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We are considering a move to the Portland area from Berkeley CA and have been thinking seriously about Cape Elizabeth for school quality. One question that we haven't been able to figure out from afar is what the feel of the town is like. It appears that there are many modest homes in Cape, but I read many descriptions of it as "wealthy" and "exclusive." We are hoping for a friendly place with a strong sense of community and commitment to schools, but not a wealth-conscious country club. Would Cape be a good fit?
Depends on where in Cape E you end up living. The parts of it along the shore are very upscale and expensive. Away from the water you'll find more moderately priced homes and the people who buy them. Cape E has a tony image, but I know people who have lived there all their adult lives who work as shipfitters and clerks. The school system is consistently rated among the best in Maine, but that comes at the cost of some pretty hefty property taxes. IIRC Cape E has such a high valuation that it doesn't qualify for much state aid for its school costs.
not a wealth-conscious country club. Would Cape be a good fit?
My family geneology has lived in Cape for three generations, and it has changed from a mixed bag to a upperclass-only Country Club. There are virtually no rentals-unless you want to rent a 3BR house. The school system is good because there are no kids from lower income families.
Can you keep up with the Joneses?.. Cape is also a majority Republican, and thinking about how you're from Berkeley-you may not appreciate that.
CAPE IS THE DEFINITION OF TONY.
My parents house there is worth something like $2 million cause of the view. They bought it twenty-five years ago for $400,000. Some consider Cape people similar to the people in Fairfield County, CT like Darien and Greenwich.
For good schools.. What about Gorham Yarmouth or Scarborough? Most outlying areas lean Republican, but almost all other towns are less Tony than Cape.
I guess what I'm asking is how wealthy/exclusive Cape Elizabeth feels. There is certainly got some significant wealth in Berkeley - even a small house in a transitional neighborhood will sell for 600-700,000. However, Berkeley is kind of a comfortable, schleppy sort of a place.
As I look at real estate postings, I think that we'd be looking at houses in Cape in the 300-350 range. Nice, but not fancy or on private beaches. Does that put us in the "poor" category? It seemed to me when we drove around town that there were plenty of regular looking family homes, so the description of town as "wealthy" seemed at odds with what I saw. But then, I don't have a frame of reference for the town, don't know how it's changed over the years.
Basically, I'd like my kids to grow up someplace where the community puts a strong value on education, but that there is not so much money floating around that life gets out of whack. What other places should we check out? What are South Portland schools like?
You should be fine in Cape ELizabeth! Never heard the word "tony" to describe it!!
Those fortunate to have real estate on the shore are worth much ( due to the value of their homes)- but their everyday life styles are for the most part like everyone elses.
The schools are strong and there is a lot of local pride in the schools- esp the High School sports teams.
You will find people in Cape Elizabeth a lot less pretentious than you imagine
I guess what I'm asking is how wealthy/exclusive Cape Elizabeth feels. There is certainly got some significant wealth in Berkeley - even a small house in a transitional neighborhood will sell for 600-700,000. However, Berkeley is kind of a comfortable, schleppy sort of a place.
As I look at real estate postings, I think that we'd be looking at houses in Cape in the 300-350 range. Nice, but not fancy or on private beaches. Does that put us in the "poor" category? It seemed to me when we drove around town that there were plenty of regular looking family homes, so the description of town as "wealthy" seemed at odds with what I saw. But then, I don't have a frame of reference for the town, don't know how it's changed over the years.
Basically, I'd like my kids to grow up someplace where the community puts a strong value on education, but that there is not so much money floating around that life gets out of whack. What other places should we check out? What are South Portland schools like?
$300-350 is towards the bottom of the housing stock. However, you're much better off to live in exclusive Cape then to send your kids to South Portland where there basically is no upperclass.
Cape is close to the city. Close to the lower incomes of South Portland therefore it does NOT have an the exclusive of Danville, CA (surrounded by ritzy towns like Walnut Creek, Alamo, Blackhawk). It's more like a Moraga minus the strong liberal leanings.
Wow, I feel really old? "tony?" Somebody help this old fossil!
I didn't get it either....the only "Tony" I know is now a bank president (another home town boy done "good"!)....and he doesn't live there! I must be way too Maine for that reference!
Glad to see your post and your questions. I jumped on the board looking for more info on Cape E. We are relocating to the Portland area from RI. I have the same questions as do you. Few folks have mentioned Cape E in terms of folks being snotty
We are also looking at Scarborough, Yarmouth, Falmouth (have more questions about this), Cumberland, and Cape E. Coming up this coming weekend to delve deeper into neighborhoods, etc.. hoping to get a better feel for each town. Will look for your post and welcome sharing what I find.
By the way - I lived in CA for 7 years. In SD. I know it is So.Cal but never-the-less....
Hi CJI - great, I'd love to hear more about your impressions. We looked around a bit at Scarborough, not so much the others. By the way, if you'd like to communicate off-forum about this let me know and I will add my email to a future post.
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Cape ELizabeth - how tony?
. I jumped on the board looking for more info on Cape E. We are relocating to the Portland area from RI. I have the same questions as do you. Few folks have mentioned Cape E in terms of folks being snotty 
