086 - Hudson Valley, NY: Cold Spring, Beacon, Newburgh, Cornwall & West Point!

Discovering the Charms and Challenges of New York's Hudson Valley 

The Hudson Valley has long captured the imagination of New Yorkers looking for a scenic escape from the city. With its majestic river views, quaint small towns, and rich history, it's no wonder this region has become a popular destination for daytrippers and transplants alike.

In a recent episode of the Skip Town All Stars podcast, hosts James and Denise brought listeners along on their exploration of several Hudson Valley towns. Their journey began in Cold Spring, a picturesque village located on the east bank of the Hudson River. With a population of just under 2,000, Cold Spring has managed to maintain its small-town charm while still offering plenty of amenities for visitors and residents.

The hosts were impressed by Cold Spring's bustling Main Street, which stretches for about a mile and is lined with unique shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. They noted the town's popularity among New York City residents, who can easily reach Cold Spring via the MTA train that stops right at the edge of town.

Despite its tourist appeal, Cold Spring is not a cheap place to live. The median home value is around $480,000, and even renting a small apartment can cost upwards of $1,500 per month. As James pointed out, this is still less expensive than living in the city, but it's not exactly a bargain.

Just a short drive north of Cold Spring is the city of Beacon, which has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Once a declining industrial town, Beacon has been revitalized by an influx of artists, entrepreneurs and young families seeking a more affordable alternative to New York City.

With a population of around 16,000, Beacon is significantly larger than Cold Spring but still maintains a strong sense of community. The hosts were impressed by the city's vibrant Main Street, which stretches for over two miles and features an eclectic mix of shops, galleries, and restaurants. They also noted the large number of young families out and about, a testament to Beacon's growing popularity among millennials.

One of the reasons for Beacon's appeal is its relatively affordable housing. The median home value in Beacon is around $270,000, a full $200,000 less than in Cold Spring. This has made it an attractive option for remote workers and commuters willing to make the two-hour train ride into the city.

However, the hosts also acknowledged that Beacon's growth has not been without challenges. As more people have moved in, rents and home prices have begun to rise, raising concerns about gentrification and displacement. There are also worries that the city's infrastructure may not be able to keep up with its rapid growth.

After exploring Beacon, James and Denise crossed the Hudson River to visit the town of Newburgh. What they found was a stark contrast to the thriving communities on the other side of the river.

Newburgh has long struggled with poverty, crime and disinvestment. Many of its historic buildings are crumbling or boarded up, and there are visible signs of drug abuse and homelessness throughout the city. The hosts were struck by the sheer scale of the problem, noting that the city's main street stretches for over three miles but is pockmarked with abandoned storefronts and vacant lots.

Despite its challenges, there are glimmers of hope in Newburgh. The hosts spoke with a local business owner who had tried to make a go of it in the city but ultimately had to relocate due to lack of foot traffic. She noted that there is always talk of revitalization and new investment coming in, but progress has been slow.

James and Denise discussed some of the reasons why turning around a city like Newburgh is so difficult. It's not just about attracting new businesses and residents; it's also about rebuilding infrastructure, improving schools and services, and addressing deep-rooted social issues. Without significant investment and committed leadership, it's hard to see how Newburgh will be able to compete with thriving communities like Beacon just across the river.

The final stop on the hosts' Hudson Valley tour was the town of Cornwall, home to the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. The academy, which sits on a scenic bluff overlooking the Hudson, is both a historic landmark and an active military base.

While the hosts didn't get a chance to explore West Point in depth, they did share some interesting facts about the institution. For example, it was the first American college to have an accredited civil engineering program and has produced numerous famous graduates over the years, including Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant.

The town of Cornwall itself is fairly small and quiet, with a compact Main Street that the hosts described as "cute but not exactly bustling." However, they noted that the town does have some appealing features, including a popular commuter rail station with direct service to New York City.

Throughout their Hudson Valley adventure, James and Denise touched on some broader themes related to millennial culture, historic preservation, and the challenges of rural and small-town life. They drew parallels between the pioneer spirit of the Hudson Valley's early settlers and the DIY ethos of many young people today, noting the resurgence of old-fashioned trades like butchery and barbering.

At the same time, they acknowledged that living in a scenic and historic area comes with certain sacrifices, including isolation, limited job opportunities, and high costs of living. For some, the trade-offs are worth it for the chance to escape the grind of city life. But for others, the challenges of rural living can be daunting.

Ultimately, the Skip Town All Stars' tour of the Hudson Valley offered a nuanced and engaging look at a region that is often romanticized but rarely fully understood. Through their honest observations, playful banter and interviews with locals, James and Denise painted a picture of a place that is both charming and complex, full of history and natural beauty but also grappling with economic and social challenges.

For anyone considering a move to the Hudson Valley or just curious to learn more about this iconic region, this podcast episode is a must-listen. It's a reminder that beneath the postcard-perfect surface, there are real people and communities working hard to build lives and livelihoods in a place they love. And it's an invitation to discover the Hudson Valley for yourself, with all its charms and challenges, and to be a part of shaping its future.

5. 10 Fun Facts about Hudson Valley towns in NY:

1. Cold Spring is home to the Hudson House River Inn, a popular hotel and restaurant housed in a building that dates back to the early 19th century.

2. Bannerman Castle, an abandoned military surplus warehouse located on an island near Cold Spring, is said to be haunted by the ghost of its former owner.

3. Beacon was once known as the "Hat Making Capital of the US" due to its thriving millinery industry in the 19th century.

4. The Dia:Beacon museum in Beacon houses one of the world's largest collections of modern and contemporary art, including works by Andy Warhol and Richard Serra.

5. Newburgh was the headquarters of the Continental Army during the final years of the Revolutionary War and served as the first US capital in 1783.

6. George Washington's headquarters in Newburgh, known as the Hasbrouck House, is now a state historic site and museum.

7. Cornwall is home to the Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre outdoor sculpture park featuring works by renowned artists like Alexander Calder and Roy Lichtenstein.

8. West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States, having been established in 1778.

9. The Great Chain, a massive iron chain that was stretched across the Hudson River to prevent British ships from sailing upriver during the Revolutionary War, was forged at West Point.

10. The Thayer Hotel at West Point is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a young cadet who died in a duel on the grounds in the early 1800s.

6. 10 Facts about real estate, median income, crime and lifestyle in Cold Spring and Beacon, NY:

1. The median home value in Cold Spring is around $480,000, while in Beacon it is about $270,000.

2. Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Cold Spring averages $1,500, while in Beacon it is closer to $1,200.

3. The median household income in Cold Spring is about $106,000 per year, while in Beacon it is around $65,000.

4. Cold Spring has a very low crime rate, with no violent crimes reported in 2020 and only a handful of property crimes.

5. Beacon has seen a significant drop in crime over the past decade, but still has higher rates of both violent and property crime than Cold Spring.

6. Both Cold Spring and Beacon are popular with commuters who work in New York City, thanks to their convenient train stations with direct service to Grand Central Terminal.

7. Cold Spring's Main Street is known for its high-end boutiques, art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants, while Beacon's Main Street has a more diverse mix of shops, cafes, and ethnic eateries.

8. Outdoor recreation is popular in both towns, with numerous hiking trails, parks, and scenic overlooks offering stunning views of the Hudson River and surrounding mountains.

9. The Breakneck Ridge trail near Cold Spring is considered one of the most challenging hikes in the Northeast, with steep climbs and rocky scrambles.

10. The Mount Beacon trail in Beacon leads to the ruins of the old Mount Beacon Incline Railway, once the world's steepest passenger railway, which carried tourists to the summit from 1902 to 1978.