Kerry Barger

What busyness any other Putnam County town or village may experience escapes down the hill via Route 311 into the sleepy town of Patterson. Set with residential communities and a spattering of local "mom-and-pop" shops, Patterson finds a sort of seclusion not seen by other areas on the eastern side of the county. Route 22 opens up into a busier corridor with larger shopping centers and commercial businesses. To the north, one can access Pawling in Dutchess County. Further down Route 22, you're brought into Southeast and Brewster near Interstate 684. A Metro-North train station at the center of town will bring you into mid-town Manhattan in an hour and a half.

The aspect of Patterson that stands out the most is my mind is how kid-friendly it is. It provides strong recreational programs (baseball, softball, soccer) to its residents and anything that's not offered can be found in Kent or Southeast, both of which are less than 10 minutes away. A large recreational facility hosts a variety of different activities for youths, adults and seniors. Thunder Ridge Ski Area, which has become a community staple not just for the town but for the county as well, attracts people from all over the metropolitan area. The Great Swamp covers 6,000 acres and is one of the largest wetlands in New York State- Friends of the Great Swamp offer canoe trips during the late spring.

As it is kid-friendly, it may not be the best place if you're searching for a fast-paced environment. Patterson is the epitome of a laid-back town, so if you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of, say, a New York City, you've found the right place.

With majestic views of the Hudson River and a vibrant main street that serves as the hub of the community, Cold Spring by far epitomizes the local spirit necessary to any municipality. Mom-and-pop shops, local food places and thrift stores compose most of the village's downtown area; however, one can easily access "commercial stores" like Wal-Mart, Shop Rite and Kohls in neighboring Dutchess County via Route 9. Once regarded as a place with empty storefronts and no way to sustain itself economically, a review in the Hartford Courant that went international turned this sleepy village into a bustling tourist destination for those living in New York City. Today, Cold Spring attributes most of its local economy to those traveling north, especially on the weekend during the warmer months. This is made possible by Metro-North's Hudson Line, which can also help you easily escape for a day trip down south. In fact, it's one of the largest producers of sales tax revenue in Putnam County, with many city residents spending their money in Cold Spring's stores and restaurants.

There's a specific beauty about Cold Spring unlike many of the other towns and villages in Putnam County. Scenic views of the Hudson River open up to rolling hills and miles and miles of state land, most of which resides in the Hudson Highlands, an extension of Clarence Fahnestock State Park. A beautiful waterfront gazebo set with benches and a marina make any day almost picturesque, rain or shine. I worked at Fahnestock for years, and I can say there's no better place to go hiking, biking and swimming in the region.

The one downside to living in a tourist destination are what one expects it to be: tourists. Main Street gets pretty busy on the weekends with a swath of New York City socialites looking to get a taste of "country life." This also makes shopping a bit expensive, and you'll need to travel into Dutchess County to get a little more variety. County services are located nearly 35 minutes away in Carmel, accessible by Route 301. The lack of commercial influence, however, makes the community more local-centric, so if you don't mind taking a 15 minute trip north for the necessities, Cold Spring is definitely the place to go.

People flock to Putnam Valley for its lack of urban sprawl and environmental appeal. The town is surrounded by rolling hills, miles and miles of trees and rocky terrain with an expanse of trails and recreational areas to compliment the landscape. If there's one place that's ideal for nature lovers, outdoorsmen, sportsmen and those who just appreciate quiet, Putnam Valley is definitely the area you're looking for. Accessible by the Taconic State Parkway and Route 301 from Carmel, Putnam Valley makes its name for possessing parts of Clarence Fahnestock State Park, which contains lakes, ponds, trails, etc. The town's huge recreational park doubles as a sports arena and venue for various performances throughout the summer months. There are various summer camps and educational programs to get the community engaged with the community at large. The residents are kind and community-oriented.

While Putnam Valley offers an intimate relationship with nature, there is not much business to compliment the surrounding landscape. Some enjoy the fact that the town encourages developers to lump houses together, others are frustrated with the town's lack of commercial development. There is one intersection in town (Oregon Corners) that holds a glorified deli, bagel shop, doctor's office, etc., but a lack of sidewalks and parking lots makes it difficult to shop in this small sector. Those looking to shop are forced to travel to Mahopac, and those needing county services must travel 35 minutes to the county seat in Carmel.

What Putnam Valley contains in beauty and seclusion it makes up for with a lack of development, both in housing and business.