Emilie Gerber, a 34-year-old trailblazer and founder of the all-women public relations firm Six Eastern, recently made a bold life decision that defies conventional millennial stereotypes. She invested a whopping $2.4 million in a vacation home in the affluent Hamptons, a testament to her philosophy of living life to the fullest and making her money work for her experiences.
Originally from San Francisco, Gerber relocated to New York City in 2020, opting for a rental lifestyle in a 600-square-foot apartment in the West Village. But it was the allure of the Hamptons that captured her entrepreneurial spirit. “Who knows what I’m going to want to do long-term. Buying a two-bedroom in the city didn’t really sound like it would make that much impact on my life,” Gerber shares, reflecting her pragmatic approach to life and business decisions.
Gerber’s venture into real estate is not just a personal indulgence, but also a strategic move intertwined with her business vision. The Hamptons property is not merely a getaway home; it’s a project born out of a desire to support other women entrepreneurs. “I came up with the idea of this vacation rental that I could use for supporting other women entrepreneurs. My company is actually all women currently — we’re planning to do the offsite there,” she explains, highlighting her commitment to fostering a community of women leaders.
The search for the perfect Hamptons house was an exhaustive journey involving visits to around 20 houses. But when Gerber laid eyes on the Springs property, it was love at first sight. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom home, right on the border of Amagansett, stood out with its unique architectural design and a showstopper living room featuring a wall of windows and a pitched ceiling.
“I didn’t want a standard family home. I wanted something that was very architectural,” she recounts, revealing her penchant for distinctive and inspiring spaces. The house, equipped with a massive kitchen island, brass finishes, and a large backyard with a pool, is a dream for anyone with a keen eye for design and luxury.
But owning such a lavish property comes with its share of responsibilities and costs. Gerber candidly shares the financial realities of maintaining her Hamptons abode: “Taking care of a house this size is expensive.” Her expenditure on house management alone amounted to $57,000 in the past year, including costs for pool maintenance, utilities, a house manager, and cleaners. However, she has no regrets. The property was fully booked for July and August, netting around $35,000.
Gerber’s story is not just about a millennial making a massive financial investment; it’s an example of empowerment and challenging norms. “I bought this house when I was 33 and single. I’m very big on not putting your life on hold for something that might or might not happen,” she states, emphasizing her philosophy of seizing the moment and taking risks.
This purchase is a bold statement in more than one way, as it occurred while many other millennials are grappling with financial constraints and housing market challenges. It challenges the prevailing narrative of a generation often pigeonholed as financially hindered or too cautious to make significant real estate investments. Gerber’s success story provides a counter-narrative, highlighting a segment of the millennial population that is not only navigating the current economic landscape but thriving in it.
