A Postcard from Cape Cod, Massachusetts
In summer, we pass cottages with white climbing roses, patriotic flags for the fourth of the July, and the entire population, it seemed, on bicycles. Slow pace, cute dogs and in winter, long isolated stretches of sand dunes on the beaches with a blustery wind. All this within steps of our Cape Cod vacation home.  
 
  

About Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Shaped by ocean currents, forests of birch and beech, grassy meadows and marshlands, Cape Cod's gorgeous surroundings attract a variety of professionals including eclectic writers, artists, corporate executives and business owners from all across the world. This 90 mile long arm of land flexing from the mainland attracts second home owners seeking outdoor sports as well as an intellectual and artistic community.  With over 400 species of birds recurring on this island, Cape Cod is also a bird watcher's paradise. Since nature the main asset here, emphasis is on treading lightly on nature. It's even possible to plan a car-free trip to Cape Cod.

With the scenic beauty, long stretches of beaches and wildlife, finding your ideal beach resort, vacation home or rental is totally dependent on setting your goals and checking your price range. There is more than enough options on the Cape for people to choose from, though not of all it may be affordable.

Each town has its own special attractions and character. Some people want more distance between them and civilization and will choose the more outlying areas. Others want an easy week-end commute from Boston, and migrate to the closer towns. All the towns offer beach within a few miles. From the very end of the Cape at Provincetown to the entrance at the Canal Bridge is a total of 70 miles.

An Average Lifestyle in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
When you have a second home on Cape Cod, you have agreed that you really want to be "far away from it all". Perhaps it's the constant presence of the sea on each side, or the mild weather, despite being so far north. Whatever it is, the lifestyle is a definite "island feeling" - slow and far away from stress and hassles. The most difficult part of having a second home on Cape Cod is returning to the first one. Eventually, many people don't.

Housing

Options: Single family ranch, Cape-style homes, townhouses, condos, apartments, country inns, beach property, homes in towns.

Costs: According to one report, while sales fell in 2001, prices continued to rise. An entry price appears to be about $179,000 in any of the cape towns, with an average price for single-family homes around $317,000 (in 2001) and condos at $170,000. Affordability continues to be the main issue for Cape Cod homes. That aside, if you can afford them, there's nothing like having a vacation home on the cape for a lifetime investment.