Hidden amongst the rolling hills of the Hudson Valley, Kingston is a vibrant Hudson River city that blends small-town charm with rural landscapes and city amenities. Located about 100 miles north of Manhattan, Kingston has grown exponentially since the 2020 pandemic, as cramped city dwellers searched north for more space and comparatively more affordable housing. According to the 2023 Census, the Kingston metro area is home to nearly 24,000 residents and continues to grow.
As the gateway to the Catskills Mountains, Kingston and the Hudson Valley have always been a weekend destination for New Yorkers. But the recent influx of city transplants is apparent throughout the growth of hip, high-end boutiques and restaurants. Kingston was briefly New York's first capital in 1777. Historic homes and the Four Corners, the only area in the country with pre-Revolutionary stone buildings on each corner, add to its charm. "It's one of the most desirable cities in the Hudson Valley," says Greg Berardi, principal broker at Berardi Realty. "Everything you need is within 10 to 15 minutes, and every surrounding town is a happening place."
However, it is the welcoming, art-centric community that draws newcomers in to stay. "Kingston has survived many ebbs and flows throughout the years, but its beautiful and historic architecture has been embraced, and a renaissance of new businesses has emerged," says Sean Zimmerman, associate broker at Halter Associates Realty Inc., who has been helping homeowners sell their homes for over 20 years. Besides tourism and the growing hospitality industry, many residents work across the healthcare, education and social services sectors. However, opportunities in professional and business service jobs have increased due to the influx of work-from-home residents.
Experience the exciting growing art community of Midtown Kingston.
Midtown Kingston is a thriving hub for artists and creatives in Upstate New York.
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18th-, 19th- and 20th-century homes
Kingston is divided into three central neighborhoods: Uptown Kingston, or the Stockade District; Midtown Kingston; and Downtown Kingston, or the Rondout Historic District. Sitting high along the rolling hills, the Stockade District is known for its walkable community and historic 19th- and 20th-century homes. Multi-unit properties and duplexes intermingle with single-family homes, with styles ranging from Victorian to Dutch Colonials. Midtown Kingston blends residential streets with commercial activity along Broadway. Along the waterfront, the Rondout Historic District features similar eclectic architecture, with several brick rowhouses and ornate Italianate details. Median list prices hover around $400,000, on par with the national average. Prices vary greatly, ranging from the mid-$200,000s to over $1 million. However, Kingston's average sales prices continue to rise as the city's popularity and number of rehabbed homes increase. On the outskirts of town, dense residential streets give way to canopied roads dotted with spacious and pricier 20th-century designs near Hillside.
An unusual Cape Cod with a porch sits in East Kingston.
Some high end colonials can be found in East Kingston.
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Waterfront parks and nature trails
Access to the great outdoors is a major draw for residents. "The Hudson Valley's motto is ‘From the Mountains to the River,’" says Alex Stier, associate broker with Keller Williams Realty, Hudson Valley North. "You have the Hudson River to the east and the Catskills to the west," Stier says. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore trails like the Ashokan Rail Trail, an 11-mile scenic path near the Ashokan Reservoir, or the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and the Kingston Point Rail Trail.
Within the city proper, Forsyth Park, located less than a mile west of the Stockade District, offers sports courts, a castle-themed playground and the Forsyth Nature Center. Kingston Point Park boasts a dog park, BMX track and a 9-hole disc golf course along the Hudson River's waterfront. Across the street, Kingston Point Beach features a lifeguarded sandy shore.
In the Rondout Historic District, T.R. Gallo Waterfront Park features a marina, picnic tables and a gazebo, making it a popular spot for gatherings and events. "It's the place to be in the summer," Berardi says. There's always some festival going on." The waterfront hosts some of the city's largest events, like the Italian Heritage Festival, the Annual Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby and Hooley on the Hudson.
Your little ones will love the playground at Forsyth Park.
Locals can walk from East Kingston to Kingston Point Beach by way of Sojourner Truth State Park.
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Uptown and Downtown entertainment
The Stockade District's colorful historic buildings house cozy cafes and bookstores with handcrafted brews, intimate fine dining restaurants and casual eateries. Local shops sell everything from home decor to high-end designer clothes. "Kingston was always the region's commercial hub," Zimmerman says. "I'd go into town to buy my Levis there back in the day." Music seeps into the streets weekly as late-night bars showcase live performances. The Stockade District also features some of the city's most historic landmarks, such as the Old Dutch Church, which hosts weekly farmers markets, yoga classes and theatrical performances.
Midtown Kingston is the city's arts district, where private and public studios nearly outnumber the many Latin and South American eateries. The Rondout Historic District is another popular neighborhood, with diverse eateries and shops. Waterfront restaurants, boat tours and museums attract residents and tourists alike.
Hannaford is the city's only chain grocer. The region's central commercial hub spans U.S. Route 9 West, just north of the city. Additional grocers and dozens of big-box stores are scattered between Lincoln Park and Lake Katrine. Other establishments include the Hudson Valley Mall and NCG Cinemas.
Hannaford is one of the biggest grocery stores in Lincoln Park.
A large crowd enjoys lunch at the Ole Savannah Southern Table and Bar.
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Kingston City and private schools
The Kingston City School District scores a B rating on Niche. The district enrolls around 6,300 students across seven elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The city is home to one private K-8 school, Kingston Catholic School. The Zena Democratic School, formerly the Hudson Valley Sudbury School, is a sought-after alternative school on the outskirts of town. Additional private schools in the area include the Woodstock Day School and the Middle Way School, whose teachings are rooted in Buddhism. "Both schools emphasize holistic learning, nature and interpersonal skills," Zimmerman says.
Fifteen miles south, The State University of New York at New Paltz offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Bard College is a private liberal arts college known for its performing arts programs about 11 miles away.
Kingston High School has 1,856 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1.
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Commutes around the Hudson Valley
Uptown and Downtown Kingston are compact, walkable communities with sidewalks and nearby restaurants and shops. Ulster County Area Transit bus routes operate throughout the city, leading to surrounding communities like Saugerties, Woodstock and New Paltz. Manhattan is about 100 miles south via the Metro-North line. Rhinecliff's Amtrak Station is about 12 miles away. Much of the city still relies on personal vehicles, with access to New York State Route 28, U.S. State Route 209, Route 9W and Interstate 87, better known as the New York State Thruway. The city is also home to the HealthAlliance Hospital, which operates several local clinics.
Year-round considerations
Kingston offers four seasons, with hot and humid summers and cold winters. The city's annual snowfall varies by year, but regional totals often exceed 50 inches, while surrounding high-elevation areas in the Catskills can receive much more. Due to its proximity to the Hudson River, nearby streams such as Esopus Creek and Rondout Creek are prone to flooding.
As of January 2025, the Kingston City Police Department's 2024 annual crime report had not been published. However, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, property crimes decreased by nearly 25% between 2022 and 2023, while violent crimes saw around a 14% decrease.
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