Empty Nesters to Cape Cod (Boston, Falmouth: how much, house prices, buying)

[Burgh21]

In a couple of years, our son will be in college and we are considering the Cape Cod area for relocation as we will be able to work from home. Later this year we plan on visiting for two days. What towns do you recommend we tour? We would like some place that's walkable, interesting, and is affordable (under $650K). We may also want to buy a plot and build a new home rather than an existing home. We're not interested in any 55+ communities or areas that have homeowner associations with covenants. Just looking for an old fashioned kinda town.

Also, how much snow does the Cape area get? We actually like snow as MD doesn't get much. Thanks.

[scarletfire]

My folks got a place in Brewster and they love it. It's a quaint town and you can definately find something walking distance to the library, general store, antique shops, etc in your price range. The beaches are very pretty and there are some terrific parks/ponds in town, a great little bookshop, excellent library, decent restaurants, without all the "shlock" of some of the busier towns. We used to go to Wellfleet, which I love because it's on the National Seashore so it quieter and more protected but they didn't like having to drive so far. If you end up in the Brewster area please feel free to PM me. Their buyer's agent was wonderful and I'd definately recommend her.

[Beachcomber4]

The Cape supposedly gets less snow than the rest of the state but there have been years where that didn't hold true. This year was a normal year. We got enough snow to be pretty but little enough that it wasn't a major burden. The Boston area was getting 12" while the Cape got less than 6". The springs are generally cooler here on Cape but the fall is GLORIOUS and it stays warmer in the fall.

As far as where to move:

Chatham is down Cape and has a wonderful downtown area for walking and shopping. It is definately busier in the summer as there is a major influx of tourists but it's not a rowdy place. The Falmouth and Woods Hole areas are very busy in the summer but both would offer what you are looking for. West Barnstable has a nice small village area with beautiful old homes along 6a. Osterville village is a nice area. I am not sure about house prices though.

Finally, we chose to move to Sandwich as it has all that you described. Be warned, the taxes are higher than most of the Cape but we chose it for the schools as that was a major consideration for us. (to us, the taxes weren't bad- the rate was no higher than most towns in the Boston area where we previously lived) We strongly considered buying in the village area which has wonderful shops, restaurants and a terrific library and close proximity to the boardwalk and beaches. It is truly lovely. Just outside town are wonderful conservation walking trails. Also, there is a wonderful book store which is a hub of the town. They are constantly hosting authors from around the country. The town really turns out for these events. We were amazed. It's also about an hour from Boston. We enjoy going to the city and it's close enough to do that often.

I think if you focus your search on village areas, you will find what you are looking for. Most of those areas do become busier during the summer but they are also hubs of activity for year round residents during the off season. Simple, seasonal celebrations are common and wonderful small town events. Downtown Falmouth and Woods Hole are the only 2 areas I mentioned that become overwhelmingly congested in the summer. Falmouth offers affordable, convenient vacation options for families and college kids and Woods Hole has the ferry so it is always bustling. The other towns mentioned do not have fast food restaurants etc. and major chains and might be considered "boring" by those who are looking for rowdy night life and entertainment.

Good luck with your search and welcome to the Cape!

[DreamworksSKG]

I would avoid the route 28 corridor towns , they are getting built up

I would suggest

Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham or Wellfleet.

Upper Cape I'd suggest:
Centerville, Osterville,Mashpee, and Sandwich

Dennis is also pretty nice

Dennis and Brewster are nice towns
though keep in mind you may have to drive longer distances on the cape to services.

--Jeff--
Winchester, MA