Quiet countryside close to horse country in Union Vale
Founded in 1827 and tucked away in the pastoral countryside of Dutchess County, Union Vale is a small town of 4,500 that’s a quiet alternative to New York City’s urban bustle about 77 miles south. “There are a lot of benefits in that particular area,” says Marc Maclean, a real estate broker with Houlihan Lawrence Inc., who has over seven years of experience. “It’s close to horse country, there’s an airport for small planes, New York is accessible — you’re very centrally located.” Shopping and dining are limited, but green spaces and rolling hills are plentiful. Homes are an eclectic mix of styles, and most sit on acre-sized lots with heavily wooded views. The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Play, fish and relax at local parks and green spaces
The 500-acre Tymor Park is a hub for all things outdoors, including miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, campgrounds and sports like tennis, sand volleyball and baseball. There’s also an outdoor pool and an equestrian center with horse shows throughout the year. The Tymor Park Loop is a dirt-packed, 12-mile trek that wraps around the park, leading past thickets of trees, rock formations and Furnace Pond, which includes a boat launch. For a round of golf, The Links at Union Vale offers an 18-hole course with well-maintained greens, rolling fairways and plenty of sand and water hazards to test a golfer’s accuracy. About 10 miles away, the Sprout Creek Fishing Area is stocked with brown trout and brook trout.
Diverse mix of secluded single-family homes
Set along winding streets without sidewalks, Union Vale’s single-family homes are a diverse mix of farmhouse, Colonial and ranch styles; most date to the late 20th century or 21st century, but some homes were built as far back as the 19th century. Common features of these three- to six-bedroom homes include covered patios and porches, private driveways and symmetrical windows framed by wooden shutters, as well as the occasional balcony. Home layouts typically range from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet, while grassy lots range from 1 to 9 acres, often lush with a mix of oak, maple and pine trees. Detached multi-car garages and workshops are popular additions, especially on older properties, while newer properties built over the past 25 years often include attached garages; a handful of homes also include horse barns and riding rings. Most homes rely on well water and oil heating, which is the norm in many of Dutchess County’s rural towns. Home prices range from $300,000 to $1.2 million, depending on a home’s size and features. The median price here is about $590,000, compared to $790,000 in New York City.
Family-friendly events at Tymor Park
Union Vale Parks and Recreation plans events throughout the year, typically at Tymor Park. In the spring, Egg Hunts for All is an inclusive event that caters to all abilities, including a wheelchair-accessible egg hunt and a low-vision egg hunt, where kids listen for beeping eggs. Other fun traditions include Music in the Park with Arlington Jazz Ensembles and Halloween Movie Night — both with food trucks. Union Vale’s best-known event is the Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, a three-day celebration with balloon rides, drone games and sunrise yoga. Each day is capped off with a mass ascension, where bright multi-colored balloons take to the skies over Tymor Park.
Shopping and dining with small, local businesses
There aren’t any fast-food chains or big-box retailers in Union Vale, so residents typically shop and eat local. Restaurants are few and far in between, but The Iron Furnace has been an area staple for over 13 years, serving up comfort food favorites like chicken parmesan, shepherd’s pie and fried shrimp. Nearby, Verbank Deli is a one-stop shop for quick groceries or a homestyle meal, including everything from breakfast sandwiches and omelets to pizza and curly fries.
For more shopping and dining options, Country Commons Shopping Center is 3 miles away in Lagrangeville, with a handful of restaurants and small businesses, including hair and nail salons. China Wok is the local go-to here for dumplings or fried rice takeout, while Casa Amigos Mexican Kitchen & Cantina is a highlight for its craft cocktails, like the prickly pear margarita—a floral cocktail with a citrusy finish. Five miles away in Milbrook, Locust Hill Market is the spot for fresh produce, meat and dairy. “It’s run by a family that’s been in the area for a long time,” Maclean says. “They have greens, eggs, pies — it’s lovely.”
Arlington Central District schools receive high marks from Niche
Union Vale is part of the Arlington Central School District, rated B-plus overall by Niche. Local kids may start at Vail Farm Elementary, before moving on to Union Vale Middle — both rated B-plus. At the A-minus-rated Arlington High, teens can choose from over two dozen extracurriculars including clubs like marine biology, ski and creative writing.
Getting around from Union Vale
Taconic State Parkway is about 2 miles away, leading 77 miles south to New York City. Residential streets typically aren’t sidewalk-lined, and arterial routes 55 and 82 do not include bike lanes. Sky Acres Airport is right in Union Vale, while New York Stewart International Airport is 35 miles away. MidHudson Regional Hospital is 17 miles away.
