Moving to Cape Cod year-round? (Brewster, Chatham: to rent, houses, purchasing)

[capecodcathy]

I lived and worked in and around Boston for most of my life and moved to Bourne 10 years ago. I really don't see myself leaving. It was an adjustment when I first moved here with 2 kids, 3 and 5 years old. The Cape is a great place to raise children. I've been very pleased with the education my children are receiving (now middle and high school) and we are building a new elementary school on the north side of the canal.
If you have children and can become involved in the schools/sports you'll find you'll make friends very quickly. I like the Upper Cape if you have to commute. There's a commuter rail in Middleboro and bus service from the Sagamore Bridge.
If you're looking for the wild night-life in the winter, you probably won't find it but if you have children you won't be able to afford the sitters!
I love living here year round.
Sandwich, Mashpee and Falmouth are very nice, too. Sandwich's taxes are extremely high with very little in the way of services, not even trash pick up.
Mashpee is experiencing a growth spurt but has a high inventory of homes for sale. Falmouth also has a high inventory. Both have a lot of traffic, even in the winter, but compared to Newton/Boston, I don't think it will bother you.
Come on down! You'll love it.

[capecodcathy]

Originally Posted by 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?

If you're interested in putting out feelers for a Dermatologist, I suggest you visit Welcome to Physicians of Cape Cod. Wouldn't hurt!

One of the other things I like about the Cape: The people! It's not unusual to talk to strangers. People actually smile and say hello to each other in passing, rather than averting their eyes.
If you live here year round, you'll pretty much get to know everyone in your Town. I love every Town here. Each has it's own unique qualities and each is working to preserve what makes us "Cape Cod" and so unique. There are museums, live theatre, live music, great restaurants, and lots to do, even in the winter.
You'll also find that your children will graduate, for the most part, with the same children they entered kindergarten or middle school with. Despite the close-knit feel of the schools, new students are welcomed into the "fold" and given a mentor in a higher grade. There are year-round organized sports and school activities.
Our winters are generally milder than further north. We had one a few years back that was brilliant, but I don't think our kids have had a snow day in 3-4 years. Generally just enough to get some sledding in at the golf course before it melts! Once in a while the lake may freeze enough so that the kids can strap on some skates for a few days.
I actually came here from suburban Boston 10 years ago almost kicking and screaming. Glad I stayed.

[twiggy]

I am also relocating to the cape. I can't decide on Mashpee or Barnstable? I have 3 children and am looking forward to bike trails and walks on the beach. I don't think anything can be slower than Phoenix sprawl so I will probably find it more exciting in Cape Cod. They have very little to do here for families in the recreation department. I am so excited to experience 4 seasons again, instead on one long season and 4 months of weather so hot you can't go outside longer than 5 min. My great grandparents, grandparents, parents, all grew up in Borne, Buzzards Bay. We left when I was 12. I have heard it has changed a lot but I have a hard time believing it could be worse than Phoenix. I love all your posts, good and bad. Any pictures would be great!

[capecodcathy]

I just read about this organization yesterday at the dentist's office. Thought it might be of interest to you "young'uns" already here or thinking of moving here!
Cape Cod Young Professionals

[Chrissy&Eddie]

Hello!! I was reading everyones posts on this issue and tend to disagree with quite a bit. I am from Lincoln and my husband is from Charlestown, he is 36 and I am 27. We now live in Sandwich and I just had my first child. As much as I loved Lincoln, I am very excited about raising our child on the cape. I do agree that going as far as Eastham or Chatham for year round is very isolated, the population drops dramatically and there are not many young couples to get to know. As for alcohol and drug problems, they are more prevelent in those areas than Sandwich, Mashpee, Bourne areas, due to the isolation. I am not terribly fond of Falmouth due to high crime rates and a lot of problems in the school systems. There are a lot of young couples starting families in Sandwich and Mashpee, and we are a fairly tight knit community. I think you would adapt just fine to the slower pace and the quality of life. It is so nice to be able to take walks on the beach all year and relax. granted there is not as much to do as there is in Boston, but there is a lot for kids, and there is a fun nightlife for younger couples. Please feel free to contact me if you want to chat!!! ~Chrissy

[Scott&Jenn]

Chrissy & Eddie,
My wife and I have been actively looking to move to Cape Cod for two years and we have been visiting for 8 years now, year round. I am a Project Manager in Long Island, NY for a great construction outfit, my wife stays home to raise our two children. Our intrest and plan to move to the Cape is becoming more of a reality as we continue to research and interview. What is your opinion on construction on oor near the cape and the demand. I have been talking to many companies on cape as well as Boston. Also, what is your opinion on commuting to Boston, considering I am from an area where getting around does not 5 minutes.

[Chrissy&Eddie]

Hello Scott & Jen!! There is a lot of construction going on on the Cape right now, most people say too much. But there are soo many companies that I am sure you would be able to find employment in a heartbeat. Though you may find better pay just off the cape, so it is worth taking a look around. My husband is an operations manager for aamco and it requires him to travel off the cape most of the week . The traveling can get a bit rough, but if planned accordingly it is not too bad. To get to Boston from here it is about an hour 15 minutes and the western suburbs are 1 1/2 hours, and there isn't much reason to go much further on a regular basis. Once he is home from off cape, he knows the commute was worth the quality of life living here for our family. Your wife will easily make friends, there are many stay at home moms, and lots of activity groups to get to know people. Let me know if we can be of anymore help, My husband travels to Ny on business quite a bit, maybe we could chat if we are going through the area!!

~Chrissy & Eddie

[capecodcathy]

Scott&Jenn,
There's a lot of construction just off-Cape in places like Middleboro, Lakeville, etc. That area is also the proposed site of the new Casino so I would imagine you'd be able to find plenty of work without commuting to Boston.

[Scott&Jenn]

All is good to know. I've been speaking with some companies already and it seems that they may be a bit gun shy about interviewing with a New Yorker although most seem very interested with my background. Just seems things are so laid back. Anyway I would love to pick your brain regarding everything. It's also interesting as I've seen many postings here regarding Taxes and the price of housing. Long Island, to buy a decent house here is 400,000-500,000 and you have to do work to it. Plus the taxes are 8-12 thousand a year! Anyway...looking every night and still planning on joining all of you at the cape. We will be visiting in October.

[Scott&Jenn]

Thank you for the heads up on these towns. I will look into these areas furthur. To all who wish to give additional tips. I'm all ears. Thank you.