Welcome to the ‘Anti-Hamptons’—Where Manhattan Second Home Buyers Are Heading Now

For decades, New Yorkers have escaped to the Hamptons for weekends filled with sun and sea breeze. But as its popularity has grown—and the traffic, crowds, and price tags have soared with it—the once elusive escape has begun to feel more like a scene than a sanctuary.

Now, a growing number of city dwellers are looking beyond the Hamptons for a place to truly relax—trading the hot spots you can see or experience for quieter beaches and a slower pace.

Litchfield County, CT—just two hours from Manhattan—fits the bill.

William Melnickreal estate agent with Elyse Harney Real Estate, calls it “the anti-Hamptons.”

“When people go to the Hamptons, they think they’re going to the country and they’re not going to see people they’ve seen all week, but now it’s New York City on steroids, and New York City by the ocean,” he told Realtor.com®. “It can take 3 to 4 hours to get there, and it’s crowded and heavily trafficked.”

Melnick says there is so much traffic in Bridgehampton that just getting a cup of coffee can take a lot of time.

But those problems don’t exist in Litchfield County.

“It’s cool and laid back here,” he says. “Every town has a town beach. It’s beautiful, like the one on ‘Fun With Dick and Jane’.”

Former Ralph Lauren brand started a weekend in Litchfield County in 2013, and made a full-time move there in 2018. The area is rich in nature, with inland freshwater beaches from streams and lakes.

Melnick appreciates the fact that it’s near the end of the Metro-North line, and that the Berkshires and Hudson Valley are neighbors, with skiing and outdoor activities all within easy reach.

Plus, it’s close enough that her husband can commute to New York City during the week, giving them the best of both worlds.

Clicking numbers

Homes in Litchfield County are more affordable than the Hamptons, too.

“The largest markets in the Hamptons are Southampton and East Hampton, where median prices reached $3.7 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in January,” it said. Hannah Jonessenior economic research analyst at Realtor.com.

“Litchfield and the greater region are more affordable than the Hamptons and, perhaps because of that, more competitive.”

The median listing price in the city of Litchfield was $599,000 in January, and homes spent just 53 days on the market.

“That’s three weeks less than the national average,” Jones said. “Innovation levels in the area remain a fraction of pre-pandemic levels, contributing to strong competition in the market.”

In Litchfield County, the median price was $650,000 in January, and homes spent about 85 days on the market, up about 18% compared to one year earlier.

By comparison, homes in Southampton and East Hampton saw homes spend the longest on the market in January, averaging 135 and 129 days.

“In Litchfield County, inventory levels in the area are about a quarter of their pre-pandemic levels, and prices above $200,000 are high, underscoring the strong demand for housing in the area,” Jones said.

Who shops in Litchfield County

Melnick says New York City buyers make up the largest share of Litchfield County’s buyer pool, many of whom buy second homes.

With nearly a dozen prestigious schools nearby, Melnick notes that school families represent a significant portion of the market.

“They buy a second house that is close to the school where they live so that they can come on weekends to play games, or if they want to be close to their children geographically,” he explained.

Melnick says he’s also seen more buyers from California since the wildfires. Also, because inventory is tight and most offers are all cash, the market can be competitive.

Although historic winter storms have slowed things down in the past few weeks, expect to see an influx of activity when Wall Street hands out bonuses later this month.

“I know there is more to come, especially when the weather gets hot,” he said.

As for the types of homes he expects to see come on the market, Melnick says there is a wide variety of American-style buildings in Litchfield County.

“We have real Colonial houses and places that were built in the Strong Period,” he said. “And they’re not on top of each other.”

He says strict zoning laws and land trusts limit new construction and keep the area undeveloped.

“It is very beautiful and unpolluted here, and there is an open space that is desirable for buyers,” he adds.

According to Melnick, low property taxes also attract buyers.

“Go over to New York, just five miles away, and you could be paying up to 75% more. You’re getting more money here in Litchfield County,” he said.