What draws people to East Marion’s quiet, coastal setting
East Marion is a small hamlet in Southold Town, tucked between Long Island Sound and Gardiners Bay. It’s on the North Fork, part of Long Island’s East End known for its quiet, coastal feel and slower pace of life. People are drawn here for calm waters, room to breathe and a more low-key alternative to the Hamptons. Summers feel relaxed and outdoorsy, while the rest of the year stays calm and local. For second homeowners from New York, East Marion is close enough to be your easygoing summer escape or weekend retreat.
Living on the North Fork vs the South Fork
If you’re deciding between the South Fork and the North Fork, the difference largely comes down to pace and priorities. As Long Island Realtor Dawn Watson describes it, life on the North Fork is about “I just want to chill … I want to eat fresh fruit and … see the sunset … or have a dinner party and get a reservation at a restaurant on a Saturday night in July,” something she notes is much harder to do on the South Fork.
While the North Fork has long flown under the radar, more buyers are discovering it as an alternative to the Hamptons. “We’re on the verge of being discovered, but at the moment, it’s kind of a secret,” Watson says. She adds that recent buyers are often coming from Brooklyn rather than Manhattan and are “looking at value and what their money buys them.”
Homes in East Marion: price ranges and limited inventory
One of the biggest draws to North Fork communities like East Marion is comparative affordability. “The North Fork is where you can actually get what you want for $1.5 million,” Watson says. “You get a lot of bang for your buck, and you’re paying less money per dollar for water access.” That value appeals to both year-round residents and second homeowners, while still offering a noticeably quieter feel than higher-profile summer destinations. East Marion's median sale price is around $1.2 million, lower than in Sag Harbor, Bridgehampton and other Hamptons communities. Here’s what your money can get you in East Marion:
- Waterfront properties: $1.3 million to $5.4 million
- Cottages and ranch-style homes: mid-$600,000s to $1 million
- Bayfront condos: low $400,000s to the mid-$900s
Prices tend to rise the closer you get to the water, but keep flood zones in mind when shopping near the shoreline. Some new construction is popping up around East Marion, but inventory remains limited. “The problem is it’s very hard to find something to buy because that market has been tight for 25 years,” Watson explains.
From Long Island Sound to Gardiners Bay
With Long Island Sound on one side and Gardiners Bay on the other, you’re never far from the water. That’s a big reason why outdoor lovers, especially boaters, are drawn to the North Fork. “My God, if you love the boat, go to the North Fork,” Schneider says. “Whether you’re a kayaker, a canoer, a paddle boarder or you have a motorboat or you want to sail, it’s the North Fork.” Nearby marinas and yacht clubs make it easy to get out on the water, often without the crowds found elsewhere on Long Island.
Beaches here tend to be quiet. Locals head to Rocky Point for scenic Sound views or Truman’s Beach for shore fishing and sunsets. In Orient, Orient Beach State Park has bayfront waters for swimming. The Ruth Olivia Preserve at Dam Pond is popular for nature walks and birdwatching, and golfers have Island’s End Golf & Country Club right in East Marion.
A strong farm-to-table scene, close to Greenport and beyond
East Marion doesn’t have a big town center, but it does have Angel’s Country Store, a go-to spot for sandwiches before heading to the beach. The hamlet is also close to the farms, wineries and roadside stands that give the North Fork its rural character. “There’s more farm-to-table fresh there … The food is way, way, way, way, way better on the North Fork, in my opinion,” Watson says. That farm-to-table lifestyle includes:
- Lavender by the Bay, known for its scenic purple fields and farm store
- Kontokosta Winery, with a public tasting room overlooking the Sound
- Billy’s by the Bay, serving local seafood sourced straight from the bay
- Hellenic, a Greek restaurant focused on fresh, locally sourced ingredients
- Latham Farms, a longtime roadside stop for fruits and vegetables
For a true downtown, Greenport is right next door, with more shopping and dining. It’s also where you’ll find the closest grocery store, IGA. Bigger chains are a short drive away in Riverhead.
Driving to NYC, LIRR access and ferries to Connecticut
You’ll probably want a car in East Marion, since most errands require a short drive. New York City is about 100 miles away via Interstate 495, a trip that typically takes around two and a half hours without heavy traffic. “You’re far enough away, but you’re still close enough that you can come back and forth every weekend,” Watson says, noting that while summer traffic does pick up, it’s generally lighter than what you’ll find in the Hamptons.
There isn’t a Long Island Rail Road station in East Marion, but train service is available nearby in Greenport and Mattituck. The Hampton Jitney runs between the North Fork and Manhattan, with a stop in East Marion. For trips north, year-round ferry service to New London, Connecticut, departs from Orient. “That’s how I usually make the drive if I’m going to go up farther north,” Watson says.
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Written By
Sally Stimpson
