Putnam County is a small, green county in the lower Hudson Valley, close enough to count as the outer edge of the New York City commuter belt. Carmel is the county seat.
It's named after Israel Putnam, the general who reportedly told his men not to fire until they saw the whites of their eyes at Bunker Hill. The county keeps a low profile and likes it that way.
Lakes and reservoirs are everywhere, from Lake Mahopac to the Croton system, and Fahnestock State Park covers a big stretch of woods for hiking and swimming.
Only about 12% of Putnam County homes use fuel oil, based on a 2019 survey. If you're one of them, comparing local quotes still helps.