Introduction to a New Chapter
After years of living and working abroad, Carol Volk and Jules Leichter decided it was time to settle down in a quieter location. Their careers had taken them to numerous cities around the world, including Washington, D.C., Paris, Rome, Tel Aviv, Baghdad, and Addis Ababa. Most recently, they were in Rabat, Morocco, where Ms. Volk worked as a diplomat with the U.S. Foreign Service and Mr. Leichter worked as an economist with the International Monetary Fund.
The Decision to Move to Upstate New York
While in Morocco, the couple started thinking about where they wanted to spend their next years. Given Ms. Volk’s roots in New York City and their positive experience vacationing in the Ulster County hamlet of West Hurley, N.Y., they decided on the Hudson Valley. "Friends of mine have a place in Halcott, and so I knew the area," Ms. Volk said. "But when we rented the Airbnb in West Hurley, and then we visited Kingston, and we were able to visit Rhinebeck and Catskill and Saugerties, we sort of realized, wow, there’s a lot if you’re close to the Hudson."
Requirements for Their New Home
The couple was looking for a home that offered the serenity of the country and the amenities of small-city life, like restaurants and big box stores. "We don’t necessarily want that in our backyard," Mr. Leichter said. "But it’s nice to have it close by." They wanted a home with a view, more land than just a lawn, and ample bedrooms and bathrooms for guests. Their budget ranged from $600,000 to $800,000.
Starting the Search
Ms. Volk, who said she’s "kind of obsessed with real estate," started the search in Rabat, spending hours on Redfin perusing properties and taking virtual walks around the block. The couple then traveled stateside in March 2024 and spent a couple of days touring homes. Hillary Kolos, a licensed salesperson with the Upstate Curious team at Compass, said that a budget of up to $800,000 would be enough for a wonderful property in the area — though, with inventory running low, probably not one with everything on the couple’s wishlist.
Exploring Options
Among their options were homes at every level of their budget. "If you want to stay more to the 600 range, you can still find a great house, but you might see a neighbor, you might be a little closer to a road, it might need a little more work," Ms. Kolos said. "If you’re looking in the 800 range, you can probably find something that’s a little more turnkey, a little more private — although we’ve just consistently been seeing the prices going up and up here."
Conclusion
After considering various options, the couple was ready to make a decision on their new home in Upstate New York. With their budget and requirements in mind, they were looking forward to finding the perfect property that would provide them with the quiet life they were seeking.
FAQs
Q: What was the couple’s budget for their new home?
A: The couple’s budget ranged from $600,000 to $800,000.
Q: What were the couple’s requirements for their new home?
A: The couple was looking for a home with a view, more land than just a lawn, and ample bedrooms and bathrooms for guests.
Q: Why did the couple choose the Hudson Valley?
A: The couple chose the Hudson Valley because of its proximity to New York City, their positive experience vacationing in the area, and the availability of small-city amenities.
