East Hampton: Beaches, bucolic Main Street, rural vibes draw buyers
Main Beach in East Hampton is a popular haunt and regularly ranked among the most beautiful in the country. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
THE SCOOP Abstract artists such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning created some of their most important works in East Hampton. Socialite Jaqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis spent her summers there as a child, and domestic innovator Martha Stewart called it a summer home until she sold her Lily Pond Lane estate for a reported $16.5 million.
But it's more than the celebrity sightings that make people want to live in East Hampton. It is the rural feel of the farming landscape, the beauty of the beaches, bays and oceans, and a charming Main Street reminiscent of a Normal Rockwell painting.
"It has the feel of a small village with options for everyone both in shopping and dining," said B.B. King, a listing agent at Town & Country Real Estate, touting the village's "many wonderful restaurants" and access to "the freshest seafood and prime steaks" for home cooking.
Main Street in East Hampton is home to small boutiques and eateries, as well as designer stores. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
One of the most expensive places to live on not only on Long Island, but in the state, East Hampton Village has a median house price of $1.395 million.
East Hampton is both a town and village. The Town of East Hampton consists of other communities, including Amagansett, Montauk, Springs and Wainscott and includes East Hampton Village. Situated to the east of the Town of Southampton on Long Island's South Fork, East Hampton sits more on the tail of the "fish," with 70 square land miles but also has approximately 70 miles of waterfront.
Of course, the village is well known for its beaches, including Main Beach, consistently named one of the most beautiful in the United States, according to coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman, also known as "Doctor Beach." There are other residential beaches along its shoreline, including two more with lifeguards: Georgica Beach and Two Mile Hollow Beach.
Main Beach is one of many that dot the roughly 70 miles of East Hampton's waterfront. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Despite its reputation as a posh retreat, East Hampton Village has a small hometown feel. Each August the East Hampton Fire Department holds a large fireworks show at Main Beach. At the same beach each Tuesday in the summer, the village hosts free live music, drawing up to 5,000 people.
It is also known for its Hamptons International Film Festival, which annually draws leading actors and directors from across the globe. This year's — its 34th annual — will be held Oct. 4-14.
Rentals in East Hampton are mostly for the summer. The Town of East Hampton has about 28,000 year-round residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but the population swells to much larger numbers in the summer. Rentals can cost as much as $1 million or more a season, but more modest rentals can be found at around $15,000 a month.
Egypt Lane is home to residential areas and borders the East Hampton Village Nature Trail and Wildlife Sanctuary. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
SALE PRICES Between Aug. 9, 2023, and Aug. 8, 2024, there were 98 home sales with a median sale price of $1.812 million, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 107 home sales with a median sale price of $1.525 million.
OTHER STATS
Population 1,270
Median age 57.4
Median home value $1.812 million
Monthly LIRR ticket from East Hampton $468
School district, graduation rate East Hampton (90.7%)
Library East Hampton
Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 92
Sources: 2022 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR, data.nysed.gov
ON THE MARKET
$12.99 million
This $13 million East Hampton home is built for car collectors and sports eight showroom garages. Credit: VHT Photography
Backing up to a nature preserve, this 7,400-square-foot home sits on 1.1-acre property. The four-level home has a private elevator and each of its eight bedrooms has an ensuite bath (there are nine full and two-half baths total). It sports a large chef's kitchen, hardwood flooring throughout, large formal dining room with fireplace and gunite pool with levels. Built for car collectors, the house has eight showroom garages. Annual taxes are $19,993. B.B. King, Town & Country Real Estate, 631-655-5093.
$4.5 million
This $4.5 million East Hampton home is 3,300 square feet. Credit: Saunders & Associates
Built in 2001, this five-bedroom, five-bathroom cedar shake home sites on a shy half-acre in East Hampton's Northwest Harbor area. The house has hardwood floors throughout, and the living room has a fireplace and sliding doors that lead to the pool and patio. The primary suite has has its own patio, sauna and marble bath with a separate shower and dual vanity. Annual taxes are $8,270. Vincent Horcasitas, Saunders & Associates, 516-768-7330.
$999,999
This $999,999 East Hampton home contains two bedrooms. Credit: Mandalay Real Estate Media
Just reduced by $200,000, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch is bordered by a nature preserve. Built in 1990, the renovated home has vaulted ceilings with an open concept design. The ensuite bedroom has a full bath and the lower-level's renovated basement is partially above ground with 8-foot ceilings and a walkout entrance. Zachary Scher, Signature Premier Properties, 631-974-2609.
RECENTLY SOLD
$8.3 million
Egypt Lane
Style Antique/Historic
Bedrooms 7
Bathrooms 6½
Built 1776
Lot size 1.14 acres
Taxes $15,926
+/- List price -$1,600,000
Days on market 591
$4.4 million
Newtown Lane
Style Modern
Bedrooms 6
Bathrooms 8
Built 2022
Lot size 0.68 acre
Taxes $7,596
+/- List price +$150,000
Days on market 287
$3.6 million
N. Main Street
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 4½
Built 1981
Lot size 0.45 acre
Taxes $17,074
+/- List price -$150,000
Days on market 139
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 91
Price range $495,000 to $13.5 million
Tax range $3,067 to $40,000
