Moving to Cape Cod year-round? (Boston, Newton: for sale, dermatologists, crime rates)

[labdonj]

Hello again,

I just posted a reply, thought I'd add to it.

The one down side to the Cape really is the job factor. Schools are fine, environment is nice, laid back lifestyle is low stress, but finding professional employment is the challenge. My wife sells medical devices and works out of a home office a couple days a week, drives off-Cape to see customers around New England the other days. I own a start up business. If you have professional skills (accountant, lawyer, doctor, etc.) you can find a decent job, if not it is a challenge. Most year round locals either own small businesses, commute off Cape, are professionals, or have crappy restaurant/construction/landscape jobs.

[jsa2]

I've lived on-Cape now for 9 years with my husband and 2 kids. We LOVE it. I don't think I'd really ever like to move back "over-the-bridge", but that doesn't mean we don't enjoy taking the kids into Boston to the museums and shows now and then.

I do have to say though, that we live in Barnstable so we're not as isolated as we'd be on the outer Cape. We can get to Hyannis in 10-15 minutes if we need to, and we do go to Plymouth/Kingston for the larger stores.

Traffic here is NOT BAD! Dear God, did that poster ever experience the traffic in Newton?! We used to live in Newton and I could not wait to get out of there! I was constantly stressed-out and HATED the traffic!

There are plenty of great things to do here with your children. We found that there were more things to do here than when we lived in Holliston. Here you go to the beach during the summer, sign the kids up for the rec dept swim lessons at the beach, maybe rec tennis, etc. - just enjoy the Cape for what it is. Lots of trails to walk - Museum of Natural History has great ones that lead to the beach where you can swim. Lots of parks and playgrounds, etc. More stay-at-home moms than off-Cape. People in Holliston thought I was a freak for wanting to stay at home with my daughter - here it wasn't unusual. Oh, people on-Cape also TALK to you. Like, when you go to the store people who work there will make small talk. Not something I ever found in the Newton/Metro West area!

The Cape, although we love it is not perfect. Schools are NOT Newton-quality. Although, you're looking at lower Cape which would mean Nauset or you mentioned Chatham. They're better there than Barnstable. I believe Nauset actually has a pretty good reputation.

Being that far out on the Cape may feel isolating in winter. Barnstable definately doesn't have that feeling anymore (I'm personally glad!). When we moved down here they rolled the sidewalks up at 5pm. I'm glad that's changed!

Anyway, I'm rambling. I hope this kind of helps.

[mattswife]

i grew up in orleans, my husband grew up in eastham. things have changed a lot since then, (and we are both only 25) but we want to raise our children on the cape. winter may not have a lot to do for tourists, but when you live there, you find plenty to do to keep you busy. the rec. departments always have sports, the snow is great, (go to the golfcourse in chatham to sled) the mall is in hyannis if you want to shop, you have all those great restaurants taht arent chain, and you get to know the locals. Cape cod is casual and so are the people.
sometimes it can feel boring, but that is only ifyou feel like you always need to be out doing something. we are involved with our congregation, and there is always something going on there.
its nice to spend time with your family, and be bundled up in blankets around the fire, with nothing to do. appreciate those moments, take out a board game, sing songs, get to know eachother.
i hope you like the cape.
if you have any questions feel free to message me.
tash

[manc]

the cape is beautiful and nice place to raise kids, taxes in some towns like sandwich is not bad for taxachusetts but the wampaoang indians there are still trying to get places like mashpee to be given to them, when they did this last time the house prices dropped, worth thinking about

[ReniHope]

I would never recommend living further down Cape then West Barnstable Ma...I live in Sandwich, Upper Cape and I can be in Boston in 50 minutes and to the airport as well...Getting off the Cape is really easy from Sandwich...I have been here for 4 years..Also Sandwich is a family friendly town and very community oriented. There is a long winter...but no matter where you are in MA we are all in the same boat there...summers, Spring and Fall georgous here!!! People visit you because they know it's so beautiful...Very artsy and as much culture and activity you want IF you go looking for it. Housing and living costs high. To far down Cape..ie Mid Cape and Lower Cape and Outer Cape more of a closed minded mentality and definitely where there is more drug/alcohol issues.

[spiritwalker]

My wife owns a home in Centerville.....Nice location... close to everything....
not far from Plymouth and Boston isn't the most horrible ride...Hey in this day and age how many people are fortunate enough to live five minutes from work...Some but not most. At any rate, there is plenty to do in the Centerville area...Merely getting involved in one's community and becoming active will make one very busy. People living on the Cape have a stock in its preservation.... Lots of pride..... Fighting for those issues will keep you hopping for sure if you have an activist streak in you. Otherwise it's like whatever you make it. My wife raised her children there and they sure seem to have turned out very well......I believe that this area is a fine place to raise children.

When we married four years ago my wife moved to Connecticut where we now reside. I am retiring in two years and we bought a small farm property in North Carolina where we will be living. Were I not retiring I would move to Centerville in a heartbeat. I would certainly be able to find work within a reasonable commuting distance. Activities? Too many to mention. We really struggled with do we go to the Cape or move out of the region. It was a tough decision but we chose to go where we had not been. We will miss the home in Centerville when we sell it.

[seldomseen]

Living on the Cape has it's pros and cons just like any other place. Finding decent/gainful employment on the Cape will probably be the worst aspect about living there. Since the Cape Cod lifestyle is what you're seeking.

[lisaonthecape]

For years, I had the same dream. I didn't help that I grew up in the Cape & Islands area, so it is this lifestyle that I'm most comfortable with. After undergrad, I lived for 12 years off-Cape in various cities in the northeast, all the while yearning to return to the Cape forever. Seven years ago we did just that - though we've learned it won't be forever. While we love the beauty of the area, it's unique smell, being near the water, and small community lifestyle, we've discovered that it's just not in the cards any more. While I've been able to find a good-paying job here, my husband ends up traveling all the time, so he's not spending enough quality time with the kids - and that's just not good enough for us. So we're looking to move up the coast, probably to Hingham/Scituate/environs so we get somewhat of a similar feel but closer to a real job center - so our family can spend more time together. We'll still have relatively good access to enjoy the Cape in our free time.

... For what it's worth, coming from some one who lived your dream for awhile.

BTW I live in Sandwich. It's definitely the closest I've seen to having it "all" here - small town feel, friendly people, convenient to off-Cape stuff yet nearby (if not actually) what you're craving.

[flipflopdreamer]

Wow ... I can't believe people still think of the Lower cape as too far out there,,,, I live in Brewster .. work in Chatham ... and yes am a Real estate Broker ...
I am one because I think this place is awesome. Love houses and delighed to help people find their dream place to live, not just a house... I'm a transplant myself and have lived in many countries and believe the Cape has a huge amount to offer. Work can be an issue, but only depending on your field. The Lower cape attracts all kinds of people, educated, arty, casual and the good ole timey kinda folk - they are all wonderful in their own ways and add to a unique style of living.

I think it is a great safe place to raise kids and they can learn to entertain themselves. We are not void of cultural events or programmes btw!

I guess it is a matter of what you value in your life most.... I'll take living in beautiful prestine nature any day over the big city! We can get a fix of that with a 1.5 hr drive..

A traffic jam to me is 5 cars in front of me !
:-D

[capecod dreamer]

Have you moved to Cape Cod or thought more about moving to Cape Cod? My husband and I currently live in Manhattan, and we have a 9 months old baby. We love Cape Cod and would love to make a lifestyle change. We have done the city thing and want a slower, more relaxed lifestyle in a beautiful spot. He is a dermatologist. We are curious what is the demand for dermatologists out there, and what is the winter really like?