Carol Culkin

The weather forecast shows a wet, rainy, but warm Halloween is expected in the Mid-Hudson Valley and Poughkeepsie are. Hi 69 / Lo 42. It might turn out to be the first rainy Halloween night since I moved into my house 10 years ago. I can track the weather back that far because each Halloween I set up a table outside on my driveway and serve donut holes and cider to the trick-or-treaters. It's great to see all the neighbor having fun and to chat with the parents too.

If it rains this year I might need to set up shop inside my garage or forgo tradition all together.

And, after the trick-or-treaters are done collecting their loot, the next thing I'll be doing this year is setting all my clocks back.

Remember, Daylight Savings ends at 12am on November 1st. Yes, and it will be getting darker sooner now ...that means one less hour of daylight available each day for Dutchess County homebuyers to be looking at property. Well, we can always bring a flashlight to look around outside I guess Heck, I'm not afraid of the dark. Are you?

The Walkway Over The Hudson is a story of a community that came together to rescue a landmark bridge. The old Poughkeepsie - Highland Railroad Bridge was abandoned after a fire in 1974. It sat for decades deteriorating because it was too expensive to tear down. On October 3rd, 2009 the restored bridge was finally opened to the public. Take the walk and you will see how obvious it is that this river community is so very proud of our new Walkway Over The Hudson, but be sure to bring your sneakers - it's 3 miles to walk from one end to the other and back (1.5 miles each way).

For a better glimpse of the bridge on fire in 1974 click on this link: http://www.catskillarchive.com/rrextra/pbpj743.Html

I visited the Walkway Over The Hudson this week and had the chance to experience the beauty of the Hudson Valley during the prime time for fall foliage - while standing directly above the Hudson River. I am pleased to be able to share my photos below.

This recycled 120-year-old Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge is now considered to be the world's longest pedestrian bridge.

Fred Schaefer is a local Poughkeepsie real estate attorney who I have had the pleasure of working with during my real estate career. I remember a few years back there had been a couple of different functions within the same month where Fred approached me and several other real estate agents - he couldn't stop talking so enthusiastically about the development of the bridge. Funny, I just could not see it coming together like it did - and, now today it is just as he had described. Yes, at that time I had my doubts. Fred offered to take us up to the bridge for a sneak preview - I had concerns about the structural integrity and graciously declined. No way was I going to go up there on that old relic! I was convinced the deteriorating bridge would crumble and I would fall to my death!

Fred continued to pursue his vision and successfully spearheaded this project which has even been featured by the NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/25/nyregion/25metjournal.html What a wonderful legacy!

For more information about The Walkway Over The Hudson and for frequently asked questions click on the link below: http://walkway.org/

For more information about the history of the bridge click on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poughkeepsie_Bridge

This is the view of Poughkeepsie from the Highland side of The Walkway On The Hudson (1.5 miles away)

This is the view of the Mid-Hudson Bridge from the Pedestrian bridge ,a.k.a. The Walkway on The Hudson

Are you considering a move to Dutchess County? Are you wondering where you might want to live? If you are new to this area or just visiting, please take a few minutes to browse the links below for information specific to each Dutchess County town. You'll see that each community has its own uniqueness.

Dutchess County is located in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York and is conveniently situated between Albany and New York City. The area continues to attract businesses and new residents.

Many residents commute to jobs in Westchester County, Connecticut or Manhattan because Dutchess offers more affordable housing than in other suburbs closer to New York City. Commuting to points south is made easy via I-84, the Taconic Parkway, I-87 and Metro North commuter trains.

Amenia
Beacon
Beekman
Clinton
Dover
East Fishkill
Fishkill Town Tour >>
Hyde Park
La Grange
Milan
Millbrook
Northeast
Pawling
Pine Plains
Pleasant Valley
Poughkeepsie (City)
Poughkeepsie (Town)
Red Hook (Town)
Red Hook (Village)
Rhinebeck (Town)
Rhinebeck (Village)
Stanford
Tivoli
Union Vale
Wappingers Falls (Town)
Wappingers Falls (Village)
Washington

There is a diverse assortment of activities for the whole family to enjoy. The cultural life and educational institutions enrich the lives of young adults, older adults and businesses. You can find whatever you are looking for here in Dutchess County!

Go ahead and compare Dutchess County real estate prices to home prices in nearby counties. You'll find Dutchess County more affordable! Doesn't being able to purchase the most home for your money equate to a better lifestyle? After all, your not just buying a home, you're buying a lifestyle!

Thinking about moving to the Dutchess County area? Call Carol Culkin at 845-227-4400 ext. 358.

RELOCATING? CALL CAROL 227-4400 ext. 358

Carol Culkin, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker for Houlihan Lawrence, is your source for real estate in Dutchess County. Carol is an award winning residential specialist and has been a Dutchess County top Realtor since 2002. If you are looking for a real estate agent who will be your advocate while providing you top priority service, call Carol today at 845-227-4400 x358 or on her cell phone at 845-430-6543. http://www.dutchesshomefinder.com/

The Town of LaGrange in Dutchess County is a scenic Hudson Valley Community located approximately 75 miles north of New York City. LaGrange has long been attractive due to the close proximity to a major north/south route, and the bucolic, scenic countryside. The town is mainly a residential area with most conveniences located in nearby Poughkeepsie. LaGrange includes the communities and hamlets of Arthursburg, Billings, Freedom Plains, LaGrangeville, Manchester Bridge, Moore's Mill, Noxon, Red Oaks Mill, Rombout Ridge, and Titus.

The town of LaGrange's name derives from the ancestral estate of the Marquis De Lafayette, who toured the area in 1824.

Recreational Facilities - Central to Dutchess County, one of the area's hidden treasures is the 590 acre James Baird State Park. Located in the Town of LaGrange, the park has everything a nature enthusiast would want. The park also has a fully-equipped golf facility, regulation tennis courts, nature center and softball field. There are several miles of marked trails, picnic areas, and shelters. LaGrange offers a summer concert series at Freedom Park with free admission. The LaGrange Community Day is also held here,as well as many other functions.

Houses of Worship Include the Valley Bible Fellowship Church, Full Gospel Center, Clove Valley Alliance, Lutheran, Methodist/United Methodist, Nazarene and Presbyterian. There is easy access to many other denominations.

Educational Facilities - The Town of LaGrange is served by the Arlington Central School District. The following schools are within the town: Arlington High, LaGrange Middle, Titusville Intermediate, Overlook Primary, LaGrange Elementary and Noxon Road Elementary Schools. The town is also home to the private Brendon Montessori School.

Home Sales Statistics = By School District for the calendar year 2.48% CAGR*

Source: Westchester Putnam Multiple Listing Service, single family homes, for the calendar year ending December 31st *CAGR=Compounded Annual Growth Rate

RELOCATING? CALL CAROL 227-4400 ext. 358

Carol Culkin, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker for Houlihan Lawrence, is your source for real estate in Dutchess County. Carol is an award winning residential specialist and has been a Dutchess County top Realtor since 2002. If you are looking for a real estate agent who will be your advocate while providing you top priority service, call Carol today at 845-227-4400 x358 or on her cell phone at 845-430-6543. http://www.dutchesshomefinder.com/

Poughkeepsie (pronounced /pəˈkɪpsiː/) is one of the original towns of Dutchess County. The county's first house was erected here by Peter Pieterson Lassen in 1688, where its footprint can be observed in Bowdoin Park. Poughkeepsie, founded in 1687, lies on the east side of the Hudson River, halfway between New York City and Albany. Poughkeepsie has a number of notable institutions for arts and entertainment and is the home of two state-of-the-art hospitals, St. Francis and Vassar Brothers, both with heliport facilities.

Vassar College

Distance to New York City: 81 Miles
Metro-North Commute to Grand Centra: From Poughkeepsie Station - 107 minutes
Area: 31.2 square miles

Home Sales Statistics

Source: Westchester Putnam Multiple Listing Service, single family homes, for the calendar year ending December 31st

RELOCATING? CALL CAROL 227-4400 ext. 358

Carol Culkin, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker for Houlihan Lawrence, is your source for real estate in Dutchess County. Carol is an award winning residential specialist and has been a Dutchess County top Realtor since 2002. If you are looking for a real estate agent who will be your advocate while providing you top priority service, call Carol today at 845-227-4400 x358 or on her cell phone at 845-430-6543. http://www.dutchesshomefinder.com/