The Hamptons: Discover New York’s Most Stylish Summer Escape

The Hamptons, a ritzy enclave of some 20 communities strewn like jewels along the achingly picturesque South Fork of eastern Long Island, around 100 miles (161 km) east of New York City—“out east,” in local parlance—has long been a rarefied refuge for well-heeled city dwellers and the global glitterati alike.

Equally known for its pristine beaches and electric-green swathes of rolling farmland, as well as its charming, 18th-century Shingle buildings and sprawling estates shrouded by towering boxwood hedges, it’s arguably the United States’ most exclusive summer playground.

Decades ago, a slew of renowned writers and artists—John Steinbeck, Truman Capote, Kurt Vonnegut, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol among them—flocked to the Hamptons to find inspiration in its dazzling natural beauty. These days, the long list of boldface names with homes there includes Beyoncé, Robert De Niro, Ralph Lauren, Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Martha Stewart, and Jerry Seinfeld.

It’s most famous for its windswept beaches—Sagg Main, Atlantic Avenue, and Mecox, to name just a few—as well as a virtually endless stream of see-and-be-seen summer events, such as the East Hampton Antiques & Design Show preview party and the annual Polo Hamptons matches. But the Hamptons has steadily evolved into a true year-round destination.

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Its world-class art galleries—such as Bridgehampton’s Kathryn Markel Fine Arts and Sag Harbor’s Mark Borghi—and wineries, including Sagaponack’s Wölffer Estate (whose Summer in a Bottle rosé could be called the Hamptons’ official tipple), now lure visitors in all seasons, as do its many glamorous restaurants, upscale boîtes, and luxury boutiques.

The Hamptons for Homeowners

It’s been a wild few years for the Hamptons market: in early 2020, the advent of the pandemic prompted an exodus of New Yorkers, leading to a surge in home sales and a historic dip in inventory that summer. Last year saw a significant recalibration, when factors such as limited inventory and rising interest rates compelled numerous buyers to cautiously await potential price adjustments. Despite the scarcity of available properties, pricing stabilized, with a marginal decrease of about 7.5 percent versus 2022.

“As we entered the new year with the expectation of reduced interest rates, there is a potential for increased liquidity in the market, benefiting both buyers and sellers,” says Jane Babcook, Associate Broker at Christie’s International Real Estate Group’s East Hampton office. “The rental market appears to be on the rise in 2024 compared to last year, and February and March traditionally mark the peak of our bustling selling season for the upcoming summer, with buyers starting to show increased interest already.”

Known for its pristine beaches and swathes of rolling farmland, the Hamptons is the United States’ most exclusive summer playground.

As of mid-December 2023, there were fewer than 1,400 active listings spanning Westhampton to Montauk, marking a continued decline of 55 percent from 2019. Babcook says a resurgence in inventory appears unlikely in the near future, as homeowners hold on to their properties owing to favorable 3-4 percent mortgage rates.

That said, international buyers from regions including Europe and Latin America, who frequented the market pre-pandemic, are steadily returning, Babcook says, and they’re homing in on prime locations “south of the highway.” Choice addresses include Lily Pond and Further Lanes in East Hampton, Daniels Lane in Sagaponack, Dune and Ocean Roads in Bridgehampton, Flying Point Road and Fowler Lane in Water Mill, and the celebrated Gin and Meadow Lanes in Southampton, all of which lure ultra-wealthy clientele eager for their ultra-exclusive embrace.

Tempted to make a new life in The Hamptons? Take a look at some choice properties in the area, and read more from the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Christie’s International Real Estate magazine here.

Banner image: Monica Murphy