By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-07-20 22:27:01 | Updated at 2026-08-05 11:44:41
2 weeks ago
Well-heeled New Yorkers have long favored the Hamptons for beach getaways and exclusive real estate, but today the east end of Long Island is choked with traffic, crowds and soaring prices.
That has luxury shoppers trading see-and-be-seen hotspots for quieter places with better value - and Litchfield County, Connecticut, just two hours from Manhattan, fits the bill.
William Melnick, a real estate agent with Elyse Harney Real Estate, calls it the 'anti-Hamptons.'
While average Hamptons listed real estate prices climbed as high as $3.7 million in early 2026, the average listing price in the town of Litchfield is around $600,000, with homes spending just over 50 days on the market.
For the wider Litchfield County, the median listing price is around $650,000, with homes on the market for 85 days - and real estate professionals say you get much more bang for your buck in this Connecticut county.
With nearly a dozen prestigious boarding schools nearby, including the top-ranked Hotchkiss School, families are a key part of the local market. Many buy second homes near the schools to attend weekend sporting events and stay close to their kids.
'We're seeing more and more generational buyers coming to Litchfield County as a lifestyle choice,' Elyse Harney Morris, owner of Elyse Harney Real Estate, told the Daily Mail.
'People come here to follow their passions and pursue four-season outdoor recreation, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking and climbing.'
The renovated circa-1755 main house at Hollow Farm has four bedrooms and five bathrooms - and the property features stables, a guest house and a pool pavilion - all for a cool $5.2 million
With top boarding schools nearby, including the prestigious Hotchkiss School, many families buy second homes to stay close to their children and attend weekend sporting events
Elyse Harney Morris, owner of Elyse Harney Real Estate, told the Daily Mail that Litchfield County was put on the map by eager homebuyers looking outside of the Hamptons four years ago
Morris says that the luxury real estate market in Litchfield County is dominated by buyers from New York City looking for second homes.
She notes that they are drawn by the large properties that are available, including historic properties and big farms priced affordably when compared to markets like the Hamptons.
'I would say that over the last four years, Litchfield County has been discovered,' Morris told us.
A major draw is the county's strict zoning and conservation rules, as well as multiple land trusts, which prevent urban sprawl and preserve the area's rural and pastoral character.
'Litchfield County is not going to get overbuilt with sprawl,' said Morris. 'For our communities, the importance of conservation is huge.'
And, according to Jared Tedesco, head realtor at Litchfield County Real Estate, buyers are also looking for larger plots of land for the ultimate amenity: a bit of peace and quiet.
'We see plenty of wealthy buyers come to Litchfield County looking for large lot sizes, up to 25 acres, because they want quiet and privacy,' he told the Daily Mail.
Tedesco said these include land with existing structures or unbuilt land, but in the former case, buyers renovate and expand historic properties and add new buildings to create compounds.
'The big thing we're seeing is demand for generational properties with multiple structures so that family members can come together but also have their own space,' Morris said.
'Privacy is the real luxury here.'
Morris shows Hollow Farm to prospective buyers, one of many drawn to Litchfield County's historic homes and sprawling farms that offer far more value than comparable properties in the Hamptons
Litchfield County also has a thriving main street that is coupled with restaurants, cafes and little shops to spend the afternoon
Linden Hill Farm in Salsbury has a tree-lined drive that leads to a stunning Georgian revival residence. The six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home and 71-acre estate will only set you back a mere $8.9 million
The renovated circa-1755 main house at Hollow Farm has four bedrooms and five bathrooms - and the property features stables, a guest house and a pool pavilion - all for a cool $5.2 million
Washington is a favorite for out-of-town guests thanks to The Mayflower Inn & Spa, an Auberge Resorts property, the region's marquee luxury stay
Jared Tedesco, head realtor at Litchfield County Real Estate, told the Daily Mail that the area's draw lies in its large lot sizes and privacy
Litchfield County is named for the town of Litchfield, which carries historic and architectural prestige.
America's first law school sits just off the town green, surrounded by quiet streets lined with picturesque Victorian and colonial homes.
But Litchfield has more than just classical architecture, with midcentury gems by icons like Marcel Breuer and John Johansen scattered in the scenic hills above town.
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper owns the magnificent Rye House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in Litchfield. Built in 1908, the 18-room English-style country manor sits on 280 acres.
The well-known West Street Grill has developed a devoted clientele since it opened in 1990, and for a nightcap, Litchfield Distillery pours complimentary, reservation-free bourbon tastings to visitors daily.
And if Litchfield is the county's anchor, the tiny hamlet of Bantam is its dining room. Former Manolo Blahnik executives Anthony Yurgaitis and George Malkemus put Bantam on the food map with Arethusa al Tavolo, supplied directly by its farm across the street.
West Shore Seafood by Bantam Lake serves up fresh lobster rolls at outdoor picnic tables. Krafted Brew Lab keeps caffeine levels steady with small-batch coffee and salted chocolate chip cookies.
Washington is a favorite for out-of-town guests thanks to The Mayflower Inn & Spa, an Auberge Resorts property, the region's marquee luxury stay.
Its 58 acres of manicured gardens and Celerie Kemble-designed interiors draw design insiders and wellness seekers. Dining splits between the Garden Room's hyperlocal menus and the pub-style, cozy Tap Room.
The Hollow Farm compound is a 72-acre estate in New Milford that includes multiple structures and plenty of space for more
A tree-lined drive of Linden trees leads to Linden Hill Farm, a Georgian Revival residence built in 1929
Many properties have lot sizes ranging up to 25 acres, which is rare for buyers in the Hamptons looking for more space
Nearby Cornwall is home to the historic West Cornwall Covered Bridge. Spanning the Housatonic since 1864, the shot of scarlet timber over golden water defines Connecticut autumn.
The river's upper stretches are a mecca for fly fishers, with dedicated fly-fishing-only zones on the banks, and Kent Falls is a dazzling sight
For winter sports, visit Mohawk Mountain, a family-run ski area operating since the 1940s. It is part of the Indy Pass, offering skiers laps on the trails without Vermont-style lift lines.
Morris highlights properties that epitomize the luxury offerings buyers come to Litchfield County to buy, like Hollow Farm, a 72-acre estate in New Milford that includes several structures.
The renovated circa-1755 main house has four bedrooms and five bathrooms, plus stables, a guest house and a pool pavilion - all for a cool $5.2 million.
Then there's Linden Hill Farm in Salsbury, where a tree-lined drive leads to the Georgian revival residence. The six-bedroom, eight-bathroom main residence and 71-acre estate will only set you back a mere $8.9 million.
Meanwhile, Melnick has seen an influx of buyers coming from California in the wake of recent wildfires. But with tight inventory, the market is highly competitive, and most successful offers are paid in all-cash.
However, he expects a major spike when Wall Street distributes bonuses, and says that more inventory is poised to hit the market, especially as the weather warms up.
