Southeast

Southeast is a quiet little town that is part of the historic “Oblong”, a stretch of land that was once a tug-of-war between New York and Connecticut. Today the town of Southeast, established in 1730, is now home to more than 18,404 people and counting.

Southeast is famous for being the home of the abandoned mine, Tilly Foster, as well as Tilly Foster Farm (now a museum). When visiting the museum you will see farm animals that are very uncommonly seen nowadays: Narragansett Turkeys, Randall Cattle, Indian Runner Ducks, Donkeys, American Rabbits, and Pilgrim Geese. In the town of Southeast, you'll also find the Putnam County Antique Machinery Association, which hosts antique tractors, equipment, and gas engines, ect.; there's also the Avalon Archives Museum, which will tell you all about the History of America's Rock n' Roll (open only on weekends).

Southeast has several stores such as Kohl's, an A&P (and Pharmacy, together in one store), Fortune Ridge at Southeast, Lanci's Package Store,Speedy Pet Products (in Brewster, a hamlet of Southeast), Animal Kingdom USA (a unique pet store that hosts birthday parties in the store and has its own makeshift rain forest inside the store: an unforgettable experience!!! Also you might just find yourself bringing home your newfound animal friend!),Michael's, (Brewster) a Home Depot (Brewster), Game Stop (Brewster), Southeast Wine & Liquor Ltd., Marshall's, and more! (As you can see, the place to shop is Brewster.)

As far as restaurants go, Rraci's Restaurant of Brewster is one of the best places in town! Here is where you'll find the finest of Italian food, and some of the best key lime pie around! Lots of seafood dishes to choose from, and patrons rave about it online and at the store. It's said to get busy quick, so make sure you get here early! The Red Rooster is another gem; they have excellent burgers and an outdoor sitting area, as well as a small playground and plenty of room for the kids to run around. Their egg creams and ice cream is fantastic! This is what you call an old-fashioned burger joint (sadly though it's not a drive-in; that's the only thing that's missing)! Definitely a must if you're in Brewster. You can find it on Rt. 22. If you're in the mood for Mexican, try Fiesta Mexicana; they are the type of old-fashioned restaurant that will make your guacamole with expertly-guided motions right in front of your eyes as your mouth waters even more, and when the food comes, you won't regret it! As far as international goes, Jaipore Royal Indian Quisine is quite good as well! (All of these places get 5 out of 5 stars in my book!!! Awesome places to go whether you're with your family, friends or on a date, these places will make everyone's evening!) Southeast has many more restaurants to choose from. Come visit and take a look for yourself!

In addition to wonderful schools (Brewster Central School District and North Salem Central School District), the town of Southeast is very affordable for the working middle-class , hovering around $317,000; most houses go between the $200,000s and the $300,000s. There's also a Metro-North train station that can get you easily to NYC and elsewhere along the Hudson River. Enjoy your visit to Southeast, NY: where there's lots of adventures to unfold!

The 32-square mile Town of Southeast is located – yes! - in the southeast corner of Putnam County. Its population of almost 18,000 makes it the second largest town in the county, and it is easily accessible by 84, 684, as well as Routes 6, 202, and 22. Don’t bother looking for too many signs that say “Southeast,” however, as the name of the area has been taken over by Brewster, the one and a half square mile Village located within it. There are actually almost a dozen hamlets located in Southeast, but everyone still refers to the whole area as “Brewster.”

Residential, wooded, and dotted with lakes and reservoirs, Southeast is a pretty and far more affordable place to live than the Westchester towns to its south. Brewster and Southeast each have their own Metro-North Harlem Line train stop (although the 90 minutes to Grand Central is long), and HARTransit provides bus service to Danbury.

One can walk around Brewster Village and check out the stores, restaurants, and the Studio Art Around the Corner, a small exhibit area for local artists. There are historic sites, such as the Old Southeast Church, the Old Doansburg Schoolhouse, Old Town Hall, and the Walter Brewster House.

The Recreation Department offers childcare, senior programs, baseball, basketball, ski programs, football and cheerleading. It also runs four parks, including Markel Park, which is open year-round and has two ball fields, a basketball court, a shallow pool, and jungle gyms; and the Town Beach at Lake Tonetta, which is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

An interesting place to visit is the Southeast Museum, where you can find exhibits on the Harlem Line Railroad, the Tilly Foster Mine, the Borden Milk Condensery, the American Circus, and the Croton Reservoir System.

Southeast is crisscrossed with biking and hiking trails, and the gorgeous Pauling Nature Reserve, which connects to the Appalachian Trail, is only 40 minutes away. A wonderful spot to visit here is the Farm and Wildlife Center at Green Chimneys, on Doansburg Road in Brewster. This school employs animal-assisted therapy to help children with emotional, behavioral, social and learning challenges. Check out their website for events such as Little Folk Farm Day, Spring Gala, Birds of Prey Day, and Mini-Golf Benefit.

The Brewster Central School District consists of two elementary schools, an intermediate school (grades 4 and 5) a middle school (6-8) and a high school. There is also the private, 100-student Melrose School (pre-K-8) in the Milltown area of Brewster. All are highly rated.

Although Southeast is over 90% white, Brewster is more multicultural, due to a population of Guatemalan immigrants who began arriving several years ago to work as day laborers. This is becoming less of an issue, with integration arriving slowly but surely. Brewster and Southeast are far more affordable than Westchester County (median home price: $480,000), and easy access to shopping, both in Brewster and Danbury, sweeten the deal. If you want country living and a fairly long train ride into the city doesn't faze you, Southeast may be just what you're looking for.

The town of Southeast is, predictably, in the southeastern corner of Putnam County and borders Connecticut on the east and Westchester county to the south. The town of Southeast is small, covering only about 35 square miles, but contains several smaller communities that offer a safe and quiet place for families. The Brewster schools, where children living in Southeast will attend, are well-respected for their programs in academics, sports and the arts. These schools occupy a large campus in the center of the town and many of the school buildings have been recently renovated. Unlike most of the small towns in Putnam County, residents of Southeast have many shopping options. Not only are there several shopping centers in town that include some large national chains, the city of Danbury, CT is nearby and contains the large Danbury Fair Mall. One of the best aspects of Southeast is that, despite it's inclusion of plenty of businesses, the town has a rural vein and has several parks and farms. The Tilly Foster Farm is open to the public for tours and even has a community garden with plots for rent. Green Chimneys is also in Southeast and offers a unique chance to see many wild animals like birds of prey as they undergo rehabilitation. These two features, combined with the Brewster school system and the proximity to the Great Swamp offers nature-loving families an amazing chance at education and activity both in a out of school. Several major highways, including I-84 and Route 22, pass through the town of Southeast and make travel to and from easy. The Southeast train station also simplifies the commute to New York City. This ease of transportation, plus all of the local business means that there are plenty of employment opportunities in and around Southeast. Even with the train, a car is necessary to get around in Southeast. But that limitation is largely overshadowed by all of the positive aspects of life in Southeast.

The town of Southeast is located in the southeast corner of Putnam County. Though a separate entity from the Village of Brewster, most Southeast residents say they live in Brewster, not Southeast, as life in the two areas overlaps.

Southeast is primarily residential; while some occasionally bemoan the dearth of retail shopping, they also don’t want to see the area overtaken by big-box stores. Southeast has a relaxed vibe; it’s rural but not remote. The grocery store may not be down the block, but it’s not forty miles away either. It’s definitely not cosmopolitan, but that’s the point. The people who live here appreciate the quiet, relaxed feel the area offers. Residents who make the hour-plus commute into New York City are probably especially grateful to come home to Southeast at the end of a long, hectic day.

Necessary amenities, such as grocery stores and drugstores, are a short car ride away. Hannaford, in neighboring Carmel, sits in an area with a drugstore, a Starbucks and smaller specialty shops. A&P on Route 22 offers another traditional grocery store option, and is also adjacent to a drugstore, a pizza place and other smaller shops. In 2010, DeCicco’s, a Westchester-based specialty grocery store, came to Southeast, offering more upscale fare and an exceptionally large selection of beer.

While many Southeast residents tend to hop in their cars and take a short ride to Danbury to meet their shopping needs, there are some national retailers who’ve landed in Southeast. Kohl’s, Home Depot, Marshalls, and Michaels are centrally located just off I-84. Along Route 22, you’ll find the aforementioned A&P, and the Towne Shopping Center, which includes Value Village, a drugstore and pharmacy offering a large selection of products, including patio furniture and seasonal items, toys, and small household appliances. The most unexpected thing about Value Village? The three-screen movie theater located at the back, with super-comfortable seats and the best ticket prices around. Soda and candy purchased in the store can be brought into the theater, and popcorn prices are reasonable. Though fast-food and chain restaurants dot the landscape, there are independently-owned restaurants offering a wealth of cuisines, including Mexican, Italian, and Chinese along with pubs, pizzerias and diners.

During the spring and summer months, the area’s natural beauty is on full display. The Putnam Trailway, recently extended across the town, is a major draw for residents and visitors. The Trail is well-paved and well-maintained, and an ideal spot for walking or cycling. The lack of sidewalks throughout most of the town makes these activities challenging if not dangerous, so the trail provides a great alternative. A walk here guarantees an enjoyable time in a tranquil setting. There are two parking areas in Southeast for trail visitors: on Putnam Avenue, just off Route 6, where the trail begins, and further up Route 6 just before the intersection with Route 312.

Southeast is a great place for an individual or family looking for a town with a slower pace than a traditional suburb while having the advantages of nearby shopping, restaurants and recreation.

The first thing that comes to mind when writing about Southeast is the educational opportunities the town makes available to its residents. The Brewster school system is known for its excellence, especially in regards to its music programs and athletic teams. From a young age, kids are given ample opportunity to find their own niche. Southeast also contains a blooming arts community with the Studio Around the Corner (a multipurpose art gallery and performance space) and ArtBeat sidewalk show. Whereas Putnam County has no specific community center, Southeast is giving its youth different outlets outside of the classroom setting.

Also when thinking about Southeast, it's important to remember "location, location, location." To the east via Interstate 84, a major highway, lives Danbury, Connecticut where the sales tax is significantly lower and a large shopping mall awaits. To the south via Interstate 684 is Westchester County and a 50-minute drive will lead you straight into New York City. The Route 22 corridor contains a significant amount of commercial business, as well. Southeast has two Metro-North stations, one right near Exit 19 and the other located within the Village of Brewster. If you don't want to hang around Southeast, there's always a way to get out and explore. Like most towns in Putnam County, however, you'll need a car to access most of its services unless you're in the Village of Brewster.

If there is one negative thing to say about Southeast, it would be the town's current financial situation. As of the end of 2011, Southeast has amassed considerable debt and now lacks a sufficient funds balance. It has begun to coordinate services with the village does have a new administration in power (which was once a laughing stock) which has given residents considerable hope for 2012.