History, lower prices and commutability in Washingtonville
In Washingtonville, history is more than just a lingering echo. Located near the center of Orange County, pieces of the village’s history are still visible, from its winery — opened in 1839, making it the oldest in America — to its library, which was built in 1887 and is full of Tiffany stained glass. This creates a quaint atmosphere, but residents often move here for more practical reasons. “It’s much more affordable than all of the areas between Washingtonville and New York City. It’s commutable by car, by train, by bus,” says John Olivero, an associate broker at Keller Williams First of New York who has been selling homes here for 36 years. He adds that many New York City police officers, firemen and sanitation workers live in Washingtonville for these reasons. “And once you go over that George Washington Bridge, your blood pressure comes down dramatically, and when you get into Washingtonville, even more so.”
Historical colonials, more recently built hi-ranches, New Traditionals
Homes along Washingtonville’s suburban streets often sit on about a third of an acre. “They’re a little bit more conducive to getting to know your neighbors,” Olivero says, adding that many people move here from New York City’s boroughs. “Folks from those communities are used to living a little more close-knit to their neighbors, so they carry that on when they move up there.” For those who want more land, Olivero says there are portions of Washingtonville where homes sit on 1 or 2 acres.
Colonials near Washingtonville’s town center are more likely to date between 1890 and 1930. More recently built homes tend to be hi-ranches or New Traditionals. Major fixer-uppers occasionally sell for as little as $260,000, but most homes start closer to $330,000 and max out at about $630,000. Townhouses cost between $290,000 and $370,000, and manufactured homes range from $65,000 to $150,000.
Extracurriculars at Washingtonville High School
Niche gives the Washingtonville Central School District a B-plus. Students can attend Taft Elementary School, which has a B-minus, before moving on to the B-rated Washingtonville Middle School. Washingtonville High School has a B-plus and offers extracurriculars like a literary magazine, honor societies and drama club.
Commuting to NYC by car or train
Main Street, also called state Route 94, is Washingtonville’s main thoroughfare. It’s an 11-minute drive to U.S. Route 4, which connects to Interstate 87. The 63-mile drive to Manhattan takes about an hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic. Alternatively, Salisbury Mills-Cornwall Station is less than 4 miles from the village’s center. From there, trains reach Penn Station in about two hours.
Athletic spaces at L. Vern Allen Park, hiking in nearby state parks
L. Vern Allen Park has athletic fields, pickleball courts and a playground alongside the gravel-surfaced Woofingtonville Dog Park. There’s a big playground at Firefighters Memorial Park, and Woodfield Park has softball fields and a skate park. Just 3 miles away, Schunnemunk State Park’s 3,300 acres are threaded with over 20 miles of hiking trails. “You have Sugarloaf Mountain, you have multiple accesses to the Appalachian Mountain Trail, which connects many of these northeaster states,” Olivero says. “And then you have Harriman State Park nearby, which has lakes and hiking trails and outstanding mountain views.”
Local restaurants dot Washingtonville, home of America’s oldest winery
F&J Pizzeria and Orange County Bagels are popular stops for a quick meal. “Orange Country Bagels has a nice location there which has a nice patio that you can sit outside on and eat your bagels,” Olivero says. “It’s also right near the school, so kids can walk there in the morning or in the afternoon or on the way home to get their little snacks.” Hook & Ladder Saloon is a long-standing local bar with a laid-back atmosphere and trivia nights. As America’s oldest winery, Brotherhood Winery offers tours and tastings, but locals often head to its attached restaurant, 1839 Restaurant and Bar, for dinner, drinks and special events like its Halloween Ball and murder mystery dinners. Local businesses include a few salons, a pet grooming studio and a home goods store. Stop & Shop has groceries right in town.
Halloween before and after dark, nearby festivals
Washingtonville After Dark is a Halloween event aimed at teens and adults, who dress up in their best costumes and explore local vendors. The next day, families with younger kids don their costumes and head to Washington Before Dark. Both events are ‘80s themed. Olivero says that residents often head to Goshen’s Great American Weekend, a two-day festival that attracts 20,000 people a day for live music, craft vendors, carnival rides and horse races.
An increase in annual flooding risk and concerns over cancer rates
Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause Moodna Creek to overflow, potentially flooding homes, businesses and roads. Residents have also asked village officials to investigate a perceived rise in cancer rates here, feeling that it may be connected to an increase in flooding and potential toxins in local water sources like the aquifer the village sits on. There are an estimated 482 chemically contaminated sites with a half mile of Washingtonville’s heart.
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Written By
Christina Norwood
