We are considering looking for a place to retire on Cape Cod in a few years and would like to begin the search. Any suggestions for the best towns? We are not wealthy so cost is certainly a factor: home costs, taxes, etc. Have visited a few times but never in the summer. Thanks for any help you can provide.

If cost is a factor, then you may consider buying a place and then LEAVING during the summer --- rent out the house during July & August and it'll go a long ways to helping with expenses during the rest of the year.

One thing to consider is your degree of need for health care. If you need anything more than a doctor who'll give you an aspirin forget the Cape. The Cape Cod hospital is so lacking in skilled physicians and nurses its incredible. They look at senior citzens as a meal ticket and nothing else. My parents retired to the Cape (it was their dream). But both my father while he was alive and my mother now suffered unnecessarily from the misdiagnosis of doctors at that hospital. Boston is too far away to be consider an option.

But if you are healthy then think about Yarmouth. It has great services for seniors, wonderful church communities, beautiful beaches and some very lovely homes. Homes on the Cape have in the past tended to be less expensive than comparable homes in the Greater Boston area but the differential is shrinking lately. Also a plus for Yarmouth and Dennis are their town owned golf courses. For a reasonable fee you can golf all you want at their courses which are pretty darn nice.

Yarmouth doesn't have trash collection. You'll either have to pay a service to collect your trash or haul it yourself to the transfer center. Taxes in Yarmouth are reasonable also. I would stick to the Rt 6A part of the Cape - its much nicer and you avoid traffic on RT 28 in the summer and still get to the grocery store etc.

Thanks for these different perspectives. We wouldn't want to rent our place in the summer and miss out on the great beaches. Also would hope to have our grandchildren visit then. Does anyone else have comments on the health care at Cape Cod? By the way, we aren't into golf. Can anyone compare Cape Cod to Cape Anne (where we've never visited)? Thanks, This has always been a helpful friendly forum.

You should definitely visit in the summer to see the drastic change in population - particularly in the towns with many motels, shops and rental.

Peter,
We have lived on Cape Cod for almost 5 years. Health care is a definite consideration if you have a serious chronic problem. I disagree with the above msg that Cape Cod Hospital lacks skilled healthcare. The few times I have used their services (for my elderly mother when she was visiting and needed some surgery and my husband spent 3 days there last year) the care was excellent and attentive. The hospital has worked very hard in the years we have been here to upgrade their services and doctors/nurses. Many Boston doctors spend a day or 2 a week here (not that being a Boston doctor makes you somehow better). There are many elderly people here using the healthcare system with success.

Housing costs are definitely going up as are taxes. Many wealthy people are moving in, buying smaller homes, tearing them down and replacing them with "trophy homes" making the market more difficult. Food is a bit more expensive, especially in the summer, as everything is "imported" and transportation costs are higher to the Cape. I would never buy a retirement home without living in the community for a year or 2 to see if I really like it. We spent 10yrs researching many states and areas before deciding on Cape Cod, where we had vacationed for 20yrs and kept coming back to over and over. We knew it well when we decided. You must visit in the summer to even consider it to see if you can handle the crowds and traffic.

We also love the Cape and someday down the road would like to retire there yet I agree with the previous posters that it may be a good idea to visit the areas you are thinking of at different times of the year to get a feel for what it is like in season and off season. Also, I would be curious if they have active senior groups etc..
I think the prices on the Cape are high now for real estate- check the Sunday Globe or take a drive down and have an agent take you to see some properties in your price range. I bet taxes would be comparable to Suburban Boston areas yet I am not sure what services you get in return for your money. That info is all available to you from Town Hall or even the Chambers of Commerce may have some info that would help. As far as healthcare I have heard the same concerns. My pediatrician strongly discouraged us from going to the Cape while my children were younger (one child had many medical concerns- severe allergies, asthma etc...)she had done her residency at Mass General and had seen one to many kid medflighted in from the Cape since they could not provide the necessary services.So- that doesn't specifically address your concerns but thought that you may find that interesting. We of course go to the Cape now and love every minute of it! My vote for towns would be Brewster, the Dennis area or the Harwiches! Good Luck finding the perfect spot for your golden years!!

You should definitely check out the homes for sale and their asking prices. Be advised, that the "For Sale" signs go up all over during the summer on homes where folks just want to see how much they can get, and these are not really "for sale" unless you wish to pay a ridiculous price. I do agree with the idea of renting out your home during the summer months. Not only would this defray your living expenses, during the summer you'd have to endure the traffic and the tourist prices everywhere. Residents don't really get to "enjoy" living there during the summer. During the winter, the Cape is rather remote, deserted, and bleak. Visiting is a LOT different than residing there year-round. Why the Cape?

peter,

I've been following this thread with interest. My husband is a medical doctor. When his parents decided to retire to Cape Cod (E. Sandwich), my husband phoned many physicians in the Boston area for recommendations for good specialists for 'seniors'. The news he received was very bleak...not to say there are not fine doctors on the Cape, but should one need a good cardilogist or other specialty, the population is sparse; the physician population is also sparse. One item I would consider (when retiring) is to move to a locale that has a teaching hospital within a reasonable driving distance.

Much as I love the Cape, I would kill to retire on Cape Ann or maybe Marblehead. While the weather on the Cape is much more clement in the winter (it can snow everywhere else but not there, thanks to the "insulation" of the surrounding ocean), I would like the easier access to the culture and health care of Boston and the presence of a full year-round community.

I have a very wealthy cousin who built (my) dream house in Truro -- they love it there, but they can afford to spend the money to stay over night when they drive to Boston for a special occasion. But they do that less and less frequently. The year-rounders are an interesting group, but it takes a while to be "accepted" and it's a small town with limited resources. And while the CC Hosp. is better than it was, it's not Mass. General or Brigham and Women's.

The reason I don't think I'll ever be able to retire either on the Cape or on the North Shore? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Hi - I posted earlier about the lack of quality healthcare on the Cape. You have subsequently asked about Cape Ann. I live in Newburyport which is north of Cape Ann and is in my opinion a wonderful retirement town. It has a very active art scene, access to good healthcare, train service to Boston, wonderful bars and restuarants, is located at the mouth of the Merrimac River, has a very active bird watching community because of its proximity to Plum Island National Wildlife Refuge. Plum Island's beaches are as beautiful as Cape Cod. It is also very close to NH mountains and Maine seacoast. Newburyport is a small city so many services are within walking distance of housing (less suburban sprawl than many locations). Elderly services are plentiful also. Active charities and church groups also.

Other than housing the cost of living there is reasonable. The only drawback to the area is the cost of housing. You should expect to pay $275000-$400,000 for a home. Many go for far more. I've been trying to get my mom to move from Yarmouth to Newburyport but the cost of housing remains a barrier. The good thing about the expense of the home is that it will retain its value.

I agree with the recommendation to rent before buying. Everything could look good on paper but there are some qualities to a town that can't be quantified. You have to be there to get the feel for a place.

Good luck and warm wishes for a healthy and happy retirement.

All your postings have given me plenty to think about. Newburyport does sound lovely too but I don't think we could afford it. It might be fun to take a vacation there though. Thanks for taking the time to help. This is a great forum!

If you are interested in senior communities close to the ocean, why not look into southern New Jersey? My in=laws retired there and loved it.

Funny you should mention southern NJ. I am originally from Joisey but have lived elsewhere for many years. Are your folks near the shore? Cape May is another consideration but don't know much about year round living there. Perhaps I should enter a different topic/new thread.