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New Paltz is a village of about 7,000 permanent residents in Ulster County in the Hudson Valley, located approximately 75 miles north of New York City at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains. It is home to SUNY New Paltz and has a distinctly artsy, outdoor-oriented character shaped by rock climbers, hikers, NYC weekenders, and a creative university community. The village center along Main Street is lined with independent restaurants, cafes, and shops, and the nearby Shawangunk Ridge offers world-class rock climbing and hiking. New Paltz is one of the most desirable and competitive rental markets among SUNY campuses due to its combination of student demand and year-round visitor interest.
Residential streets north of Main Street and along Plattekill Avenue and North Chestnut Street, within walking distance but in extremely short supply, requiring an early search.
Across the Wallkill River to the south, with more availability and lower rents, though a car is needed.
About seven miles northeast, with a quirky artistic character and a small rental market with occasional good finds.
About 15 miles north, the most diverse and affordable housing in the region, increasingly popular with students priced out of the village.
Here's what you need to know about getting around New Paltz.
New Paltz is served by Trailways bus, which provides connections to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal and makes the village accessible without a car for NYC travel. Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) provides local bus service connecting New Paltz to Kingston, Poughkeepsie, and other county destinations on a limited schedule. For daily commuting within the village or to nearby towns, transit options are not frequent enough to replace a personal vehicle for most students.
The village of New Paltz is compact and highly walkable, with the SUNY campus, Main Street shops, and most student rentals within comfortable walking distance of each other. Biking is popular and practical within the village for students who live close to campus, and the relatively flat terrain near the village center supports year-round cycling. Students living in surrounding towns like Highland, Rosendale, or Kingston will need a vehicle for their campus commute.
Parking within the village of New Paltz can be tight, particularly on weekends when tourists and day-trippers from New York City fill the area. On-campus parking requires a university permit, and street parking near popular areas fills quickly. Students living off campus in the village should confirm parking availability with their landlord before signing a lease, as not all properties include off-street parking.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
New Paltz is an artsy, outdoor-oriented Hudson Valley village with a vibrant Main Street, world-class climbing and hiking in the nearby Shawangunks, and strong cultural ties to New York City. It has a lively student community but also attracts a diverse mix of climbers, artists, and weekend visitors year-round.
Browse student housing near each New Paltz-area university.