How is living in Sandwich, MA? (Falmouth, Bourne: renting, tax rates, stores)

[capecodcathy]

Originally Posted by Atlantica

Please join the banter!

1. Yes, you are right, there is much more to Buzzards Bay than downtown. Unfortunately it is a horrendous first impression. As far as revitalization- I drove through last week and have not seen any changes so I'm not sure what you are referring too.
Looks better than it did a few years ago. There are new condos and businesses moving in. Hopefully that will help

2. Just as I shouldn't judge BB by the downtown, you can't call Sandwich "busy". The downtown is definately bustling year round. It's a great destination for shopping,dining and sightseeing. But you can drive a short distance in either direction and find beautiful, natural settings that will take your breath away and leave you feeling at one with nature. So call downtown busy, but the entire town? Not by a long shot.
But aren't those the places most people want to go? Downtown, etc. Love the boardwalk (in the Fall)

3. Sandwich schools lost their lustre? Not sure where. I'd love to hear your opinions. Sandwich is adding programs next year including an innovative high school transition program and foreign language classes in lower grades.
Those are the opinions of some Sandwich parents currently involved in the school system. Bourne has had both middle and high school transition programs for several years. Foreign languages begin in Kindergarten. My daughter spoke almost fluent French by 7th grade well enough to translate my directions to some tourists. My son resists!

4. Exorbitant property taxes- it's all relative. I've addressed that on other threads. If someone buys in Sandwich, they know the tax rate and plan accordingly. For many people, it is not a deterrant.
Yep. It's all perspective.

5. Housing prices- there are bargains to be had. I looked in Bourne but felt I got more bang for my buck in Sandwich- both in the house, services and opportunities for my children.
Will agree to disagree.

6. The LANDFILL. Thankfully, the situation seems to have been fixed. Yes, landfills have odors but the situation in Bourne was covered in various news outlets and the BOH was forced to have air quality tests conducted because it was sooo bad. When people say "Traffic on 28 stinks, they really meant it last summer in Bourne". It sounds like the problem was identified and fixed. Funny story though- when I first moved here I thought there was a problem with my septic system. It took me awhile but I realized it was at predictable intervals. It ended up we were smelling the marsh! Funny how suddenly the smell was "healthy and briney" rather than sewerage.
Oh..now that's funny! Very good chuckle.......I had something similar at a house I used to live at. Know the feeling.

7. Supermarkets. Bourne doesn't have one! HUGE inconvenience. Heck I have to drive to get to one of the two in Sandwich and find it inconvenient. I love the Mom and Pops but they dont' always have the best quality, selection or prices. And as we know, I have to save all the $ I can to pay my taxes.
Agreed. But you'd be surprised how many people don't shop locally anymore. They're all going to the Costco's, etc. Driving the Dartmouth and Hyannis. Don't get me STARTED on Hyannis! LOL

I'll give you these:

8. The water over at Bassett's Island (is that part of Bourne?) is glorious! The Bourne Braves are a great cheap outing and dinner at the Lobster Trap is great cheap eats and a great spot to entertain throngs of visitors.

Yes. Bassett's is part of Bourne. The Braves (and their new field) are wonderful. Love the Lobster Trap, but steer clear of the Chart Room these days, unless it's for lunch. Beaches in Sandwich are better than most in Bourne. And also, now that the jets have been transferred I think Forestdale will become more desirable.

I'm just used to Bourne (south of the Bourne Bridge) where we have one traffic light and my kids think four cars stopped there is a traffic jam. Mind you, I'm originally from the North Shore where traffic jams involve three hour commutes and you can't drive 40 feet without encountering a traffic light!

All in all, I'd rather raise a family on Cape Cod, regardless of which town. It's just a better place.

[twiggy]

Originally Posted by Atlantica

Depends. I have oil heat. My company estimated I would use 1,000 gallons of oil in 2008. There budget plan had me paying monthly for 10 months based on oil costing $5 per gallon. Fortunately, it stayed around $2 per gallon so I saved quite a bit and by February, my "budget payment" was amended and I was paying significantly less.

One thing I did find is that even with the lower prices, il ran .35-.50 per gallon higher on Cape than it did off.

Ok, so I'm gathering thats about 165, 170.00 a month for the year? I'm sorry, we don't do it that way out in Phoenix, it's monthly and it's for air condition. I pay around 200 to 500 a month depending on the time of year. We don't have oil here, just gas and electric. lol I will probably be using the heater in the summer as well for the first year. ha ha So I will add a little on.

[twiggy]

Have another question, does anyone know some good websites to go to for yearly rentals? We will be moving in the winter, after the summer season so that we can have some decent choices. I just can't find any sites besides "vaca rentals" right now when I google. Thanks!

[Atlantica]

Originally Posted by twiggy

Ok, so I'm gathering thats about 165, 170.00 a month for the year? I'm sorry, we don't do it that way out in Phoenix, it's monthly and it's for air condition. I pay around 200 to 500 a month depending on the time of year. We don't have oil here, just gas and electric. lol I will probably be using the heater in the summer as well for the first year. ha ha So I will add a little on.

My answer was confusing. Guess I was just trying to show how much it can fluctuate. When I looked it all over, I averaged about $250 per month for heat. It sounds like you could probably average out what you paid in Phoenix for utilities. Electricity is high here but between that and heat, I would think you could stay to about $500 per month for both. Yes, it sounds like the AC won't get used much in summer for you here.

For rentals, call a local realtor in the area of the Cape you are interested in. They can probably help you best.

Good luck

[capecodcathy]

Twiggy, try Craigslist.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by Atlantica

My answer was confusing. Guess I was just trying to show how much it can fluctuate. When I looked it all over, I averaged about $250 per month for heat.

My house is about 2500 square feet... 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and I have oil heat. It costs me an average of $10 a day in the worst winter months to heat this puppy! My electric (I am single and live like a mole - using candles in glass jars at night in the rooms I pop in and out of for example) is an average of $125 per month and during the holidays last year, with cooking and holiday lights, plus entertaining, my bill for Jan. and Feb. reached $175. I was not a happy camper! lol

[twiggy]

Thanks everybody! Sounds like I'll break about even on the utility cost.
I have special needs on the rental, I need a home with an apt. attached. I figure I will have to have someone call me when they can find one. This is why I'm going to start looking in the off season. I'll stay on craigslist as well. I heard you all in MA murder craiglisters? ha ha ha ha Kidding!

So nice to be on my way! It's been a long time comin! lol
Sold my house, saving up a couple more months then, on my way!

I read all the clam talk on the other thread! I would give my left arm away for a real claim. lol I've been trying to eat these evil strips but I just can't do it.

[a0303410714]

Sandwich is beautiful. The fishing and beaches are great. Check out Joe's lobster mart.
Their is a certain stuffiness in some of the folk which goes way back. A great town for young children and retirees. Not as much to do for teens. Keep a close eye on your teens and police there! Dangerous roads(old windy wagon paths with trees right along the street, many dead in car accidents...drug overdose...oxycontin...>heroin). Rich town with high taxes. Some really good leaders who are trying to make things better.

[itscolduphere]

Hello.... I'm really enjoying this thread, as I was always curious about Sandwich! I'm in NC waiting to move back to the Farmington Valley in CT when the market improves... but toying with the idea of parts of MA. My husband and I can work (@home) anywhere with a high-speed internet connection, so I'm interested in who the cable providers are there. Also, being an artist, I'm wondering if there is an art supply and fabric store anywhere around within reasonable driving distance?

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by itscolduphere

Hello.... I'm really enjoying this thread, as I was always curious about Sandwich! I'm in NC waiting to move back to the Farmington Valley in CT when the market improves... but toying with the idea of parts of MA. My husband and I can work (@home) anywhere with a high-speed internet connection, so I'm interested in who the cable providers are there. Also, being an artist, I'm wondering if there is an art supply and fabric store anywhere around within reasonable driving distance?

JoAnn's is in Hyannis as is AC Moore. They're about a 15-20 minute ride at exit 6 off the mid-Cape.