This weekend I visited the new 55+ community named Towne Centre at Pine Plains.  Pine Plains is a small quaint community in Northeastern Dutchess County in the Mid Hudson Valley of New York.  To my knowledge this is the only 55+ community in Northern Dutchess County.

I was very pleasantly surprised by what I saw.  Currently there is only one building which contains the completely furnished model home and sales office. The community is set back off the road with buildings of 4 to 6 units that will be nicely spaced along a meandering road with several cul-de-sacs.  The land slopes uphill and there are some beautiful rock outcroppings.  Adjacent to the community is a VA center and in the same building Sharon Hospital is planning to have doctors and services affiliated with the hospital occupy space in that same building. The original plan called for 48 units but very recently approval was given to double the number of units.

All the units are single level with 2 bedrooms and a very open floor plan.  The ceilings in the living/dining/kitchen area are cathedral and give a wonderful feeling of spaciousness. All the doorways are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and the vanities are also built to allow wheel chair accessibility.  You do not get the feeling, however, that these units are specifically for those with disabilities but rather just built to accommodate should the need arise.  The condos all have hardwood floors, gas fireplaces,  sliding doors to rear patios and full basements that can be finished our used for storage.  Each unit also has an attached one car garage.  There is a small fitness center planned in the future.  Common charges are currently scheduled to be approximately $150 per month and will cover grounds keeping, exterior maintenance and snow removal. 

The location of the community allows residents the ability to walk into the center of town on sidewalks where they can find all the services they need.  There is a grocery store, drug store, bank, post office, restaurant and all of the usual small town services.   Stissing Mountain, a lovely lake, golf and horseback riding all are available in the immediate area.

I am very excited to see 55+ housing coming into our area. It has been my experience that many seniors must leave our area after spending many years here because there is no appropriate housing.  The units will be in the $250,000 to $350,000 price range.  If you are 55+ (like me) it is worth checking out.

Diana Corcoran is an Associate Broker and Accredited Buyer Representative. If you have an interest in purchasing a unit at Towne Centre in Pine Plains contact Diana at 845-224-5238 or log on to her website www.realestaterhinebeckny.com to set up an appointment.