Although Hudson Falls bears a different name, this town is home to the second largest waterfall in New York State: Baker Falls
Hudson Falls is a village (which, in New York State, is any unincorporated local government located within a township) of 7,215 people next to Hudson River in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. It's a gorgeous place of charming Victorian homes that dates its history back to the mid-eighteenth century. The pace of life is slow, the neighbors friendly and the vistas absolutely stunning -- the perfect place to move to after your Big City sojourn!
Moving to Hudson Falls
The nearest town to Hudson Falls is Glenn Falls, which houses some 15,000 people and lies just 4 miles to the west of the village. The nearest big city is Albany, 55 miles to the south along I-87N. There's Saratoga Springs, some 21 miles to the south. Plus, the perennially popular Lake George is just a tad over 15 miles to the north as well.
Which is to say: getting to Hudson Falls shouldn't be a problem at all. As one of New York' older villages, it is extremely well-connected by road and train to the rest of the country (Amtrak runs a daily train between Fort Edward -- 2 miles to the south -- and New York City).
What to Expect
Hudson Falls isn't a big place; your housing options will be limited. There's hardly been any new construction here for a while, so don't expect glitzy apartment buildings and minimalist bachelor pads.
What you can expect are lovely Victorians in pristine condition, some dating back to the 1870s when a fire devastated the region, prompting locals to rebuild much of the village from scratch. You'll also find smaller houses of newer vintage. Some property owners have carved out individual apartment units in some of the larger houses as well, so if you're on a budget, these apartments for rent might be a good option.
What You'll Need
If you've ever lived in New York City, you know you need a truckload of credit checks, employment proofs, and recommendation letters to rent a single closet in the city.
Not so much here. Hudson Falls is extremely friendly to new renters. Don't be surprised if you get home rentals for next to nothing in terms of documentary proof. Yes, not looking like Joaquin Phoenix in his rapper avatar will be good, and yes, having a job will serve you as well, but for the most part, property owners will be happy to have you.
There is a caveat though: nearly a third of the people in the village own their homes; renter occupied places are less than 35% of all houses. This means there aren't always a ton of places to choose from. You may have to settle for whatever you can get, especially if you're moving on a short notice.
Oh, and try to avoid the winter months. New York winters aren't something to trifle with. Thanks to its location next to the Hudson River and the Adirondacks Mountains, Hudson Falls gets some truly bone crushing winters with temperatures dropping close to 0 F.
Neighborhoods in Hudson Falls
Hudson Falls is spread over just 1.9 square miles, so there are no clearly demarcated neighborhoods in the city. Locals usually divvy up areas of the village depending on its proximity to Glenn Falls and the Hudson River. Because of this, areas in the west and southwest of the village tend to be a bit more desirable, mostly because of easy access to the river and the Main St leading up to Glenn Falls and Fort Edward. The famous Baker Falls are also within walking distance of this area, plus the historic Union Cemetery is just round the corner as well, meaning this is the place you ought to start your home search from.
Living in Hudson Falls
Quiet though it may be, Hudson Falls still has plenty to offer in dining and entertainment. The intersection of Main St and River St is a treasure trove of awesome restaurants and bars, including the popular Gavel Grille and Bruso's Restaurant and Grill.
Hudson Falls offers the cornucopia of natural sights and landmarks, from the gorgeous vistas of the Adirondacks to the stunning Baker's Falls. The village itself is quite walkable with a Walk Score of 77. That said, you will still need a car to get around, especially if you plan on traveling to Glenn Falls and beyond.
There's scarcely any crime here. In fact, the village has 28 percent less crime than the national average.
A popular local event is "Sandy Hill Days", a carnival originally started to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the village that has now become an annual event. There's music, food, and even a flea market that draws people from all over the region!