Firthcliffe offers quiet living in the Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley hamlet of Firthcliffe sits in the shadow of Storm King Mountain. Over 5,000 people live in the small community, which borders the artsy village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, also in the town of Cornwall. West Point military academy is also just a short drive away. “A lot of people who go to West Point live in Cornwall,” says Jennifer DiCostanzo, a Realtor with Re/Max Town & Country. “It’s very trendy with events supporting musicians and artists.” Firthcliffe is next door to Storm King Art Center, the world-class sculpture park, and a short drive from the regional hub of Newburgh. Carpet manufacturing was once the bedrock of the local economy, but the hamlet is now home to a diverse downtown retail scene and a sizable community of remote workers, plus commuters to New York City. The train ride to Manhattan is about 2 hours from nearby Salisbury Mills-Cornwall station, and the drive is about 90 minutes, depending on traffic. “They have the train there that you can pick up and get to the city. For commuting, it’s a little more direct,” DiCostanzo says.
Main Street is home to family-owned eateries and established bars
Main Street runs past several Victorian homes and storefronts, giving downtown a vintage atmosphere and providing plenty of residents with immediate shopping access. Prima Pizza, family-owned since its 1954 founding, serves New York-style pizza from a small cottage decked out with family photos. Fiddlestix Café, while also housed in a compact space, is known for its large portions of breakfast and lunch fare. Ginny’s Sports Bar & Grill includes a sand volleyball court and cornhole boards in its backyard, occasionally complemented by live music. Other dining options include a sushi restaurant, an established Irish pub and several small cafes. Firthcliffe has its own Dollar General, but nearby Vails Gate puts Hannaford, Price Chopper and ShopRite supermarkets near the same intersection.
Firthcliffe's streets mix historic homes with brand-new properties
Home styles in Firthcliffe include Colonial Revival, ranch-style and New Traditional, with homes built from the 1870s to the 2020s. Residential streets tend to feature small front lawns with space for gardens and trees, plus the occasional sidewalk. Houses under 3,000 square feet have sold for $260,000 to $750,000, while larger homes sell for $670,000 to $990,000. Co-ops on Manor Drive go for $120,000 to $170,000. The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Storm King Mountain is surrounded by trails and a new golf course
The Hudson Highlands surround Firthcliffe and present easy opportunities for outdoor escapes. Storm King Mountain was named by a poet awed by its majestic appearance on a foggy morning, and its 1,340-foot-tall summit offers commanding views of the Hudson River. Nearby trails immerse visitors in the forested highlands that peregrine falcons, beavers, owls and other wildlife call home. The private Storm King Golf Club, slated to open in late 2026 with five nine-hole courses, brands itself as “golf re-imagined” due to its unorthodox green designs. Riverlight Park has baseball fields, a playground, tennis courts and basketball courts, plus a wading pool.
A-rated schools offer strong academics and diverse activities
Students can start at Willow Avenue Elementary School before attending Cornwall Middle School and Cornwall Central High School, all of which receive A ratings from Niche. Cornwall Central High has received a National Blue Ribbon Award from the Department of Education for its strong academics. The school also offers plenty of artistic extracurriculars like jazz band, dance and drama. Firthcliffe is also home to the New York Military Academy, one of the oldest military schools in the country.
Firthcliffe offers train and highway links to New York City
Firthcliffe’s location along U.S. Route 9W puts it within a 6-mile drive from Newburgh and 55 miles from Manhattan. Trains from nearby Salisbury Mills-Cornwall Station head to New York Penn Station via Secaucus Junction. Firthcliffe has its own hospital, St. Luke’s Cornwall Medical Group.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
