Philmont, Hillsdale, Kingston, & More

Part of living in New York City is thinking about moving out of New York City. Each month, we’ll round up the best listings within commuting-ish distance, places where entire houses go for the cost of a “junior one-bedroom” (or less) but you’ll have to fix your own toilet.

Two Victorians. Plus your very own Masonic temple!

$1,200,000: 4-bedroom, 2-bath

The exposed beams and open-concept kitchen in this listing photo show off the luxury version of living in the woods.
Photo: Bhhs Hudson Valley Prop-Wdst

The listing photo shows off updated interiors like the Rais wood stove.
Photo: Bhhs Hudson Valley Prop-Wdst

At the foot of the Catskills, a house to give you the good parts of living in the woods without the bad parts of living in the woods: seclusion and heated cement bathroom floors and a Rais wood stove. The house is almost two houses with a 1,000-square-foot lofted artist’s studio in the back that comes with a swing inside, its own new wood stove, and a front deck. It’s a bit more expensive than the median for the area, but you’re paying for what you see.

How do I get back to the city?

It’s a two-hour-and-45-minute drive.

So what do I do if I live there?

Catch a show at the Bearsville Theater and hike up Mount Tremper. Stand in the bathroom without ever feeling cold.

$795,000: 3-bedroom, 4-bath

This listing photo reveals built-in shelves and probably ghosts.
Photo: Houlihan Lawrence, Inc.

The renovated kitchen featured in this listing photo show how nicely the owners remodeled this Victorian.
Photo: Houlihan Lawrence, Inc.

This Victorian was built in the 1870s and looks like a perfect place to live as long as you’re okay with the fact that it is almost certainly full of ghosts. It’s gotten a really lovely renovation and has upgraded heating and insulation while still retaining classic touches like a stately spiral staircase. It also comes with a huge screened-in back porch that has its own wood-burning fireplace.

How do I get back to the city?

It’s 20 minutes from the Hudson Amtrak.

So what do I do if I live there?

Eat at your local Local 111 and shop at the Philmont Cooperative.

$1,795,000: 2-bedroom, 3-bath

This listing photo clearly shows off all 7,500 square feet of this Masonic temple that could be yours.
Photo: Four Seasons Sotheby’s Int.

Chuck some more art into this listing photo and you could turn this home into a museum.
Photo: Four Seasons Sotheby’s Int.

Have you ever dreamed of living in a gigantic brick Masonic temple? Well, dream no more — this 7,600-square-foot space was built by the Masons with an “understanding of mathematical precision, geometry and the power of form and proportion,” per the listing. Right now it’s being used as a home full of modern art, but this giant box can is zoned both residential and commercial, so you can do with it what you will. And when it comes to price per square foot, it’s actually under the median for the area. A great place to have a sort of elegant nervous breakdown, from the looks of it.

How do I get back to the city?

It’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive.

So what do I do if I live there?

Hold secret meetings in your house. Get a beer at Roe Jan Brewing.

$890,000: 6-bedroom, 2-bath

This listing photo shows off the rotunda and other original features from this Victorian built in 1901.
Photo: Coldwell Banker Village Green

The kitchen in this listing photo feels like it hasn’t changed much over the years — but in a good way.
Photo: Coldwell Banker Village Green

Another Victorian, this time in pink and blue, that comes with some really fun details — most obviously, the circular rotunda that’s cut out in the middle of the house. There’s some updating that needs to be done (we’re looking at the wallpaper and the carpets) but all of the original details are beautiful — stained-glass windows, built-in window benches, and the oval windows. You’ll weep over the kitchen.

How do I get back to the city?

You can take a two-hour bus or drive.

So what do I do if I live there?

Furnish your house with antiques and fixtures you find at Zaborski Emporium. Shop at the best grocery store in the world, Adams Fairacre Farms.