Downsizing: It’s a simple term that conjures up dreams of a leisurely lifestyle without the need to mow the lawn or shovel snow. For others, it means lower mortgage payments or living in a cozier home. These thoughts become more frequent as one approaches retirement, and finding the right location is the first step towards achieving this desirable way of life.
One of the most beautiful places to start your search is New York’s Carmel area. Carmel is in the Hudson River Valley, which extends from Westchester County up to Albany. It’s well-known for its farms, vineyards, mountains, historic sites, and recreational spots along the Hudson River. Two of its most beloved landmarks are the Catskill Mountains, a 700-acre park with year-round recreational opportunities, and Bear Mountain State Park, which includes part of the Appalachian Trail. This region also has challenging golf courses, plenty of shopping, and top hospitals like New-York Presbyterian Hudson Valley.
You can find homes for sale in and around Carmel starting in the $100s and topping off in the millions, so there’s sure to be something in your price range. The four active adult neighborhoods we’ve profiled below offer either condos or attached homes in sought-after locations. Continue reading to learn all about them.
Villas at Seminary Hill – Carmel, NY
High $200s – Mid $300s
Villas at Seminary Hill is being developed with just 50 new condos, so you should move quickly if it sparks your interest. In 2018, RPK Precision Homes, Inc. broke ground on this Putnam County property located about a mile outside of the West Branch Reservoir.
The two models offer 2,000 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and assigned parking spots. Homebuyers appreciate the additional features such as hardwood floors and master bedrooms with roomy bathrooms and walk-in closets. The second bedrooms have oversized closets and French doors that open to patios or balconies.
For a small community, Villas at Seminary Hill has a nice clubhouse with a lounge, a kitchen, a porch, and a badminton court. The spacious grounds provide 15,000 square feet of recreation space, including pocket parks and a welcoming picnic area.
The Putnam Plaza Shopping Center is only minutes away, providing a CVS, a Tops grocery store, a Starbucks, and a fitness center. The VA Carmel Clinic is also close by as well as the local bowling alley, Spins Bowl Carmel. Foodies can head to Toro Restaurant (lakeside dining) or Fiddler’s Green for sit-down meals and quick bites.
Request more information about Villas at Seminary Hill.
Stoneleigh Woods at Carmel – Carmel, NY
High $200s – Low $300s
Just two miles away from Villas at Seminary Hill, Stoneleigh Woods at Carmel is slated for 68 new and resale attached homes. This gated 55+ community is being built by Blue and Gold Homes and offers four home models. These range from 1,343 to 1,519 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a parking spot out front. Standard features include full walk-out basements on first-floor models as well as ceramic kitchen tiles. Upgrades include decks, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops.
The private clubhouse offers a catering kitchen, a fireplace lounge, an exercise room, and a relaxing outdoor patio. Stoneleigh is near the same shopping outlets as the Villas, so running errands is always convenient. And if you like to play golf, area courses include Centennial Golf Club, Putnam County Golf Course, and Mahopac Golf and Beach Club.
Request more information about Stoneleigh Woods at Carmel.
Warwick Grove – Warwick, NY
Low $500s – Mid $600s
If you’re not sure what your down-sizeable future looks like, Warwick Grove has plenty of options to help you decide. This active adult neighborhood is being completed by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company and Leyland Alliance, LLC. It will have 215 new and resale condo, attached, and single-family homes when completed.
In Orange County on the west side of the Hudson River (Carmel is east), Warwick is just outside of Sterling Forest State Park and Mount Peter Ski Area. The town’s downtown area has unique shops, museums, and restaurants, and it’s the site for annual events like summer concerts and arts festivals.
Warwick Grove has two condo models sized at 1,548 and 1,713 square feet with two bedrooms, two baths, and indoor parking spots. The three attached models range from 2,165 to 2,510 square feet with two or three bedrooms, two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half bathrooms, two-car garages, and options like dens, decks, and porches.
There are also dozens of single-family models ranging from 1,400 to over 2,600 square feet with one to three bedrooms, two or two-and-a-half baths, and attached two-car garages. Some models have two-stories with first-floor master suites and bonus rooms.
Request more information about Warwick Grove.
Jefferson Village – Yorktown Heights, NY
Mid $100s – Low $500s
Our most affordable option here is Jefferson Village, an established 55+ neighborhood with 1,000 resale condo homes. It’s in Westchester County, which is closer to New York City (about 40 miles away) than the other three neighborhoods we’ve described. This location is surrounded by Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, Hilltop Hanover Farm, and Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve. It’s also right across the way from the Jefferson Valley Mall.
The five condo models range from 843 to 1,555 square feet with one or two bedrooms, one or two bathrooms, and one-car garages. They come with private back patios, dens, and eat-in kitchens, with upgrades like stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Indoor and outdoor amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center and a crafts studio as well as tennis courts, gardening plots, scenic ponds, and a relaxing outdoor pool, spa, and patio.
