what is all the negativity about moving to cape cod? (Boston: mortgage broker, brokers)

[capecodcathy]

Guess it's time for me to chime in here!!!!!
When I first moved here from suburban Boston 12 years ago, I hated it. I had the same mind-set many have: Nothing to do between August and May, boring, lots of rich people, etc. Living on Cape Cod requires a total "state of mind shift" if you're coming from an urban area. Now, I really can't see myself living anywhere else. Anywhere I go, the thought "Nice place to visit, but I live on Cape Cod" always comes to me.
I really don't see the cost of living as being higher here than elsewhere. Last time I visited a friend in Canton, I spent $.10 MORE for a gallon of gas than I do at my local Mom&Pop station. Most of the people I know are working "stiffs" like everywhere else. Carpenters, Electricians, Waitresses, Health Care Industry, etc. Depending on proximity to a beach, real estate can be more affordable.
We Locals tend to love the time between Labor Day and Memorial Day (although, the summer season has been extended through October). That time is when we get "Our Cape" back. Love the summer, but the Autumn, Winter and Spring are glorious. It's been a wonderful place to raise my kids. The pace is just a little slower, a little less stressful, and much more scenic. Although I've never lived more than 2 miles from the coast, I'm not really a beachgoer, so that's not the attraction for me. But I love going to the coast or the canal and feeling that salt and sand.
A friend visited from VA Beach and I took her down Shore Rd in Bourne so her kids and mine could do some jumping off singing bridge in Pocasset. She said it was one of the most beautiful drives she'd ever taken. Her niece, almost 16 at the time, had to face the gauntlet of the "native" girls of the same age. Terrifying for her. But the "gang" welcomed her like she'd lived here all her life. She can't wait to come back.
It's just easier here. Yes, we have our problems, like any other area does, but it's just better.
The only thing I wish we had was a John's Roast Beef (Western Ave, Lynn) or a real Italian Sub Shop. But I guess I had to give up something to live here!

[Drechie]

I summer in Cape Cod and the major turn off for me is the terrible produce at the chain grocery stores - though farmers markets are quite frequent in the summer months atleast - and the inflated gas prices. I feel as if a lot of mom and pop stores have winter prices where prices are raised for everything to cover their costs.

[SouthShoreDad]

Pack your bags and move...the Cape is great. All those stories people have told you are nonsense. The cape does not shut down so to speak like it may have many many many years ago. Every area has bad sections but the Cape is not a dangerous place. I actually laughed a little when you were saying what others have told you.

As others have said taxes are great...I live just before the Cape in Plymouth well Carver really but right on the line...our taxes are a little more than $11 per thousand while Bourne which touches Plymouth has taxes of $7 per thousand.

Work can be a little tougher than areas off the cape. Not so much money wise but actual job opportunities may be slightly more difficult...nothing so glaring that you'd notice a big difference from off cape.


Really though you won't be disappointed...theres tons of nature, restaurants, shopping, good people, great local sports, festivals, small town activities...start packing!!

[maggiekate]

Well, Cape Cod is a nice place to visit and enjoy. Jobs and the economy many people need to travel
into Boston by bus for work. Also alot of people had thought this out before the crash came.
I lived on Cape Cod for over 25 years and had to leave when I did retire. Cape Cod has a lot to offer
and is a Special place to live! Jobs and the cost of food etc over the bridge add to the cost and goods that are needed
jobs unless retired are hard to come in the area of Cape Cod! Yes, you may make it come true if you have a job and do realize it is not always a Beach!
I also enjoy the Sunshine State, for the warm weather and longer days and this was not always easy!

[urbie]

Originally Posted by twiggy

I am always wondering this very thing. I've compared rent, electric, gas, and food. Cost of insurance, cars and I can't see that big of an increase from what I pay right now in AZ.... Oh, and we make more money in MA then out here in AZ. About 20,000 more a year. So.....????? Still wondering this myself....... Can't wait to read the answers you get from the Cape Codders.

I lived in Flagstaff for 7 years -- lost money each year, until we finally pulled the plug on the place and moved back east.

Cape Cod is going to have the same problems Flagstaff had: expensive cost of living -- weekenders and vacationers with money to burn, who bid up the price of everything from real-estate to groceries -- and few jobs. In Flagstaff, we called it "Poverty With A View" -- the Scottsdale Robber Barons, with their trophy homes, bid up the price of construction to over $100/sq. foot (that's why we ended up not being able to build a house on a piece of land we bought), and they had a lot of money to spend on everything. But there were no jobs -- outside of NAU and WL Gore, there were no good employers in town.

Basically, there was no real economy -- it was just tourism and real-estate. That's what you're going to find on Cape Cod. Great place to go for a vacation -- but don't try to make a living there.

Don't say we didn't warn you!

Urb

[twiggy]

Originally Posted by urbie

I lived in Flagstaff for 7 years -- lost money each year, until we finally pulled the plug on the place and moved back east.

Cape Cod is going to have the same problems Flagstaff had: expensive cost of living -- weekenders and vacationers with money to burn, who bid up the price of everything from real-estate to groceries -- and few jobs. In Flagstaff, we called it "Poverty With A View" -- the Scottsdale Robber Barons, with their trophy homes, bid up the price of construction to over $100/sq. foot (that's why we ended up not being able to build a house on a piece of land we bought), and they had a lot of money to spend on everything. But there were no jobs -- outside of NAU and WL Gore, there were no good employers in town.

Basically, there was no real economy -- it was just tourism and real-estate. That's what you're going to find on Cape Cod. Great place to go for a vacation -- but don't try to make a living there.

Don't say we didn't warn you!

Urb

Aw, really??? Flagg is 2 or so hours away from anything major plus the reservations. I was thinking with Providence and Boston an hour on either side it wouldn't be that risky. I mean if all else fails just get on the T right?
Being a licensed plumber for my husband in Ma or anywhere back there with a union is a lot better than working in Phoenix. He is a really hard worker, great ethic, I never worry about him finding work, or making decent money.


Plumbing jobs seem to be a plenty all around the south shore but I think even if it's harder,( which at this point I just see it as a challenge to be met)
I'm going to try it. I have 3 generations behind me that made a living on the Cape so maybe it's in the blood.

My husband is use to driving around for plumbing, it's not a stationary job anyway and I will do whatever I need to do at this point. It's worth a try right? I have to go back for personal reasons anyway, if all else fails we can just move over to Warick or up the coast a little.
Thanks for the warning though, all info is greatly appreciated, but at this point I just have to get my butt outta Phoenix no matter how hard it will be.

I see people whom I warn about Phoenix come here with such conviction that they always make the best out of what we have. I admire the little engine that could, ha ha, I'm taking that direction for a while, it's so refreshing.
Besides, after I win the Lottery next week things will be so much easier.

[Beachcomber4]

[quote=urbie;10331306]
Basically, there was no real economy -- it was just tourism and real-estate. That's what you're going to find on Cape Cod. Great place to go for a vacation -- but don't try to make a living there.


Urb[/quote

There are many people who do quite well living and working on Cape Cod. Yes, you will find those people who travel off Cape and some that even use this as a home base and work out of state. There are also those who telecommute, just like in the "real" world.

I saw the same situation living on the south shore. Many people I knew in the technology sector travelled well over an hour to the metrowest area for their jobs.

To imply that you have to travel from Cape Cod to make a living and implying it is exclusive to the area is very misleading but unfortunately a popular misconception. The economy does reach beyond tourism and real estate. Many tourists don't realize that.

[SouthShoreDad]

Originally Posted by twiggy

Besides, after I win the Lottery next week things will be so much easier.

You guys can come live with me if you hit the lottery!!

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by maggiekate

Well, Cape Cod is a nice place to visit and enjoy. Jobs and the economy many people need to travel
into Boston by bus for work. Also alot of people had thought this out before the crash came.
I lived on Cape Cod for over 25 years and had to leave when I did retire. Cape Cod has a lot to offer
and is a Special place to live! Jobs and the cost of food etc over the bridge add to the cost and goods that are needed
jobs unless retired are hard to come in the area of Cape Cod! Yes, you may make it come true if you have a job and do realize it is not always a Beach!
I also enjoy the Sunshine State, for the warm weather and longer days and this was not always easy!

Don't know where you lived for 25 years on the Cape or why you'd have to move when you retired... it can't be because of costs. If you bought here 25 years or more ago, you bought your home really cheap compared to the market today (as did I).

It's not true that many people have to travel to Boston for work or in order to make a living... if that was true, there'd be hours long back ups going to and fro over the bridges every day, year round. The working stiffs keeps this economy going, not the white collars who travel off Cape. There is a vibrant year round economy here.

Perhaps you built up your expenses over the years to the point where you couldn't cover them with your retirement income. That's not the fault of Cape Cod. That would be the choices you made over your 25 years of living here. The taxes here for long time homeowners are incredibly cheap. They're half what I'll pay for the same value of home in Maine.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by urbie

I lived in Flagstaff for 7 years -- lost money each year, until we finally pulled the plug on the place and moved back east.

Cape Cod is going to have the same problems Flagstaff had: expensive cost of living -- weekenders and vacationers with money to burn, who bid up the price of everything from real-estate to groceries -- and few jobs. In Flagstaff, we called it "Poverty With A View" -- the Scottsdale Robber Barons, with their trophy homes, bid up the price of construction to over $100/sq. foot (that's why we ended up not being able to build a house on a piece of land we bought), and they had a lot of money to spend on everything. But there were no jobs -- outside of NAU and WL Gore, there were no good employers in town.

Basically, there was no real economy -- it was just tourism and real-estate. That's what you're going to find on Cape Cod. Great place to go for a vacation -- but don't try to make a living there.

Don't say we didn't warn you!

Urb

TOTAL crap!!!! There are 300,000 +/- year round residents here... are you suggesting we're all starving, trust fund babies, or living off of retirement funds??? Opining so negatively about the economy of a place because you made some assumptions while vacationing on some part of the Cape is really off base.