what is all the negativity about moving to cape cod? (find a job, living)

[CoastalMaine]

They pulled the jets out that protect the eastern seaboard and moved them out to the western part of the state. Now it's only used by the Air Coast Guard. Here's a few links for you to read more about Otis...

Mysterious case of disappearing base | CapeCodOnline.com

Otis Air Base offers peek at new mission | CapeCodOnline.com

Cape Cod Community College announces fall courses at Otis :: Cape Cod Today :: Cape Cod News and Information

http://www.capewindmovie.com/2009/06/17/wind-farm-proposed-for-otis/

[Jamie86Bos]

wow, thank you for getting those interesting articles for me. it does seem like the base is getting smaller and smaller. thankfully my fiances field is public affairs. any base big or small needs that. hes currently the web master for camp pendleton, but were sure that he wont be able to do that at otis. its pretty rare for that position to open up. but bases usually need public affairs specialists, and thats what were hoping for at otis or photojournalist for the base, maybe story editor, anything public affairs related. were really hoping otis will have an opening for any of those things by spring. i look everyday even though the earliest we could even think about moving is dec/january. whenever i look online for jobs at the bases in mass, hanscom air force base always seems to have jobs up in his field. it may be the north shore for us, but i am praying we can swing otis and live in the cape!!

[capecodcathy]

Jamie, you may want to look at the Coast Guard and other bases in Rhode Island. A lot of those folks commute from the Cape. Google "USAjobs" and you can search from there for jobs on Otis and all other military/federal jobs.

[CoastalMaine]

Jaime, my ex DH did a joint tour at the Newport Naval Academy in Newport, RI, and he commuted back and forth every day. It's about 85 miles each way, so it's a hell of a commute. I don't think that's a viable option for you long term.

Hanscom might be a good choice, but again, I don't think the commute would work for the Cape on a daily basis.

How about the Mass. Maritime Academy or perhaps even Tabor Academy in Marion? My daughter was a boarding student there, but if you lived in Sandwich, the commute to Marion or Bourne wouldn't be too bad.

Or... how about Wood's Hole Oceanographic?

Send me a DM and I can pass you some info on Cape Cod Community College. The communications director is my dear friend. Unfortunately, as a state funded college, they've had massive layoffs, but he might have some good ideas for your fiance that I've not considered.

[Fudgecopper]

Im with you. I moved from CA to Rhode Island,without ever visiting or knowing anyone from around there, on a giant leap of faith and its paid off. Do what you want to do, you only live once. Of course, dont go recklessly and have some sort of a cushion to fall back on

[Jamie86Bos]

thank you all for the advice and suggestions! i look on usajobs.com several times a day. i also have been looking on federaljobsearch.com too because they seem to have a few every once in a while that dont want to show up on the usajobs general search. although, you have to pay to see the whole job listing on the federal search one. but i just cross reference to usajobs to see the whole posting. so im basically looking at all bases across the state, but otis is my strong preference! i actually even look in rhode island and new hampshire too. i totally miss new england. southern california isnt all its cracked up to be in my opinion. once you get past the beaches, theres not much to offer here.

[urbie]

Originally Posted by Fudgecopper

Im with you. I moved from CA to Rhode Island,without ever visiting or knowing anyone from around there, on a giant leap of faith and its paid off. Do what you want to do, you only live once. Of course, dont go recklessly and have some sort of a cushion to fall back on

OK, fine, live your dreams, yada-yada. But speaking as the Voice of Experience™, GET THE JOB FIRST, THEN MOVE. Especially in a recession, and when you're looking at an area with double-digit unemployment. (Providence, like Flagstaff, looked great on paper, but when you try to get a job here, it's a whole 'nother story. The only places my wife and I have been able to find work are in Massachusetts, so I suspect we'll probably end up there, instead of commuting from here. We like Providence, but not if the economy stays dead.)

Urb

[sh45]

Originally Posted by Fudgecopper

Im with you. I moved from CA to Rhode Island,without ever visiting or knowing anyone from around there, on a giant leap of faith and its paid off. Do what you want to do, you only live once. Of course, dont go recklessly and have some sort of a cushion to fall back on

that is a giant leap of faith! all the way across the map! may i ask why such a leap? if thats not too personal of a question.

[aquietpath]

My girlfriend and her daughter lived there for a several years.....she found the area to be quite clannish and her daughter was called a "wash-ashore" because she was not from the area originally. I never heard that expression before, but apparently it is used towards "outsiders". My friend said that although the area was beautiful, there was a lot of negativity from the locals because they were struggling to make ends meet while tourists seemed to have money to burn. At least that was her impression.

[Beachcomber4]

Originally Posted by aquietpath

My girlfriend and her daughter lived there for a several years.....she found the area to be quite clannish and her daughter was called a "wash-ashore" because she was not from the area originally. I never heard that expression before, but apparently it is used towards "outsiders". My friend said that although the area was beautiful, there was a lot of negativity from the locals because they were struggling to make ends meet while tourists seemed to have money to burn. At least that was her impression.

Making friends here is like dating. If you are overzealous and give up too much early on, you come off as desperate and people shy away. If you are friendly and keep it light in the beginning, and withhold a little, people are receptive and want to see more. Like courting, it just takes time.

The Cape Cod Times did a story not that long ago about "wash-a-shores" who were living and prospering on Cape. I don't think the term was meant to be derogatory toward your girlfriend's daughter. People refer to themselves as such.

The only time I've seen that type of attitude towards tourists is when the offender is rude or demanding. Often times that is accompanied by a sense of self importance that they associate with their wealth. I'm sure there are those who are unhappy with their lot in life and do have some animosity toward those who have more but as a whole, I think most people who live here understand the importance of tourist dollars.

Sorry for your girlfriends experience. Did she move off Cape?