The Golden Age of Hamptons House Shares
The Hamptons, a summer haven for the wealthy and glamorous, has a rich history of communal living. I'm here to take you back to the heyday of house shares, where young professionals and college graduates flocked to the East End of Long Island in search of sun, fun, and affordable living.
A Summer Escape
Imagine this: it's the late 1980s, and a group of 20-somethings, fresh out of college, decide to make the most of their Long Island real estate careers. They find a modest yet well-located ranch house in East Hampton, with a creek and breathtaking views. This is where our story begins.
These young adults, including Hara Kang, James Keogh, and Justin Agnello, were part of a generation that embraced the house share lifestyle. They split the $3,000 monthly rent three ways, a bargain compared to today's exorbitant prices. Their days were filled with water-skiing, surfing, and nights of partying at iconic clubs like Resort and Star Room. But it wasn't all about the nightlife; they also enjoyed cooking spaghetti dinners and playing video games at home.
A Social Phenomenon
The 1980s to the late aughts marked a unique era in Hamptons history. Long Islanders reminisced about the good old days, whether it was the unpretentious 1960s Sag Harbor or the surfer-filled 1970s Montauk. But for those who experienced the house share scene, this period was a golden age. Young professionals escaped the city, eager for a weekend of revelry and relaxation. They tanned by the pool, shared communal dinners, and partied at legendary hotspots like Neptune Beach Club and Boardy Barn.
What's fascinating is how this trend emerged from a perfect storm of circumstances. The energy crisis of the late 1970s and the real estate market crash in the early 1980s made renting more appealing than buying. The result? A surge in house shares, offering an affordable way to enjoy the Hamptons lifestyle.
The Art of Sharing
The concept of sharing a house wasn't new, but it evolved into a social phenomenon. In the early days, people like David Patrick Columbia shared a Southampton house surrounded by cornfields. They walked through woods to reach a chandelier-lit bar in an old barn. Fast forward to the 1980s, and the scene had transformed.
Meredith Bell, a childcare professional, recalls the excitement of the Friday afternoon rush to the Hamptons. Her group, packed like sardines in a fully furnished Hampton Bays house, included Hofstra grads, Wall Street guys, attorneys, and doctors. The Canoe Place Inn, a popular club, was just down the block.
A Nightlife to Remember
The nightlife was electric. Bradley Corsair, an attorney, shared a house in Southampton Village in 1997, where 20-30 people would gather on a typical weekend. They'd hang out by the pool, visit nearby beaches, and enjoy the vibrant social scene. Getting into the right clubs was an art, and sometimes required celebrity connections.
Marrakesh in Westhampton Beach, for instance, had Studio 54-style door attendants and a strict dress code. It was a time of big hair, neon tank tops, and 'war paint' makeup. Denise DiChiara, a public school librarian, remembers the pre-clubbing rituals and the unique fashion choices. They'd hire a bus to take them to happy hours, changing into specific sneakers for the muddy club floors.
More Than Just Parties
But it wasn't all about the parties. Gary Young recalls a memorable August night in 1998 when he and his friends boiled lobsters and shared a van to Neptune Beach Club. Mario Lebano, a former East Quogue house sharer, reminisces about the carefree days spent with his group of bouncers, chefs, and bartenders. They made a living bartending and spent their earnings at local bars, always on the lookout for adventure.
The End of an Era
Unfortunately, this golden age couldn't last forever. As younger, rowdier house sharers moved in, the villages started to crack down on the noise and disturbances. The affordable house shares became a distant memory, with summer rentals now reaching astronomical prices.
What many people don't realize is that this era was a unique blend of affordability, adventure, and social connection. It was a time when young professionals could escape the city, forge lifelong friendships, and create lasting memories. While the Hamptons may have changed, the spirit of those house shares lives on in the stories and bonds formed during that magical time.
