Living in cape off season (Boston, New Bedford: ski resort, real estate, rentals)

[Tightlines]

We're considering moving to mid cape, telecommuting for our work. What's it like for an early 50s active couple? I hear the drug scene is an issue; what's the view on crime?

Also, any suggestions on internet service, other than Comcant?

[RichCapeCod]

There are fifteen towns on the Cape. Why are you looking mid-Cape? If you work via computer then the entire Cape ought to be an option. Each town has a distinct personality. Without knowing more about your needs and desires it’s really tough to comment on your question.

A quick and dirty response is; the Cape is rather quiet during the “off” season. The outer Cape, from P’town to Orleans, is mostly shut down, although there are restaurants open in Orleans year round. Generally, depending on the town, there are lots of civic functions available if that’s your thing.

The Cape is kind of damp and cold during the winter, with pretty short days. Which are some of the reasons my wife and I live in AZ from the end of October through the end of May.

If you can be more specific about your wishes perhaps I can be of more substantive assistance.

Rich

[Cape Cod Todd]

I sell real estate on Cape and our clients find the Cape is what you make it. I have lived here 11 years and I think it is great. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice so I plan on boating or kayaking.
It is true that in the off season it does get quiet on the outer Cape which I find appealing.

It is true that each town has its own personality, traits, demographs, high points and low points. Drugs and crime are an issue as they are in any small town throughout America but I don't think it is a major problem for most and generally held to certain areas.

I have family off Cape and they often report in the Winter they are about 10 degrees hotter in Summer and 10 degrees colder in the Winter plus the Cape generally does not get as much snow as the rest of Massachusetts.

Comcast works for us.

[Tightlines]

Thanks, RichCapeCod.
We're looking at Dennis and Brewster, mostly because Outer Cape seems too far out, and Inner Cape seems too close...Mid Cape feels just right. Plus, north of 6 seems a bit more relaxed than south of 6. That's about the sum of our thinking here. Welcome feedback and thoughts.

[RichCapeCod]

I suggest you rent for at least one winter season and travel around to various parts of the Cape. There are lots of rentals available off-season so finding a place shouldn't be an issue.

Rich

[GeoffD]

If it were me, I'd be looking at Falmouth since it's a bigger town with more of a pulse off season. It's also way easier to get off cape via Route 28 or secondary roads to the Bourne Bridge than dealing with the mid-Cape highway.

Most people who telecommute need to do business trips. Anywhere in the Cape is kind of brutal for that. Logan airport means you have to deal with the Southeast Expressway. Green Airport in Providence is beyond easy striking distance. I spent the last 7 years telecommuting from the Southcoast in the summer and a Vermont ski resort in the winter. I could use PVD for a lot of trips with a deterministic 40 to 50 minute drive and it's a bit closer to Logan than from Falmouth. As you age, you also have to consider health care. I can get to a level 1 trauma center at RI Hospital with a 30 minute ambulance ride and world class Harvard med school faculty specialists at Mass General or the other Boston hospitals in an hour. I don't need any of that now but it might make a big difference 20 years from now. Even better, my town runs daily van service to those Boston hospitals so I don't even have to drive if I can arrange a late-morning/early-afternoon appointment. I can walk to the dinghy dock and get out to my boat floating in the harbor. The beaches aren't Cape Cod National Seashore but they're OK. The bicycling is excellent. I can get to all the big box stores in 10 minutes. You have to be OK with living in "West Portugal" where that's the dominant ethnic group and deal with decaying New Bedford as your local city but the coastal suburban towns are safe and affordable.