Pawling locals have rural space and still commute to New York City
The town of Pawling stretches 45 square miles across the trees and rolling pastoral spread of Dutchess County and is anchored by the small commercial village of the same name at its heart. Pawling residents appreciate the rural solitude that comes with the homes here. They also have access to over 1,000 acres of protected parklands and are connected to an MTA station for an hour-long commute to New York City. “[There was a] boom of work-from-home residents due to Covid,” says Shannon Tully, a longtime Pawling local and associate broker with McGrath Realty. “A lot of people still work hybrid, there’s also a lot of commuters and second homes in Pawling.” It’s just as easy to find weekend residents and Big Apple commuters as it is to find local Dutchess County workers living in Pawling, making it a community where many lifestyles intersect.
Upscale single-family homes and a prominent land market
The median single-family home price in Pawling is $637,500, which is 32.8% higher than the median home price for Dutchess County. Styles vary by location and include Colonial Revivals, ramblers, raised ranches and split-levels around town. “We have Quaker Hill, a very exclusive high-end area with large farms, lots of land and multimillion-dollar real estate opportunities,” says Tully. The larger town is split into small communities with distinct atmospheres, like Quaker Hill to the east, with secluded lots and several horse farms. In the Holmes area, waterfront cottages are available beside Whaley Lake and the Empire State Trail. Folks seeking a small-town rural feel close to local businesses and public transit can find a handful of Craftsman and Victorian homes in the central village of Pawling. There is also a significant land market around town, with multi-acre parcels ranging from $150,000 to $500,000.
Pawling Nature Reserve and Whaley Lake are big recreational hubs
Pawling Nature Reserve is a protected green space north of town. Locals can enjoy dense forests and native wildlife while hiking the famous Appalachian Trail, which stretches over 2,000 miles from Maine to Florida. South of Pawling is Dutcher Golf Course, the oldest 9-hole municipal course in the country, having been open for residents and guests since 1890. Residents can also swim, kayak, or fish for yellow perch at Whaley Lake, the largest lake in Dutchess County, on the western end of town. Beside the lake is the Maybrook Trailway, connected to the larger Empire State Trail system. Along Maybrook Trailway, hikers can see abandoned railcars that were converted into vacation rentals for New York City Sanitation workers back in the 1950s.
Groceries along NY-22, and diners are downtown
Locals can head to Acme Markets or Hannaford along New York state Route 22 to grab groceries. O’Connor’s Public House sits in Pawling’s quaint downtown corridor. This family-owned and operated Irish pub offers a full menu of pastas, steaks and fish and chips, to pair with its selection of brews.
Farmers markets and local concerts are longtime traditions
The Pawling Farmers Market is a 17-year town tradition, where locals can pick up locally sourced produce, fresh eggs, meat, honey and other goods on Saturday mornings from June through September. The Pawling Concert Series has been going on for over 50 seasons and takes place at several venues across the Pawling-Trinity School campus. During the holidays, there’s Pawling’s Decemberfest and Tree Lighting, where neighbors come together to celebrate the community, and kids can meet Santa and receive gifts.
Subway access to Manhattan from home
“It’s one of the last walking Metro North villages around the area outside of Westchester and Putnam counties,” says Tully. “[It’s a] direct line to New York City, still an hour and a half drive, you’re just getting on 22 and driving straight there.” Commuters in town can hop on an MTA train from the Pawling Train Station to reach Manhattan in an hour and a half. Drivers can reach the Big Apple in the same time, after a 65-mile drive along either Taconic State Parkway or Interstate 684. Due to Pawling’s proximity to the Connecticut border, locals can also reach New Haven, Connecticut in under two hours on Interstate 84.
Pawling public schools and Trinity-Pawling School
Pawling Central School District serves the greater community for education. Students can attend Pawling Elementary and Pawling Middle, which both earn B-plus ratings from Niche, while Pawling High gets an A-minus. For private options, the town also hosts the A-plus-rated Trinity-Pawling School, teaching grades seven through 12. This all-boys Episcopal boarding school is ranked by Niche as the best private school in Dutchess County.
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
