Moving to Cape Cod year-round? (Boston, Framingham: best town, hair salon, rentals)

[RLCMA]

Interesting article. I didn't read the whole thing but from what I read I agree. I lived on the Cape for 8 years. The first few years I simply loved the Cape for it's beauty and thought I would never leave. Unfortunately, I was laid off from a job in the Metro West area which was kind of a blessing because I wanted to work on the Cape as well as live there. For a single, young, well educated, professional I quickly realized I was not living in the right place. If you own your own business, are successful in sales (real estate, mortgages, banking, etc.), work in the hospitality industry, your family has been on the Cape for generations, you're raising a family, or simply have a good paying job within a commutable distance from the Cape it's a great place to live. I found no good paying jobs in my field so I decided to leave. I didn't find the cost of living to be bad at all, but I will admit there are no trendy apartment buildings on Cape Cod, which is also something I didn't like. Plenty of cottages and older apartment buildings and that's it. Being in my 20's I'm glad I was open to relocation. Now I live on the Central Coast of CA which is much more expensive than the Cape but there are also better paying jobs and more for young people to enjoy on a year round basis. If I ever return to the Cape on a year round basis it will be in my retirement years or just to visit. It is a great place though.

[tony from waterbury]

Im A 43 Year Old Male And Currently Reside In Waterbury Ct Im A Registered Nurse And Have Been Working In Homecare For The Past 15 Years, Medical Surgical/psych. My Wife Has A Masters Degree And Has Been Teaching Special Education For The Past 14 Years In Bristol Ct. We Have 2 Children 1 That Is Mentally Challeged 13 Y/o And A Daughter 11 Y/o, We Have Been Vacationing At The Cape For The Past 15 Years And Always Stay In Sandwich. We Are Always Talking About Moving To The Cape. What Are The Jobs Like Out There For People Like Us With Our Professions? Also We Would Like Our Daughter To Continue Her Parochial Education, Are There Any Private Schools Out There? Ie Catholic? As For My Son We Know He Will Have To Obtain Services Off Cape And We Are Comfortable With That. We Have Been Up To The Cape During All The Seasons. And To Be Honest The Winter Sucks In Connecticut As Well! Any Feedback Will Be Greatly Appeciated!

[2happy]

Winter time on Cape Cod is no picnic either. Although we tend to get a lot less snow than the Boston area(typically), it is VERY cold and VERY gray. Cape Cod Gray to be exact. We do not really get a spring season here. Summer is BEAUTIFUL on the Cape, so is the Fall. As far as work, there are always ads for nurses. Check out Cape Cod Healthcare.com and do a search for opportunities. I do not know much about special ed/ teacher positions, but you should check on line the different school districts; Barnstable, Dennis-Yarmouth, Nauset, Mashpee, etc. I do know of parent/child support groups on the Cape for autism, down syndrome challenges. Not sure if that is what you are looking for specifically for your child. My neighbor is involved in one and they really play the part of advocate for the child in terms of getting services needed in the schools. There is a Catholic school in Hyannis that seems to be very popular called St Francis. Hope this helps.

[tony from waterbury]

it really does! thanks for your imput.

[ReniHope]

Dear Tiny...I live in Sandwich (Upper Cape)...it is the best family town on the Cape...public Schools wonderful (for investment purposes) and close proximity to private schools..there are a few to choose from. My daughter attended a private Christian school from grades 1-6 and it was a terrific experience. Beaches and activities for families can't be beat. Hugh plus, you can get off Cape to anywhere, RI, NY, NH etc...Boston easily and only about 50 minutes away and airport. My daughter has special needs and like I said, great experience here. We were originally from CT and moved here five years ago.

My husband is being relocated and I am really upset...we are going to have to sell our house...I have the best set up...I live in a neighborhood with beautiful homes, all kid friendly and safe, private community tennis court and we have our own private beach on a gorgeous pond. People Kayak and sail and the children all know each other and play. Beaches are just minutes away. I am really sad to think I will be leaving this.

Health jobs are a hot commodity up here...if you are in health care you will be fine...healthcare is in hugh demand here on the Cape.

Good luck with your dream. Go for it-you won't regret it!

[cbrew26]

Unless you're ready to retire, don't live on the Cape year round. It's not even good for retired people - isolated, lots of alcohol abuse and drugs with the year round population. LIve in Duxbury - has a Cape feel but an affluent suburb close to Boston.

[cbrew26]

Originally Posted by capecodcathy

Mr. Mortgage, I beg to differ, with all due respect. I live on the Upper Cape which has a very large population of young families and year round activities for kids. My town has a new elementary school underway. Further down-Cape is probably a little more desolate in the off-season but if there were no young families/activities, there would be no need for schools. And as far as I know, every Cape town has several.

stop being so sensitive! WE all know the Cape has more problems with depression and alcohol abuse than the rest of the state. It's not a place to raise kids on a year round basis!

[RichCapeCod]

I live on the lower Cape (Wellfleet). No more drug or alcohol problems here then anywhere else, perhaps somewhat less. Really depends on the social group in town you're speaking of. Two thirds of our residents (homeowners) aren't here year 'round. House prices are pretty steep here, as is the cost of lots. Thus, most of the folks that move into town have either a high income or retired with a good deal of discretionairy income. Lower income folks tend to have more "issues" in town. None the less, it's a beautiful place to live, I live here all year and when I retire my wife and I have no intention of selling our home in Wellfleet for "greener" pastures.

Rich

[ferdy024]

I'm 67 years old. We have a summer home in Chatham, MA. I live in Needham, MA and wanted to move to Chatham because the taxes are cheaper, much cheaper. Still, for the elderly getting to hospital in Hyannis is at least 35 minutes and you do have to have a car to get anywhere. What are you going to do when you can't drive anymore? Go into a nursing home? It does not seem feasible as the winters are very lonely with nothing to do unless you can find another person to relate to and the only thing going seems to be church groups. All I ever see in front of my house in summer is birds. Lots of birds and a few foxes and coyotes. I really don't know what you would do all day. To get to Hyannis is also a drive and most stores close for the winter. I suppose if you are a writer it would be alright as they seem to enjoy less people around and mostly live in Wellfleet. Or if you are a painter and paint scenery? Still, if you can't drive you are really isolated. Not good. The only ones visiting you would be the local VNA (nursing staff).

[az2capecod]

So first of all, thanks to everyone who has posted on this forum! It is very helpful!

We are a young family (Late 20's, early 30's), with 2 young kids (5 yrs and 2 yrs old). We are looking at Sandwich (and maybe a few other towns) as a place to raise our kids.

Also, we might be working near Woods Hole - any suggestions for where to live if 1 or both parents will work in Woods Hole?

Also, I know the housing costs are very high, but how are the other costs? After some internet research, they seem reasonable - at least, reasonable for the East Coast.

Any advice is appreciated!