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I am looking for a teaching job. The Carmel Central School District has a posting for a teaching position I am thinking of applying for. The Web site said it is located in Patterson, NY. Can someone describe this area for me? I am from Central NY and used to a quiet, safe area.
Patterson is relatively rural, most definitely quiet and safe. Historically it was farming country well outside the NYC sphere of influence and affluence. It didn't develop as a commuter town like the towns closer to NYC (i.e., all of southern westchester). The construction of I-684 opened up eastern Putnam and Dutchess county back in the '60's. The electrification of MetroNorth to Brewster and increased service beyond Brewster continued this trend, so that this region has morphed from true country into exurbs. In recent years there has been a housing boom with more development and increasing numbers of hardy NYC commuters. It's also driveable White Plains commute. Years ago it far north enough that most Westchesterites would have considered it "upstate" and probably beyond the NYC suburbs. I'm not sure that this would still be the case (though city folks would still call it country and "upstate.")
Anyway, if you're from central NY you'll likely feel at home in Patterson. It's mostly middle class, modest houses, lots of ATV-or-boat-in-the-driveway types with the occasional fancy horse farm. Also orchards, trails, farm stands, locally owned King-Kustard-Kone type drive-ins, stuff like that.
My wife and I happen to like upstate NY Catskills, Daks, Hudson Valley, etc. Patterson has that feel. We go up there a lot, specifically the towns up and down Rt 22 and the surrounding areas. There's none of the stuffy Westchester rubbish you read about on this board. Housing is vastly cheaper too.
If you crave even more upstateness head just a few miles up Rt 22 to Amenia or Dover Plains. They're completely out of range of the NYC energy-field. Litchfield County CT immediately east draws the demanding NYC weekenders, leaving the nearby NY towns largely free of their influence. As Elmer Fudd used to say: "Peace and we-uhwax-ation at wast!"
Thanks for your reply. Sounds like what I am looking for. I want to be within driving distance of the city but not live in the city. We'll see if I get an interview for the job.
Both my wife and I are from southern Westchester and she lived in a condo in Patterson when she worked in Yorktown Heights. I can say that it is as "upstate like" as can be within the NYC orbit and you'll like it. Hopefully, the housing crisis has halted the overdevelopment (i.e. there was a farm across the street from her condo, now it's condos). Good luck!
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