Patterson

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.