California Couple Finds New Home and Art Community in Hudson Valley

After leaving the Bay Area, Lexa Walsh and Daniel Nelson settle in Kingston, N.Y. with a $375,000 budget.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Lexa Walsh and Daniel Nelson, a couple from Oakland, California, decided to leave the Bay Area and move to the Hudson Valley region of New York. They were drawn to the art scene, natural beauty, and proximity to family in Kingston, N.Y. After renting for a couple years, they set out to purchase a home with a $375,000 budget, looking for a spacious property with character and room for their creative pursuits.

Why it matters

This story highlights the trend of people leaving expensive coastal cities like the San Francisco Bay Area in search of more affordable, artistically-inclined communities. The Hudson Valley has emerged as a popular destination, offering a quieter pace of life, natural scenery, and a growing arts and culture scene. The couple's experience illustrates how these regional shifts are impacting local real estate markets.

The details

After meeting at a New Year's Eve party in Berkeley in 2004, Lexa Walsh and Daniel Nelson built a comfortable life as artists and creatives in Oakland. However, they grew increasingly frustrated with the "tech-ification" of the Bay Area and decided to relocate to the Hudson Valley region of New York, where some of their friends had already moved. In 2023, the couple rented a 1,500-square-foot home in Kingston, N.Y. and a couple years later decided to purchase a property with their $375,000 budget. They worked with a local real estate broker to tour several turn-of-the-century homes in and around Kingston, ultimately narrowing it down to three options: a four-bedroom house, a three-bedroom with a large kitchen, and a three-bedroom with a vacant lot next door.

  • In 2021, the couple visited friends in Kingston, N.Y. and were drawn to the area's art scene and natural beauty.
  • In 2023, the couple moved into a 1,500-square-foot rental in Kingston.
  • In 2025, the couple decided to purchase a home with their $375,000 budget.

The players

Lexa Walsh

A 58-year-old artist and personal chef who was frustrated with the changing character of Oakland, California.

Daniel Nelson

A 54-year-old marketing professional who also grew tired of the Bay Area's rapid growth and loss of community.

Derek Flynn

The couple's real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nutshell Realty, who they met through friends from California.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The tech-ification of the Bay Area was sickening and scraped any bit of joy out of it.”

— Lexa Walsh, Artist and Personal Chef

“There are now way too many people for that city. It takes 45 minutes to drive over to San Francisco, as opposed to 10 minutes when I first got there.”

— Daniel Nelson, Marketing Professional

What’s next

The couple plans to continue exploring the local art scene in Kingston and getting more involved in the community. They are also considering renovating the home they ultimately purchase to better suit their needs and creative pursuits.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates how the exodus from expensive coastal cities like the San Francisco Bay Area is reshaping smaller, more affordable communities in places like the Hudson Valley. By prioritizing quality of life, access to nature, and a thriving arts scene, couples like Lexa and Daniel are finding new homes and opportunities outside of the tech-driven urban centers.