Hamlet Survey Reveals Strong Feelings About 'The Hamptons'

When it comes to exactly which hamlets and villages comprise “The Hamptons,” there are many strong, and occasionally opposing, opinions.

It’s a question that started to weigh on Pat Ammirati, president of the Long Island Real Estate Report, a weekly online publication that tracks property sales and pending foreclosures throughout the island.

His reports take the pulse of the industry and spotlight activity in each hamlet, village and town as well as provide a broad overview of regional transactions. But recently Mr. Ammirati realized that his report on the Hamptons may not have been accurately reflecting what a majority of his subscribers consider to constitute this area.

“At first, I made it just East Hampton and Southampton and all the towns within,” he said over the phone. “I didn’t think it was reflecting what people thought of the Hamptons, and I think the lower-priced areas were bringing down what people thought of the Hamptons.”

He turned to his 1,500 subscribers, many of whom are in real estate or construction, to get their thoughts by way of a survey, and about 400, or 26 percent, replied.

The survey had just one question: “Which hamlets do you think should be included in ‘The Hamptons’ statistical reports?” Respondents were asked to select the hamlets and villages they felt belonged under Southampton Town—west of the Shinnecock Canal, Southampton Town—east of Shinnecock Canal, and East Hampton Town.

Of the respondents, 78 percent excluded Eastport, Flanders, Remsenburg, Riverside and Speonk from Southampton Town, although they did not explain why.

The survey included an optional comment section, and many shared some strong opinions. Mr. Ammirati recalled one respondent saying, “I’ve been living out here all my life and the separation has always been at Westhampton,” while another remarked, “There is no Hamptons west of the canal.”

Several respondents even excluded Montauk from East Hampton Town. “That was the one East Hampton hamlet that was left out more than any of the others, but not enough to take it off the report,” said Mr. Ammirati, explaining that those who suggested eliminating the easternmost hamlet generally felt sour about the area and its inhabitants.

Mr. Ammirati, who has been compiling these statistical reports for over 10 years, said he found the feedback valuable. “I was interested in hearing what people thought,” he said.

Beginning Friday, November 6, the Long Island Real Estate’s Hamptons” category will be calculated without Eastport, Flanders, Remsenburg, Riverside and Speonk. The change will only affect the statistical reports shown in the “Stats and Trends” pages of the company’s website.