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Montauk

Montauk

Neighborhood in Long Island, New York

Suffolk County 11954

Neighborhood Reviews
4.4
$2,472,517 Average Value
$1,511 Average Price per Sq Ft
57 Homes For Sale

Living along famous coastlines

Although it’s often called “The End” because it’s the last neighborhood on the tip of the South Fork, for many people, Montauk feels like a new beginning. Far from New York City, as the residence of rock stars, playwrights and artists, there’s a mystique about Montauk. Pro surfers turn up here to ride waves at Ditch Plains Beach right before hurricanes hit and fishermen still dump their daily catch on the docks like they did a hundred years ago. “There’s a vintage vibe to Montauk that I think is very alive, and there’s not anything like it,” says Joseph Van Asco, a licensed real estate salesperson at Douglas Elliman who has lived in the Hamptons for most of his life. “It has a surfer, beachy vibe. You can basically see the ocean from the village proper, so you feel like you’re at the beach when you’re hanging in town.”

Surfing, fishing and swimming in the Atlantic

Montauk is surrounded by water on three sides. Its northern coast is marked by the dips of Fort Pond and Napeague bays, while the Atlantic Ocean follows its southern coastline and curves around its eastern tip. “Of all the hamlets out here, Montauk has the biggest surf community by far; I don’t think any of the other hamlets out here even compare to that,” Van Asco says. “In that same vein, there’s not really anywhere else in the Hamptons that has a launchpad for offshore fishing like Montauk does. You just launch right into the Atlantic. Even people who don’t fish own boats for personal use and are just tugging around the harbor out there.” Dutch Plains Beach is particularly popular among surfers, while Kirk Park Beach sees more of the typical swimmers and sunbathers. “Fort Pond Bay is better for young kids,” says Fallon Nigro, a licensed real estate sales person with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International and a native of Montauk. “But there are lifeguards at almost all the beaches. The Town of East Hampton has an excellent junior lifeguard program.” Beyond the coast, five nature preserves spanning over 5,500 acres cover much of Montauk. All these parks are open for hiking, birdwatching and picnicking, and many allow activities like horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Camp Hero State Park is the site of a famous lighthouse, and Hither Hills State Park allows camping.

The ebb and flow of Montauk’s seasons

Montauk is famous across Long Island as a go-to summer destination, but life looks very different here when cold weather hits. Many businesses close in October, and those who live in the town part time head out. “The population goes from 30,000 people in the summer to 5,000 in the winter,” Nigro says. “My graduating class at Montauk Elementary had 56 students.” This helps Montauk maintain aspects of its fishing village charm even after it has become such a vacation destination. Residents who only live in town for part of the year still very much feel like part of the community, though. “A lot of these people have been coming for years,” Van Asco says. “Their parents came and their grandparents came. So there’s a lot of connections out here. I know a lot of people who are just here in the summer but I’m very close with them, and then they’re gone for six months of the year. Some of those are even my best friends for my whole life. It’s like when summer arrives, and all your friends are back at camp.”

Single-family homes from $1.5 million

Most of Montauk’s residential, tree-lined streets lack sidewalks. Many homes here were originally — and continue to be — custom-built, so although colonial styles are still common, there’s also an abundance of modern homes and contemporary-style houses dating from the 1980s to the present day. “There’s just a cool vibe to a lot of the houses,” Van Asco says. “It’s just vintage out there. Each section of Montauk has its own little vibe to it.” Even homes that aren’t directly on the water often have beach access. In the Hither Hills section, residents can follow paths to gain access to semi-private stretches of beach that are hard for nonresidents to reach because there’s no parking. “You get this pristine stretch of ocean beach and there’s maybe 30 people there,” Van Asco says. “It’s just how this neighborhood was built; it has all these little access points to the beach.” Although home prices in Montauk are far from cheap, Van Asco and Ed Gaetjens, a licensed real estate salesperson with Saunder’s & Associates who has sold in the area for about six years, agree that its distance from New York City makes them a little lower than in the rest of the Hamptons. Three-bedroom fixer-uppers start at around $1.5 million, but Van Asco says most landlocked homes sell for around $2.5 million or $3 million. Six- to eight-bedroom homes on the water often cost much more, ranging from about $10 million to $37 million. One-bedroom co-ops or condominiums start as low as $400,000. Montauk Shore Condominiums offers small manufactured homes near the waterfront for between $3 million and $5 million. The CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, which is below the national average of 4.

Blessing local fishermen

The Blessing of the Fleet at the start of the summer fishing season has been one of Montauk’s biggest events since 1956. “All the fishermen get into a fleet and leave the harbor in unison with all their families on board,” Van Asco says, adding that religious leaders from a diverse array of faiths gather to bless each ship together. “It’s a sight to see — all the ships cruising out together and the fishermen and everyone involved. It’s one of those things you think about that you really love doing every year.” According to Gaetjens, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is also a huge event, drawing thousands even during the off-season.

Fresh seafood at Montauk's restaurants

As Montauk’s popularity has grown, new restaurants and stores have added to the sleepy charm of established businesses spiraling out from the plaza in the center of town, called “The Green” by locals. Harvest on Fort Pond offers Italian classics with waterfront views, and The Point Bar & Grill is a laid-back sports bar by day and a party spot by night, offering events like trivia nights, live music and dancing. Nearby, the dog-friendly Montauk Brewing Company offers a wide range of beers and a low-key atmosphere. Right by on the water, Clam and Chowder House at Salivar’s Dock and Gosman’s both serve up fresh seafood caught daily. “Fisherman still bring in their daily haul to send to the rest of America but a lot of it stays here, so you have the freshest seafood in the area,” Nigro says. Air & Speed Surf Shop is a popular spot to grab surfing supplies and fish markets are plentiful, with farmers markets joining the mix during the warm months. Montauk IGA provides groceries at the edge of the little downtown.

A ratings for Montauk School to East Hampton High

Children attend Montauk Public School, which gets an A from Niche, from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Niche also rates the school among the top five public middle schools in Suffolk County. Once they reach ninth grade, children switch to East Hampton Union Free School District to attend East Hampton High School. Both the district and the high school earn A ratings from Niche, and the site lists East Hampton High among the top 10 public high schools in the county.

Commuting on Route 27, LIRR to Manhattan

New York State Route 27 runs right through the neighborhood. Montauk is the last stop on the Long Island Rail Road, which takes roughly three hours to arrive at Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan. “For most people, coming from the city or wherever, it might be too far,” Van Asco says. “But I think once you fall in love with it and the area, it’s really hard to want to live anywhere else.”

Christina Norwood
Written By
Christina Norwood
Photography Contributed By
Anthony Costa
GL Moses
Video By
GL Moses

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Zachary Scher, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Train

Montauk Station

Bus

Montauk Lighthouse

Bus

Gosman's Dock

Bus

Old Montauk HWY & Maple St

Bus

Gurney's Inn Resort & Spa

Bus

Montauk Village

Bus

Hither Hills State Park

Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.4 7 Reviews
4.0 Current Resident
6/8/2017 Niche Review
For 9 months enjoy quiet seaside solitude and uncanny beauty. For 3 moths enjoy the diversity of thousands of tourists from the world over. Many varied restaurants, excellent uncrowded golf and world class fishing, fabulous beaches and many hiking trails.
3.0 Niche User
5/30/2016 Niche Review
Crimes don't really happen. It's more drunk driving but the cops react quick to it.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Montauk US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 2 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 2 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,655,500
Median Single Family Price
$2,322,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$949,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$534,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,511
Number of Homes for Sale
57
Last 12 months Home Sales
12
Months of Supply
57.00
Median List Price
$2,150,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
5%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
14%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
556
Median Year Built
1984
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,239
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,560
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,082
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
628
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
370
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
27,442

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Apr 27
    11am - 12pm

    123 Fairview Ave, Montauk, NY 11954

    $2,295,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,845 Sq Ft
    • 123 Fairview Ave

    At the center of Montauk's coastal rhythm, this is your chance to create something special. This light-wrapped, single-level ranch is all about ease, with great bones and an enviable location, brimming with upside and ready for your finishing touches. Set on .38 acres, offers 1,845 +/- sq. ft. of living space, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, an oversized attached garage, and an expansive unfinished

    Agent Photo
    Ed Gaetjens
    Saunders & Associates
    (631) 735-5489
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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1:30 - 3pm

    278 W Lake Dr, Montauk, NY 11954

    $8,500,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 4 Baths
    • 3,706 Sq Ft
    • 278 W Lake Dr

    This custom-built waterfront Estate sitting on the shores of Lake Montauk, offers panoramic water views from nearly every room. Set on 0.73 acres with nearly an additional acre of underwater land, this 4 bed, 4 bath home features a bright, open floor plan with a beachy Hamptons aesthetic. The kitchen is designed for entertaining with generous counter space, and a welcoming atmosphere that flows

    Agent Photo
    Kelly DiJorio
    Daniel Gale Sothebys Intl Rlty
    (631) 658-3184
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  • Friday, Apr 25
    1 - 2:30pm

    707 Old Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954

    $949,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 600 Sq Ft
    • 707 Old Montauk Hwy
    • New 15 days ago

    Enjoy stunning ocean views from this beautifully renovated Montauk Co-op, perfectly situated just across the street from the beach and only minutes from the heart of Montauk town. This bright and airy unit features two bedrooms, one modern bathroom, and a private patio ideal for relaxing or entertaining. Residents can take advantage of a range of amenities including a swimming pool, outdoor

    Chris Coleman Compass

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Zachary Scher, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
7,389
Median Age
49
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.2%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$136,073
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$164,750

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.9%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
45.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.9%
% Population in Labor Force
60.4%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
44''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
35''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

38 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

17 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Montauk