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Southampton: Beaches, multimillion-dollar homes, classic Hamptons vibes draw buyers

Marilyn Fertig, Susan Disbrow, Cindy Lesta, Gary Disbrow and Charlie... — Marilyn Fertig, Susan Disbrow, Cindy Lesta, Gary Disbrow and Charlie Lesta at Coopers Beach in Southampton on Friday. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin

By Frank LoveceSpecial to NewsdayUpdated September 8, 2026 3:42 pm

THE SCOOP When we think of "the Hamptons" as seen in popular media, that could take in anything from Westhampton to Amagansett or even, technically, Montauk. But for many, that jet-set enclave means the Village of Southampton.

"When people hear 'Southampton,' for the most part it seems to be that that's 'the Hamptons,' " said Denise Rosko, 63, a lifelong resident and the owner of Hamptons Realty Associates.

"I think that's accurate, actually," agreed village Mayor William Manger Jr., 61, with pardonable pride. "We've always been sort of known as being, as some have referred to it, the Queen of the Hamptons."

Indeed, the 6.5-square-mile village, part of the 138.9-square-mile Town of Southampton, is where the Hamptons' most expensive home, Mylestone at Meadow Lane, set a $112.5 million sales record in 2023. The village's Cooper's Beach was named No. 1 in the U.S. last year by acknowledged authority Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, according to Travel + Leisure magazine.

"We beat out Hawaii," said the mayor. "And we have 7½ miles of pristine Atlantic coastline from the Shinnecock Inlet running east all the way to Water Mill," with 11 village-run beaches, though only Cooper's has lifeguards.

And while other retail districts in the area could credibly lay claim to being "the Rodeo Drive of the Hamptons," a case could be made for the Southampton Village's walkable downtown, where a store-lined stretch of Montauk Highway becomes Hill Street and then Jobs Lane, intersecting with major-hub Main Street. The village is filled with eateries, stores — some in the same family for generations — and such late-night hot spots as the restaurant/bar/event venue Southampton Social Club.

Tate's Bake Shop in Southampton on Aug. 14. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin

Two nonprofit cultural institutions make their home here: the 92-year-old landmarked movie theater Southampton Playhouse, which in addition to movies hosts lectures and other events, and the Southampton Arts Center, with art exhibitions, classes, music and more. The Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is the easternmost full-service hospital on the South Fork.

The village has a Long Island Rail Road station, and Route 27 runs near and along the northern border. The Southampton Union Free School District has an elementary, intermediate and high school. Parents also have Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional Catholic School.

There are three private country clubs: the beach club Bathing Corporation of Southampton, founded in 1923; The Meadow Club of Southampton, with 36 grass tennis courts plus others courts, croquet and swimming, founded in 1887; and Southampton Bath & Tennis, dating to the 1950s.

Dues at The Meadow Club run $15,000 to $40,000, depending on tier, which speaks to the fact homes in Southampton village are for the deep-pocketed. The least expensive home on the market is an 880-square-foot home off N. Sea Road with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, going for $1.325 million. Mid-seven figures are the norm, and prices can reach eight and even nine figures.

"We're talking $10, $20 million homes," said Rosko, who lives outside the village borders. She noted that though many wealthy owners live there only seasonally, Southampton village "is definitely a year-round community. ... It's rough in the summer because it's super busy and there are a lot more people here, so you have to plan where you're going to eat, when you're going to go grocery shopping. But offseason, it was a great place to grow up."

SALE PRICES Between Aug. 13, 2025, and Aug. 12 this year, there were 115 home sales with a median sale price of $2.2 million, according to OneKey MLS. During the same period a year earlier, there were 102 home sales with a median sale price of $2.2 million.

CONDOS AND CO-OPS There is one condo, priced at $1.199 million, on the market.

OTHER STATS

Population 4,621

Median age 56.3

Median home value $2.4 million

Monthly LIRR ticket from $487.75

School districts, graduation rates Southampton (91%). Some students attend Tuckahoe for K-8.

Library Rogers Memorial

Transit Suffolk County Transit Route 92

Sources: 2024 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR; data.nysed.gov; Suffolk County Transit

RECENTLY SOLD

$7.65 million