Hi, I'm looking for some information about the Hamptons. Myself & a friend are looking to spent about 10 days there this summer (we're travelling from Dublin, Ireland) but have no idea where the best place to go is. We've heard of Montauk & East Hampton before but would really like to hear from someone who has visited these places. We are both in our late 20's and are just looking for somewhere with a nice beach to relax on during the day and some good nightlife, we both like dancing etc!!!!!
Can anyone help??????

The Hamptons in the summer is VERY expensive. Most people that go rent a house for the month or the summer (either families or groups of young people).

There are also some inns (expensive) in the various towns but not near the beaches and a limited number of motels (some OK, some tacky) in Montauk etc (The latter is the far end of the Island and has limited nightlife - and is at least 30 minutes by car from the most popular areas).

There are also some condo colonies - mostly between Amagansett and Montauk in which you can rent apartments by the week - which have direct beach access. (At a rough cut a bedroom starts at about $1000 for the week, a studio with living area starts at about $1500. Check carefully - since some are much more well-kept and have better facilities than others.)

Otherwise (and even then) you really need a car to get around since public transit is esentaialy non-existent. (There are trains and buses from the city out to the Hamptons - but not really anything but taxis or cars once you get there.)

It sounds like you want the "younger" Hamptons (which is semi-wealthy - versus the established Hamptons (South and East - which are uber wealthy - world famous celebs in multi-million dollar estates). You might investiage West Hampton or Bridge Hampton - but have a look now at prices - and be prepared to spend major $.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for you reply. Wow I didn't realise it was going to be so expensive so we will definitely do some major research. Thank you again for your help
Viv

Try Hampton Bays. There may still be more modest lodgings there. When I was living out there, the beaches of Hampton Bays and East Quogue were great for hanging out. Westhampton Beach also has a younger crowd (well, 20 years ago, lol) and great beach bars. Good luck! I grew up there and miss it.

Thanks for the info, I will definitely check out Hampton Bays & East Quogue.

Montauk is Dublin West during the summer! Tons of Irish 20s somethings work and live out there, bartending, waiting tables, etc. I love Montauk for its fantastic beaches and there are some great bars!! While even the "seedy" motels can be a little pricy, there would likely be a discount for staying for a week or two. The Lakeside is great for drinking & late nite dancing, there's lots of live music to be had, and the best bargain (and best bar) is $1.00 beers at the Liar's Saloon! Love Montauk!

BTW: Just to respond to an earlier post, there are TONS of motels in Montauk...some near the beach, some out of the main town, some up near the docks.

Thanks Little Salty for your reply, we weren't going to even bother looking into Montauk but I we definitely will know are reading your mail. I take it you're a fellow Dubliner if you know about Dublin West????

LOL, I just said Dublin West because it seems that hundreds of Irish guys and girls head west to Montauk to work the summer there!! I'm actually a native Long Islander who has spent TONS of time out in Montauk!!

Oh sorry, I just assumed you were Irish!!! I hope I didn't offend???

Not at all! I'm of Irish descent, but I'm American born & bred. Have fun

What exactly are you looking for? Montauk is REALLY different from let's say, Bridgehampton. Montauk is further away from things and has a completely different vibe (more isolated, more downmarket) whereas Bridgehampton is a lot trendier, more expensive, scenic and has more to do.

If you don't care about the nightlife and just want the beach, you should look into Shelter Island and Fire Island (although Fire Island does have a big scene for gay men, it also attracts its fair share of straight people...but if you're looking to meet straight men this might not be the place for you).

Are you definitely set on the Hamptons? The Jersey Shore is enormously cheaper and has some beautiful beaches as well.

I'll be the first to say that the Hamptons are more scenic and obviously more upscale, but if beach is what you are after and you don't want to pay serious $$$ you might be better off at the Jersey Shore/Long Beach Island. Also consider Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket or Cape Cod which are very upscale beach communities and attract lots of young twenty-somethings during the summer months.

Shelter Island is definitely a good recommendation too--Sunset Beach is a beautiful place and it's lots of fun (but expensive). With Shelter Island, you have easy access to the North Fork (great towns; excellent wineries) and the South Fork (Sag Harbor, Bridgehampton, etc.) But my heart still belongs to Montauk

Thanks a mil guys for all your advise, its been a great help!!!!!

Hello Viv,
The Hamptons and Montauk have a long relationship with the Irish, since the 1800-early 1900's when families from NY would build their huge homes in the Hamptons and stay there with their families for the summers.
Montauk had a "program" for years where certain restaurants and businesses would hire college age kids from Ireland to work out there.
People start looking for a place to rent in that area ( Quogue to Montauk) sometime around Now.
The rents on most homes, frome mansions to the very small beach shack are almost always thousands of dollars to almost millions.
It is true the nightlife is great, East Hampton was our favorite place at night during summers spent in Montauk..I also miss Sag Harbor a lot!
There is a motel in Montauk, on the beach, called the Ditch Plains Motel ( I think) , it is located on Ditch Plains Road..here you will find all the surfers. You might look into their prices and the prices in town along the beach..we avoided this area because of the noise and partying that often went on nights but you might be looking for just that.
You do realize that you will need a car all the time?
Try www.Montauk-online.com for ideas and prices.
You would be more likely to find a house share in some places in the Hamptons that could be affordable, not sure how to find those other than the New York Times.
I wish you good luck, it is tough finding anything affordable out there but so many of my best memories are of summers spend in the Hamptons.

www.newyork.craigslist.com is also a good way to hunt down summer shares.

Thanks a mil Scralet, I'll definitely check out the website you gave me