I’m sorry if I seem defensive, but if someone is going to post a series of inflammatory comments (“newburgh is TERRIFYING!!!”, etc.) on my blog about the city that I have CHOSEN (!!!!!) to make my home in; the city where I chose to be with my FAMILY, you had better believe I’m going to react strongly. This is where I live!! Think about everything you’re implying with the series of hyperbolic statements you made in your first comment. Did you think at all about how offensive the things you wrote are?

I can’t imagine visiting someone’s blog and making comments like that about the city they live in (ESPECIALLY as a reaction to a post that focuses on one of the greatest things about Newburgh — the affordability of the fantastic architecture), but for some reason, it’s fair game when it comes to Newburgh. Why is that, exactly?

THIS IS MY HOME. You can keep all of the eye-rolling opinions you want about Newburgh, but don’t trash up my blog with them and then ask me if I want to chat about garden design. Give me a break.

You may find it “hard to believe”, but we hit all of the areas you mentioned. We walked on Grand, and took a look around the old condemned school building as well as checking out the market and coffee shop, the park and the library-in-progress. As I also mentioned, a good friend of mine has lived in Newburgh for over 5 years. She has beautiful home on an acre of land and a river view. I am clearly aware of the diversity.

When considering raising my children in a neighborhood, I CANNOT rely on the safety of my “block” . There is no invisible wall protecting them from whatever may be happening one block away. Conditions seem to vary so severely street to street. I need more stability than that. I don’t need to be selling or purchasing drugs to be in harm’s way. Nor do my children!

I am not naive to conditions of poverty and urban decay, nor do I shy away from it. I grew up in Yonkers!

I congratulate you on your success in Newburgh. Believe me, I think the city is spectacular and I SINCERELY admire your passion. Perhaps if my situation were different; if i did not have children; I would feel differently? For now, you’re correct; it is not for me.

Great blog. Found my way through someones Twitter link.

As an added unexpected bonus, we have met the most incredible people (Anna included!) here. Not once have I looked back and wished we hadn’t made the choice to live here.

The thought of people being too afraid to get out of their cars is just totally ABSURD. I mean…come on. Did they think they were going to get stabbed? Shot? What did they see that was so AWFUL and SCARY that they couldn’t leave the confines of their vehicle? Someone sitting on their porch?

And what about you, Catherine? “newburgh is TERRIFYING!!!” Oh, really? What are you terrified of? Have you ever actually been here and walked around, or are you just Googling and reading the rhetoric thrown around by bigots who live in surrounding (and wealthier) towns? I find it hard to believe that you spent any time on Grand, Liberty, Montgomery, Broad, in the Heights, Colonial Terrace, or any of the other amazing parts of the City of Newburgh that comprise a large portion the population’s homes. Perhaps you just focused on the handful of blocks that have driven the crime stats up for the rest of city, I don’t know.

I really think these reactions to Newburgh have nothing to do with reality, and are all about perception and fears related to poverty. Unless you’re planning to deal or buy drugs here, you really don’t have much to worry about. Sure, there are a few blocks I’d stay away from at night by myself, but I think you can say that about most urban areas. It’s not hard to avoid bad situations.

I have NEVER felt in danger here. Ever. I don’t know what to say beyond that. Everyone has their own ideas about what it means to be “scared”, and I don’t know that I can tell you anything that will change your minds. Maybe Newburgh just isn’t for you.

i did see the inside of 156 grand and the first floor is amazzzing. i really loved it. if the price goes any lower though, i might have to check out the city again! ;D

Thanks for sharing these homes with us! :)

i admit, the possibilities are endless, the architecture is unbelievable and i fell in LOVE. but, driving around with my two young children in the car, felt simply irresponsible. i researched the hell out of it and truly value the history and craftsmanship of the area. it depresses me that such a spectacular city can end up in such ruin. but i need to draw the line somewhere.

a very good friend of mine who bought in newburgh 5 years ago, is looking to leave since the birth of her son. and i know 2 other couples who would not even get out of their cars to look at homes.

i WISH i had the courage to live there. but honestly, i feel like i would be putting my children is serious danger if i purchased a home in newburgh. so my main question is… how are you not afraid?? am i missing something??

in closing let me say, that i enjoy your site and love your home. we have very similar tastes and even a lot of the same stuff. or garden is very similar to what you are working on. i would love to chat with you a bit.

Those same houses in Seattle would be close to a million buckaroos (or more). Unbelievable.

And they all have such great potential!

Anything I should be sure not to miss while looking around?

That being said, for any first time buyers, those homes might be worth the 2 hour something drive into the city. That is seriously cheap and SO SO SO cute! Almost dreamlike!

I’ll prolly be staying in my 3-bedroom on Staten, which now seems pricey, at around $150k more than those, but I would DEF visit Newburgh again! So cute!

Commuting to Manhattan is not bad, contrary to what some people say. Metro North Railroad is probably one of the best if not the railroads in the country compared to the Long Island Railroad and their countless delays and being in ugly Penn Station.

The commute to Manhattan only works if you work within walking distance to Grand Central Terminal (Midtown) or on the Upper East or West Side. If you work in the village, SoHo, financial district forget about it. A subway commute adds an easily 20-30 minutes, especially during rush hour.

http://www.100abandonedhouses.com if you want to check it out.