Two New York towns were just ranked among the best places to live on the East Coast

When it comes to bragging rights, New York City usually hogs the spotlight. But two of its quieter neighbors have just snagged a big honor of their own: Both Southampton and Harrison were named among the 10 best places to live on the East Coast by Travel + Leisure’s panel of real estate pros.

Southampton—the Hamptons hotspot that toes the line between laid-back beach town and A-list playground—scored a mention thanks to its unbeatable Atlantic shoreline, strong dining scene and easier access to Manhattan compared to its farther-flung cousins Montauk and Sag Harbor. “The beaches are constantly ranked among the best in the world, you have first-class dining, and the houses have not had as massive of a price increase as similar neighborhoods,” said Jessica Chestler, a broker with Douglas Elliman. That said, affordability is relative—this is still the Hamptons, so the word “bargain” should be used very loosely.

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Harrison, meanwhile, got the nod as a so-called “sleeper town,” a Westchester enclave that’s both polished and practical. It sits just 35 minutes from Grand Central on the Metro-North, but residents enjoy space, golf courses and even a little Amelia Earhart lore (a monument in town honors her 1930s flying days). Chestler, who grew up there, paints a picture of a community with “great dining, local businesses that have been around for decades, a 10-minute ride from the beach, a 15-minute ride to Greenwich, many golf courses (both private and public), a public airport with easy access to many parts of Florida for snowbirds, and a 35-minute train to the city.” In other words: suburban perks without totally giving up city speed.

Both towns landed on the list alongside coastal stunners like Kennebunkport, Maine, and Charleston, South Carolina, proving that “best places to live” doesn’t just mean bustling cities—it can also mean salt air, train commutes and a slower pace that still comes with serious amenities.

If you’ve been daydreaming about trading your fifth-floor walk-up for sand dunes or tree-lined streets, Southampton and Harrison are officially backed by the experts. Just be ready: In Southampton, you’ll need deep pockets and in Harrison, the real estate market is, as Redfin puts it, “very competitive.”