Consider going farther north towards Kingston or east towards New Paltz. Town of Wawarsing includes the village of Ellenville. The local police have a weekly drug bust. One of the main sources of employment started layoffs 9 months ago. People with 35 years were escorted to the gate with absolutely no warning.The local hospital declared bankruptcy last year.
Greenfield park is area about 5 miles west of Ellenville. It has a high concentration of religious camps during the summer. The only employment is the fire co., post office and one restaruant that has changed hands 5 times in 5 years.
New Paltz is a college town. Housing is terrible but land is available. Mohonk House is an excellent place to work if you're into nature. Lots of waitress' jobs in the immediate area.
Kingston,Ashokan,Olive Bridge are to the north west of Wawarsing. More jobs, people are more friendly,cheaper rents. There are several large data processing business' in that area. Lots of industrial plants.
You'll have to go 3 to 4 hours north to find land bargains. Ulster and Sullivan counties are in the process of being inundated by the overflow from Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties. 4 years ago a 2 bedroom brick house on a lot with municipal water and sewer was $49,000 with $5000 yearly tax. Today same house is selling for $190,000 and taxes are $8000 to $10,000.