Grocery shopping on Cape Cod (Boston, Sandwich: real estate, houses, schools)

[twiggy]

I am wondering for year round residents what town would be best for everyday stuff like grocery shopping, doctors, schools etc? What town would be terrible? Also, what is the best kind of car to have down there? Thanks

[seldomseen]

Most every town on the Cape will have a Shaw's or Stop & Shop. Cape Cod is large and is broken into four "sections": Upper, Mid, Lower, and Outer. Where abouts would you exactly be living? Or do you mean you will be living on one of the Islands? Any type of vehicle would suffice living on the Cape, it's similiar to any other town in Ma.

[twiggy]

Thanks for the reply, I am not sure what part of the Cape? I thought I would ask and see what part is good for a family with 3 kids. I have heard Sandwich is good if you have kids, and my grandmother lived in Bourne on Buttermilk Bay over the bridge not actually on the arm. My work is done mostly from home besides some major travel by plane about twice a year so I won't be commuting to Boston or anything. Kids ages are 4,12,14. I just don't want to end up in a place where everything shuts down in the winter and I have to drive 40 min. for food. I would like to live over the bridge, down on the arm somewhere.

[seldomseen]

If you plan on living south of the Cape Cod canal...just don't live beyond Hyannis, if you're concerned about everything closing at 8pm! lol Since you will be working from home, you'll be in great shape from dealing with the long commute, and increased summer traffic the Cape experiences. The Cape is nice, but things are slightly more expensive on the Cape because the year round population is lower. Overall the Cape isn't bad all the towns are quaint, low-crime, but real estate is expensive (especially in this market); the Cape however, isn't very ethinically/racially diverse, and is predominately white--in case diversity is important factor for you to consider.

[twiggy]

Oh yes about the car. The reason I ask is because I am from Phoenix AZ, I have never been in snow or lived by the water so I was wondering about things you might be sure to have as far as a car. (tires, etc.) Bigger, smaller? What gets around in the snow better? Sounds silly I bet but you wouldn't believe how many people come out to AZ with no ac in their cars! Ouch, I wish they would've asked. Should've mentioned that I will be in weather shock for years I am sure but I hate the heat!

[twiggy]

White, not ethinically/racially diverse? Didn't they just raid Nantucket for illegals? lol I am a mainly a white family, we have some diversity thrown in here and there but I am from AZ. If you want to be in the majority here you have to be hispanic! So, it won't really matter to us. Diversity is always a hot topic in AZ. What will be nice is my two freckled fair skin kids will be out of this skin cancer zone. Sun screen is sort of a joke here, it melts off within min. and if you swim like we do out here (2 or 3 hours a day) in the summer it's really of no use. On my street in AZ their are about 20 houses, 10 are Hispanic, 1 is of Indian desnt, 3 or 4 Af.Amer. and 1 asian and a couple whitys. I might be shocked at all the white huh? Oh, well I have a lot of heritage there and I would like to see it all. Most of my relatives were in MA. and on the Cape. My grandfather owned a fishermans bar down there. I always feel weird when I can't really join in on the hispanic culture down here. Its cool and I like it but its not from my back ground so it would be nice to see something that was like a seafood festival or something. I have had all the burritos I can take in a life time, although I will prob. miss the mexican food after a few years.

[seldomseen]

If you're concerned about the winters here...you'll actuall be fine with a two wheel drive vehicle. But all-wheel drive would be useful, I would be concerned about needing an SUV in MA. lol The state is pretty good when it comes to snow removal, unless you live in an extremely rural part of town.

For some people living in a racially/culturally diverse town/city/community is important to them--hence I added this fact into my response to you. Since you're a white person accustomed to living amongst non-whites, I won't say you'll be shocked, but you'll most likely notice the difference! lol Overall living on the Cape is a nice place...if it's atmosphere, and offerings are what you're seeking in a town.

[twiggy]

I do, I want the seasons to match the holidays, I want the news to contain more than the amount of murders and such that have consumed my city. I want long boring winters to get school work and business done in and I want a crowded fun summer with the smell of salt and lobster in the air. I want corney out door festivals and concerts and most of all I want a fireplace that I can actually use! Does it sound like I want Cape Cod? I hope so. I know there will be things I don't enjoy, but I feel it's time to make a change. I don't want to get to old in AZ. How long have you been on the Cape? And from where did you come from? Thanks for the info!

[capecodder21]

Originally Posted by twiggy

I am wondering for year round residents what town would be best for everyday stuff like grocery shopping, doctors, schools etc? What town would be terrible? Also, what is the best kind of car to have down there? Thanks

hyannis has the most to offer for services etc. It just depends on where you'll be living. Orleans, Provincetown, Truro and Harwich are all pretty remote and most people who live there come to Hyannis to shop etc. As far as schools I would say Barnstable. Also I saw you mentioned Sandwich for schools. Sandwich has grown immensely in the last 10 years (people who want to live on the cape but have a short commute to Boston for work ) and the tax rate is through the roof!

[ontheroad]

I was just going to suggest Orleans as a good shopping area; perhaps I'm wrong, but staying in the area this seemed like the best shopping on this fork.
Truro doesn't even have a mini-market that I saw, but Wellfleet does have a rather nice grocery store.

When you say shopping, capecodder21, do you mean clothing or food? Just curious!

Originally Posted by capecodder21

hyannis has the most to offer for services etc. It just depends on where you'll be living. Orleans, Provincetown, Truro and Harwich are all pretty remote and most people who live there come to Hyannis to shop etc. As far as schools I would say Barnstable.