A growing niche of billionaires tired of the Hamptons summer scene are trading manufactured exclusivity for North Fork’s authenticity.
Luxury real estate agent, Carl Gambino—the founder and principal of the Gambino Group at Compass—says that many high-fliers whose lives involve constant travel, filming projects, and paparazzi want a quiet retreat when they head home to New York. Still, others prefer to stay close to the Hamptons’ energy.
Gambino, who has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, the Hamptons, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania—recently opened a branch in the North Fork of Long Island, also known as NOFO.
“We expanded to the North Fork because our business is built on anticipating where our clients want to go next,” Gambino tells Realtor.com®. “Many have the means to purchase in the Hamptons, but we’ve seen increasing demand for the North Fork’s privacy, natural beauty, and slower pace.”
“Having offices in both allows us to serve both lifestyles.”
What sets North Fork apart
The North Fork offers something that’s becoming harder to find in the Hamptons: authenticity and a slower pace of life, according to Gambino Group real estate agent Marco Maida.
“People are drawn to the vineyards, farm stands, waterfront towns, and the overall relaxed atmosphere. Buyers today are prioritizing lifestyle and quality of life, and the North Fork delivers that with beautiful scenery, great restaurants, and a strong local community, while still being within reach of New York City,” he tells Realtor.com.
Maida says he’s seeing more high-net-worth buyers exploring the North Fork.
“Many of them still love the Hamptons, but they’re looking for something quieter and more genuine,” he says. “The North Fork offers privacy, waterfront properties, farmland views, and a more understated luxury. It appeals to buyers who want sophistication without the intensity of the South Fork social scene.”
Real estate agent Margaret Lewis of the Gambino Group adds that while there is plenty of wealth on North Fork, it “tends to be more low-key.”
The rise of the North Fork lifestyle
With growing demand among the elite, the North Fork is no longer a fallback to the South Fork.
“The region has developed its own identity centered around wine country, farm-to-table dining, boating, and charming historic villages,” he says. “The homes also have so much character and history. It’s a completely different vibe and it attracts a lot of creatives and entertainers who want a low-key escape.”
Lewis says she often compares the North Fork and the Hamptons to Brooklyn and Manhattan.
“The North Fork has its own distinctive character and lifestyle, but it’s still close to the sophistication and energy of the Hamptons just across the water,” she says.
According to real estate agent Diane Mollica of the Gambino Group, the most sought-after towns on the North Fork include Greenport, Cutchogue, and Southold.
“Greenport attracts buyers for its waterfront village lifestyle, restaurants, and marina access, while Cutchogue and Southold appeal to those looking for larger properties, vineyards, and more privacy,” she says. “Recently, we’ve seen particularly strong interest in Southold as the village continues to add more design-forward businesses and restaurants while remaining very walkable.”
John Fraser, a Michelin-starred chef, leads the kitchen at North Fork Table & Inn in Southold.
Farm-to-table dining and vineyard-adjacent living give the North Fork a slow-living appeal that reflects social media’s shift toward authenticity and cozy aesthetics.
“We have a sweet life here,” says Mollica. “People stop to say hello, we smile at newcomers and neighbors, and we are very community-minded. These are the qualities of the North Fork—cozy, authentic, and natural.”
North Fork still less expensive than the Hamptons
The North Fork posted its highest median sales price on record in 2025, reaching $999,000 in the fourth quarter.
“It shows how much demand for the North Fork has grown,” says Maida. “Buyers increasingly recognize the long-term value of the area, both as a lifestyle destination and as a real estate investment. Limited inventory, protected farmland, and waterfront properties also help support pricing. As more buyers discover the area, it continues to push the market forward.”
Maida says that in terms of pricing, the North Fork still offers strong value compared with the Hamptons.
The North Fork region is made up of a handful of areas: Southold, Riverhead, Greenport, Mattituck, Cutchogue, Orient, Aquebogue, East Marion, and James Port.
The median listing prices as of February 2026 range from $750K in Riverhead to $1.77 million in Southold, according to Anthony Smith, senior economist at Realtor.com.
“There are a handful of listings, so just a few properties can skew overall trends. Given the limited data, there are a few areas that stand out,” says Smith.
The median listing price in Mattituck in February 2019 was $948K, much higher than the national median at the time of $296K, but lower than $3.7 million during the same period next door in Bridgehampton.
“Prices have since peaked at $1.96 million in February 2021 and are now at $1.62 million as of February 2026. This is a 30% increase from one year ago. A much higher price point, but still lower than the current $9.6 million median in Bridgehampton. On a year-over-year basis, median list prices have increased 10 of the last 12 months in Mattituck,” says Smith.
Lewis agrees that buyers get more for their money in North Fork.
“Since homes in the Hamptons are typically two to three times the median price of comparable properties on the North Fork, it’s a compelling alternative for buyers who want the waterfront lifestyle without the premium,” she explains.