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Listing Owner

Member Since 2016

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Listing Owner

Member Since 2016

Trust Score (81)
Academic Faculty or Staff
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Beautiful Forest Writing Retreat -- with lots of windows!

West Kill, New York, United States
Rates from USD $4200 | Monthly

House | Entire Home
Available Dates:
From Now until July 15, 2026
Additional Dates:
From August 15, 2026 until November 30, 2026

Description

I am a professor of Environmental Politics on sabbatical this year. This home is my writing retreat that I usually come to in summer and winter -- when I am not teaching at American University in Washington, DC. It is a seriously beautiful and quiet place for a writing retreat! I can send you more photos and blueprints. Clearly, the photos are not professional :). Clearly, 10 shots is not enough for this lovely house. I put more photos in the link below too. I hope to find some scholars/writers who want a quite space to work and to enjoy nature. Bring your skis and good hiking shoes, bring your kids. Enjoy what was a hunting lodge that I have expanded a bit into a very livable environment where several people can quietly work in their own spaces. The kitchen is fully equipped. I have lots of sheets and towels for you. All I ask is that you enjoy and take good care of this house -- as it is my home. There are couches in the main house living room and there is also a new living room on the addition with a couch and pull out bed -- but, while all the other furniture is in excellent shape, the couch in the new living room is ancient and warn out (it is clean, but tattered). I plan to replace it but have not yet found the right new couch! So, be forewarned that one of the couches, while comfortable and clean, is neither my style (came with the house) nor in great shape. Ski Areas: The house is equidistant from the three main ski areas of New York State. So if you ski, you can enjoy being there. I can also set up a plowing service for the driveway -- this will cost a little (about 200 a month. But, is worth it. Otherwise, the roads are well plowed and kept clean. The townships work hard at this because skiing is the one of the main local industries. Restaurants: There are two good restaurants nearby (17 and 22 minutes drive) -- Peekamoose and Urban Cowboy. You can also drive into Woodstock for great restaurants (Sylvia's and a few others -- I can sent you recommendations) and there is the Old Mill and Chappi's in Roxbury. Also, just 10 minutes away, you can always pick up something at Van Dusen's (a kind of convenience store) in Lexington, where Will is always making some dinner special. Lots more to say, but I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Bedrooms
2

Bathrooms
3

Offices
1

Size
1,550 ft2

Suited For
4

Property Type
House

Availability

From Now until July 15, 2026

Additional Dates

From August 15, 2026 until November 30, 2026

Minimum Stay

1 Month | Dates are flexible for this listing

Comments: Right now one of the downstairs bedrooms is the office. There is no bed there. No desk -- just a couch. But, we could probably figure out a desk if you need.

Location

House in West Kill, New York, United States

Closest University

State University of New York at New Paltz

Nearby Universities
SUNY Delhi | SUNY Cobleskill | Williams College | Dutchess Community College | University at Albany | Bard College | Columbia-Greene Community College
Neighborhood

West Kill -- Middle of Forest

Nearby Cities

Margaretville | Lexington | Hunter | Prattsville | Kingston | Woodstock | Windham

Comments: My neighbor commutes daily 2 hours to Williams college. Others are about 1-1.5 hours. Check google maps. The drive is beautiful and without traffic! Roads are plowed quickly, as this is a ski zone.

Explore the Area

Surroundings

  • Countryside
  • Writer's Sanctuary
  • Near Mountains
  • Near Woods
  • Near Park

Rental Rates and Terms

Rates from USD $4200 Monthly | Negotiable

Utilities are not included

A cleaning service is not included

Comments: I can lower the cost for smaller groups. But, prefer that there be no more than four people -- other than when you have guests (and, there is a pull out bed in one living room).

Considerations

Ask about the suitability of the home for young kids

Ask about bringing pets

Smoking is not allowed

A car is not available

Comments: No somking in the house. Kids and pets are fine -- just have to put some items higher up to get them out of reach!

Features

Interior

Furnished

Connectivity

High Speed Internet

Printer

Exterior

Balcony or Patio

Garden

Dedicated Parking

Backyard

Accessibility

Stairs

Temperature Control

Air Conditioning

Appliances

Oven

Stove

Microwave

Refrigerator

Dishwasher

Washer

Dryer

Comments: Accessibility: There is one low step up to get into the house from the driveway. One bedroom is on ground floor and one up a flight of stairs. We are on 6 acres; yard ~2 acres. The big downstairs room is now listed as office. Gas grill on porch.

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Listing Owner user icon

Listing Owner

Member Since 2016

Trust Score (81)
Academic Faculty or Staff
Matched Member

Listing Owner

Member Since 2016

Trust Score (81)
Academic Faculty or Staff
Matched Member
Listing Owner user icon