie is also home to Merist, Vassar, and Dutchess Community colleges) and the rate of graduation in the public school system is high. Kids are offered plenty of extra-curricular activities, and there’s field trips to places like the Bardavon for theater and concerts, and trips to Samuel F. B. Morse’s house. For entertainment, visit the Hudson Valley Civic Center, or hit up Bananas for a comedy show. Classy, authentically traditional restaurants like Bull and Buddha, an Asian and American fusion on Main Street, will remind you why it’s great to live here. Dine on the deck at Shadows on the Hudson or take a date to the refreshing bistro, the Artist’s Palate. Afterwards, you can see some live rock music at The Chance at 6 Crannell Street, see fantastic and memorable show at the Half Moon Theater, or have an artful night of poetry at Cafe Boca at 14 Carmel Place. Poughkeepsie has two major malls: South Hills and the Poughkeepsie Galleria. The Galleria is the best, for it houses 2 floors full of 250 shops; South Hills is a bit more of an old-fashioned indoor mall with a great selection. There’s also Poughkeepsie Plaza, and there’s buses that can take you all over the city.

Transportation is made easy if you live in Poughkeepsie. There’s two major bus depots and the Metro-North train station. Poughkeepsie is located in the middle of Albany and NYC, so you’ve got plenty of great places to explore on the way between both. It’s one of the Mid-Hudson Valley’s most successful cities for entrepreneurs and commuters to live in. It’s got a bit of something for everyone, and history buffs will love to learn about how Poughkeepsie came to be. If you want great culture and entertainment in an ethnically diverse atmosphere, then Poughkeepsie is the city for you!

The Town of Poughkeepsie, not to be confused with the City of Poughkeepsie (which is an entirely different entity with a different municipal government), is located by the Hudson River in Dutchess County's west. The town wraps around the city like a half-donut as it borders Ulster County on its west side. The northern, eastern, and southern sides of town all have a bit of a different feel to them -- or at least they do to me, having been a lifelong resident.

On the southern side of town, south of the City of Poughkeepsie, there is a lot to do. This is where the area's big malls are located, with the Poughkeepsie Galleria chief amongst them. Nowadays, most any major retailer you can think of is here or near here. The same goes for restaurants: with the growth of the Poughkeepsie area, many national chains have come here over the years, such as Chili's, Uno's, Red Robin, TGI Friday's, and Olive Garden, and there are plenty of local restaurants, varying from fast food to casual to finer dining. Given that many types of eateries are here now, chances are you'll find at least one to your liking. We're not talking Manhattan-style options, but there are lots of options indeed. Options also extend to nightlife, as you probably won't have to work too hard to find a decent bar, and there are nightclubs and movie theaters here as well, amongst other things. If Manhattan is your thing, though, New York City is not a horrible drive from here -- no more than 2 hours if all goes well.

The northern and eastern sides are much the same, with shopping centers, supermarkets, places to eat, available housing, schools, maybe a place to work out, and access to medical care.

With that said, yes, the Town of Poughkeepsie is growing. Traffic gets much worse now than it did 15 years ago, and recently I've started experiencing traffic on streets on which I've never seen it before. On Route 9 on a busy weekend or at peak weekday hours, it can be a slow crawl at times (especially factoring in some long traffic lights). Unless you're on a more isolated side street and stay there, you're probably going to notice this.

Public transportation is available. Several Dutchess County Loop Bus routes pass through and the Metro North train to New York City can be picked up either in the City of Poughkeepsie or a small hamlet called New Hamburg, located on the far southern tip of the Town of Poughkeepsie near the village of Wappingers Falls. Still, this isn't really a "sidewalk" community in many places and the residential areas aren't really on top of the wide array of local businesses, so you will need a car to get around.

The school system here is fine in most places; one issue of which I have heard in the area (not just Poughkeepsie) is that overcrowding is becoming a problem in some school districts. There are also options for universities, as well as parochial or private schools here, depending on your personal beliefs. Speaking of those, there are also plenty of churches in the area serving a variety of different faiths.

I find it convenient living in an area with so much around. I enjoy being able to say that I'm 5-10 minutes away from just about everything I need, and highway access isn't far, either. I have personally had no experience with local crime, though I know it's not unheard of, and there's enough land space in my neighborhood that we can spread out a little bit. This area is growing, however, so be ready for some congestion and crowding.

Arlington is an area within Poughkeepsie which is largely made up by Vassar College along Raymond Avenue. Going by the map boundaries and the overhead view alone, you can tell that this place is roughly half-urban and half-suburban, and the further away from the Poughkeepsie city center you get, the more greenery/trees and less concrete you see. There is a large population here relative to the rest of the county.

As mentioned, though, Vassar is truly at the center, and much of the activity is in and around this area. Not surprisingly, there is quite a bit of traffic possible during the day. In the mid-2000s, New York State changed Raymond Avenue, one of the main streets here, from two lanes in each direction to one and created three traffic rotaries. On the plus side, this took out the traffic lights which used to be in this section directly adjacent to Vassar, but traffic does tend to move slowly on Raymond and there is plenty of it. Furthermore, there are shops, bars, restaurants, and coffee shops (amongst other things) within a few blocks of Vassar, but parking can be quite limited at times. If you do get a chance to visit or live here, there are some trendy eateries (I've eaten at a few with good results) and places to have fun with friends.

Away from Vassar College, it's a little less lively, but there are churches, schools, some more restaurants (including chain places like Uno's), and some nearby shopping. Since it is in essence a college town, there are things to do, and there are also modern conveniences within a reasonable distance, including malls, hospitals/medical facilities, and gyms.

Being a college town also has its drawbacks. As you might imagine, they can get a little rowdy and here in particular, town-gown relations have sometimes appeared on national magazine rankings for universities, and not in a good way.

Though it gets a little more suburban as you head away from the City of Poughkeepsie side and towards the Town of Pleasant Valley side, this is an active, growing area and wouldn't be recommended for those seeking a quiet lifestyle. If you enjoy being near a college town and having some semblance of nightlife nearby, then Arlington is one of the better places to be in Dutchess County, if not the best.

Arlington actually has a fairly big population for a hamlet in Dutchess County, and while it's still overwhelmingly white, the racial makeup is more diverse than many other towns. The area is dominated by Vassar College, thought the college itself is just south of Arlington. The Vassar Golf Course is here though, and a lot of students live in the area, so there's a nice younger feel to Arlington than many other towns.

Of course, since Vassar is right there, you're going to have quite a few educational opportunities. As one of the Seven Sisters colleges, a ton of students come here every year, and they bring a ton of life to the area. You can tell if Vassar suddenly closed that Arlington would have a huge downturn in the economy and population. Fortunately, Vassar is doing fine, and the number of students who have gone on to be notable is pretty long, so you know there's a lot of interest in the area.

Because of the nearby campus, you get a few more cool bars than in other areas of Dutchess County, so you'll have plenty of chances to have fun in Arlington, and there are a handful of good restaurants as well, so there's an above average amount of things to do in Arlington.

While I think the students are a great thing, they do make Arlington a bit noisier than other hamlets, and if you're looking for a sleepy little place to live, this probably isn't it. You're going to see a lot of faces come and go, and you don't get quite the same community feeling as other places.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Arlington, but it isn't quite what I was looking for when I looked into Dutchess County. Dependent on what you need, it might be just the place for you though.

Fairview is just north of the city of Poughkeepsie, and this geographic location is perfect, because there's a bit more to do in Poughkeepsie which isn't too far away, yet you still get a decent amount of outdoor fun in Fairview.

I would say Fairview isn't quite as nice as the city of Poughkeepsie, but it's still a lovely area, and it's not a terribly low class hamlet by any means. It's very clean and there are plenty of outdoor options in the area, especially Fallkill park. Fall Kill Creek runs through Fairview, and it empties out in Poughkeepsie. It's a pretty little creek with plenty of fishing options. I'm not much of a fisherman myself, but I do like the creek, and I love lazy days out on a boat, so you can certainly enjoy such a day in Fairview. Fall Kill Creek is somewhat of a uniting factor for many parts of Dutchess County, as it runs through more than one town, and though it isn't the cleanest body of water in the world, there are a fair number of fishing enthusiasts who enjoy it regularly.

In addition to the creek, Fallkill County Park has room for baseball and other outdoor activities and sports. It's a great place to enjoy some outdoors fun. I always look for such features when I check out a new town or area, so this is a big factor for me.

If you're a younger person or just want to continue your education, Dutchess Community College is in Fairview, and while I wouldn't call it the world's greatest educational institution, it's supposed to be nice, and you could get a lot out of your studies there if you put in the proper time and effort. Marist College is also right nearby, so you have a few options close by.

Overall, you're not going to be terribly bored in Fairview. There's plenty to do, and there are other towns close by that will give you more options. It's fairly affordable, and there are some nice options for having fun outdoors. I think it would be a decent place for families or students.

Crown Heights is mostly a residential area on the west side of Route 9, adjacent to the Hudson River. A large chunk of the map-defined area is a concrete-producing plant right along the river, but many of the side streets are not directly connected to it.

This neighborhood is mostly green and has average-income houses. There is essentially no shopping, nor are there very many amenities in this particular hamlet, but they're not far away, either. The Poughkeepsie Galleria is quite close to Crown Heights, but not in it. If traveling up or down Route 9 through this area, you'll see a few restaurants such as Red Lobster, Umberto's and Bonefish Grill. At the very top end, you'll see IBM Road, which is where the Italian restaurant Coppola's and the Hampton Inn are located, as well as several rental car agencies and, of course, the IBM plant.

Living in the area and having traveled a number of the side streets, I see a nice neighborhood in Crown Heights. It is uncommon to hear of serious crime issues anywhere in Poughkeepsie, and this neighborhood is no different. Some people who live here are relatively well-to-do but we're still talking about well-kept average homes.

Sheafe Road Elementary school is nearby, as is Bowdoin Park on the riverside.

The Metro North train line to New York City runs through Crown Heights, but the closest station would be at New Hamburg, further south in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Not every neighborhood in Poughkeepsie is hopping with activity; Crown Heights is no exception. But like every neighborhood in town, if things to do aren't here, they aren't far away. This is not the kind of place where you can step out of your house and walk to the local hangouts; you get in your car and drive there. Still, it's a decent, safe area.

If we're going by the official map boundaries of Spackenkill, then there is plenty of stuff around. It runs on the east side of Route 9 from the Poughkeepsie Plaza Mall down to Casperkill Golf Course, and then a few miles east down Spackenkill Road.

Generally speaking, the part of Spackenkill away from Route 9 is quieter and has more of a neighborhood feel (though Spackenkill Road, like other main roads in Poughkeepsie, is becoming used more heavily). As you get towards 9, the stores and restaurants pop up. One in particular at the intersection of Spackenkill Road and 9 is Giacomo's, a nice Italian restaurant/pizzeria. In the Poughkeepsie Plaza Mall just to the north, there is another one. At or around that mall, some of the biggest stores are Marshall's, Toys R' Us, Modells, and Barnes & Noble. On the other side of the road, which technically isn't in the Spackenkill hamlet, there is more of the same.

Aside from that part of Spackenkill right along the Route 9 corridor, there's not much to see or do. Don't get me wrong, the neighborhoods are nice, clean, average-income locales, but if you're looking for shopping and restaurants or just anywhere to hang out, you've got to head for Route 9. It won't take long to get there from one of the side streets in this hamlet, though, and the big shopping malls in Poughkeepsie are only a few minutes outside of Spackenkill.

The major school here is Spackenkill High School in the Spackenkill district; I did not attend it but I have not heard bad things about it.

There are some nice parks here including Spratt Park, which is very close to McCann Golf Course.

Spackenkill is not a bad place to be and is not far from more significant shopping and restaurants, but it's not a happening place to be. Outside of the on-and-off congestion, it's a relatively quiet, safe area. It's essentially a place you drive through to get where you're going, so if that appeals to you, then this is a place to consider.

I have lived in Red Oaks Mill for my entire life (save the four years I went to college). Over the years, I have watched it grow, and overall I'd say it's a very convenient place to have nearby.

When locals normally think of Red Oaks Mill, they think of the big intersection in the town of Poughkeepsie of Vassar Road, Route 376, and Spackenkill Road, but it also means the gas stations, shopping and restaurants on both sides of the road.

On one side, you have Rite Aid (which is a convenient option if you're looking to quickly pick up an item), several banks, and several gas stations and convenience stores, such as Stewart's. There is also a liquor store, a deli, cleaners, a Carvel, and a new pizzeria, amongst other places. On the other side, there is a Shell station, a terrific little Chinese restaurant, a pizza place, a bagel place, and a Subway; again, amongst other things.

I don't live far from this clump of civilization, and I often brag to friends and others that I have a Chinese place, a pizza place, and/or an ice cream place just a short drive away. At the same time, I have learned what times it's easy to drive through here and when it's not fun at all. If you're heading through Red Oaks Mill during the daytime hours, say late morning, there will be plenty of cars, but it won't be a mess. If you're there at rush hour, say 5pm or so, making a turn out of one of those shopping centers will seem like it takes forever (especially if trying to make a left). It's constantly busy and there's usually activity in the shops, gas stations and eateries.

In the general area around the places of business, the neighborhoods are nice, green, and tree-lined. Some homes are modest but it's a clean neighborhood. The roads that run through Red Oaks Mill, however, are always busy, and I know that trying to turn onto Vassar Road or the other nearby main roads can be tricky. If you live on a main road like Spackenkill or Vassar, you may not know all of your neighbors because of some space in between houses, no sidewalks, and an active roadway separating you from the folks across the street. On the side streets it's probably easier, anyway.

Vassar Road and Kinry Road School are some elementary schools in Red Oaks Mill; there are high schools and junior high schools just outside of Red Oaks Mill, both public and private.

Red Oaks Mill also includes part of Lagrange, which has the Inn at the Falls (now a Best Western) and a few more big intersections. Again, at peak times of the day, these roads can get a little backed up, and it didn't really use to be this way when I was younger.

If you go to Red Oaks Mill, you'll always find a place to pick up a good bite to eat, fill up your car, and so forth.

The big thing to note about Red Oaks Mill is the intersection of Vassar Road, New Hackensack Road and Spackenkill Road, which is where the heart of the town really lies. Pretty much all the major businesses in Red Oak Mills is located here, from grocery stores and barbers to pizza places, ice cream shops and delis. You can really find just about anything right by this intersection, and it gives Red Oak Mills a very different feel than many other nearby hamlets.

The population is also a bit higher here than other places, so though it is a hamlet in a small you get a lot of excitement. I think it's actually quite a bit of fun to visit Red Oaks Mill, and I think many families and singles will find it to be a great place to live. You get many of the benefits of other areas, as it's safe and there are good outdoor opportunities nearby, but you won't be bored. That's huge for Dutchess County. You get a wonderful blend of different sides of the county, and this makes Red Oaks Mill one of my favorite hamlets.

A couple of my favorite things: Good Fellas Pizza. Great pizza and I have always enjoyed getting a quick slice at a great price. Chan's Peking is also a really good place to get a bite to eat when you're craving simple Chinese takeout. I love driving through Red Oaks Mills and just getting a bite to eat. I don't even have to plan my meal, I just pick a place, and it's usually good.

If I had to give Red Oaks Mill any one negative, it's that it's a bit more commercial and not as peaceful as other hamlets. It's not loud by big city standards, but it's not exactly the friendly little small town from an old movie. This is, in my opinion, a small matter, but it's still worth noting. Otherwise, I really like Red Oaks Mill and highly recommend it!

Poughkeepsie is a bit of an anomaly in Dutchess County. On the one hand, it's a reasonably large city for the area. Not big by truly big city standards, as there's only about 30000 people in Poughkeepsie, but that's far more than most towns and villages in Dutchess County, so it ends up feeling like a bit and loud area. This is both good and bad.

The good is that theres a fair amount more to do in Poughkeepsie than most towns. There are a number of good restaurants in a number of different styles, from Mexican and Sushi to good old fashioned American cuisine, and you'll have a fair set of options for dining out. The nightlife is a similar story, with far more options than you're used to in Dutchess County. So I definitely give it a higher rating for singles.

The bad is that Poughkeepsie doesn't have nearly the same small town charm of other towns nearby, and the crime rate/economic status of the citizens is worse than many areas. Sure, you can make some money here, in fact, if you're in need of a employment there are more opportunities in Poughkeepsie than some of the smaller, tighter knit communities, but you also run into a lot of poverty, and that's too bad and takes the city down a peg or two. This likely contributes to the higher than average crime rate (for Dutchess County, if you're used to New York City there's very little crime here).

Because of this I don't really recommend Poughkeepsie as a place to raise a family. It's not bad or anything, but compared with a lot of other towns in Dutchess County it's not very nice. Compared to Pawling Poughkeepsie is not a nice area at all.

It simply depends on what you're looking for. If you're going to get bored easily then I might suggest Poughkeepsie. The larger population and greater number of restaurants will keep you better entertained if you're not going to be happy running around outside hiking and climbing the beautiful trails of other towns.