Brownstoner Upstate: Farmhouse Fantasies

Ever wonder why anyone would leave the city for upstate New York? After all, there’s a distinct lack of good takeout up here as well as impractical public transportation options. And as winter creeps ever closer by the day, a whole new world of problems presents itself to the denizens of the countryside (expensive heat, roads not plowed, bleak surroundings — just to name a few).

And yet.

The allure is obvious. Sure, upstate housing stock is cheaper by a long shot, but the lure of nature can be a hard one to deny, especially when you spend a while gazing at farmhouses, wondering what it would be like to ramble around one of these stately, venerable places (like the ones featured here) situated on a piece of land large enough to ensure that if you don’t want to rub elbows with another living soul for several days in a row, you won’t have to. And you have to admit, that does have its benefits, even if that means you won’t see a snow plow for several days, either.

Coeymans is fairly far up north. Located in southern Albany County just over the border from Greene County, the Hudson River town is quite sleepy. Not a whole lot going on there outside of a quiet, slow pace and some interesting old architecture, like this circa 1838 Greek Revival. Lots of updates, though, including the two recently remodeled bathrooms and radiant heat flooring. Situated on over five acres and walking distance to the Hudson River. Includes a brick smokehouse. Beds: 4. Baths: 2.5. Square Feet: 2638. Lot Size: 5.2 acres. Est. Taxes: $5639. Distance from Brooklyn: 2.5 hours.

54 Church Street, Coeymans (Prudential Manor Homes) GMAP

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Speaking of venerable farmhouses, this one is about as venerable as they come. Purportedly the oldest house in the Ulster County town of Rosendale, the Petrus Vanwagnen Homestead includes the main house as well as barns and out buildings. The wide plank floor boards of the second floor serve as the ceiling of the first floor. Wonder how tall you’d have to be to hit your head on those ceiling beams. Beds: 4. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 2146. Lot Size: 1 acre. Est. Taxes: $7776. Distance from Brooklyn: 2 hours.

124 Main Street, Bloomington (Win Morrison) GMAP

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Here’s another northerly selection, this one in Schodack Landing, Renssalaer County, east of the Hudson and just north of Columbia County. The central chimney that accommodates all three fireplaces in the house is a cool historic detail for the circa 1780 Colonial. Property sits on five acres that includes its own portion of the Muitzeskill Creek. Beds: 3. Baths: 1.5. Square Feet: 2286. Lot Size: 5 acres. Est. Taxes: $12,955. Distance from Brooklyn: 2 hours, 40 mins.

1408 Schodack Land Road, Schodack Landing (Peggy Lampman Real Estate) GMAP

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Want land? You’ll get land, over 35 acres of it, in fact. And with all those acres comes a 19th-century center-hall Colonial renovated just this year. Includes three fireplaces, a wood stove, all kinds of pantries for storage, and a library with tons of built-in shelves. There’s something so calming about robin’s egg blue, the perfect hue for the bright, beautiful living room. Located in rural Columbia County 30 minutes east of Hudson (both the city and the river). Beds: 4. Baths: 3.5. Square Feet: 3220. Lot Size: 35.4 acres. Est. Taxes: $12,059. Distance from Brooklyn: 2 hours, 40 mins.

3418 County Route 9, East Chatham (Houlihan Lawrence) GMAP

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