Ancram has quiet Hudson Valley living with a creative vibe
In Ancram, you'll find all the open space and scenic farmland views you might expect from southern Columbia County, plus a vibrant arts scene. While most of the land is rural, the small town center is anchored by Ancram Center for the Arts, a hotspot of experimental theater. Plus, you can reach the cultural hubs of Chatham and Great Barrington in about 30 minutes. You’ll need to drive out of town for most daily errands, but many residents see that tradeoff as part of Ancram’s secluded appeal. For buyers who want true rural living and don’t mind a longer drive to cities, Ancram has open land and a creative heartbeat.
Rural homes with lower property taxes than in Dutchess County
Ancram has a classic Hudson Valley housing selection, including older farmhouses, rustic cabins and modern vacation homes. You may be able to find a rural ranch-style home in the upper $200,000s, but most move-in-ready houses range from the $500,000s to over $1 million. Some expansive properties with private roads and outbuildings can be $5 million or more. According to Christine Hinz, an associate broker with Village Green Realty who has over 7 years of experience in the area, the lower taxes in Columbia County are a draw for buyers. “Because Ancram is a little bit south and almost at the Dutchess County border, there's a little bit more value because the taxes are lower,” she explains. “The prices might be slightly lower than in Dutchess County as well.”
What to expect from year-round rural living
Ancram has a mix of second-home owners and permanent residents, and remote work is possible. Broadband coverage in the town is pretty comprehensive, but access to high-speed fiber is somewhat limited in remote areas. The warmer months in Ancram are downright idyllic, with scenic country roads, berry-picking fields and fresh produce at local farm stands. “Whereas Taghkanic is probably a little bit more woody…Ancram is just beautiful, sweeping farmland views,” Hinz says. “You have gorgeous views of the Taconic range, which is part of the Berkshires Mountains… it feels a little bit more like the English countryside.” But winters are harsher, with regular snowfall. If you plan to live here year-round, Hinz recommends getting a four-wheel-drive car, especially if you live on a private road.
Ancram’s creative flair attracts artists
The Ancram Center for the Arts gives this rural hamlet its creative flair. The historic building, first used as an opera house in the 1920s, now hosts experimental theater performances, authentic storytelling and artistic workshops. “That community is really arts-focused,” Hinz says. She says that although Ancram Center for the Arts is a center point, the town attracts creatives of all kinds. “I happen to have just sold a home that will have an art gallery working out of it,” she says. “[Ancram] is kind of vibrant that way.”
Shops and restaurants in the tiny town center
There’s not much of a downtown in Ancram, but the small town center has a post office and a fire station. You can also find:
- Ancram Little Store: Homestyle café with fresh-made sandwiches, friendly service and low prices
- Fulton & Forbes: Boutique liquor shop in a cottage building with small batch wines and craft spirits
- Ancram Town Pool: Small pool and surrounding park used for summer camps and swim lessons
Small school districts with agricultural programs
Most of Ancram is split between the Pine Plains Central School District and the Taconic Hills Central School District. Both districts are relatively small and have solid agricultural programs. Taconic Hills has one central school campus for all grades by Copake Lake. The large facility, built in 1999, includes an indoor pool and a performing arts center.
Expect long drives to Hudson and Great Barrington
You’ve got to drive a bit longer to run errands in Ancram than you would in somewhere like Chatham or Hillsdale. For longer trips into cities, here’s what you are looking at for drive times:
- Hillsdale is 20 minutes away with a small Freshtown grocery store, good for daily errand runs
- Hudson is about 25 minutes away with larger grocery stores, a hospital and an Amtrak station with trains to New York City
- Great Barrington is about 35 minutes away with theaters and upscale dining, making it a popular destination for a night on the town
- New York City is about two hours south, though it can be longer with traffic, and many residents commute there a few days a week
![Catherine Lashley]()
Written By
Catherine Lashley
