When it comes to choosing a place to call home, many factors come into play like affordability, climate and lifestyle. Factors like these are typically just as important for home buyers as square footage and property design, and can vary widely between rural and urban locales. While city living offers excitement, convenience and endless entertainment, Adirondack living provides something unique that many people are seeking out today – peace, space, and a true connection to nature.
At Adirondack Premier Properties, we have had the privilege of helping many buyers discover the unique lifestyle of the Adirondacks by making the move here from busy cities. Time and again, we hear from clients that Adirondack living beats city living for them. They often wish they had made the move sooner, or could find a way to spend more time in the region if they have a second home here.
So, what makes the Adirondack lifestyle so superlative to a city lifestyle?
6 Compelling Reasons Adirondack Living Beats City Living
1. Pace of Life
A big reason why Adirondack living beats city living is the difference in the pace of life. When living in the city, life moves fast with everything quickly moving forward including traffic, sidewalks and busy schedules. This lifestyle can feel hurried, like there are never enough hours in a day to enjoy quiet moments or take in your surroundings.
As soon as you enter most Adirondack communities, you notice an immediate difference in the pace. Some resort style communities like Lake Placid and Lake George can get busy for short times, but never reach the hustle and bustle of a city. Busy ADK periods normally involve larger events like Ironman or Lake Placid Summit Classic Lacrosse. Outside of these few special event weeks per year, life in the Adirondacks often invites you to slow down.
For Adirondack residents and visitors alike, mornings during the warmer months often start with with a cup of coffee surrounded by forest, mountain or lake views. Days often wind down by watching sunsets, enjoying a campfire, or taking a walk through the woods instead of sitting in traffic.
Having the freedom to enjoy your surroundings creates the perfect lifestyle for those looking for a healthier work-life balance, creating a refreshing change of pace.
2. Housing and Space
One of reasons Adirondack living beats city living for many is the difference in housing and space. Compared to the city, your budget can really open up possibilities to find a property that fits what you are looking for. In many metropolitan areas, buyers sacrifice outdoor space and privacy for location. While some Adirondack communities and neighborhoods are more dense with people living closer together, there are still areas in the Adirondacks that offer more space at a more affordable price.
This additional space starts with generous acreage to enjoy a lawn and garden around your home. Depending on the location of the property, you may even have waterfront access and mountain views to create the feeling of more space to spread out. The Adirondacks offers over 3,000 lakes and ponds as well as over 30,000 miles of rivers and streams, making it an ideal location to find a waterfront property, or a property close to water, so you can enjoy the waterways.
Whether you’re searching for a cozy cabin tucked in the woods, a year-round family home in a neighborhood, or a luxury lakefront property, the Adirondack region offers options that simply aren’t available in most urban markets.
3. Nature Becomes Your Backyard
Whether you live a more active lifestyle or prefer to keep it slow and smell the flowers along the way, the Adirondack Park provides recreation for every activity and interest. As one of the largest protected areas in the United States, nature will always be your backyard here. Forget driving hours for a weekend getaway to connect with natural wonder. When you live in the Adirondacks you are constantly surrounded by the beauty of nature. For nature lovers, Adirondack living beats city living hands down.
Depending on your preferred Adirondack location, you may also find a property next to state land. Properties that are connected to state owned land can provide deep peace of mind for those looking for a private location. You can take comfort knowing that nothing will be built next door. You can also appreciate that your property will feel even more expansive than it already is. If you are a more active resident, some state lands offer trails winding throughout various communities making daily adventures convenient and right outside your door.
With this in mind, more active Adirondackers often go deeper into nature by hiking, fishing, boating, skiing or snowshoeing. While getting out into the backcountry can provide some new viewpoints, if you prefer the front country or are less active, you will not be missing out on nature. Most properties throughout the Adirondacks offer various porches and decks to enjoy nature right from home.
Every season offers its own unique adventures and sights, making it easy to stay active and enjoy the outdoors year-round. Instead of planning vacations to escape the city, you’ll already be living where others come to vacation.
4. Community Matters
Cities offer diversity and endless opportunities to meet new people, but it’s easy to feel anonymous. While the anonymous feeling can be nice as you focus on your own life and work, living in a smaller community can provide support if anything comes up. Adirondack communities are known for being welcoming, supportive, and close-knit. By making personal connections at local events, farmers markets, festivals, or volunteer organizations, you will find that many Adirondackers and neighbors are willing to help and even become long time friends.
In the neighborly feeling department, Adirondack living beats city living hands down. Warmth and caring in most Adirondack communities surpasses what you find in most other communities outside the blue line. Whether you’re relocating full-time or purchasing a second home, you’ll quickly discover a strong sense of shared experience, camaraderie and friendship here.
5. Remote Work Has Changed Everything
Since the COVID pandemic, working conditions have changed greatly. In recent years, many professionals realize they don’t have to be in the office to complete their work, especially with many jobs going fully digital. This allows professionals to work remotely, and has led to a continued slight uptick in home purchases in the Adirondacks.
The main thing to keep in mind if you are looking to create this lifestyle is reliable internet. While much of the Adirondacks has been upgraded to more reliable internet service, there are still areas where alternative methods for internet access are necessary. Satellite or systems like Starlink are good options.
As many buyers started to discover during COVID, living in the Adirondacks and working remotely is an attractive option. Remote workers can enjoy mountain views during the workday instead of looking at the inside of an office building, all without sacrificing their careers. When working from home, the many added bonuses of Adirondack living beats city living.
6. Knowing Adirondack Living Is Right for You
Determining if the Adirondacks may be the perfect fit for you can truly be broken down into just a few factors. If you value the factors below, then it may be time to embrace that Adirondack living beats city living for you and start your search for an Adirondack property.
- Peace and quiet
- Outdoor recreation
- Scenic beauty
- Privacy
- A strong sense of community
- More space for your investment
- A slower, more balanced lifestyle
If you thrive on nightlife, public transportation, and having everything within walking distance, city living may still be your ideal choice. Depending on the location in the Adirondacks, you may find something close to this, but at a much smaller level. If you’re ready to trade congestion for fresh mountain air and crowded streets for winding scenic roads, the Adirondacks offer an incredible place to call home.
Thinking About Making the Move?
Whether you’re searching for your first home, a vacation property, or planning to relocate full-time, we’re here at ADKPP to help you explore everything the Adirondacks has to offer. Every buyer’s journey is unique, and finding the right home starts with understanding your lifestyle goals.
If you’re curious about available properties or want to learn more about Adirondack communities, we are happy to guide you every step of the way. Your next chapter could begin in the mountains, and we would love to help you find the perfect place to call home.
Contact us here to connect with one of our world class real estate agents to start your search today!