Young, educated professional's on Cape Cod? I think not! (Boston: rent, crime)

[RLCMA]

I lived on Cape Cod for 8 years and I love readings posts about the Cape and responding with my own opinions. A lot of posts I read talk about how great of a place the Cape is to live for all walks of life. I have to disagree with this. I think the Cape is a beautiful place and I could definitely see myself having a second home/retirement home there. I will say that I disagree with anyone who says it's a great place to live for single, educated, young professionals. Granted there is a young professional's group on Cape Cod (mostly kids or multi-generation owners of small business owners on the Cape, people in management in service industries, and salespeople). I think it's great there is a group there and I've been to several meetings in the past when I lived on the Cape. However, I feel if you're a recent college graduate or want to be a successful white collared worker the Cape is the last place in the world I think you can succeed. Dating and things to do on a year round basis are terrible on Cape Cod and there are extremely few good paying salaried positions as well. I think it's a great place to visit for educated young hipsters but not a place to live and thrive on a year round basis. I do think that a young educated person who is raising a family and working off Cape would love living on the Cape. But living, working, and having an active social life for a young hipster on the Cape is non-existant.

[LeavingMA]

I always thought of Cape Cod the same way as Newport, RI, or the NH and Maine coast...and that it is seasonal and it is fun to enjoy during the summer. Great from Memorial Day to Labor Day or Columbus Day, but after that forget. I'm also a young professional and I feel a similar way about Boston. It is a fun city just after college, but by 25 and 26 you get sick of the scene.

[RLCMA]

I love Boston but I know what you mean. I didn't go to school in the city so I guess I haven't gotten sick of it the way people who went to school there may view it. I'm 29 now and live on the West Coast but I still think Boston is one of the greatest cities in the country. I will admit the people aren't friendly but oh well. This is New England we're talking here. Providence is also nice and I find the people to be friendlier than in Boston.

[JiminCT]

Outside of the beaches...its too densely populated to feel like a vacation. Looks more like suburbia with a beach in a lot of places. On a Friday evening in the summer it takes 4.5 hours from Hartford to battle traffic to get to Yarmouth....this is supposed to be the beginning of a relaxing vacation?

The Cape is one of the most overrated summer destination spots..bar none. In April, May, September, and October...its OK. Still wouldnt want to battle humanity like that to get to a summer house thats jammed with city people. Give me the Adirondacks or the 1000 Islands any day.

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by JiminCT

Outside of the beaches...its too densely populated to feel like a vacation. Looks more like suburbia with a beach in a lot of places. On a Friday evening in the summer it takes 4.5 hours from Hartford to battle traffic to get to Yarmouth....this is supposed to be the beginning of a relaxing vacation?

The Cape is one of the most overrated summer destination spots..bar none. In April, May, September, and October...its OK. Still wouldnt want to battle humanity like that to get to a summer house thats jammed with city people. Give me the Adirondacks or the 1000 Islands any day.

I agree it is overrated. I enjoy Old Orchard Beach in Maine a lot more. It just seems more easy-going and your not too far from Portland where there is more things to do.

[RLCMA]

I love Cape Cod but when I lived there I always wondered why people would want to drive all that distance and through all that traffic just for a weekend trip. The one thing I never understood about the Cape was that even though it gets flooded in the Cape most people who own or rent places on the Cape rarely leave their home. They have cookouts, drink at home, etc. I always looked forward to going out and meeting new people but most of the people I came across were locals like me. That's one thing I don't like about the Cape. If I ever bought a house on the Cape it would have to be the Lower or Outer Cape. They are amazing! I was back on the Cape last week for a couple of days and realized how much I do not miss MA.

[Amerie]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

I love Cape Cod but when I lived there I always wondered why people would want to drive all that distance and through all that traffic just for a weekend trip. The one thing I never understood about the Cape was that even though it gets flooded in the Cape most people who own or rent places on the Cape rarely leave their home. They have cookouts, drink at home, etc. I always looked forward to going out and meeting new people but most of the people I came across were locals like me. That's one thing I don't like about the Cape. If I ever bought a house on the Cape it would have to be the Lower or Outer Cape. They are amazing! I was back on the Cape last week for a couple of days and realized how much I do not miss MA.

I am with you in that I don't miss Mass. And I think it depends on where you are on the Cape - we never stayed home met people from all walks of life. Funny thing is people do the same thing here in NYC - make that long trek to the Hamptons every weekend.

[ReniHope]

Unless you have a vacation house to go to and use for more then two days on a weekend or actually vacation here for a week it's not worth the hassle and craziness to come to the Cape...that said IT really is beautiful here and the people are great! As a native New Yorker who knows the Hampton's scene very well and has been there and done it...the Cape is sooooooo much better....less pretense and real life.

[Boomerang]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

Providence is also nice and I find the people to be friendlier than in Boston.

I've lived close to Boston and I've lived close to Providence. I'll take Boston any day
Both cities have their crime problems, but I found the criminal element from Providence environs spreading out further into the 'burbs (and across the state line into MA) and also don't like the ugliness (IMO) of the general Providence area. 95 through the city is not a hopeful sight....

Anyway back on topic, I love the Cape but find it a little bleak past Orleans in the winter. Still pretty though, for winter beach walks and being able to enjoy it without the hordes of summer tourists.

[aomething]

I grew up in Mashpee, and I agree that the Cape is bleak in the winters (at least it was 20yrs ago). In my 30yrs on Cape Cod I have lived in Mashpee, Falmouth, Waquoit, Dennisport, Harwichport, E. Falmouth, Cataumet and Sandwich. I enjoyed the lower Cape, but all my family and friends were on the Upper cape. I now live in Tewksbury and I do miss the Cape, from yrs past. It was a nice place to travel too, spend time with friends and family. Now, I only go when I have to (parents still live there). I would love to have a summer home on the Cape, but you can't afford to live there any longer. I moved off Cape after getting married and was probably the best decision that I made. Most everyone from my high school graduating class STILL lives on cape. That's also the problem with the cape, no body leaves! It is truly an island ( a world of their own!!)
So, if you enjoy sitting in hours worth of traffic and overspending, head right to Cape Cod! Otherwise, head north or west (south if your going out of MA!)