Car-Free Country House: Beacon Colonial, $389,900

  |  July 10, 2013

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Just the other day, our friend and The Relocators contributor Kary responded in a comment to a reader who is looking to relocate to Beacon without a car. Kary offered these sterling tidbits of advice:

“If you’re moving to Beacon without a car, then I suggest you move close to Main Street. There you’ll have easy access to Key Foods (the only grocery store in town), the Beacon Natural Foods store, and most of the restaurants and shops in town.

I’m not sure you’ll be happy here without a car though. If you live a few block off Main Street, you’re going to have a bit of a hike to the train station and the Beacon Farmer’s Market. Probably the best grocery store in the area is a 10 or 15 minute car drive away to Adams Fairacre Farms either in Newburgh or Wappinger’s Falls.

You’ll be able to participate in the Lewis Waite Farm (meat) share because you pickup the food at a house near downtown Beacon. But you won’t be able to participate in a CSA farm share like the one from Obercreek Farms because its too far away to walk.

I think I could handle being here without a car if it was a weekend home. But I don’t think I would be happy living here full-time without one. And I hate cars as well…but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and get one.”

She’s right. We all know it: Living in upstate New York without a car is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a serious endeavor. While it can be done if you’re committed to it,  the pursuit of car-free country living demands a great deal of planning ahead, a sturdy pair of walking shoes, an iron-clad constitution, and perhaps even a Vespa. Or a bicycle at the very least.

Based on Kary’s advice above, we looked around Beacon a bit and found this Colonial beauty on North Avenue, just a couple of blocks from Main Street and less than a mile from the Metro North station. We know that’s still a hike, but you can always cab it from the train to your house. It’s a lovely house, and it’s on a nice corner lot on North Avenue, with lots of shade trees. Those built-in shelves on the second floor are a big bonus. Think you could hack it without a car in Beacon? As always, we love to hear your thoughts.

 

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Beds: 3

Baths: 1.5

Square Feet: 1,978

Lot Size: .66 acre

Taxes: $6,252

1182 North Avenue, Beacon (Prudential Serls Prime) GMAP

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

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