Keene Valley, NY, is a charming hamlet located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Many who drive through or visit find themselves drawn to its natural beauty and small-town charm and wonder, “Is Keene Valley a good place to live?” For many year-round and part-time residents, the answer is a resounding YES!
Offering a unique lifestyle that appeals far and wide, Keene Valley has a strong draw, especially for those who love nature and outdoor activities. Whether or not Keene Valley is a perfect match for you depends on your preferences and lifestyle.
5 Things To Consider – Is Keene Valley A Good Place To Live?
1. Proximity to Outdoor Adventures
Keene Valley offers the perfect base camp location for your home if you are an outdoorsy person. This community puts you in the heart of a variety of activities that can be enjoyed throughout the year, including hiking, biking, fishing, climbing and skiing. When deciding “Is Keene Valley a good place to live for me?,” consider what type and frequency of outdoor activities you want to include in your Adirondack lifestyle and see how Keene Valley measures up.
Hiking
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a novice hiker, there is a multitude of terrain for you to explore. This community is host to multiple Adirondack 46ers, suitable for more experienced hikers or hikers looking to grow.
If you are a beginner, check out Baxter Mountain or Rooster Comb for an easier and shorter hike. Additionally, check out online resources to find potential Keene Valley hikes or trails.
Additionally, Keene Valley is within a 20 minute drive to many other notable mountains and trails in nearby communities.
Biking
Keene Valley is a great starting point if you enjoy road biking or mountain biking.
Road Biking– While there are a lot of challenging hills around the Keene Valley region, if you head north into Keene, NY, you can follow some of the Ironman course try turning right on Route 9N to follow the Ausable River along relatively flat terrain and enjoy gorgeous views.
Mountain Biking – If you enjoy mountain biking, driving a short ways to the north you will find East Branch Community Trails to explore.
Fishing
The East Branch of the Ausable River flows through Keene Valley. While this branch does not offer the same notable fishing opportunities that can be had on the West Branch, there are still some accessible and worthy areas to throw a line in to catch trout.
Traveling a short distance north to the Wilmington region provides some of the best trout fishing you will find nationwide. For information on the Ausable watershed, visit Ausable Freshwater Center online or on site in Wilmington.
Climbing
If you enjoy rock climbing or ice climbing, residing in Keene Valley is the perfect location. The community is populated with quite a few climbers, and even hosts world-class climbing and outdoor recreation equipment outfitter and guide service, The Mountaineer.
The Mountaineer hosts a variety of events throughout the year including training and mountain sport celebrations that bring in notable professionals. Keep an eye on The Mountaineer’s event page for upcoming opportunities.
Skiing
Keene Valley is also a skier’s paradise with a variety of experiences available.
Backcountry & X-C Skiing – Access to cross country skiing and backcountry skiing is a breeze from Keene Valley. The East Branch Community Trails are available for X-C skiing. Pitchoff Pass & Avalanche Lake offer backcountry skiing. Groomed xc trails can be found at Mt Van Hoevenberg or ADK Cascade Welcome Center. Other skiing opportunities are within a 20 minute drive.
Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding- Drive 15-20 minutes to Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington – the highest vertical on the East Coast.
2. Community Size and Events
The size of the community may be a factor when determining is Keene Valley a good place to live for me? If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of a larger city area, Keene Valley is not the right choice for you. In general, Keene Valley is a small, quiet and peaceful community that moves mostly in the slow lane. To attend larger events, a little bit of travel will be required to access larger communities in the Adirondacks or nearby cities like Montreal, Burlington or Albany.
Located in the heart of the Adirondack High Peaks, the lifestyle in Keene valley is heavily focused on the outdoors. Many of the events that occur throughout the community are outdoor focused. One such event is the summer Farmer’s Market at Marcy Field just outside of Keene Valley. This Farmer’s Market offers something for everyone. From local artisan works to fresh from the farm groceries, enjoy shopping with a gorgeous backdrop of Adirondack Mountain scenery.
This region also has some art events throughout the year that may be an important factor as you decide is Keene Valley a good place to live for me. Local organizations hosting art showings and performances include: Keene Valley Library, Keene Valley Congregational Church, Craigardan, Keene Arts and Keene Library.
3. Distance To Amenities
An mentioned above, Keene Valley is a rural community in the heart of the Adirondack Park, and proximity to amenities can also seem a lot different if you are more used to an urban lifestyle. Considering what amenities you like to have easy access to and how far you are willing to travel is another important factor when deciding is Keene Valley a good place to live for me?
Here is an overview of travel distance, accessibility and level of service of various amenities in the Keene Valley region:
Hospital – Unfortunately, there is not a local hospital in Keene Valley. If you have any medical issues that require frequent, nearby or emergency care, you may want to find a community closer to a hospital for your residence. The nearest hospital to Keene Valley is about 20 minutes away, so a drive is most likely required if you need to visit a doctor.
Nearby hospitals are located in Elizabethtown, Saranac Lake, and Plattsburgh. Community health clinics are located in nearby Keene, Wilmington, Ausable Forks and Lake Placid.
School – Keene Central School is located in Keene Valley and is one of the best ranked schools in the region and state. Residing in the smaller community of Keene Valley, class sizes at KCS are smaller than many surrounding districts. Many families find this provides students with extra attention and educational opportunities. The Keene Central School building on Market Street houses Kindergarten thru 12th grade with an average graduating class size of 30 students.
Emergency Services – While the hospital is a 20 minute drive away, Keene Valley offers emergency services through Keene Valley Fire Department and EMS.
4. Available Properties
One last important factor when deciding is Keene Valley a good place for me to live is whether the type of home or property you are looking for is available and is within your price range. There are a wide variety of properties available in Keene Valley to suit many needs and budgets. Consulting with a local real estate agent who is familiar with local market trends and availability is highly recommended.
While exploring listings online (like those featured below and on ADKPP’s Keene & Keene Valley real estate page) is a great place to start, talking with a seasoned professional knowledgable about the local real estate market will give you a serious advantage as you consider your options. Full time agents often have inside information on upcoming listings that are likely to become available soon as well as extensive market knowledge to help target your search to match your specific goals and criteria.
Keene Valley Listings
5. Expert Advice
As mentioned above, seeking advice from local experts is key to making confident real estate decisions in Keene Valley and all Adirondack markets. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Adirondack Premier Properties is the go to real estate agency for the Keene Valley region. When deciding “Is Keene Valley a good place to live for me?,” our knowledgable agents are active and familiar with local communities and eager to share first hand knowledge and experience to help you find the community and property that best suits your lifestyle.
Leverage our decades of Adirondack and real estate experience. Contact us today at 518-523-3333 to find the perfect property for you!