Over 2007 and 2008 the idea of leaving Cambridge entered our minds. After looking around in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx over a year or so we understood that we did not have enough money to afford adequate space in NYC. This led to visits to Beacon NY and Hudson. We didn’t find Beacon that attractive and the real estate tax system seemed opaque and unfair. Hudson was already a bit familiar to us because Andrea and family had a weekend place in Claverack, just a few miles from Hudson. After one visit with a realtor who showed us a single house on Washington St. then never followed up, we connected with Deborah Kinney. She showed us 10 houses in one day Monday April 13, 2009. These included
- 18 Parkwood Blvd.
- 35 Parkwood Blvd – multifamily
- 102 Glenwood Blvd
- 531 Union St
- 507 Union St
- 15 Van Winkle Rd
- 116 N Fifth St
- 114 Warren St
- 539 Washington St – multifamily
We also looked at 15 McKinstry St on our own.
114 Warren became our target. It was right on the main street in town. We returned the next week for an inspection of 114. We put a bid on 114 Warren St. all cash, no dickering. We had a back up on 102 Glenwood Blvd. The 114 Warren bid was accepted. The closing took place on May 22nd.
We traveled to Hudson several times during the following weeks to paint and make small repairs. Took our blow up bed with us. New carpet in rear bedroom 2nd floor. By June 24, 2009 we were all packed up at 42 Kinnaird. Movers put everything in the truck and we met them at 114 Warren on the 25th.
Early Hudson events.
- July 28, 2009 – Ed and Meredith visit.
- August 11 – BeLo3rd Business group meets at Hidden Garden one block upo Warren. We take an “OPEN” flag – Davis Orton Gallery founded.
- August 12 – Mark attends first Board of Trustees meeting at Hudson Area Library
- August 16 – Bob Greenstein and Elissa Parker visit
- August 19 – Mark attends meeting of Friends of the Hudson Area Library
- August 21 – Mark begins working on the 411 referendum for the library – phone banking numerous times over next months before election.
- Auguist 23 thru 29 – Nantasket Beach week
- October 23 – first exhibition at Davis Orton Gallery
- October 27 – Trivia Night at The Spotty Dog
- January 13, 2010 – Mark joins Board of Trustees of Hudson Area Library