CITY PEOPLE, IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN. Want to sample the Hamptons for a month or so at its hectic, high-season best? If you’re thinking of a summer rental, here’s a taste of what’s available to old-house lovers on a budget (don’t get the wrong idea — bottom-fishing for an August rental in these parts can still set you back $6-10,000).
Above, an adorable 2BR cottage in Amagansett, typical of the area’s 1920s architecture, with cedar shingles and white trim. Pros: it’s a mile from the ocean, if that, and convenient to stores, restaurants, bars, and music venues in Amagansett and East Hampton. It’s got a deck with a circular outdoor shower, below, and a tidy lawn, below that.
The one con: it’s only three houses from Montauk Highway, with its constant hum of traffic. Some people are more bothered by that than others (I’ve learned from experience that you do get quickly used to it, and summer foliage on the trees has a muffling effect).
For pictures of the interior and the owner’s contact information, go here.
There’s something of the same ilk near Three Mile Harbor in Springs, for $10,000 from Aug 1-Sept 10, here.
Both houses are tastefully decorated — better, charmingly — in an unpretentious yet sophisticated Cottage Living kind of way. I don’t know about you, but to me, that’s critical. I don’t care how cute a place is, if it has plaid couches or otherwise ugly furnishings, I can’t abide there, even for a month (though white sheets, packing away clutter, and a quick trip to IKEA all help).
casaCARA: Old Houses for Fun & Profit 
We rented that house (the 2BR on Oak Lane in Amagansett) for a week a few summer ago. It is really lovely, especially the gorgeous gardens. It’s great for a small family or two couples. The owner told me last summer that he was planning to sell it, so it might be on the market too.
Yes, it is for sale. He’s asking 750K so he must not be in a big hurry. The lot is only 1/8 acre.
It’s a tiny lot, but he’s made the most of that outdoor space.