where to move in cape cod? lesbian family with 2 kids?

[artichoke63]

Why the Cape? Did you look at Northampton? Huge lesbian community there -- the biggest!

Artie

[skytrekker]

Frankly- as much as I like Cape Cod- in the winter it can become rather dull and depressing. I think that you would find Northampton in the pioneer valley of western Mass. A far better choice.

[bluewatergirl888]

Have you considered Plymouth?
I live in the area. Before moving here I knew very little about it. Once I moved here I realized how many lesbians live in the town. You won’t find rainbow flags, but once you start to meet people, you will realize how much of a community there is here. There are 3 other lesbian couples in my neighborhood (that I know of). The town is clean and there is a lot to do considering it is a town and not a city. In the summer there is always something going on down at the waterfront. It is about 20 minutes to the Cape and about 45 minutes to Boston. Let me know if you need more info. Best of luck.

[capecodjim]

Cape Cod is nice (relative to the rest of New England) weatherwise, though, as moderated by the sea to rarely suffer inhabitants extreme cold or heat.

There isn't really much of a social life for Lesbians on the Cape - at least not a community. The talk around Ptown is that Lesbians tried unsuccessfully to populate Ptown, but the economy does not survive there year round. Many businesses are closed for reasons stemming from the ridiculous cost of rent and real estate and an emerging Long Island, NY atmosphere. I wouldn't say that the majority of Ptowners is Gay anymore. Looks like rich people and Jamaicans have pushed out the sexy people and as for the people running the town ... ? I don't know where their priorities are. I worry that they want Ptown to be a family/tourist destination, like a Disney Land, but with NO FUN!

Cost of living is driving out all but the millionaires and illegal immigrants on Cape Cod. But the bright side is that Ptown welcomes more Lesbians of every type, as tourists.

The Hyannis area is not much better. The local bar scene is unfriendly. I can highly recommend a Gay Inn in Hyannis that is within walking distance to Main Street and the Island Ferries. I don't know what kind of network Lesbians have built in the area, but its a challenge to find any social connections anyways.

Because there is implication that being Lesbian is an important factor in your life, I suggest Northampton Massachusetts, 3 hours from Cape Cod, as the Lesbian center of New England. Its highly recommended to consider Northampton or that area if its within a preferred distance to your relatives and employment. It is a beautiful, cultural city with major Women's Only Colleges, surrounded by mountains and rivers and subsequently, a Lesbian community, all year round.

I also recommend Plymouth for being half way between the tiny paradise of Cape Cod and all encompassing, major city of Boston.

Otherwise its true that Lesbians, .... are everywhere. Maybe Massachusetts as a whole, is just more Gay Friendly, politically.

As they about many tourist places such as Cape Cod, its a great place to visit, but.....

[brightdoglover]

A lot would depend on how you earn your living. Making a living on the Cape, especially in off-season, is quite daunting. I'm sure other people have mentioned Provincetown as the gay center of the Cape, although I think gay men far outnumber women of any stripe.
I agree that Northampton would be a terrific place (and a lot more work opportunities, with the colleges and services, hospitals, etc.) It's a lovely town and, as others have said, is likely the lesbian capital of the world, so there are plenty of other gay women families, attending school functions, etc.
For that matter, I don't think straight people would do so well on the Cape in the winter. Real estate is very high, and work is very tough, unless you have a specific plan. Also, the only major hospital is near the bridge end of the Cape (furthest opposite end from Ptown) and there is a not-great road that runs the length of the Cape- lots of accidents in all seasons.
Yes, the beaches are gorgeous, but a lot of trouble to be near or go to see.

[ontheroad]

Although Northampton is a good suggestion, see my post on the subject in another thread--it is in some sort of decline and it never had many good job opportunities unless you were settled into one of the five colleges or the service market.

But, for what it is worth, the OP has never returned for an answer, and while I often wonder why people ask questions and then don't respond to answers, in this thread, I believe the OP may have gone off discouraged by more than one negative remark.

[seldomseen]

Provincetown would be ideal for you...but there arent any jobs out there, and you will be extremely far to commute to any decent job

[seldomseen]

Gays/Lesbians are everywhere nowadays so you ultimately want to live where you choose to live. The South Shore has many decent, and nice towns to raise a family in. What are you particularly interested in having within a town you live in?

[kaioak36]

If you're going to be working in Boston, don't live on the Cape. IT's way too far. The Southeast expressway is a parking lot in the morning. Traffic starts as far back as Marshfield. Marshfield is a half hour from the Sagamore Bridge! You'd be commuting at least 2 hours each way if you're commuting from the Cape. I'd consider something inbetween like Duxbury. (All the benefits of Cape Cod without the longer commute).

[capecodcathy]

At the risk of sounding "biased", Bourne is very welcoming. I grew up the daughter of Lesbians and no one here bats an eyelash when I speak of my "Moms". I can understand your concerns. Many towns are not very open minded.
While I wouldn't say we have a large community of same sex couples, those that are here are not treated any differently than anyone else. My daughter goes to the High School with two wonderful girls who have two Moms, none of the kids think anything of it. The High School also has a chapter of Gay/Straight Alliance, as do many other towns.
I like the small-town environment, the spirit of the town and students. As I said on another thread, we take care of each other.