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Car-Free Country House: Phoenicia Cottage, $127,500
Admittedly, we had a bit of chuckle over the above photo of this cottage, located about a 5 minutes walk from Main Street in Phoenicia. What cottage? Where? Oh, THERE it is, peaking out from our the bushes. But we take no issue at all with how well it’s hidden considering its proximity to the road. Privacy is good. And although it’s less than 1,000 square feet, it would be great as an upstate, countrified pied a terre, since the Trailways stops right on Main Street in Phoenicia. You know what else is on Main Street in Phoenicia? Sweet Sue’s. One of our readers mentioned that they’re back as of May 10. Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to go get our pancake on.
more after the jump…
Victorian in Milton, $199,999
It’s properties like this and others we found in Milton that make us think that riverside living is possible without breaking the bank. Now, if only we could do something about the taxes. Regardless, 12 Watson Avenue is sweet, simple, and right across the street from the Hudson, which means seasonal views. Love the arched dining room from with bay windows, not to mention the rosettes and nice wood detailing. The lot is small but pretty. Plus, it’s a short drive up 9W to the Mid-Hudson Bridge and the Poughkeepsie train station, for those looking to commute.
more after the jump…
Rental of the Week/From the Listings: Rhinebeck Roadhouse, $5,500/month
In case you haven’t noticed, we now have real estate listings again. Hurray! If you haven’t yet checked them out, you should. We’re still trying to beef it up, but there are already some swell properties listed there, including rentals, like this swingin’ Rhinebeck mid-century modern. It’s been completely renovated, according to the listing, and it’s ready to rent for the short-term or a longer term from Labor Day to Memorial Day. We love that it’s near a pond with a fabulous fountain. If that’s not water enough for you, it also includes a heated in-ground pool. Other amenities: Brand-new kitchen, two fireplaces, flat screen TVs and WIFI. You might even be able to bring your furry companions. Interested? Check out the listing for contact information.
more after the jump…
Milton Federal-Style, $275,000
This impressively-maintained circa-1809 Federal-style Colonial has so many great details, we’re not sure where to start. Maybe with the plank floors? Or the original moldings? The old fireplaces? The brick outside and in? Price isn’t bad, either. It’s currently set up as a two-family with a 1-bedroom apartment on the first floor, but listing says it could be turned back into a single-family. Either way, we love how it looks, and while it’s not right on the river, it’s just a skip and a hop away.
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Riverfront Victorian in Milton, $599,000
We won’t go so far as to say that this is the perfect Hudson Riverfront Victorian, but it is pretty with lots of drool-worthy aspects: Ornate gingerbread detailing on the front porch, plank floorboards on the second floor, mahogany trim, a little red barn, in-ground pool, and stunning views. The listing says it’s great for commuters because it’s five minutes from the Poughkeepsie train station. Maybe if you were taking a bullet train to get there. It’s actually more like 10 minutes away, but still, not too bad. Oh, and did we mention that it includes a one-bedroom apartment on the third floor?
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Town of the Week: Milton
Main Street, Milton, via Wikipedia
Just when we thought we had covered every Hudson River town there is, we remembered the hamlet of Milton, located in the Ulster County town of Marlborough. The first thing that struck us was the great old architecture in Milton, including the old West Line Railroad station. Once upon a time, the station served Milton as part of the West Shore Railroad, a passenger line that ran from Weehawken, New Jersey up north to the shores of the Hudson, all the way to Buffalo. The line was originally planned to run passengers from San Francisco to New York, but it never panned out. Still, we like to imagine how cool it would be if that passenger line existed today. We reckon it would have been quite a lengthy ride from one coast to the other, but a wonderful adventure, to be sure.
Former train station in Milton, via Wiki
Today, the grandeur of the 19th century can still be seen in buildings like the Milton post office and many of the structures along Main Street. Buttermilk Falls Inn, one of Milton’s finer gems, is a piece of Milton history in and of itself: Originally built in 1764, the inn is a popular spot for both luxurious spa getaways and weddings, and the main house is beautifully restored while still maintaining its original 18th century feel.
Milton Post Office, via Wikipedia
Milton is located along the west bank of the Hudson River, which, not surprisingly, makes it desirable real estate. Nevertheless, we managed to find some sweet properties that are shockingly affordable, including a few Victorians, a stately Federal-style (one of our featured properties this week, so stay tuned), Colonials, and cottages with the requisite stunning views. Along Main Street, you’ll find some places to get lunch, the public library, banks, and other businesses. A quick drive north takes you to the hamlet of Highland, and a journey of a few miles south will put you in the hamlet of Marlboro. Furthermore, Milton and the town of Marlborough are perfect places to roam if you’re looking for farmers markets. MeetMeinMarlborough.com even provides a farm trail map for your convenience and includes the local wineries. Handy! Chronogram Magazine’s January 2013 edition provides a nifty little Milton guide, as well. Check that out here on the Chronogram website.
Milton and Marlboro are often mentioned in the same breath, since they are both rural farming areas with quaint streets and houses. If we were forced to describe Milton and environs in one sentence, we would shamelessly rip off that one sentence from the Buttermilk Spa website: “A short drive from the city, a million miles away.” That sums things up nicely, we think.
The hamlet of Milton is located approximately 90 minutes from NYC.
Five Figure Friday: Cornwall Colonial, $77,900
Since there’s no such thing as a five-figure property in Mahopac, we hopped across the river and to Orange County and took a look around in Cornwall. Normally, Cornwall doesn’t have many five-figure properties, either, but we happened to find this cute Colonial that needs some work. Not telling how much, but at some new paint on the outside for sure. The potential is there, though, and for the price, a buyer with the willingness to get their hands dirty could really spruce it up. It’s also situated on an acre of land.
more after the jump…
Lake Mahopac Contemporary, $745,000
Now this is a lake house. Tons windows to bathe the interior in natural light, a huge deck to enjoy your view of Lake Mahopac, more than enough space in which to roam, a private dock, and a spacious open floor plan for…we don’t know…roller skating? Pick up basketball? Also includes a boat house and a separate lakefront parcel, according to the listing. Lot size is decent for the residential areas around the lake at nearly an acre. Nothing left to do but feast your eyes.
more on the jump…
Upstater Destinations: The Taste of Boscobel
Rose Garden, Boscobel House and Gardens, via Boscobel website
We’re forgoing the usual “What to do on Mother’s Day” post that everyone else seems to be doing (besides, Hudson Valley Good Stuff already put together a great list of Mother’s Day, which was reprinted in Chronogram recently; no point in reinventing the wheel), and, instead, we’re looking ahead to the future one weekend to the Taste of Boscobel on May 19th, 1-4pm at the Boscobel House and Gardens in the Putnam County riverfront hamlet of Garrison. Boscobel will present some of the best food and wine available in the Hudson Valley, including Oliver Kita Catering, Chatham Brewery, East Fishkill Provisions, and the Thayer Hotel. For the cost of a $40 ticket, you are awarded the opportunity to taste delectable, locally-sourced food and wine all in one place while enjoying the picturesque grounds of the legendary Boscobel House while you’re at it. Oh, you’ve never been to Boscobel? This is the perfect way to experience it.
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Mahopac Lakefront Cape, $249,000
A lake house in Mahopac for less than $250,000? Okay, we’re in. It’s charming and cozy, although we wouldn’t try to get more than one cook in that kitchen at a time. Located on Secor Lake to the west of Lake Mahopac, and it’s close to the Taconic for easy access. The lot is small, but large enough for some pretty blooming trees and a weeping willow, and the wrap-around porch is a nice bonus. Definitely one of the nicer properties we found in Mahopac right on the water between $200-300,000, with a bright and sunny interior and great stuff on the outside for entertaining or just enjoying some quiet lake time.
more after the jump…
