Stamford, NY

Tucked in a scenic valley beneath Mount Utsayantha in Delaware County, Stamford earned the title "Queen of the Catskills" during the late nineteenth century. Back then, city dwellers flocked here by train to escape the summer heat in grand mountain hotels. Today, that resort-era charm remains woven into the village, where quiet residential streets sit surrounded by rolling Catskill hills and fresh mountain air.

ATTRBrendan J. O'Reilly / CC BY-SA 3.0

Moving here means settling into a relaxed, walkable mountain community. Main Street forms the heart of the village, where local eateries, independent shops, and everyday necessities sit alongside stately Queen Anne and Victorian homes from the town's Gilded Age heyday. Green spaces and outdoor recreation are part of everyday life. Residents can hike or drive to the fire tower atop Mount Utsayantha for panoramic summit views, spend an afternoon fishing at Rexmere Pond, or head to the village park for tennis, swimming, and ball games. With the historic Stamford Golf Club right down the road and open mountain scenery in every direction, Stamford offers a peaceful, friendly pace of life for anyone looking to put down roots in upstate New York.