Seeking Info On Towns- Mashpee & Barnstable (Plymouth, Wareham: real estate, crime)

[tonyandclaire89]

Hi All, Looking for some info on these two towns. We managed to check out a couple of house developments. The one in Mashpee is about 5+ yrs. old, and about a mile away from the Mashpee Commons shopping are. The development in Barnstable is new and off of Rte. 28, Noisy Hill Rd. According to the developer, you get more house for your money in Barnstable plus lower property taxes and better town amenities. May we ask for any unbiased information on these two area.....and towns in general. Thanks for your help in advance.

[Atlantica]

The only thing I can attest to is that route 28 is very busy as is that area near Mashpee Commons. If you can time your travel right, you can avoid the traffic back ups that inevitably occur during the summer months or during inclement weather when everyone goes shopping for the day. Both route 28 and that area of Mashpee are definately close to the creature comforts that many people crave and say they would miss if they moved to the Cape.

If I recall schools aren't an issue for you so I would think either town would suit you well. I'm not sure where in Barnstable Noisy Hill is and/or proximity to beaches. For me that would be a deciding factor. Mashpee only has one ocean beach where Barnstable has numerous.

Good Luck.

[tonyandclaire89]

Atantica...

Thanks for the info...

[xbreaka]

Mashpee sits right next to the MMR, so a fairly decent military presence. With this you will see a more moderate political scene compared to some other cape towns. A nice residential community, smaller schools. Also known for its native american heritage, even though the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has seen its reputation on the cape take a nosedive for the last few years they have quite a bit of land in Mashpee.

Barnstable, larger town made up of a bunch of smaller villages and districts generally better police/fire service. Some serious crime in parts of barnstable and the schools are not as good as mashpee. Probably cheaper real estate in barnstable. More beaches also

[CaseyB]

Do you mean Noisy Hole Road? That looks like Santuit, not far from Otis AFB. Isn't that part of Mashpee as well?

[capecodcathy]

Second the Mashpee traffic. I'm living off 28 on the Barnstable end temporarily until I can get back to Bourne in September. While I love the convenience of Mashpee Commons, I find that there are gangs of 10 and 20 kids roaming at dusk and after. I think Mashpee got a little overzealous with building out and is experiencing growing pains.
Barnstable is nice, stay away from Hyannis.

[CoastalMaine]

CCCathy, why do you say stay away from Hyannis? There are some really pleasant neighborhoods there. My longest friend (44 years!), moved from Westborough (our hometown), to Hyannis 5 years ago and is very happy. Lovely home, quiet residential area, and minutes from all amenities.

If you're working with a broker, there certainly would be information to glean about what areas to avoid as there is a small criminal element in particular areas of Hyannis, but it's a diverse and residential town overall imo. It wouldn't appeal to me since I like the countryside feel of the lower Cape, but to others, perhaps coming from larger areas with box stores and such, Hyannis is a good choice.

[capecodcathy]

Coastal, Hyannis has just grown too much. The traffic, even in the off-season, is horrible. I grew up on the North Shore so traffic is no big deal to me. It's just my opinion that the CCC has allowed Hyannis to get out of control. Just not well-thought out or well-planned. I'm sure there are people who love Hyannis, and they can have it. There are many beautiful areas of Barnstable that I would prefer. I always take 6A when I have to go to the Registry. I always allow some extra time so I can appreciate it. Love that drive.
I can get everything I need in Plymouth without having to deal with all the hassles of Hyannis. It's constantly under construction and I've seen no improvement in traffic patterns. Just more box stores. The expansion of the Cape Cod Mall was also a nightmare. However, I can understand that coming from your perspective, a drive to Plymouth would not be reasonable and Hyannis is the only game in town. I do still love walking Main St. though. Just don't like the hassle of having to get there.
Just my personal preference.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by capecodcathy

Coastal, Hyannis has just grown too much. The traffic, even in the off-season, is horrible. I grew up on the North Shore so traffic is no big deal to me. It's just my opinion that the CCC has allowed Hyannis to get out of control. Just not well-thought out or well-planned. I'm sure there are people who love Hyannis, and they can have it. There are many beautiful areas of Barnstable that I would prefer. I always take 6A when I have to go to the Registry. I always allow some extra time so I can appreciate it. Love that drive.
I can get everything I need in Plymouth without having to deal with all the hassles of Hyannis. It's constantly under construction and I've seen no improvement in traffic patterns. Just more box stores. The expansion of the Cape Cod Mall was also a nightmare. However, I can understand that coming from your perspective, a drive to Plymouth would not be reasonable and Hyannis is the only game in town. I do still love walking Main St. though. Just don't like the hassle of having to get there.
Just my personal preference.

You need to know the side streets. lol Then it's a piece of cake. There are some really attractive developments that you've prolly never even seen or knew existed. I was of the same mind set as you until my friends moved there and I became much more knowledgable of the side streets in and around Hyannis.... to and from the back side of the mall to the downtown area is but one example. There are quite a few tricks! I can tell you in DM, but I wouldn't post them on here for obvious reasons! rofl

I'm surprised you go all the way to Plymouth when Wareham has so much now.... and that new mall with Target, Lowes, etc. is down by Marion. Isn't Wareham closer to you from Bourne?

I actually spend most of my summer in Maine. I have a seasonal campsite on the ocean up there.

But I travel wherever I need to for what I want. I just plan accordingly around the traffic on and off Cape.

[capecodcathy]

I know some of the back roads around Hyannis, which I also won't mention here (wink wink), but I find that even those are clogged too. Especially with all the detours off 132, more and more people have found those back roads.
I've been to the new places in Wareham and still find Plymouth easier.