Buying a summer home in Oak Bluffs (Boston, Nantucket: sales, real estate)

[stvincent]

I am from Atlanta and my wife and I were looking for a place to buy a summer home. Many here have advised that we look at the Oak Bluffs community on Martha's Vineyard due to the fact that is rich with a very unique culture. Can someone please elaborate on the pros and cons to Oak Bluffs. I also want to know how the people are and if it is going to be worth buying a summer home up there.

[Kaylaann]

Not sure why you would want to buy an overpriced home on an already crowded island! I live on the Cape & I have been to the islands many times. You will have a hard time with the locals, they are very protective of "their area". New Englanders are suspicious of outsiders. The beaches are beautiful but crowded, impossible to get around with a car. The prices for items (food/clothing) very expensive. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by stvincent

I am from Atlanta and my wife and I were looking for a place to buy a summer home. Many here have advised that we look at the Oak Bluffs community on Martha's Vineyard due to the fact that is rich with a very unique culture. Can someone please elaborate on the pros and cons to Oak Bluffs. I also want to know how the people are and if it is going to be worth buying a summer home up there.

the Vineyard is a nice place to visit, but it is very expensive. It also is a tight knit community. Everyything needs to come in by boat. If you really wish that, I would rent first to see if it really works for you. I liked Nantucket way better, it seemed to have more to do, but that also is expensive.
judy

[polly]

hello,

I am writing to let you know it is a wonderful community and as you know you must be an active Christian to live there.There are many programs and things to do.Yes the prices are high because you are on the vineyard.There is a sister community in Hamilton,Mass. that offers the same programs visit the sight asbury grove.org. I have visited that community many time and fell in love with it. However it is three miles from the ocean. If you are a true Christian you will benefit from either community.

[mlhm5]

First of all remember you are buying at the top of the market on a "boat island".

Second, the actual Summer (as defined by Southeastern standards i.e. in the 80's) is short and in good years can range from mid June 'til mid September. Not very long when you compare it to locations in the SE.

Third, since it is a "boat island" getting your car to the island requires some advance planning as far as the ferry. You must have a reservation, which requires some strategy i.e send on the first day with the earliest postmark. Most leave a car on the island so they don't have to be bothered.

Fourth, if you don't like the selection of food on the island, bring it yourself and remember to buy a freezer since you cannot go off island with your car and come back when you want to during the vacation months.

Fifth, buy a boat since MV isn't the attraction, the ocean around it is.

Hope this helps.

Oh, in closing, most houses on the island are in need of repair. It takes about a year to schedule a contractor for a major upgrade or addition.

[bumblybee]

Hmmmm..... I really don't think any of these responses are completely accurate......I am one of those Islanders, 5th generation, born and raised here, although I lived away for many years traveling and living in Europe as well as Providence, Boston and upstate NY. We now live in OB by choice...I LOVE Oak Bluffs best of all the towns. It is a great place to raise a family, my kids are surrounded by a vast racial mix of people who get along wonderfully. It is kind of like living in a fantasy world, crime is minimal I never worry about my kids hanging out in town..I have them in a range from teens to preschooler level. I like this fantasy though, people are very friendly..I totally disagree that it is hard to break in to a socially here..if you are single than I do agree that life can be tough here......but for families and couples it is easy to join in. There is always plenty to do in the summer and the shoulder seasons. Winter can be very long and boring, but our solution to that is to use that time to socialize with friends and travel. Yes, it is very expensive to live her..the cost of living is at least 30% higher than on the mainland. You have to be careful how you spend and trips off island to stock up on supplies are the norm for living here. The trade off though, while I can't pop off to the mall to shop sales or buy affordable groceries, it is beautiful here....just driving down beach road on any given day is food for the soul, we can hop over to the beach after work and feel like we are on vacation, we go clamming, fishing, boating, take long walks on incredbily beautiful trails at any time. I dont worry about crime, my kids can play outside, ride their bikes and have a safe childhood. The community is a well educated group and no you do not HAVE to be christian at all....there are many races and religions living in tolerance and even celebration of each other. I am not one bit religious and that has not been an issue ever.
THe boat is a hassle, you have to think far in advance of when you might want to head off, like many islanders we keep an old car on the other side so we can come and go easier in the summer. Then again because it is hard to get to, it is not as crowded as the cape can be. The summer in late july and August can be crowded and you learn if it is a rainy day...DO NOT go into town!! LOL!! But I have never had to wait more than 15 mins to get through any nasty traffic jams, and if you are commuter in the city you deal with worse than that every day! There are hidden places to go that once you are familiar with the island you will know about. I like the action and August can be so much fun if you get in the swing of it all.
I agree though that you should visit and maybe rent before you buy. make sure it is where you want to be, but I know that once you do and you go around meeting "the locals" you will be convinced you will want to stay.Real Estate prices are high but the market like elswhere is softening a bit...if you don't want to be right near the water prices will be markedly lower. Contractor here are like anywhere...hard to get a good one and they hate small jobs...should you need any trades people the best way to get the right one is ASK around.....references are a must. Many homes in OB are old but there are many newer areas as well..it is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods one the island. It is priciest closest to town and the beaches, the farther out of town the lower the price.
The weather in the fall is beautiful and my favorite time of year. It is great right through October. It can be cold at night but it is a beautiful time of year to visit.
HTH!!!
I hope you find the perfect summer vacation spot!!

[murphydoodle]

I just saw your question and the responses. I completely agree with the person that lives there and loves it. I've vacationed there many times. If I could afford the house I'd live there too.
What did you do?