The Hamptons vs. The North Fork

Last summer an article published by the New York Times caused quite a stir on Eastern Long Island. The article featured in the paper's real estate section discussed the rising popularity of the North Fork because it is the "anti-Hamptons."

On the North Fork, the Un-Hamptons got a lot of people on the North Fork talking because as the area has become more popular in recent years, many locals have felt it has become just like the Hamptons. But, as the article argues and as I feel the North Fork is still quite different from the Hamptons and the two areas provide two different vacation experiences.

The article describes the South Fork as becoming "overbuilt, overhyped and overcrowded" which is exactly why many North Forkers I know feel their home is becoming like the Hamptons. Many locals on the North Fork think because it is becoming so crowded it is turning into a second Hamptons. I feel that is not the case at all though.

One of the more obvious differences in my mind, and one the article points out quickly, is the beaches. The South Fork offers the ocean while the North Fork has the sound, and although the North Fork does have its share of beaches the ones in the Hamptons do usually provide a better experience. If I wanted a beach vacation I would head to the Hamptons and the ocean.

The article also points out the farms and vineyards of the North Fork, which are two of the area's defining features. The North Fork has long been an agricultural area and today it still offers tons of farms with local produce. Of course there are also tons of vineyards too as the area has become known as Wine Country.

A good quote in the article that tries to sum up the differences between the two areas is, “The Hamptons are a place where people go to see and be seen, and the North Fork is a place where people go to see the scenery.” I want to take the quote a step further and say that on the North Fork there is more to see while in the Hamptons there is more to do. As beautiful as the North Fork is, there is little to actually do compared to the Hamptons where there are more beaches and villages to walk around.

Since the article focuses on the real estate aspect of the two areas the rest of it is full of house and rental prices, but the main point still rings true.

Even as the North Fork continues to get busier, it is still not the Hamptons. The two areas offer different vacations and what kind of summertime vacation you want should effect where you decide to head on Eastern Long Island.