Thinking about trading in city life for the cruisey pace of the Hamptons year-round? Whether you’re a couple or a young family,
moving from New York City to the Hamptons offers the best of both worlds: You’re driving distance from the heart of town and minutes from sandy beaches and the great outdoors. Here is what you can expect if you decide to move out to some of Long Island’s most stylish neighborhoods.
Where Are the Hamptons Exactly?
Firstly, what qualifies as being in the Hamptons? “Historically, the Hamptons were defined as the areas from Southampton through to East Hampton,” explains, Judi A. Desiderio, chief executive officer of Town & Country Real Estate in East Hampton, a top agency for home seekers. “However, in these changing times, we are finding a much broader picture of what the Hamptons is.”
The modern definition of the area now tends to encompass the entire East End of Long Island, including all of the Hamptons on the South Fork and some North Fork hamlets, such as Shelter Island. “In fact, we refer to the North Fork as the Brooklyn of the Hamptons ” This gives you a lot of options in terms of finding the right neighborhood for your lifestyle, whether your top concerns are yoga studios and decent cafés or good schools for your kids.
What Are the Benefits of Moving to the Hamptons?
One of the biggest reasons you might be considering a move to the Hamptons is more space. A sentiment Desiderio certainly echoes. “In the Hamptons, you get to space, space, and more space,” she says. “You also get beaches, fresh air, lots of parks, and trails. You can spend your time biking, skateboarding, fishing, golfing, or pretty much anything you like doing outdoors.” Not to mention, your new abode might even have
its own backyard pool You’ll also find less crowded supermarkets, shops, and restaurants, even during the summer high season.
For Families With Kids, There Are Lots of Perks
“If you are considering moving your family out east for the fresh air and natural beauty, there’s also the increased safety to give you peace of mind,” says Desiderio. “Life here year-round is very different than a summer vacation. It’s even better!” For her, living on Long Island is the antithesis of life in the city. “It’s life in the country,” she says.
Your kids won’t get lost in the subway or the shuffle when it comes to school. “As a teacher by education, I applaud East End schools for keeping classroom sizes small and the quality of the teachers high,” she says.
Can You Live in the Hamptons and Work in New York City?
You might wonder if it’s possible to still commute to a job in the city. “The commute really depends on which part of the Hamptons you’re in,” explains Desiderio. “It’s much easier to commute from Westhampton Beach or Remsenburg than Montauk.” (For reference, Remsenburg is a hamlet located in the town of Southampton, while Montauk is the easternmost point of Long Island.)
With more companies offering work-from-home flexibility, however, living in the Hamptons could be more doable than ever before. The Internet has certainly leveled the field. In fact, many
New Yorkers have already made the move “New Yorkers living on the East End full time, offseason, are experiencing the beauty and the peacefulness that they maybe didn’t experience if they only came out here during summer or were in party mode,” says Desiderio.
What Are the Housing Options for Moving to the Hamptons?
In terms of the housing market, you’ll find a broad range. “You can find homes on the North Fork for under $1 million and on the South Fork upwards of a $100 million,” explains Desiderio. With a shift in the short-term rental market, the dynamics have changed because of the recent pandemic. “Our rental market is back to a full season and in this case, full-year leases.” Meaning if you’re not ready to buy just yet there are more options for long-term rentals than might have been previously available.
How Is Life Different in the Hamptons?
“If you love nature and the outdoors, there’s no comparison to the Hamptons,” says Desiderio. “A rooftop deck really doesn’t do for you what having a vegetable garden does.”
Still, there are a few lifestyle changes that you might need to adjust to, including needing a car and not being able to pop out for a bite to eat a 2 a.m. in the morning in January. However, actually having enough closet space to store your winter coats and summer wardrobe could be a deal maker.
Regardless of the size of your move, FlatRate makes moving to the Hamptons even easier and has specialized knowledge of the area.