Celebrities are ditching the Hamptons for remote hidden gem

Daily Mail​

10 hours ago

Celebrities sick of spending their downtime in the Hamptons have been hiding away in luxurious yet discreet towns.
For years, the Hamptons has been an iconic getaway spot of Hollywood A-listers and wealthy New Yorkers desperate for a break from hectic city life.
But as the cluster of Suffolk County seaside communities became more popular and overcrowded, Hamptonites have started turning their heads toward Dutchess County - specifically Rhinebeck and Millbrook.
Within the confines of these scenic, calm and quiet neighborhoods, big names like Paul Rudd and Steven Spielberg blend in with everyone else - giving stars the break from the limelight they are often looking for.
'I think the thing is here, there's no paparazzi. No snapping photos and stuff,' Patrick Amedeo, the owner of Rhinebeck's Pizzeria Posto - which has seen its fair share of stars come through its doors - told the Daily Mail.
'I think they like that so they can come here with their families and relax. They can hide a little and then still enjoy the life here.'
In 2021, Pizzeria Posto employees half-jokingly told Dave Portnoy Rhinebeck was the 'new Hamptons' while the Barstool founder reviewed their pizza.
But with well-off seasonal residents, who flock in for summertime activities, and no shortage of a celebrity presence, mid-Hudson Valley realtor Byron Anderson said this title is not far off.
'That's all our market in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Yeah, lots of actors, musicians, artists, producers, music producers call this area home,' the Millbrook-based real estate agent told the Daily Mail.
The laid-back lifestyle, charming local businesses and jaw-dropping landscapes is what draws not only famous people, but well-off families from all over, to the Dutchess County gems.
'We have tons of buyers who've done the Hamptons - who are tired of the Hamptons for obvious reasons,' Anderson said of the Millbrook area.
'They're looking for quiet, serenity, and we have that in abundance. The Hamptons, it's wonderful, you're at the beach, it's beautiful. But houses are sort of on top of each other.'
Millbrook, a town 90 miles away from New York City with a population just above 1,400 people, has been long considered the 'lowkey' version of the Hamptons.
The area is best known for its ritzy lifestyle options and rich history. It has small town feel - far quieter than the Hamptons.
There is also a vibrant equestrian scene in the neighborhood, adding to the area's charm.
'It's just an easier quality of life. Some of the more sophisticated and some of the wealthiest [buyers] are looking for large parcels of land with natural resources...you simply can't get that in the Hamptons.'
Most famously, husband and wife actors Liam Neeson (pictured) and the late Natasha Richardson lived in a jaw-dropping mansion in Millbrook, which was surrounded by lush green grass and shrubs, and had a vast lake on the property
Anderson, who often visits the Hamptons himself with his family, said his clientele consists mainly of New Yorkers seeking out an oasis from high-stress city life.
But he has recently noticed more buyers flocking in from Florida and Connecticut, looking for a second - or third or fourth - home.
'We have a lot of back and forth from Palm Beach and quite a bit from Greenwich or surrounding towns,' he explained.
'Mostly because they've gotten a taste of a quasi-country lifestyle, but they're seeking a little bit more.'
A decent portion of buyers are 'weekenders' - or people who work all week in the city and visit their homes in Millbrook, Rhinebeck or the gorgeous tiny towns sprinkled in between on the weekends.
He also said he sees many families splitting their time between their properties.
'In Millbrook, there's one school in particular school called the Duchess Day School, enrollment has gone way up in the last few years,' he added.
'That was mostly COVID-driven, but it's largely remained at the new size. So most of those people, we kind of thought, 'well, when this is over, they'll go back to the city,' but no, they've kept their kids in school here.'
Amadeo revealed he has noticed an increase in international tourism, with people traveling from as far as Japan coming into his pizzeria.
Both Amadeo and Anderson pointed out that Millbrook and Rhinebeck are star magnets.
On Instagram, Amadeo has shared several snaps of the high-profile individuals who simply waltzed into his business for a bite to eat without a fuss.
These prominent figures, including Robert Funaro and Joe Caniano from The Sopranos; and Severance star John Turturro.
Rattling off additional names, Amedeo said Spielberg has dropped in a few times for a meal, as well as actor John De Toro.
He's also gotten friendly with Rudd, arguably Rhinebeck's most famous resident, who co-owns a neighborhood candy shop with Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
For its classic sweets and celebrity ownership, Samuel's Sweet Shop has become a Rhinebeck staple.
Rhinebeck, about 100 miles out from New York City, is home to about 2,500 residents.
Amedeo described the town as having 'more action' than its popular counterpart Millbrook.
Millbrook has long been a celebrity hideaway, with legendary actress Mary Tyler Moore once owning an 85-acre bucolic retreat in the Hudson Valley town.
Journalist Katie Couric resided in the picturesque village, known for horse riding and its alluring downtown, and raised her two daughters there, local radio station 101.5 WPDH reported.
Most famously, husband and wife actors Liam Neeson and the late Natasha Richardson lived in a jaw-dropping mansion, which was surrounded by lush green grass and shrubs, and had a vast lake on the property.
Both Rhinebeck and Millbrook are deep rooted in their history, with one Rhinebeck's oldest hotels - Beekman Arms and Delamater Inn - still up and running with its original allure.
'We have noticed that more people are interested in the history of the Hudson Valley,' Nicole Coulon, a manager at the inn, told the Daily Mail.
'A lot of our guests want to be immersed in the rich history the Village of Rhinebeck has to offer.'
The Mid-Hudson Valley appeals to affluent buyers for the peace and space the Hamptons cannot offer.
Realtor Anderson said there are properties on the market with up to 2,000 acres of land.
'If you're looking at the same price point, what that gets you in the Hamptons is a very large house on a very small piece of property,' he elaborated.
'Try to find something in the Hamptons for one or $2 million, very, very difficult.
The Hamptons have seen a population boom over the years - in East Hampton and Southampton, the Hamptons' most popular areas, the population shot up 20 percent from 2010 to 2020.
Millbrook only has just over 1,400 residents and Rhinebeck has roughly 2,600 people - a stark contrast from the 97,421 people swarming the Hamptons' 50-mile stretch.
'For one to $2 million here, you can find a lovely home on 10 or 15 acres. For five or 10 million, you can find a really fantastic home on 30 to 100 acres.'
He clarified Millbrook, Rhinebeck and other towns like Pine Plains, Clinton Corners and Stanfordville are simply calmer and more charming, more suited for people really looking for a break.
'East Hampton, for example, it's lovely, but it's kind of like Madison Avenue at the beach.
'You have Ralph Lauren and Laura Piana and Restoration Hardware and these great stores, but you're going from Soho or Meatpacking District or Madison Avenue, and having the same exact amenities.
'There at the beach, it doesn't really feel like a reset to me.'
As the Hamptons becomes increasingly trendy, swapping out the beach for the lakes, rivers and rolling hills of Dutchess County has seemed like the ideal decision for the elite.
'It's just a different quality of life... It's truly idyllic,' Anderson said.