Bethel, New York

You’ll get the vibe the minute you get there. Podunk, Small Town, USA. I lived there for about 10 years. Over time the zip codes grew more and more red on the voting maps. This is due to many young people outgrowing the area once they get college educated and they leave. Those who are left are either newly transplanted privileged NYC Yuppies, newly transplanted (and closeted) conservatives who hide in plain sight, or jaded locals who have been there all their lives, who feel stuck and don’t know how to launch forward.

You end up in Sullivan County if you’re at a crossroads in your life or because you have the finances to experience the slow life and live below your means.

This place is rich in history from the movie Dirty Dancing being filmed here to the now abandoned Grossinger’s Hotel. Sullivan County is also the stomping grounds for Gavin DeGraw and Jerry Seinfeld. This place is at the heart of the Borscht Belt where many Jewish communities would (and still do) vacation away from the city and get a break from anti-Jew sentiments.

There isn’t much left to do in Sullivan County as poverty levels have risen tremendously and the local economy is taking hit after hit. There’s a casino, horse racing, and the Kartrite (indoor water park) resort in Monticello, the “Falls” in Fallsburg, and plenty of fun characters at bars to keep you entertained. Livingston Manor has become a hotspot for those NYC Yuppies, but they bring a little class and creature comforts to the place. Stop by Cabernet Frank’s on exit 98 and the Dale in Mountaindale. Hurleyville is a very small town that has a very well kept Performing Arts Centre and a short, well paved, and serene walking trail. Bethelwoods is a great venue for concerts, festivals, and other events, plus there’s a little museum. Just make sure you have your ride figured out ahead of time or otherwise drive yourself because Uber or taxi are not reliable. There are also plenty of great hiking spots from the Milk Trail to Walnut Mountain. Unfortunately, a lot of swimming holes are being privately bought out and no longer kept up for public use.

The men can be a little creepy and thirsty here, even when they’re decent people. They just look that way. 🤣 I wouldn’t look for love here, ladies. Nothing but dusties and weirdos. Having a car is the safest way around. But keep an eye out for those thirsty state troopers on state route 17. Don’t go over 70MPH on the highway and don’t hangout in the left lane for too long. Most roads are 55MPH unless otherwise posted, but people will drive slow in town. Which can be annoying since there aren’t many alternative routes.

Sullivan County is a place you go to disappear for a while. It’s great for the outdoorsy type. I have a hate/love relationship with it. It’s interesting, charming, and adventurous but I wouldn’t stay there for the rest of my life.