Life in the Hamptons (as a local!)
By Barbara Gerstner
17 Jun 2008
What city do you live in? What neighborhood?
I live in East Hampton, Long Island NY. I grew up here and have seen many changes as the years have swept by. The Hamptons have long been a playground for tourists..unfortunately, many of these tourists don't seem to appreciate the Hamptons for its peacefulness and quaintness as those of yesteryear did. While summer in the Hamptons can be distressing for the locals, it is still so beautiful and I am reluctant to say I want to leave. We just have to learn where the back roads and quiet places are!
What are some adjectives that describe your neighborhood?
My immediate neighborhood is comprised mostly of local, middle class families. I am fortunate to be living in a quaint little barn turned cottage behind an unoccupied house and wake up to the view of a quiet field outside my bedroom window. In the evening the deer run by and meet to play and eat in this field. This drives my cat Harry insane!
I'm about a ten minute walk from the village, but don't go there often as it no longer has the affordable 'mom and pop' stores that were there when I was growing up. Now we have Ralph Lauren, Tiffany's, Citarella etc.....way out of my league!
How long have you lived there, and what brought you there?
My mom grew up in Amagansett, married and moved to New Jersey. We moved back before I started school, probably around 1960.
I moved to Florida in 1988 with my first husband, divorced and remained in Florida as I had found good work and a lot of friends. I really didn't think that I could make it on my own if I was to move back and I didn't want to rely on anyone else. Finally, in 2002, I realized that I was ready to come back and I have a whole new appreciation for this town! It is and always will be so beautiful and it is and always will be my home.
What is your favorite thing about this place? Your least favorite?
My favorite thing about East Hampton and the surrounding area is that it inspires me so much. There is so much beauty and the light is wonderful. I can quickly get to a variety of places such as the ocean, the bay, nature reserves, farms, fields, gardens etc.
My least favorite thing about this town is that it has become the playground to the rich and famous. It is extremely difficult to survive here and so many people moved away because they just cannot afford it!
Do you feel that you belong there?
I absolutely feel I belong here...I have many friends, family and acquaintences here. My boyfriend has a wonderful seafood shop and catering business here. This is home.
What is the most common misconception about where you live?
Ha! That EVERYONE here is wealthy!
What is a special fact about your city that you have to live there to know?
When I was a child, tourists loved going to the ocean in the morning to see the commercial fishermen arrive on shore with the catch of the day. If you were lucky, they might even have thrown a fresh fish your way. The fishermen are no longer a welcome sight.
What aspect of your city do you secretly love?
I looove people watching at the local Starbucks!
Anything else you'd like to add?
If you come to visit here (and I do recommend it) please take time to find and enjoy the quiet beauty that this area has to offer.
