Time to update this article. There seems to be a resurgence taking place here in the City of Poughkeepise. Prices are beginning to rise. Calling all NYC residents. Live the good life here in Poughkeepsie. Very easy social distancing;Lower levels of virus per capital; affordable homes and good schools. Whats not to like....
Start looking now.
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The somewhat recent history of Puh-kip-see is up, down, and sideways, but these days, arguably up, with significant new residential construction, a medical school, and new restaurants and improved recreational venues opening or on the books. This is particularly so with the understanding that the city of barely thirty thousand is not enveloped in a bubble. There is tremendous opportunity to enjoy the area from a central location in and around the city. My friends and I ride our bicycles typically 25-30 miles several times a week, recently 60 miles, using the Dutchess Rail Trail and surrounding country roads. We also sail on the Hudson, a precious resource along our shores.
Both our daughters and my former wife were born and raised in Poughkeepsie. Our daughters went to nursery school at Vassar College, where their mother and grandmother went as young children. They went to Poughkeepsie Day School for elementary school, and then through both Middle School and High School. They were smart students and had the good fortune of being placed with inspiring teachers. Their educational experiences, both in academics and sports were better than one would expect based on the reputation of the city’s schools. I remember the older child performing in the high school choir. She was among the only white faces singing. On the whole, their schooling was fine. They went on to college and good careers as adults and a cherished appreciation of diversity in friends and circumstances.
I had breakfast at Pete's in Poughkeepsie recently and highly
recommend it. But the commercial area is still run down, and prostitutes walk the streets in broad daylight making for interesting scenery while eating an omelette and blueberry muffin.
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Thank you for this article on the City of Poughkeepsie. I moved here 20 years ago. After purchasing an old Victorian home, I quit my job and started working from home. I love the City of Poughkeepsie. It is convenient to everything in the Hudson Valley as well as NYC and the many Catskill ski slopes. We have a well trained police department and a paid fire department. Most surrounding towns offer only volunteer fire response. I've had 2 occasions where I needed police or fire assistance and the response was amazing. My taxes are far less than a comparable home in Beacon, Newburgh or Kingston. In fact they are less than most surrounding towns. I live alone and feel extremely safe in my home. I don't have children so I have never been too concerned about the state of the local schools. I have had the opportunity to volunteer in a local elementary school as a "Book Buddy". I met some of the most dedicated and hard working teachers, far better than any I remember from my school days.
If you are reading this from a cramped walk-up apartment in Manhattan or any of the Boroughs, do yourself a favor. Play hooky, hop on a Metro North Hudson River line and come for a visit.
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Does the City of Poughkeepsie have a good grocery store yet? The last I remember, residents had to go to the outskirts or Hyde Park to find one.
For those of us who don't live there, it's Medical City. We've both been treated (successfully) for serious medical conditions at Vassar Bros. If we need to see a specialist, it usually means going to Poughkeepsie. In the fifties, "gone to Poughkeepsie" was a euphemism for being sent to the large psychiatric hospital that was there. That's gone but they're still deciding what to do with the hospital's large grounds and buildings.
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I grew up in Poughkeepsie (the City, not the Town). My father was Health Commissioner of Dutchess County. I lived there from the mid 60 to mid 70s. I watched St. Mary's church burn down; parishes were important back then. That fire and the ill-conceived mallification of Main Street rang the first death knells for the City and people fled. I left for college in 1976 and have not returned.
I go back to the historical district where I grew up and see many of the post Civil War homes in decline. I fondly remember a time where we left doors unlocked and played on the residential streets and in the field next to Christ Church. I stand in front of the Bankruptcy Court and remember when Lucky Platt was across the street and how Main and Market Streets were filled with pedestrians.
I know those days are long gone but I keep hoping the City will revive. Much of it is still beautiful.
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I'm a 5th generation Poughkeepsie girl. I attended Poughkeepsie Day School, Our Lady of Lourdes, Marist College (while at Lourdes), and Vassar College. My parents still live in the home my grandfather built in the 1950s. I've watched as places like Beacon and even Newburgh are revitalized and wondered why my hometown couldn't join in. I've also been stuck between my fellow "townies" complaining about Vassar's lack of involvement in the area and, on the flip side, my Vassar friends complaining how Poughkeepsie doesn't try to work with Vassar to be more of a college town. I am encouraged to see this article and hope something can be done about the absolutely dismal Poughkeepsie public schools. It's shameful that nothing has changed in the 40 years since I was in school.
I also wanted to give a shout out to Vassar's program in conjunction with New York Stage and Film. It's a fantastic summer theater festival that's open to the public and should have gotten a mention here!
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No mention of the Bardavon? Lovely, historic theater with great shows - right in downtown.
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@Evelyn The Bardavon is mentioned, check under "The Vibe." Yes, it's a lovely old theater. When my good friends lived there, we saw many concerts.
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Born in Poughkeepsie as well. My grandfather Jimmy “Brown” Severino was owner founder of The Brown Derby, brother was in the first men’s class at Vassar....but as soon as I graduated college, I headed for NYC. Reading this article makes me want to take my son back to show him where I grew up. Po’k does have some beautiful qualities (including bars in New Paltz that don’t close until 4 am or used to.) Makes me realize the power of nostalgia.
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My husband and I have needed medical attention recently. One, a surgery, my husband's first and we were understandingly worried. For me, a sudden irratic heart beat. In both cases we were patients of Poughkeepsie's medical facilities, Vassar Brothers Medical Center and the Heart Center. Things went well and we frequently ponder whether ever moving to less expensive areas is wise. We live 25 miles from the medical center, and agree we should not move any farther. It's about a 45 minute drive. What's more, doctors have offices in the surrounding area so it makes sense to stay put. For the equivalent quality of care, you'd have to live in NYC or Boston. In the Hudson Valley, life is not relegated to the confines of your town or city, it's regional living. Whether recreational, cultural or medical, it's inhabitants expect to travel within it's reaches.
A car is a necessity whether you live in the city of POK or any other place. The dismal POK schools are likely due to racial division from the 70's and on. No NYS school district should be this neglected. This district needs immediate action to enable its students to partake of all the good things to come in their town. Besides, it's the county seat. With all the government offices you'd think there would be some oversight?
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Don't forget that Vassar Brothers Hospital, in Poughkeepsie, is one of the best in the state for cardiac care, is expanding and has invested Half a Billion dollars in a new Hospital overlooking the Hudson River.
Soon Marist will open their Medical School that will be associated with Vassar Brothers.
I moved to Poughkeepsie 20 years ago when I married my husband. I wasn't happy about leaving my home in Valhalla in Westchester. Now, I can't imagine living anywhere else.
Even though the Middle School and High School in the City of Poughkeepsie are severly challenged right now (I'm trying to be kind, here), there are so many private schools: parish schools like Holy Trinity or St. Martin's, the Day School (if you have LOTS of money), Oakwood and many many more.
This is such a great area to live in, including having all of the advantages beomg so close to New York City. We attend Broadway plays, events at Madison Square Garden, and, of course, about a dozen Yankee games a year!
Great article!
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Something ELSE the article fails to mention that will provide additional “lift” to the city of Poughkeepsie: I.B.M.! That’s right, although IBM’s days as the dominant PC maker ended long ago, they are still #32 on the Fortune 500 list, and they announced earlier this year that their next step forward will be based in Poughkeepsie, where Big Blue will be opening their IBM Q Computation Center! Of course this is the same IBM that dealt Poughkeepsie its final blow in the early 1990’s, so I’m sure it’s thrilled to be able to play a role in Poughkeepsie’s revival.
Upon its completion, Dutchess County officials envision business leaders from around the world visiting the Computation center. At the planned Center, it is expected that researchers will get to work with some of the world’s most advanced cloud-based quantum computing systems. IBM's Poughkeepsie site, which was already known for producing the popular Z mainframe, is positioned to be one of the few places in the world with the technical capabilities, infrastructure and expertise to run a center of this type. Since the center will be available to the IBM Q network (a group that includes business leaders like Fortune 500 companies, startups and academic institutions), it is anticipated that some of these companies will find it convenient to invest in close proximity to this center. And that is great news for Poughkeepsie, since it will certainly put the city back on the map as a technological hub!
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The inner city took the brunt of successive economic downturns. Sprawling suburbia and malls didn't help matters either. Then, the arterial dividing and leading everyone through and out of the city. IBM was a big driver of jobs on both sides of the Hudson and when large swaths closed and downsized, those jobs disappeared forever. I used to shop for specialty items downtown. There was a professional store for architects and artists.
The good news is big economic developments. The new, huge state of-the-art hospital, medical school and fresh housing. There are some good jobs had here. Unfortunately, the inner city kids won't benefit. As parts of the city improve, the cycle of entrenched poverty deserves special examination. Honestly, what's driving it?
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It would be nice if somehow Vassar played a bigger role in supporting the city's activities. As a Vassar grad who still lives in the area, I think there are synergies between the two that have yet to be realized.
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I agree, as a fellow Vassar grad. I feel the college does very little to foster a relationship (except for wonderful dance shows at the Bardavon).
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I begrudgingly moved to Poughkeepsie over a decade ago because of my husband’s job. Over time, it has become a place of good neighbors and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Poughkeepsie doesn’t reveal itself all at once, and (thankfully) isn’t a hipster expat town like some of our other friends along the river, but it is filled with artists, academics, chefs, and lots of regular, good people who are working to build something better together. The public schools are a serious challenge, but we have been fortunate to stumbled into Poughkeepsie Day School, an 85 year old progressive treasure where my kids have gone and flourished, (and without ever receiving grades!). We have an amazing local grocery store and farms along with a thriving arts community. You can get to beautiful countryside or any of the other interesting surrounding areas easily when needed and back to the city on the train anytime of day. What more do you need?
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@EllenPurple PDS--paying 20K for schooling? Why isn't this city demanding better of their public schools?
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@Diane Foster Poughkeepsie Day School offers flexible tuition and works hard with families to make sure that cost is not a barrier to a PDS education.
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@Christina the Poughkeepsie schools are one of the worst in the state of NY. Graduation rate is about 45%. Why should we have to pay PDS so our children can get a great education? Also with tuition help PDS is still out of reach for most people in the area. If Poughkeepsie would “fix” their school district the city would grow by leaps and bounds!! It’s a fact!!
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I retired to Poughkeepsie in 2008, and since have pursued a new career in community theater. I have written many plays, in my life time, but here I have found actors and audiences. This is partly because of the open sesame policy of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, where there is a free venue (I am a member and always we perform for their benefit). and also there is a warm audience, ready to laugh and cry. This Saturday is
"Open Studios" here, and we are performing a riotous play- "Cockroach Philosophy," written by me, in conjunction with the original author of "Archy and Mehitabel". You should come!
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The article forgot to mention a few things:
1. The town is a stone throw to the Culinary Institute of America, a gorgeous campus located on the bank of the Hudson river, with amazing student-run restaurants.
2. There are a number of great wineries on the Duchess county wine trail.
3. Across the river, there is an artsy town of New Paltz.
4. A bit of a drive, about 30 minutes, there is Minnewaska state park, a lovely place with trails of various levels around lake surrounded by cliffs.
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For those who love history and architecture, there are the homes of FDR and Samuel Morse, a Vanderbilt estate, and Wilderstein, the home of FDR's cousin.
All have grounds with walks.
A lovely area.
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@babysladkaya The article is called Living In...and each week attempts to tell you what goes on in each city--NOT nearby.
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@Diane Foster - Writing about upstate towns is actually a little different from writing about neighborhoods in New York City. In an article about Chelsea, for example, it would be ridiculous to say that by the way, you can also visit the Metropolitan Museum.
But in the Hudson Valley, virtually everyone has a car, and Hyde Park or New Paltz, although they are quite a few miles from Poughkeepsie, are actually considered to be in the same general locale. Being relatively near the attractions there would be considered an amenity of living in Poughkeepsie.
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Like a lot of people, I'm reading along and wondering, why don't I buy and eventually live in Poughkeepsie? Then I read HUGE challenges glossed over. Those 4 murders in a town of 28,000...sad. Forget about commuting--the MetroNorth round trip at more than $500 a month is a major "gulp."
And those standardized test scores for the area schools are so poor, and on average less than half of the students graduate. What is happening to the young people in this city, and what is in their future? Diploma-less and jobless.
I suppose if you're already living and working up here this can be a great place to invest in, but that stubborn school problem needs to be addressed.
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Such nostalgia- good to see Poughkeepsie doing better - also to see the house that I grew up in- the two bedroom addition on the side of the house was my father's pediatric office. Such fond memories of a time long ago when life seemed less complicated. Thanks for the article.....
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@Bob my mother spent most of her childhood in Poughkeepsie and didn't leave until she was in her late 30's. When she and I would visit my aunts, we would take rides around the city and they would point out where they'd lived on Academy Street and other areas of the city. It used to be a decent place to live, but as the years passed, you could see the decline, with the Main Street mall being the biggest disappointment. I hope that the revival takes hold-I am told that it used to be a wonderful place to live and grow up.
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Poughkeepsie is rich in the talents which spring from diversity. We are aiming to be a model for how creative cultural diversity can be in the life of a community. To that end, I am celebrating community theater. The Unitarian UNiverslist Fellowship makes this possible. Here we have a venue, actors who love to play, and an audience which. will laugh and cry. We reach out to the City of Poughkeepsie for all to participate! Our production, this Saturday, is "Cockroach Philosophy". which is a riotous collaboration. between myself and the original creator of "Archy and Mehitabel,"Don. Marquis! We hope to bring down the house in laughter!
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My grandparents lived in Poughkeepsie for decades - she was a cook at the Smith Brothers employees cafeteria, and he was the head chef at Vassar Hospital. They lived in a beautiful Victorian home on Marshall Street that was built in 1865. My mother graduated from Poughkeepsie High in 1940 and graduated from Vassar Hospital nursing school. Fond memories.
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The Smith Brothers had a wonderful restaurant on Main Street many, many years ago. But the city itself has been in deep trouble for many, many years. Sad.
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Born and raised in Poughkeepsie, graduated Marist College. First apartment ever was a two-bedroom in Corlies Manor, then considered creme de la creme, for $117 per month! The two department stores, Luckey's and Wallace's, ruled Main Street. Was saddened to see Poughkeepsie fall victim to urban decay; glad to see it coming back to life at last. But you know that gentrification has set in (with accompanying prices that only the super-wealthy can afford) when neighborhoods start getting names.
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@Alex one of my aunts lived in Corlies Manor and worked in the Poughkeepsie Savings Bank! She always took me to Luckey's, and I completely forgot about Wallace's! That Main Street promenade area used to be lovely.
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I was born in Poughkeepsie and, while I appreciate it's "scenic" setting more now than I did when I was a kid, I moved away in 1980 and NEVER looked back. College in Boston. Lived and worked in Italy. Settled 25 years ago in Manhattan and NEVER LOOKED BACK. In other words, there's NO reason to move to Poughkeepsie unless you like having the shopping mall as your only option for evening activities. I say "evening" because "nighttime"? There are no nighttime activities. Next...
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Mr. Hughes,
Nice effort trying to write a positive article about Poughkeepsie. But, please tell me who can afford to pay $1750/month for a one-bedroom apartment (and obviously that does not include utilities) in Poughkeepsie? Perhaps a young engineer from IBM, or a young professor at one of the colleges, or maybe a young doctor at one of the two area hospitals.
Given the fact that there are only so many available high paying jobs in Poughkeepsie, that is hardly a huge market for such expensive housing.
Have you walked Eastward on Main Street (with your starting place being Market Street)? Hardly a very nice sight when you see so many closed store-fronts.
Perhaps you should had asked the mayor to tell you why has he not tried to build the waterfront much like the City of Newburgh has.
Poughkeepsie used to be a nice small city, but it has not rebounded yet.
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Greg all your questions were answered if you had read the dead on article. Apparently you don’t live here on the waterfront as I have since 1960. The reporter nailed it.
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On Cape Cod this what we would call "Eastham". a low grade version, poor stepsister if you will, of the full. on assault of the the real thing
@Tony Eastham, really? I don't see the connection. Perhaps you're thinking of Hyannis, more of an urban feel, with some diversity, lower prices, higher crime rate, lower performing schools, etc. Comparing Eastham to Poughkeepsie doesn't compute.
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I graduated from Vassar in 1974 and remained in Poughkeepsie until 1999 when I fell in love with a man from Tucson. The last 18 years I lived in a beautiful Victorian house on Grand Avenue with 6 stained glass windows, two tiled fireplaces with gorgeous wood mantels, fluted columns, built in glass-fronted corner cupboard, full basement and attic, and a 2 car garage which was a converted barn with an upstairs. I loved that house and I miss it still!
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@Laura Waterman Laura, I remember that house too, having enjoyed its welcome so many times. I’m glad you continue to have sweet memories of that place and time.
I currently live in the city of Poughkeepsie and seeing all these new expensive apartment complexes go up really is sicking.
I have no idea who they expect to live in them.
The average house hold income in the city of around 35K.
There are few jobs in the area that can afford these rents on these new complexes.
You can't communicate down to the city unless you want to spend 4 hours a day on the train.
The income to cost of living ratio in Poughkeepsie is already absurd and all these renewal plans are only going to make it worse
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Apparently you didn’t read the article in it’s entirety. “Communicate” to the city?
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@George
Facts and data say otherwise.
Large percentage of units are at or below market rates.
They're almost completely leased before completion
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Thanks for a well researched and written article. I was born in Poughkeepsie and can tell you that the name is not pronounced po- KIP- see. It's really easy to spot a non-local when they say it that way. It's pronounced by locals as puh- KIP- see. No long "O" spoken. Also one commenter said its about a three hour train ride?? What??? Take a look at the train schedules. There are several express trains that are about an hour and 40 mins. There are many people who commute to Manhattan daily from POK train station. Even regular trains (non-express) are well under three hours NYC to POK!
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Thanks. I was a little perplexed by the "PO" pronunciation, and I'm not even from Poughkeepsie.
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@Jim
You're right about the exaggerated commute times. However, how often do you commute to NYC, and how often do you use Metro-North?
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Jim, native myself. As to pronunciation, stop picking nits.
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The NY Times loves to focus on rising housing prices, assuming that it is a terrific thing, when, in fact, it is not, as it means housing is quickly becoming unaffordable. Attracting people seeking to flip properties is deadly to a community. As someone with limited assets who needs to buy a property, I dread articles like these because they mean one more town will soon be ruined. Upscaling only benefits a few people.
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I guess Marist College doesn’t exist in Poughkeepsie. It’s probably the biggest driver in their local economy.
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The local economy on the north side bars and delis maybe
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@Cjmesq0 The article is about the City of Poughkeepsie, and Marist (and Vassar) are located in the Town of Poughkeepsie.
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@Cjmesq0 If anything, the Times should have mentioned the huge new patient pavilion going up at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, as well as the planned med school there. Both projects are in the City of Poughkeepsie, represent an investment of more than $600 million and will bring about 1,000 new residents into the city and surrounding communities.
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As a resident of the City of Poughkeepsie, it's interesting to note that the article failed to mention that Mayor Rolison is a Republican and won Mayor of the year two years in a row from the state mayor's Association for his innovative fiscal initiatives AND lowering taxes. The county executive is also a Republican, making this a small enclave in leftist NYS. They're proof of why democrat politics don't work for people.
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@David
Ironic that Poughkeepsie is just now attracting interest. Maybe it is in spite of that fact? We'll see how long any "Republican Majority" lasts as young talent moves into the region. Low cost of living with housing being primary, combined with amenities, are what attracts people these days. No one cares about saving 3cents at the grocery store on sales tax, they want to see public investment.
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@David I live in poughkeepsie and yes my property and school tax has not gone up, why, because the Republican mayors have found innovative ways to get money otherwise. My taxes use to cover trash pickup. Now the city charges per unit, it’s not s tax but I cannot suspend it or find cheaper private hauler. They also increased water and sewer rates then installed remotely read meters so they could reduce the manpower but now charge a rental fee for that remote water meter. So yeah, the city would have been better off without republican mayors. Remember John Tysack who gave away the water front to private developers(google it). My memory is long and my forgiveness short.
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@David
And how has the mayor made the city better? What are these "innovative fiscal initiatives" ? How is the job market in the city? Many people commute from Poughkeepsie the NYC for work.
One more question, how is NYS leftist? NYS is not a communist state. Do you have any idea of what is to be a Democratic state vs "leftist state"/communist state?
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Not mentioned here, but the public library in Poughkeepsie is lovely.
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Gentrification creeps up the Hudson.while there are many good things that come with it,you still have 22% living below the poverty line,who will not benefit in any way,except being pushed into housing provided by the government.they say they want to fix the mistakes of the past,but seem to be repeating some of them.
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I was involved in a major high speed car wreck there a few decades ago. From the caring driver behind me who radio'd for immediate help and stayed with me to all of the hospital personnel and even rental car workers, everyone was extremely compassionate and helpful. If you have to have an emergency, make sure you're in a place like Poughkeepsie
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@glorybe Or make sure you run into "caring driver."
"officials carved two high-speed “arterials” through the retail district"
The arterials are 30mph, hardly high speed.
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@G.S. 30 mph and plenty of traffic lights which are not in sync.
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Perhaps Poughkeepsie has changed since I was last there, which was probably about 10 years ago? Back then, I just remember.... the downtown/Main Street area definitely had that look of a mill town or similar. You could see the potential for it to be very charming, but back then, it felt extremely 'depressed'.... no people walking around...no 'life' in the downtown...empty storefronts....it just had the feeling of a town where everyone had left to live elsewhere.
It's also quite a long train ride into Manhattan (I think about three hours?), so clearly not optimal for those who need to spend time regularly in NYC.
Train from Pok to Grand Central takes less than 1 hour 45 mins. Driving takes much less time but who wants to do that?
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Although I agree that the Poughkeepsie city schools are far from the best, neighboring districts, Spackenkill and Arlington, both are very good districts.
Also note that Marist College is working with Vassar Bros. Hospital to create a medical school and construction has been taking place to double the size of the hospital in preparation.
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@David research the spackenkill school district case in 1967, when the new high school was built, city of poughkeepsie high school never recovered.
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@Owen - Basically, Spackenkill sectioned off the whiter, more middle class edge of the Poughkeepsie school district. This was helped out by the tax base provided by the huge IBM plant in the district.
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@David neighboring districts do not help the people living in the city district! So to go to those districts you would not be living in the city of Poughkeepsie!
I've lived in Dutchess County for almost two decades, and in the City of Poughkeepsie for the last 7 years. I have a soaring modernized loft apartment in an historic building within a 5 minute walk to the Amtrak/Metro North station. I have sunset views of the Hudson River and the Walkway for under $2,000/month. There are a half-dozen great restaurants within a 10 minute walk, a (seasonal) weekly waterfront farmer's market, and easy access to chain stores etc. on the Route 9 corridor. The Walkway is an amazing way to see the river and get some exercise; the Empire Trail will connect through here but now we have an approximately 12-mile section to bike or walk, car-free. You are close to the historic riverfront mansions and vast, amazing parkland. There's a vibrant artist community and a tremendous number of active participants in civic initiatives. As for the diverse population: diverse is good, it is real, it is community. I am in love, can you tell? !
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@Naomi And you are overpaying, and contributing to a housing crisis for those less fortunate. How many people can walk twelve miles and back? Who really benefits? Only a few.
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Well, Grittenhouse, evidently the commenter and many other people take full advantage of those trails.
Surely you do not mean a county should close trails.
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@Grittenhouse I actually pay way less than $2000, and that's for an easily-sharable two bedroom with in-unit laundry. I haven't found anything comparable with these kind of building and neighborhood amenities anywhere around here.
As for the Walkway and rail trail, over 500,000 yearly visitors disagree with you. Some use a small portion of it, some use the entire thing. The benefits have been quantified. The health of local residents has improved. And a recent study showed that were it not for tourism-generated state and local taxes, the average household in our region would have to pay an additional $711 to maintain the same level of government revenue.
Poughkeepsie is not the city to be pointing fingers at when declaring "housing crisis for the less fortunate". New zoning regulations, careful development criteria, and a vocal and inclusive community and common council make sure the city is welcome to all. Research the Family Partnership Center, Hudson River Housing, The Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, and other initiatives that provide a wide range of social services.
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Shh! Convenient access to New York City, to transportation hubs, local cultural institutions, nearby bucolic back roads, a diverse population including a vibrant Oaxacan presence, and reasonable housing costs make this area a good secret for us to keep to ourselves. We are grateful to the young folks coming back and working to make it better. Now, the ill-conceived division of the city as a result of the east-west arterial and the separation of urban/suburban school districts in Poughkeepsie needs to be addressed.
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I went to Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Only Vassar is mentioned in this article. I think it's an incredibly shocking oversight for the amount of reserarch you have put into this piece. The Marist community has often changed the demographics of Poughkeepsie as well, and the housing - leaving it worse for wear in many cases. Please don't forget a key element.
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Marist provides income to the bars and delis on the north side and as far south as Mahoney’s where they trash the parking lot on a nightly basis. Please don’t use Marist and Vassar in the same sentence. No comparison my friend. Just witnessed the pub crawl, puke and all. Back to Jersey & Long Island we natives hope you all go.
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@Lauren - Marist is a good regional school, whereas Vassar has national reputation.
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@James
So...students behaving like students is surprising? And better job opportunities exist in NJ or LI to be sure.
1
As someone who’s grown up in the area: Revival in Ptown would be lovely, but discussion about upstate tends to gloss over and what is really missing in the region: jobs. In Poughkeepsie, as IBM, the major employer, shed jobs decades ago, nothing replaced it. If this article is aimed at commuters to NYC: did you ever try that commute? You will leave a significant portion of your health behind, as the true commute is closer to two hours one way. If you can afford exorbitant Amtrak, you will cut off a whopping half hour. There are great institutions in the city (Vassar, Marist, CIA, and a fine community college), which represent significant economic activity, but “town and gown” relations, as they are known, are fraught, with people from the fancier institutions remaining in their literally walled communities. Also, the city was hit h ard by the drug trade, with the easy accessibility between Poughkeepsie and NYC via train NOT a helping factor in that regard, and the city is still dealing with these problems. Lastly, the town has charm but is a hardscrabble stepchild compared to its fancier neighbors, e.g. Rhinebeck. I love the Hudson Valley, and it is not all doom and gloom, but these are tough challenges, and true revival for the region and its cities requires more than a view and a muffin shop patronized by NYC exiles. Thanks!
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@Maddy
I grew up there too. I know all too well the challenges you speak of.
But Poughkeepsie has more of a chance than any other spot because of the colleges (Marist/Vassar), the hospital, as you pointed out. That talent is more and more staying put. Awave of new businesses are opening (many of them restaurants) not stemming from relocated city folk (like Beacon) but people within the community and nearby spots (like Kingston).
In regards to the commute, do you know how many people come from equal distance on the LIRR and NJ Transit? As I have gone to the shore I have been shocked by the length of the commute (a full two hours). On peak trains, it's less in Poughkeepsie. For the COL, your health isn't failing that much.
I was at a recent First Friday, and it's inspiring to see the shift the community is experiencing overall. If/when Poughkeepsie is revived, it won't be solely because of NYC gentrification and commerce.
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@Maddy I moved to Newburgh in 2017 and do the commute every day, which is three hours each way, because I work in the Bronx. the educational institutions in Poughkeepsie and Newburgh offer little in comparable job opportunities. It is exhausting and I cannot imaging what a commute from Poughkeepsie would be like. Also, many shady realtors we encountered in PKeepsie. We tried to purchase a house in Poughkeepsie, and the selling broker rejected our offer after accepting it and bought the house out from under us. It's like the wild west.
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@Maddy
YOU hit multiple nails, squarely on the head. Thank you for your insights and pragmatic realism. Marist, in particular, bleeds Fairview Fire department dry with its abuse of its "exempt" status while ever expanding, garnering more and more taxable land to increase their
ROI. Their "contribution" is predominantly experienced by the well established "locals" as nothing other than nuisance value, demonstrated by their student infiltration of multiple and varied neighborhoods. The gowns from this particular member of higher educational pursuits are winning.
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Gene Hackman's famous question in "The French Connection" about a suspect picking his feet in Poughkeepsie will no longer resonate as a sly back handed reference to the struggling city.
We are finally reclaiming some of our gilded age charm.
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And Gilded Age beauty the town has in spades. Looking through Realtor.com, I come across one magnificent (and affordable) house after another.
But having made one mistake -- moving to a neighborhood which I remember, as a child, as safe and quiet -- which it was -- and having to contend with drug-dealers and dysfunctional types for twenty years, I would hesitate to move to a similar area even if it is on the Hudson. Once burned --.
Good luck. Truly. My neighborhood is somewhat better now that the cops arrested and put away a dozen or so drug dealers. When our mayor and the courts let them out. . . .
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@interested party
I was waiting and hoping somebody would reference that line in "The French Connection;" thank you!
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We moved to Poughkeepsie in 2004 and have been waiting over 15 years for the "renaissance". "When will they come?" people asked. I think finally everyone realized that change has to come from within. New leadership in City Hall and the hard work of local community groups is paying off in improved urban life. Now the concern is "I hope we are not overrun!" Hopefully the affordability and quality of life can be maintained.
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@Outerboro Guy Same here, bought a rental unit in 2005 and lived on the top floor, rented out the lower level. My property is still not worth what I paid but my mortgage is almost paid off. Though the property value is low, the rents have steadily increased and because I'm such I nice guy, I subsidize my tenants rent. The rent I charge is same as 2005, if I increased it, they would have to move to a less desirable neighborhood. The city consistently increases the cost of city services without offering anything additional. I currently pay taxes which does not include the cost of trash pickup, the city bills us quarterly (this was to get past increasing property tax). Water rate increased, sewer rate increased, bismal snow removal. And let's not get started on the school, you should only move to Poughkeepsie if you do not have children. I do not recall the city having a mayor with children who sent them to Poughkeepsie schools...end rant
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