A Brief Visit to Cape Cod in October... (Boston, Sandwich: houses, taxes)

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by capecodcathy

Spoken like a true Cape Codder.....as she sits on her fifth wheel!!!! Tee hee

ROFL!!! That's something I haven't attempted yet, sitting ON my fifth wheel!!!! lololololol Yes, I'm writing all this from Belfast, Maine!

[itscolduphere]

Thanks so much for the additional information.... I'm sure that if we love it there, the minor inconveniences would be well worth it. I sure wish my parents could house-sit a bit longer this fall, but I promise to get there next summer! Our water shoes have been sitting new in the box for over a year... waiting!

CoastalMaine, I like your positive comments. I wouldn't be put off by the little things. We work at home and are used to ordering things online, shopping in town when the "off" times are, avoiding rush hour traffic, and etc. So we practice many of those behaviors already. I can imagine what a treat it is in the off season to have the beach to yourself! As an artist, I can also imagine the never-ending sources of inspiration!

[Beachcomber4]

Originally Posted by itscolduphere

From "Cape Cod Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket - An Explorer's Guide" by Kim Grant, Sixth Edition, page 47:
"Sandwich is calm, even in the height of summer. Many visitors whiz right by it, eager to get farther away from the "mainland". Even people who know about delightful Sandwich Village often hop back onto Route 6 without poking around the rest of Sandwich - the back roads and historic houses off the beaten path. Those who take the time to explore will find that Sandwich is a real gem."

I guess this is why I had the idea that Sandwich was one of the quieter towns to dwell in, if one chose to live on the Cape year round. So I'm glad I asked because I'm wondering wether or not to believe what I read. Those in the know are welcomed to comment on wether or not what I read is true.... the more opinions the better!

I think that description is a very accurate one if you know the town of Sandwich. Downtown is lovely and quaint and a nice tourist destination. It does get busy but a travel a mile or two in any direction and it's like being in another world. The backroads and off beaten paths the author describes are a big part of the reason I love Sandwich.

October is a glorius time to visit the Cape.

[Beachcomber4]

Originally Posted by itscolduphere

Thanks so much for the additional information.... I'm sure that if we love it there, the minor inconveniences would be well worth it. I sure wish my parents could house-sit a bit longer this fall, but I promise to get there next summer! Our water shoes have been sitting new in the box for over a year... waiting!

CoastalMaine, I like your positive comments. I wouldn't be put off by the little things. We work at home and are used to ordering things online, shopping in town when the "off" times are, avoiding rush hour traffic, and etc. So we practice many of those behaviors already. I can imagine what a treat it is in the off season to have the beach to yourself! As an artist, I can also imagine the never-ending sources of inspiration!

You are right, the inconveniences are minor and honestly, well worth it. I love not having big box stores on top of each other, I love that I have lived here a relatively short time and have gotten to know many of the local shop keepers. There is a big movement in town to "Shop Local". Sure it costs a little more but it supports friends and neighbors in our town- isn't that what community is all about?

As an artist, definately check out some of the local galleries. There is a woman down on 149 in West Barnstable next to the general store. Her work is amazing- sorry her name escapes me but she is easy to find. Also, in downtown Sandwich, My Sister's Gallery is a neat spot. I love the work of Kathryn Kleeklamp. She is a local woman who retired as a microbiologist and started painting. My first purchase for my new home was a print she did of the Sandwich Boardwalk. It truly captured the essence of the simplicity of this place. Collections is an artist's co-op that sells some very nice items and is always fun to poke around in.


I lived here in my early to mid 20's and loved this place. It took me some time to get back but I am very happy I did!

[Beachcomber4]

Originally Posted by ScituateAl

Regardless of town, there are some realities of Cape living including:
- Weather. It's hanging out in the Atlantic and gets more than it's fair share of weather. Wind, rain, snow, you name it. Temps will be cooler in the summer (5 or more degrees) but not much warmer in the winter.
- Insurance. Companies are pulling out, be prepared to pay a premium premium
- Tourists. Great for the local economy, but you essentially live on an island with two bridges (and a tunnel if you believe those permits you might see around) You'll have to plan your 'off Cape' travels to coordinate around when all the tourists are coming/going. Having grown up in the Berkshires, the general trend is that tourists are also jerks. When they do leave, so might the owners of your favorite stores and restaurants until next summer.
- Geography. You're far away from everything, down in the corner of NE. VT might as well be another country.
- Costs of goods, shopping choices. I'll let others who are actually from the Cape post specifics, but my sense is that the cost of food, fuel, etc. is likely higher due to transportation costs and lack of competition. You might also have to plan your 'off Cape' trips to visit your preferred stores. (No Lowes or Target, for example; 1 Wal Mart)

Temperatures on the Cape in winter are warmer. I do agree we can get our share of weather. The idea that the Cape does not get snow is one I think perpetrated by crafty real estate agents and/or golf course superintendents.

I love when people say how far you are away from everything. Fortunately we have cars and excellent roads. Just like people from Vermont come here to enjoy the summer, Cape Cod people drive North to ski in winter. Believe it or not, you can even take a bus! Day trips abound.

There are a few restaurants that close down for winter that locals might frequent but for the most part, they are tourist spots. People tend to support those that support them. A great example is Amari here in East Sandwich. Year round, there is a long wait on Friday and Saturday night.

Coastal was right about the "shipping costs scam". There are 2 bridges that cross the canal and prices drop as soon as you go over them to the "mainland". Companies have been gouging for a long time and will continue to do so.

Yes, there is a lack of big box stores. Personally, the extra few bucks I might pay for something at a Mom and Pop hardware store over Home Depot is worth the time I save- but that's just me. I also like that the employees see me coming and come out to the car with a cookie for my dog. Simple things make me happy. For those who need big things, quick impersonal service and instant gratification, this is not the place for them. We left that behind on the South Shore.

Planning off Cape trips can be a hassle at certain times but it's a small price to pay for what the Cape does offer.

PS I am a HUGE fan of the town of Scituate. Great local flavor and honestly, reminds me of the Cape in the small town sensibilities that some exhibit.

[Chava61]

I have fond memories of visiting Wellfleet where a cousin of mine still has a summer home. Wellfleet still has a drive-in movie theater and is a nice town that I would take into consideration if I were you.

[itscolduphere]

Beachcomber, thanks for the great posts! I am particularly interested in the artist's co-op you mentioned. I've been reading the August issue of Cape Cod Life and can see lots of possibilities there. I like that Sandwich is a bit closer to the mainland, in the event that "popup" business trip happens, would be quicker to Logan Int'l.

Chava61, I will pay a visit to all the towns next year, it's one reason we're waiting till then instead of this fall, so we'll have more time once we're back up in CT. We're probably going to make several visits, a few days each, to different areas of the cape. At best, the National Seashore is at the top of our list, like I mentioned.... our water shoes are patiently waiting So we're guaranteed to get as far as Eastham!

[Beachcomber4]

Originally Posted by itscolduphere

Beachcomber, thanks for the great posts! I am particularly interested in the artist's co-op you mentioned. I've been reading the August issue of Cape Cod Life and can see lots of possibilities there. I like that Sandwich is a bit closer to the mainland, in the event that "popup" business trip happens, would be quicker to Logan Int'l.

TF Green in Providence is also a great option. We used to live about 20 minutes outside of Boston and my husband would usually opt to fly out of TF Green whenever possible. Even with the added travel time, he was still home from the airport quicker than he would from Logan.

Collections had just recently moved and I think the new location is working out quite well. It gets lots of foot traffic. It seems like it would be a great way for you to meet other artists as well. The local Chamber of Commerce really works hard to promote local business and hosts numerous events throughout the year to bring people into shops. Christmas is wonderful in the downtown area and again, I think Collections will benefit from that. There are also some terrific consignment shops downtown that take items as well. Some food for thought. My favorite is Design by Consign. The gal who owns it is a great merchandiser and even "non consignment" types frequent her shop because it has a great boutique feel.

[itscolduphere]

I managed to get up to the Cape for a few hours on my recent trip back to CT to visit.. and I'm so glad I did! First, we stopped and had a sandwich in Sandwich at Cafe Chew (it was great!) then drove up to the Coast Guard Beach along the National Seashore. It was beautiful! I loved the little winding road up to the visitor center, the view of the salt marsh, and just like in the coffetable books, there it was just over the dune... pretty as a postcard! There were only a few people who came and went, and the weather was perfect. Not too cold at all. It was definitely worth the drive even just to stay about an hour. Perfect in every way except it was confusing which bridge takes you east and not south when you first get there.

Not sure yet if this would be a do-able place to live from a practicality standpoint... but will check into it.

Here are only a few of the dozens of pics we took with iPhone 3G... I'm afraid to post the best ones for fear they'll be copied

[CoastalMaine]

Glad you had a good time! Pics are great!!