After nearly a decade in Los Angeles, Tom Morhous and Caron Pelletier found themselves unexpectedly facing the need to relocate when their landlord decided to sell their longtime rental home earlier this year. The couple, along with their 11-year-old daughter Bixby, had enjoyed the coastal city lifestyle, valued their community connections, and benefited from below-market rent. However, attempts to purchase their current home fell short, and they concluded that moving elsewhere in Los Angeles would mean paying significantly higher rents for less space.

Their search soon expanded beyond the city limits, focusing on the Hudson Valley region of New York. The area appealed due to its relative affordability compared to Los Angeles, as well as family ties—Morhous grew up in Schenectady, approximately 150 miles north of New York City, where his parents still reside. The location also promised easier access to other relatives and friends in the Northeast.

A key consideration for the family was finding a residence suited to their professional needs; both Morhous and Pelletier work primarily from home—he in advertising and she in marketing. This made larger living quarters and dedicated workspace essential. The family sought a home with at least two gathering spaces, two offices, and two full bathrooms.

Timing also played a role: the move coincided with Bixby’s transition into middle school, providing an opportunity to change schools at a natural breakpoint.

In May, Morhous traveled to New York to view prospective properties with real estate agent David Neiman. The family aimed for a home priced under $800,000 and explored several options:

One was a 1,750-square-foot, three-bedroom house just off Main Street in Beacon, a town with around 15,000 residents. Built in 1900 and fully renovated, it featured upgraded kitchen amenities, spacious living areas, a porch, and outdoor entertaining spaces. The home was listed at $748,000, with annual property taxes near $12,000. Conveniently, Beacon’s Metro-North train station was about a mile away.

Another candidate was a newly constructed three-bedroom, three-bathroom home located two miles outside central Beacon. This 2,600-square-foot residence included a separate office and ample family space but required car travel for daily activities and access to the train station. Priced at $749,900, property taxes were approximately $14,000 annually.

A third option was a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house near Highland, New York, on five acres west of the Hudson River. Although offering substantial living and guest areas, the property’s relative isolation and longer train commute—despite proximity to a Poughkeepsie station about 10 minutes away by car—were factors to consider. The listing price was $650,000, with taxes around $10,600.

Ultimately, the couple selected the three-bedroom home outside Beacon’s center. Morhous described it as having a unique feel, with views that offered a sense of elevation and tranquility not found in the other properties. After submitting an offer of $765,000 and outbidding a recent contender, the family closed on the home on July 20 and moved in shortly after.

For Morhous and Pelletier, the new house has provided increased comfort and space, particularly appreciated during remote work. “It’s been so much easier to relax and feel comfortable in a bigger house with a much bigger yard,” Pelletier said.

Bixby initially struggled with the transition, recalling that she thought moving was “the absolute worst decision” her parents had made. However, she has since come to enjoy the area, praising Beacon’s Main Street and especially appreciating having her own bathroom.