2023 Best Places to Live in Ulster County

Current Resident: Hurley is a small, quiet, scenic town just outside of Kingston. It is full of history with many stone houses from the revolutionary period, and is mainly made up up of either families or elderly residents. In recent years there has also been an increase in the number of people from NYC purchasing weekend/summer homes here as well as a result of the gentrification going on in Kingston and other cities in the Hudson Valley. I personally love living in Hurley because of both the history and the scenery, and it is a little quieter than Kingston, while still being just a short drive away. However, don't expect much to do in Hurley itself, because most restaurants, stores and literally everything else is in Kingston. The most we have besides the stone houses and rail trail are a Stewarts, a tiny library, a Reformed Church, the Country Store and the Hurley Mountain Inn. Overall though it is a cute, tiny, serene town!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 3,533

Current Resident: I love my hometown with a passion. We are located in the Hudson Valley of New York. We have orchards and greenery surrounding us with a beautiful view of the Hudson Valley river. What I like about my hometown is how we are a small and friendly community. Everyone here gets along very well. The public school districts are very good with the students who attend. Moreover, the football program here is one of the things Marlboro is known for. Our football team ranked in the Top 5 for best Hudson Valley sports. Every football game is like the show "Friday Night Lights." I am captain of the cheer team as well. I have lived at Marlboro since I was 3 years old and my experience growing up here has been life changing and epic. I will never forget my town.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 3,758

Current Resident: I've lived in HIghland my whole life and I absolutely love it! It is in a wonderful location near many amenities such as supermarkets, restaurants, hospitals, schools, and fun things too! It is also very close to the Poughkeepsie Area which opens up a whole new world of possibilities!... Read 10 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 6,473

Current Resident: Lots of interesting, intelligent, involved, creative people. Plenty of folks walking their dogs. Its quiet and more than half of the population is over 50 years old, Seems like most of the people here are from the big city and got away to be in nature. Its gorgeous here. Just 3 minutes to Woodstock and 15 minutes to Kingston so if you want action, its close by.... Read 2 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 1,631

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 2,371

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 1,767

• Town in New York

• •
  Rating 3.45 out of 5  49 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Kingston for 6 months, and I love it! I have everything I need very close by; I rarely travel more than 5-10 minutes to go to stores, restaurants, etc. There are many different events events here; it seems like everyone should be able to find events that interest them. The biggest negative to the area, in my opinion, is that the rent is so high and it's hard to find affordable housing. Also, as with any city, there are good and bad areas; you need to do your research.... Read 49 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 23,972

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 3,603

Current Resident: I love how Lake Katrine is a close-knit area. I've lived here for about 17 years. There are less than 3,000 residents in this area. It is the perfect area to live because everything is within a 5-10 minute drive. You can live near nature but still, have close access to supermarkets and other necessary commodities. It is the perfect balance of nature and town/city life. This area is also about 2 hours away from New York City, about an hour away from Albany, and about 5 hours from Washington DC. Of course, as in any place, there are certain areas to avoid. For example, as a young woman, I would not wander certain places in Lake Katrine at night.... Read 1 review

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 2,465

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• Population 1,452

Current Resident: The village of Wallkill is truly a hamlet; quintessential small town living. The streets are narrow and have some sidewalks making it nice for walking for exercise, or for a leisurely stroll. The rail trail runs through downtown as well, making it nice for those who are wanting a larger path for running or biking longer distances. There are three schools in the village, so your children will be able to be close to home for their educational needs. Another good thing about Wallkill is that quite a few new restaurants have popped up within the last two years, making it nice for locals who want to have a bite to eat. The only major drawback that I see with the hamlet is that there are no grocery stores, making it necessary to drive 10-15 minutes to the store.... Read 3 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade B

• Population 2,253

Current Resident: What I loved th most about Clintondale is the neighbor they are nice just the people around are so welcoming and friendly... Read 1 review

• grade B minus

• grade B+

• Population 1,857

• Town in New York

• •
  Rating 3.56 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: Charming small town. Nice restaurants, shops, and a community theater. Nearby, there are outdoor activities including a state park, hiking trails, and hang gliding venues, as well as a local retreat center and spa. It's a diverse and affordable community in the Hudson Valley.... Read 9 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade C

• Population 4,209

Niche User: Living in this area has been good overall. Though I am moving for college, I would not be opposed to moving back here.... Read 15 reviews

• grade C

• grade B minus

• Population 2,219

• Town in New York

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: We live in a very small town where the population is less than 100. We are a very tight knit community and we have many events. Many of us work in the area and at the local ski mountain.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• grade B+

• Population 312

Current Resident: New Paltz is a beautiful close knit town. The mountain views, hiking trails, world class rock climbing and restaurants are among the best. SUNY New Paltz is also situated right in the heart of downtown.... Read 71 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 14,421

• Town in New York

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Not only is a great place to grow up and raise a family, there isn't a lot of infrastructure so it's a very rural town with plenty of ways to interact and experience the nature and landscape of the area.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• grade B minus

• Population 2,087

• Town in New York

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Olive is honestly a great place to live; it is a perfect median between rural and suburban, with an excellent kids' rec program in the summer.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 4,240

• Town in New York

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Niche User: The catskill mountains are becoming a tourist destination and the tourists are coming to see the beautiful nature. The tourists are attracted by the beauty and for this reason they keep it beautiful.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 3,064

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 6,183

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 787

Former Resident: Zena is a small town in the outskirts of Woodstock. It encompasses both Onteora and Kingston City School Districts. It is a rural town where they built an elementary school when I was in first grade. It has since closed and was sold and turned into the school of rock. I grew up on a small farm with my brother learning to care for chickens,geese,ducks,turkeys,pigs, horses and cows. We had a huge garden. My brother and I had to walk a half a mile to the bus stop starting in middle school. The firehouse is the hub of the community there are no stores. Whenever the firehouse hosts a chicken dinner everyone comes out. Otherwise you wouldn't really see too many neighbors.... Read 16 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 781

Niche User: This area is a really great place for families and people who like to enjoy the outdoors. There are so many beautiful places to hike, swim, bike, etc. There is a good mix of suburban areas and private properties surrounded by plenty of gorgeous forests. There is a strong community, lots of local businesses and great food.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B minus

• Population 5,659

Current Resident: Great place to live Neighbors are friendly and look out for one and another What small towns are supposed to be This is not Brooklyn... Read 9 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 8,717

Current Resident: Moved to plattekill in 2016 with 2 young children and my husband. We are very happy here, and excited to have found a place to watch our children grow, thrive, and learn.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 10,413