jthompson706

Dover is located on the eastern boundary on Dutchess County and borders Connecticut. The town was officially formed in 1807 but had already been settled in 1637 by the displaced Peqout tribe after they had been forced from the homes in Connecticut.

Dover is a large town, covering about 56 square miles, and is mostly rural. There are several parks and hiking trails included in the town of Dover, the most notable of which is the large Appalachian Trail that snakes from Maine to Georgia. A significant portion of the trail cuts through Dover, with several access points that allow you to pick a small hike and enjoy the scenery for a few hours.

There is a small village, called Dover Plains, that represents the most developed section of the town but the availability of shopping, dining, entertainment or any real amenities is pretty bleak. And it's difficult to travel elsewhere, not only because Dover is far from many larger cities but because route 22 is the only major roadway in Dover. There are, however, two Metro-North train stations that serve Dover on the Harlem Line and run into Grand Central Station.

For the most part, the housing and neighborhoods very greatly with a few newer developments popping up within recent years. Many neighborhoods are still pretty run down and generally uninviting, though.

The Dover schools do have a good reputation and the town is largely considered safe. Overall, Dover probably appeals to a certain kind of person. People who enjoy quiet, isolation and natural beauty would love Dover. However, people who need a more exciting pace of life will want to look elsewhere.

Beacon is an interesting place. Located on the Hudson River, the city played a variety of important roles during the Revolutionary War when it was an arms manufacturer, a fort and a signaling point. In fact, the city is named for the signal fires, or beacons, that would be built on the nearby mountain. For a while during 1800s the city was a major factory community, with over 500 hat factories all in operation at once.

The city is now in the midst of an artistic rebirth, spearheaded by the opening of Dia: Beacon in 2003. The former printing plant is now one of the world's largest contemporary art museums, featuring large installations. Dia: Beacon also hosts gallery talks, dance events and educational programs.

This injection of modern art has also lead to several independent art galleries and studios popping up down the length of Main Street in Beacon. Along with the galleries came boutiques, antique stores and cafes. There are also several really outstanding restaurants.

The view from Beacon also should not go unmentioned. There are several parks that run directly along-side the river or just offer an incredible view of the Hudson River Valley, which itself has been the focus of many artists' entire careers for good reason.

Despite this extremely trendy, artistic community growing in Beacon, there are many parts that are still a little run down. Many old factory buildings still stand, unused except for as canvas for graffiti artists. The residential areas of Beacon also suffer from the same vast inconsistencies: some are incredibly affluent while others are... not.

It is easy to get to and from Beacon since it's located immediately off I-84 before the Hudson River. There is also a Metro-North Railroad Station providing service to and from Grand Central Station.

Beacon is a great place for young artists looking for an inspiring and stimulating environment, particularly if they having an outdoorsy leaning. Families may find it difficult to find affordable housing in a safe neighborhood but if you can manage it, Beacon is truly unique among the neighboring towns.

The town of Pawling is located in Dutchess County, right on the border with Putnam County, in the southeast section of the county. The overall feel of the town sticks very closely to the slightly rural, quiet spirit of most of the Putnam/Dutchess area.

Although the area was, like most of the northwest, once sparsely populated by farms, it has developed considerably. But, thankfully, this development has been done in such a way so as to preserve and respect the natural beauty of the area. The Great Swamp, a 6000-acrea protected wetland and wildlife sanctuary, meanders through Pawling and even joins up with the Appalachian Trail. This famous hiking trail follows the Appalachian Mountains all the way from Maine to Georgia and takes most people about 6 months to cover in its entirety. Because there are several access points in the trail located in or around Pawling, it's easy to select a small section just to enjoy the scenery - whether you prefer fields, mountains, rivers, lakes or wetlands - for just a few hours.

Pawling is fairly varied but the majority of residential communities in the town are small and close-knit. Some neighborhoods, such as the Quaker Hill community, feature much larger homes set on a beautiful mountain-side property.

There's a reasonable amount of commercial development in Pawling, catering to the necessities of food shopping and home maintenance, but that's about it. If you don't enjoy outdoorsy activities, you will also be sorely lacking any form of suitable entertainment. For any sort of shopping or nightlife, you'll probably either travel to Poughkeepsie or Danbury, CT.

Families will enjoy the natural beauty of the town, combined with the good school system and safety of the neighborhoods. However, professionals may find the commute to work difficult because of the lack of major highways unless they choose to take advantage of the train state in the village of Pawling, which runs the Harlem Line of Metro-North.

Putnam County is so full of variety from town to town, and even street to street, that it's surprisingly difficult to generalize the entire county in any real concise way.

The county covers some 246 square miles to the north of Westchester County and was counted the 11th wealthiest county in America in the 2000 census. This affluence translates to high property taxes and expensive bills in most of the county, with few exceptions. Many people who live in Putnam County, like Westchester, commute to New York City for work. Most other people also commute to Westchester or Connecticut, leaving very few who actually work where they live.

For most of the county, the commute is easy whether you prefer to drive using on I-84 or the Taconic State Parkway or the Metro-North Harlem and Hudson Lines which have stations in many towns in Putnam.

For the most part, the county is residential, with a few areas carrying more commercial development. Specifically, Southeast has several larger stores and shopping centers to offer. Most people living in Putnam looking to do some serious shopping travel to either Westchester or Danbury, CT. Despite being considerably quieter than Westchester County, Putnam is very beautiful and residents have access to the Hudson River Valley, many lakes, many parks and the Appalachian Trail.

The Thunder Ridge ski area is the only ski resort in Putnam County and is located in Patterson. Further out, in Kent, is the Chuang Yen Buddhist Monastery that boasts the largest Buddha statue in the Western Hemisphere. Along with this monastery, there are many other cultural organizations operating out of Putnam County encouraging the arts and allowing for unique learning opportunities. Green Chimneys, a specialty school that also rehabilitates wounded animals, is one such organization.

Putnam County is a great place to raise a family, especially if you are active and enjoy the outdoors. If you are younger, single or if your family just prefers more urban landscapes, Putnam is probably not the best choice for you.

Holmes is one of those hamlets that easily gets forgotten or lumped together with its neighbors. It's actually fairly large, stretching from Pawling and touching parts of Patterson and Carmel, but its a sparsely developed, strictly residential plot of land.

The types, and prices, of homes varies greatly depending on exactly where in Holmes the home is located. There are old farms, new developments and small lake communities. This includes the large Whaley Lake which has boat rentals, fishing and swimming to offer residents.

But there's not much else in Holmes. There are a few small-town businesses but for even basic food shopping you will have to travel at least to Patterson.

Children living in Holmes will attend either Carmel or Pawling schools, both of which have a good reputation. I'm unsure where the school lines are drawn but, having attended Carmel schools, I knew many kids who lived in Holmes.

As mentioned in other reviews, don't be fooled by the proximity to I-84. Without being so close to the interstate it would be very hard to get to and from Holmes using the small town roads and, due to the lack of commercial development, work would be difficult to come by.

Although it's incredibly easy to get to Holmes, unless you live there, there's no real reason to go.

Garrison is a small hamlet located on the banks of the immense Hudson River in Philipstown, NY. There's an undeniable small-town charm, similar to that of neighboring Cold Spring that's enhanced by the incredible variety of cultural programs available to both residents and visitors of Garrison.

While Garrison lacks the walk-ablility that makes Cold Spring so accessible, it has the size and variety of outdoorsy and sophisticated diversions that Cold Spring is lacking. In my opinion, the two little communities complement each other perfectly.

Boscobel is an incredible example of the cultural richness that can be found in Garrison. The house, which was originally built in Montrose 15 miles down-river, is available for tours that fans of history and architecture will definitely enjoy. But the grounds are really the crowning feature of this estate. The well-maintained grounds offer several hiking trails and gardens complete with beautifully groomed fruit trees. The estate also has a full event calender that includes concerts, Shakespearean plays, food and wine festivals and several other offerings. All of this over-looks the Hudson River Valley and, while there are ground-fees during the week, entrance to the estate is free on Saturdays.

Manitoga, estate of famed designer Russel Wright, is also located in Garrison. The grounds feature free access to 4 miles of groomed walking trails designed by Wright himself that connects with the Appalachian Trail. Guided tours of the home, Dragon Rock, are also available.

There are several other groups and organizations operating out of Garrison that offer various activities and community services. A large community emphasis on the arts makes Garrison a very interesting place to visit.

Unfortunately, it could be a difficult place to actually live. It is very expensive even just to visit Garrison for a day. And necessary shopping - grocery stores and the like - is a little scant. There is also very little nightlife. For more popular, modern diversion residents will probably find themselves traveling to Fishkill or Poughkeepsie.

Schools are also a bit of a difficulty in Garrison since there is no Garrison high school and students will either be sent to Cold Spring or across the river to Highland Falls.

Patterson is one of the geographically larger towns in Putnam County, stretching over almost 33 square miles in the northeastern corner of the county.

As mentioned in the other reviews of Patterson, the town has a rich history having been first settled way back in 1720. Unfortunately, it's easy to spend years in or around Patterson, as I have, and remain totally oblivious to this history. There are, as there are throughout Putnam, small markers commemorating significant people and events that Patterson has been home to but most people speed past them without notice.

Similarly, Patterson is full of natural beauty which largely goes unnoticed by residents. The town is home to the Great Swamp, a 6000-acre protected wetland that sprawls across a huge portion of Putnam and Dutchess Counties. The swamp is home to about 180 species of birds, not to mention the turtles and countless other animals that still roam free here. There are several spots from which you could launch a kayak or other small boat onto the swamp and easily spend a few relaxing hours exploring.

The Appalachian Trail also runs nearby, as it meanders from Maine to Georgia, and small sections can be taken to enjoy any range of different environments along the mountain range. There are many other small trails and parks in the town as well and observant hiker can even spot a few natural shelters used by the Native Americans who once lived here.

One of the only truly commercial attractions in Patterson is the Thunder Ridge ski area. Although this facility makes their own snow and usually starts the season early, it's a very small slope and most locals travel further north for more exciting mountains.

There are a few local shops, and even a couple unique restaurants, but for the most part Patterson has very little in the way of shopping. There's enough to survive - a national chain grocery store, a hardware store and a few other essentials - but there isn't much in the way of modern entertainment or nightlife. Most people travel either to bordering Southeast or Connecticut for any real shopping or even to see a movie.

The Patterson Recreation Center offers a huge variety of classes and activities, however, all of which encourage the active, healthy lifestyle that comes naturally to living in Patterson.

Children living in Patterson will attend the Carmel Central School District. This school has a good reputation and has some quality programs to support both arts and athletics. The high school and middle school, located in Carmel, have both been renovated recently.

Like most of Putnam County, the town of Patterson is a quiet little community that is good for nature-lovers but except to drive most everywhere.

The hamlet of Peach Lake is a bit of a geographic oddity: it's split, with a portion in Putnam's Southeast and a portion in Westchester's North Salem. However the portion in Southeast is one of the nicest communities in Putnam County.

Originally a small farming community, made up mainly of four families, Peach Lake has managed to maintain it's rural charm. The homes are all beautiful and the roads are well-maintained. For their size and the beauty of the community, property is available at fair prices. There are still several operating farms, which are becoming a sad rarity in Putnam County which was once full of them.

Peach Lake is largely residential, with only a few small business and restaurants available locally. These options, though, reflect the general appeal of the hamlet to the best of their ability and are attractive, clean and offer quality services. Because Peach Lake is close by the Connecticut border and laced by I-84, I-684 and Route 6, it's easy to travel for more shopping and entertainment, though. Travel is also easy to Westchester County which will open up many more opportunities for work and shopping.

The hamlet of Peach Lake is a great, quiet place to raise a family although some kids, as the desire more and more modern diversions, may want to spend more time elsewhere.

It's interesting that even amongst natives of Putnam County, like myself, there is a lot of confusion of what Brewster actually is and the name is frequently used interchangeably with Southeast. In reality, Brewster is the name of a smaller village in the town of Southeast. Brewster, in fact, only accounts for about a half of one square mile of the 32 square miles of Southeast. Even despite this huge discrepancy in size, Brewster is the most populated area of Southeast.

The small village of Brewster, with it's dense population, is the closest thing to urban that you'll encounter in Putnam County. You can walk just about everywhere within the borders of the village but, recently, many of the businesses that used to line Main Street have closed. Their still-vacant storefronts give the village a slightly eerie and unwelcoming feel.

For shopping, most people travel to the nearby shopping centers in other parts of Southeast or to Danbury, CT.

The Brewster School District has a good reputation and residents also have the option of sending their children to two well-known private schools called The Melrose School and Longview School.

There is a rich diversity in the demographics of Brewster and the few stores that are still open reflect that by appealing to certain cultures. There are also a few small parks in the Village of Brewster and the paved bike trail that stretches down into Westchester begins in Brewster.

One benefit of the village of Brewster is the ease of travel. While most things are within walking-distance, several major highways run nearby including I-84, I-684, Route 6 and Route 22. The majority of the traffic to and from Brewster is by means of the historic train station that offers service to New York City and many other parts of Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.

While the original architecture of the village has a classic charm, these buildings have not been properly maintained and many residents actually avoid the main drag in the center of the village. The outer sections of the town contain some very peaceful, safe neighborhoods that will still allow families to take advantage of the superior schools.

The hamlet of Mahopac has a long history, starting even before the colonization of America by the Dutch when it was inhabited by the Wappinger tribe.

Although it is technically a hamlet within the town of Carmel, Mahopac has steadily grown to an impressive size and now offers a wide variety of options for residents, regarding both where to live and where to shop. The hamlet is, in fact, the most populated part of Carmel. Mahopac covers about 6.5 square miles, of which 1 full square mile is water. The largest of the lakes contained in Mahopac is the town's namesake - Lake Mahopac. The majority of the development in Mahopac is centralized around this lake with smaller communities, each with their own amenities and feel, popping up around the other lakes.

There are several camps and activity centers scattered around Mahopac that encourage a tight sense of community, as well as off supplementary education and do a wonderful job of encouraging the arts. Art shows, displaying work by local artists in several mediums, are a common occurrence. There is also a large and beautiful library near the center of the hamlet. Several excellent restaurants cater to a number of tastes. The one problem, that leads to many others, is that all of this activity and business is clumped together along the length of Route 6. So no matter where you want to go in Mahopac, or even if you're just traveling through it, you have to battle with the constant traffic. There are no other major highways that run through Mahopac, forcing residents to either travel into Lake Carmel to catch I-84 or to head down into Yorktown to use the Taconic or Bear Mountain Parkways. Living in Mahopac, especially close to any of the lakes, can be very expensive compared to other parts of Putnam or even within the town of Carmel.

Even with the difficult commute, the large concentration of businesses in or around Mahopac translates to many employment opportunities - just allow for traffic. Mahopac is a perfect place for active families but may not be worth the price for younger singles who value nightlife.

It's incredibly easy to drive straight through the tiny town of Nelsonville and totally miss it. Measuring in at only one square mile the town passes by quickly and is greatly overshadowed by it's neighboring Cold Spring. Nelsonville is mostly residential and is, despite it's size, full of charming colonial-style houses with a tight sense of community. There are sidewalks leading down the main street that is shared with Cold Spring but there isn't much to walk to apart from the usual local delis and small shops. The village is surrounded by the natural beauty of Clarence Fahnestock State Park and the many hiking trails of the Hudson Highlands. While Nelsonville doesn't get as much attention as Cold Spring, that also translates to less traffic and fighting for parking. It also means that residents of Nelsonville can enjoy Cold Spring while paying less and having a more quiet neighborhood life.

Nelsonville does suffer from some of the inaccessibility of Cold Spring, with the only major roads serving it being route 301 and 9D. The Cold Spring train station is also conveniently close for commuters and, since there is very little commercial activity in Nelsonville, more people have to commute for work. Travel will also be necessary for entertainment and shopping.

The village of Nelsonville would be a pleasant place to live and raise a family in peace and quiet. However, for people looking for a more exciting place with any nightlife at all, Nelsonville probably isn't the place.

The small village of Cold Spring, located in the town of Phillipstown, is one of the most pleasant and beautiful areas in Putnam County. The streets lined with colonial-style homes, combined with the mom-and-pop style shops and the natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley make Cold Spring an incredibly charming place. This charm, however, frequently attracts tourists from Dutchess and the rest of Putnam County which can be frustrating for residents. The fact that Cold Spring is far from any major interstates also means that all of these tourists and commuters are forced onto route 301 and 9D, which can make travel difficult. Especially if you need to travel away from Cold Spring for work or school, this could be a detriment. Conveniently, the local train station offers service to New York city. For art and nature lovers, though, there's seldom a reason to leave Cold Spring. The main street is full of art galleries, specialty shops and antique stores. The dining choices in Cold Spring are also excellent and varied, whether you want a casual cafe, ice cream or something more elegant. The best part is that all of this can be walked to. Unfortunately, though, parking can be a major problem in Cold Spring and can place you several blocks from where you actually want to be. When you do manage to find a spot, though, it's easy to forget the stress of it and become lost in the place even if you chose to just sit by the river. There are also frequent outdoor concerts and festivals on the weekends, especially during the summer. People who crave more modern distractions though, such as movie theaters or national chains will be forced to drive to Fishkill or another nearby city. Cold Spring is generally safe and is known for having a good school system but all of that convenience and charm comes at a much higher cost that other areas in Putnam.

Putnam Valley is located towards the center of Putnam county, on the border of Westchester county. The town is relatively large, geographically speaking, but is sparsely developed. The majority of the town is residential, including several smaller communities. There are several large lakes in the town, with neighborhoods like Lake Peekskill built up around them. Travel to and from Putnam Valley can be difficult since the only highway running through the town is the Taconic State Parkway and there is no Metro-North train station. Even within the town, the local roads are often narrow and difficult to navigate, especially in the small lake communities where houses are built extremely close together. There are many beautiful parks nearby, including the large Clarence Fahnestock State Park and the Donald J. Trump State Park, making the rural area perfect for nature-lovers. Unfortunately, there's not much else in Putnam Valley. Residents of Putnam Valley generally find themselves traveling into Westchester county for both shopping and entertainment since there is little commercial development in town. This also means that there is virtually no nightlife or weekend activities available in Putnam Valley. The lack of easy travel, combined with the lack of businesses may also make finding employment close to home difficult. The quiet, safe town does have schools with an excellent reputation, however, making it a great place for families with school-age children.

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.

Putnam Lake is a very small, but dense, lake-side community on the New York/Connecticut border. The area is not really a town in and of itself but is split between the Brewster and Patterson zip-codes. Even though it's small, Putnam Lake can be very difficult to navigate. The roads around the lake are narrow and very confusingly laid out so that even long-time residents of Putnam Lake sometimes get lost just a few blocks from their own house. And the problem just gets worse when rain or snow limits visibility. Of course, there are also the steep winding hills to contend with. The lake for which the town is named is a focal point, with the houses and the few businesses crowded around it but the lake has very little activity. It's surprising that a lake this large and beautiful goes somewhat forgotten by the locals. Although there are very few businesses, with only a few local shops, larger towns such as Danbury, CT are fortunately close by. Residents will generally find themselves traveling frequently into Connecticut for just about anything from shopping to entertainment, including employment. The Brewster campus of the Green Chimneys school is also nearby and provides an exciting chance to visit with animals such as birds of prey as they go through rehabilitation. The community of Putnam Lake is a small town in a beautiful area but there's very little to do so be prepared to travel, albeit a short distance, for most things. In Putnam Lake, however, you will be able to enjoy a tight community around a beautiful lake.

Located on the northern edge of Putnam County, the small town of Kent is quiet and beautiful. The well-kept roads stretch over hills and through dense forests, with the houses in most neighborhoods spaced well apart. Two state parks, Wonder Lake and Fahnestock, are situated in Kent in addition to a large portion of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has also sectioned off thousands of acres of protected land around the many lakes that serve as New York City watershed. The various parks and nature trails of Kent, and the surrounding towns, provide beautiful views of the area. Unfortunately, if you do not enjoy hiking and parks, there aren't many other option for entertainment in Kent. With the exception of a few local delis and grocery stores, shopping is limited and the restaurants in the area don't have anything really exceptional to offer. For evening and weekend activities, most people travel to either Westchester County or Danbury, CT. The lack of businesses in Kent also means that any employment will generally require a considerable commute. One benefit of Kent is the ability to live in a quiet town and have access to more populated areas, as well as a variety of different surroundings. The town of Kent, however, is considered safe for families and has a reputable school system. Children from Kent will attend the newly renovated Carmel Central School District high school and middle school, both of which have well-maintained athletic facilities. Overall, Kent has the potential to be a quiet spot to raise a family but for people looking for a more active lifestyle it's probably not the best choice.

Carmel has come a long way since it's quiet beginnings as a rural community littered with small family farms. The farms have long since disappeared and new developments are constantly springing up. However, the town is in somewhat of an awkward middle period; the amount of residents is increasing rapidly but the number of businesses is not keeping up. Carmel has, of course, the basic grocery stores and other shops that you'd expect to find in a small town but for specialty items and even clothing there aren't many choices. Most residents of Carmel find themselves traveling to nearby areas like Danbury, CT to do the majority of their shopping. There aren't many interesting restaurants or places to go on the evenings and weekends for a night out. New amenities, like the paved bike trail are gradually making an appearance and increase the sense of community. But their arrival is slow is full of controversy among the citizens, with many wanting to keep the town small. The area around Carmel is beautiful, featuring lakes, mountains and forests, as well as easy access to the Hudson River Valley. These little parks and hiking trails are pretty well hidden, though, and even many long-time residents of Carmel don't know about them. The types of neighborhoods in Carmel varies widely from new developments with large houses to streets with smaller houses placed closer together. For the most part, Carmel consists of families with children and the school system has a good reputation. The high school was recently renovated, adding a new running track and football field as well as an entirely new building. Putnam Hospital Center is also easy to access and has a good reputation. Overall, Carmel offers a safe and beautiful place to raise a family as long as you're willing to do some traveling for decent dinning and shopping.