nan

Visited the Cape a few times and looked at real estate in Sandwich. How's the cost of living, cultural amenities and weather on the Cape in general? How about the crowds in summer? What's the best town to settle in? Or should we look elsewhere? Any local knowledge appreciated. Thanks!

Tricia

Typed you a detailed message and it was all erased by this wonderful server of Fodors: so to do it all again is to much; but I have a wonderful book called "Retirment Places Rated" which takes 151 USA cities and breaks them into 5 or 6 categories, including cost of living, cost of housing, services etc. In some areas live services and leisure Caped Cod got A's and AA's but in cost of living/housing it was 145 and 147, mainly because the average home costs $171,000 and there is no break given to pension income as in other states. They seem to favor Brownsville, Texas, Branson, Mo because of the low cost of living. (Let's try this again)

nan

Tricia, you were so nice to offer your suggestions, but I'm wondering where Donna is. She seems to know a great deal about New England. Not possible to E-mail privately? Are E-mail addresses protected or may anyone contact anyone else?

Tricia

No e mail addresses are not protected as long as they give their correct e mail just click on it and you will be transported to your e mail program to type her a message.

Audrey

Donna will probably have the best info, but in the meantime, check out the travel forum on the Yankee magazine website (www.newengland.com); I seem to remember some postings about people looking to retire in New England, but it might have been in Maine. I am a native New Englander who would not retire to the Cape; if you can stand the long winters, I'd look at New Hampshire and the coast of Maine.

Donna

Here I am! Cape Cod is the ubiquitous "tourist" destination during "high season". This used to be from July 4th to Labor Day, but has expanded in recent years to from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. The various local Chambers of Commerce have developed promotions such as "Daffodil" events in late April and "Christmas Strolls" in December, expanding "high season" to an even longer time span. All in all, any tourist destintion will be mobbed by tourists, vacationers and day-trippers during "high season" (the nice and otherwise more favorable weather). Just when you can enjoy being out and about, you can't. The roads are clogged with traffic, the restaurants are all overbooked, and YOU are paying tourist prices for everything. And, just try to escape! Year 'round residents on Nantucket have told me, for example, heaven forbid you forget or are unable to run to the grocery store on Monday during tourist season. In the off season, when the weather is the dreariest, you can get everywhere easily, but nothing is open - "Closed for the Season" signs in lots of doorways. Why would you want to live year 'round where no one wants to visit in the "off season"? Winters on Cape Cod are VERY long. And, while somewhat milder than the rest of New England, they are still considerably dreary. Having lived all over, I now reside in Southern NH, just over the MA border. Town of Nashua - Best Place to live for the second time, according to Money Magazine. Terrific value for the dollar here. And, everything is only an hour or two away. The Coast of Maine, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Green Mountains of Vermont, spectacular Lake Winnepesaukee, and all the historical and cultural benefits of nearby Boston. A bit farther, with the fabulous exchange rate, is Montreal - the closest second to a trip to Paris. When Customs asks the purpose of our trip: "Dining!". During the dreary winter, we have our fireplace and our hottub if we feel like hibernating, and spend frequent Saturdays overnight in Boston attending the finest restaurants and Broadway shows. Hotel rates are rock bottom in Boston Nov-Mar. If the driving is scary, we dump the car in Lowell and take the train. There are plans to restore train service between Boston and Nashua real soon. In the Spring, we run around to all the gardens. In summer, we weekend in Maine or on Lake Winn. During the absolutely spectacular fall foliage season, we spend the first weekend in Maine, the second in Northern Vermont or the White Mountains and the third in Western MA. Awesome. In the winter, the snow is incredibly beautiful, especially if you don't have to be anywhere.

Donna

P. S. Once retired, you can take advantage of "mid-week" rates to explore all of New England and avoid any "tourist" traffic all over.

Tricia

Now what will you do Nan- maybe grab one of those retirement magazines?? He he!! Donna knows her stuff! Did you ever consider Texas, Donna??

Donna

I was so anxious to reply to Nan that I neglected to thank Tricia and Audrey for their generous compliments! But, Tricia (and I have very much enjoyed your contributions to the Departure Lounge), I'm really curious: What do you mean by considering Texas?

Deanna

Donna,
I need info. on transportation from Boston to Martha's Vineyard and places to stay on the island. I will be traveling with my parents, 60+ years old, in June. Is there somewhere other that the island you would suggest? I am from Dallas and they live in Tulsa. We know little about New England. Thanks!