Warwick, New York at a Glance
Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Hudson Valley region, Warwick offers a taste of country living, yet affords residents the close proximity of Manhattan’s bustling streets only 50 miles away. As the largest municipality in Orange County, Warwick is the number two spot for population growth within the area.
This business-oriented community is home to nearly thirty thousand residents, many from affluent households. The average annual income per household ranges between sixty and seventy-five thousand dollars, versus the estimated New York state average of forty five thousand dollars. This is not surprising, considering that many households have at least one member commuting to nearby NYC for employment; easily facilitated by the local highways and public transportation lines including NJ Transit. Major local employers include the Bon Secour and Tri-state Health Systems, the Warwick Valley Central School District, IBM, Warwick Valley Telephone Company, Cablevision and Jones Chemical, among many retailers, private practice healthcare providers, and various local companies.
Replete with cultural, arts, and recreational facilities and activities, Warwick and such neighboring communities as Sugar Loaf are home to a thriving community of artists, antique dealers, teachers, photographers, musicians, painters, craftsmen and other creative professionals. Warwick is also home to an impressive historic district, boasting landmarks, museum homes and other sites from as early as the 1600s.
The majestic hills and rich farmland comprising much of Warwick’s 104 square miles bring forth the region’s best fruits and vegetables, organic produce, herbs, baked goods, cut flowers, preserves, local wines, cheeses, honey, and more. Indeed, the hamlet of Pine Island and the village of Florida’s bountiful Black Dirt regions produce nearly twenty five percent of the entire country’s onion crop. Formed over twelve thousand years ago by a glacial lake, this rich land was cleared by hand in the early 1880’s by Polish and German immigrants and is farmed today by many of their descendants.
Among many other interests and seasonal activities, Warwick is perhaps best known for “Applefest,” New York State’s largest festival celebrating the annual apple harvest. Applefest attracts visitors, vendors, artists and entertainers from all over the Northeast, bringing more than thirty thousand people into the community each autumn. Slightly lesser attended but almost as popular is the annual Onion Festival, celebrating the heritage of the area’s Polish immigrants and the farmers of the famous Black Dirt region.
Those visitors interested in recreational activities can avail themselves of the numerous indoor and outdoor attractions Warwick and its neighboring towns offer. Sailing, hiking, bicycling, golfing and horseback riding are just a few scenic activities that residents and visitors alike enjoy. In the winter, alpine and cross country skiing are major attractions, with three major ski resorts within miles of each other.
Those who revel in a good ghost story will relish the darker side of this bucolic town. Over 60 hauntings, ranging from house ghosts to haunted railways, have been documented in the Schiffer Press publication, “Seeking Ghosts in the Warwick Valley” [Donna Reis, 2002].
The Warwick Valley Central School District provides a K-12 education to approximately forty-eight hundred students through the District’s four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The school district boasts an extensive academic, extracurricular and athletic program, and the schools are among the best in the tri-county region – a benefit that residents are willing to pay for: the median home price in Warwick is over three hundred thousand dollars.
Contrary to the notion that small towns lack healthcare resources, Warwick is only a short drive away from the region’s renowned trauma center, Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. Residents can also choose from a multitude of adult care facilities and healthcare providers at the area’s progressive medical facilities such as nearby Crystal Run Healthcare, which offers patients access to a high number of specialists who also practice in NYC’s major healthcare centers.
With the extensive selection of specialty shops, libraries, community centers, retailers, car dealers, antiques, salons, eateries, entertainment sites and more all within a few miles, one may be hard pressed to leave this idyllic Village. However, those who wish to venture out of town for their needs can be at the local malls and superstores – yes, even Wal*Mart – within minutes by car. Warwick is also close to Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY for those flying out of town. The major metropolitan airports – Liberty/Newark, JFK and LaGuardia – are also under two hours away.
Lending further to its Victorian charm and tranquil appeal is Warwick’s commendably low crime rate. According to statistics, the area’s violent crime risk index is 1.0, compared to the regional index of 2.1 and a national index of 3.0. The property crime risk index is slightly higher, but still remarkable when compared to the regional and national averages: 2.0 versus 2.6 and 3.2, respectively. It seems Warwick’s native generations and new residents of all ages, cultures, religions and political stance truly are residing side by side in relative harmony!
Where to Stay:
Peach Grove Inn Bed & Breakfast: http://peachgroveinn.net
The Glenwood House Bed & Breakfast: http://www.glenwoodbb.com/
Warwick Valley Bed & Breakfast Inn: http://www.wvbedandbreakfast.com/
Where to Go:
June – October – Sunday Farmer’s Market, downtown Warwick.
September 13 – A Taste of Warwick: an annual, elegant “Under the Stars” food & wine tasting; this year’s theme is “From Farm to Table.” Call (845) 986-2720 for information.
October 2 – 17th Annual Applest. http://www.warwickapplefest.com/
Resources:
Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce: http://www.warwickcc.org
Times Herald Record newspaper: http://www.recordonline.com
Warwick Town Site: http://www.warwickinfo.net
