Opinion: August 2018 in the Hamptons-What Will Happen?

The 2018 Summer is heading into its last full month and all signs and indicators point at August being perhaps the busiest ever in the Hamptons. Why? First of all bookings of rentals for the month are the highest of the summer. It seems this year, not as many have chosen only July to vacation. That is why there were many empty tables at the posh restaurants throughout the Hamptons and Montauk these last few weeks. A long time Wall Street friend of mine explained, "I rented an Amagansett house for the whole Summer, but things have been crazy at work, I am going to use the place all August, we all are, we let the summer get away from us."

This gentleman has been driving back and forth to NYC every week sometimes twice a week as has many other high wage earning professionals. Many times he stays one night. Some others even have been helicoptering in and out a few times a week. Yes there there are the private jets too. The feeling is this August everyone will be staying longer in their second homes, rented homes, and guest houses. During this last week I was at 5 different non-ocean swimming locations due to the dangerous ocean situations. All I heard was how everyone is coming out for, "all of August".... "rooms and space are hard to find." One women said, "Even they are coming out," alluding to family in St. Louis.

Get ready to see road intersections slowed down to a halt, and village and beach parking lots filled beyond capacity, very early even on weekdays. The IGA-King Kullen and Best Markets will have longer lines than usual this August. Reservations will be mandatory on weekends and maybe even on weeknights at the special places. Just for note, last year I wrote how July was the new August for renters and Summer vacation deal hunters, my same sources said July was slower than last year and August is booked solid.

I am hoping Gardiner's Bay does not get to crowded with boats so I can sail straight true wind lines across the bay. Truth be known August summer nights on the water in Gardiner's Bay are spectacular. I only wish there were 75 days in August, but September and October are great too, and hardly any visitors are out and about then. Some locals are already counting the days to "Tumbleweed Tuesday," the Tuesday after Labor Day Monday, when it gets real quiet real fast all over the east end.