Yes, the pickings are slimmer than if you’d booked a place in March. But you can still escape to breezier climes when the city proves too stifling, especially if you’re flexible with your dates and aren’t too picky (a pool, a tennis court, and a boat dock?—good luck!). There are places available to fit almost every budget and taste. And if you love where you end up, save yourself the hassle next year and remember to reserve the same getaway for next summer.
Ticonderoga, New York
What: A two-bedroom, one-bath cottage.
How much: $700 per week.
The good: Jump over the railing of the deck and land in Lake George.
The bad: Aesthetes need not apply; interiors are rustic at best.
The broker: Owner Keary Lay; 734-663-4660.
Fishers Island, New York
What: A three-bedroom, one-bath apartment.
How much: $1,600 per week.
The good: The island—reachable only by ferry from New London—is unspoiled by day-trippers.
The bad: The nicer beaches are on the other side of the island.
The broker: Owner Larry Lederman; 860-267-9147.
Misquamicut, Rhode Island
What: Three-bedroom, two-bath house.
How much: $1,800 per week.
The good: On extreme summer days, humidity can be deadly in these parts, so the central air is a lifesaver.
The bad: You’ll need to walk or drive a half-mile to get your sand-between-the-toes fix.
The broker: John Fusaro of Prudential Pequot Properties.
Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey
What: One-bedroom, one-bath bungalow.
How much: $5,000 for the summer.
The good: For the price of a week in the Hamptons (if you’re lucky), you can spend an entire summer in quaint, family-friendly Spring Lake Heights. The house is just six blocks to the beach.
The bad: The bungalow is strictly no-frills.
The broker: Valerie Monroe of All Shores Realty.
Morris, Connecticut
What: A three-bedroom (convertible to four), 3 1/2-bath Adirondack-style home.
How much: $20,000 for the month of August.
The good: Hollywood set decorators own this country retreat on five rambling acres, so it’s high style.
The bad: It’s nowhere near the ocean.
The broker: Gael Hammer of Klemm Real Estate.
Fire Island, New York
What: A two-bedroom, one-bath home in Fair Harbor.
How much: $15,000 for the month of August.
The good: Everything, from floor to ceiling, is in pristine condition. And it’s oceanfront—enough said.
The bad: At under 900 square feet, it might just be smaller than your apartment.
The broker: Ali Beqaj of Beqaj Real Estate.
Cutchogue, New York
What: A three-bedroom, two-bath cottage.
How much: $50,000 for the season.
The good: Peconic Bay is practically at your feet in this shabby-chic house on a private stretch of North Fork sand.
The bad: More shabby than chic.
The broker: Sheri Winter Clarry of the Corcoran Group.
Bridgehampton, New York
What: A five-bedroom, five-bath traditional on Jobs Lane.
How much: $65,000 for July.
The good: A bargain, considering what you get: billiard room, arboretum, artist’s studio, pool, and views of Mecox Bay.
The bad: Don’t get too attached—it’s $5.5 million for keeps.
The broker: Cynthia Barrett of Prudential Douglas Elliman.
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