Livingston is a quiet town in the country near Hudson
Livingston offers a slow-paced lifestyle in upstate New York’s Hudson Valley region. It’s an area full of woods and farmland, where people go to settle down and be close to nature. Melanie Nelson, a local business owner, happened upon Livingston when she and her late husband were looking to move away from New York City to a more rural town in the 1980s. “I live a quiet life out here,” Nelson says. “There’s a lot of open land. It’s not crowded at all.” While residents enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Livingston, it’s only a 15-minute drive to Hudson, a thriving small city along the banks of the Hudson River.
Real estate ranges from manufactured homes to luxury farmhouses
Most homes on the south side of Livingston have Elizaville addresses and are generally cheaper than homes on the north side with Hudson addresses. They include various midcentury houses in densely wooded subdivisions ranging from $130,000 to $480,000. Hudson-addressed homes are typically on country backroads with yards ranging anywhere from one-half to 100 acres. They include historic farmhouses dating from the 1700s to the early 1900s, ranging from $420,000 to $800,000. Some with luxury updates range from $1.2 million to $3.1 million. Other options include midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes ranging from $470,000 to $690,000. Manufactured homes are also available, and cost between $35,000 and $180,000, though some with acreage sell for $380,000 to $580,000.
A few shops and markets serve the community
While this is a very rural area, there are a few nearby shops and restaurants along U.S. Route 9 and other adjoining roads. Hannaford sells groceries and other everyday essentials. Just down the road, locals can head to Alltown Fresh, a gas station and convenience store that sells produce, sandwiches and coffee. The community also shops at Green Acres Farm Market & Bakery for fruits and vegetables, as well as homemade products like pies, apple cider doughnuts and jams. Nelson operates the Little Red Book Shack, aka Melanie Nelson Books. All books at the roadside stand sell for 50 cents or $1, and it’s open 24/7, operating on an honor system. Nelson says she feels comfortable with this system, noting the community’s safety. “This is a nice town. No one bothers anybody and there seems to be zero crime,” Nelson says. In fact, the town's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4. Locals may also drive about 10 miles to Hudson to shop at big-box retailers or head downtown to eat at one of the many locally owned restaurants. Nelson says it’s also common for people to drive 25 miles to Kingston, which has a more extensive shopping scene.
U.S. Route 9 connects to Albany and New York City
With direct access to U.S. Route 9, locals can drive 45 miles to Albany, which takes about 45 minutes. The highway leads 115 miles to New York City, transitioning to Broadway. The drive takes less than three hours. Both Albany and New York City have international airports. There’s also an Amtrak station in Hudson, with a railroad that travels along the Hudson River.
Students can earn college credit at Hudson Senior High School
Students may attend Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School, which receives a C-plus grade from Niche. They may go on to B-minus-graded Hudson Junior High School, followed by Hudson Senior High School, graded a B-plus. Both the junior and senior high schools are on the same campus. Upperclassmen may participate in the College in the High School program. This allows them to earn college credit through Columbia-Green Community College in a high school classroom.
Local parks offer playgrounds, sports fields and nature trails
Livingston Recreation Park, commonly referred to as “The Rec. Park,” offers various outdoor activities. It features a playground, tennis courts and ball fields used for youth leagues. The park also has a large picnic pavilion and a nature trail, where hikers can stroll along a boardwalk through the woods. Lake Taghkanic State Park is less than 7 miles away from town, offering a sandy beach with a swimming area and plenty of space to kayak and fish. The city of Hudson has a public boat ramp for those who want to boat down the Hudson River.
Annual events are held throughout the Hudson Valley
Locals head to Hudson and other parts of the region to attend community events throughout the year. Out Hudson, an annual Pride parade in June, has been an annual tradition since 2010. The Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, held every September, draws tens of thousands of people to enjoy garlic-infused food, purchase garlic products from vendors and enjoy other garlic-themed events. Come winter, locals kick off the holiday season with the Hudson Winter Walk, featuring live music, fireworks and a visit from Santa.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
