I had a pretty decent routing down the east side of the ADIZ for a trip from S37 to PHF last November. But, down the shore side of things, they really don't have a choice but to take you down the east side. Anything else would really be a "great circle route". Down the east side, you are prone to get a clearance but then also vectors around restricted areas, etc. Especially with that magic GPS box so that they know they can send you "direct" at will.
I take it that you found the Dutchess 4 departure not too bad? I got that one time before last out of POU. I was kind of sweating it, but it didn't seem too complicated and we had no problem flying it.
Jim G