Vacationers know Cape Cod for it’s unsurpassed sailing and boating, swimming and fishing and other outdoor sports, its theaters and art shows, and as a great place just to relax. But, there is another side to the Cape.
Each year, more and more people are discovering Cape Cod as the place for a permanent home.
Today more than 185,000 people live on the Cape. They represent almost every state – and many foreign countries – and include all kinds of people from famous scientists, artists, and writers to just “ordinary folks.”
The Cape has become one of the country’s best retirement spots. It is estimated that over 25% of the population is retired. Some are semi-retired. Many others commute to their offices while they enjoy the Cape’s beauty and lifestyle.
What attracts people to living on Cape Cod? There are, of course, the long stretches of clean, white beaches, the crystal clear lakes and ponds, the pine scented woods and abundance of wildlife.
But Cape Cod is more. It is a “wonderful way of life.” The Cape has something for everyone. It’s a sportsman paradise for the fisherman, boater, golfer and the bike rider. Its unhurried, relaxed atmosphere provides the ideal climate for the artist, writer or craftsman. And, if you don’t have any special hobby, there are lots of ways to keep busy and interested – whether it’s gardening, church or civic work or just socializing.
Unlike many retirement areas, the Cape Cod location makes it easy and desirable for children and grandchildren to visit.
The retirement community is a wide mix of people from many parts of the country and beyond – former executives of corporations, teachers, scientists, government workers, artists, writers. National leaders, past and present, are well represented. They all blend into the life here. Many lend their talents to the non-profit organizations, the schools and town governments. Others have started small businesses or work part-time in existing ones.
One typical retiree, explaining why he chose Cape Cod said: “Cape Cod is difference from the other retirement areas. There are many who have discovered hidden talents – in art, writing or some craft – and others who have developed small business ventures. The Cape is a stimulating place to live. Many people may retire their bodies here, but not their minds.
“Weather-wise, We enjoy the change in the climate. The one-season environment of the warmer areas doesn’t appeal to me.
Cape Cod is steeped in history. There are many landmarks – from the first landing place of the Pilgrims in Provincetown to the Aptucxet Trading Post in Bourne, established by the Plymouth Colony in 1627. Every town has a Historical Society.
Like most parts of the country, the Cape is subject to the pressures of the ever-increasing population. Old timers resist this trend and long for the “good old days.”
SENSITIVE TO CONSERVATION
A quick flight over the Cape will convince you that over 50% is undeveloped, with a significant part under conversation. The Cape is very sensitive in the areas of ecology and the environment. There is a widespread concern that the Cape retain its beauty and charm so that future generations may enjoy it.
Throughout the Cape zoning laws are designed to prevent overbuilding and to promote wise land use. Cape towns are conservation-minded and realize that to preserve the natural beauty and resources that make Cape Cod, land must be set aside in perpetuity. The Cape Cod National Seashore includes over 27,000 acres from Provincetown to Chatham. The dunes, the marsh lands and beaches, and hundreds of acres of upland are preserved in their natural state forever.
Every town has a Conservation Commission with responsibility to acquire land for conservation purposes and to serve as “watch fogs” in seeing that conservation laws are not violated. In addition, there are several private conservation trusts – notably in Chatham, Orleans and Falmouth – which are continually acquiring land for preservation.
MAKING THE BREAK
Some who have lived in one community for many years may be apprehensive about breaking the ties that have been built – friends, family, church, and the many social and civic activities.
A long-time retiree on the Cape says it this way: “When we first moved to the Cape at the age of 62, we were somewhat concerned with pulling our roots after 40 years in the same town. We were agreeably surprised by how quickly we adapted to our new home. We gradually met people “in the same boat” and others who had retired a few years earlier. It didn’t take long to acquire a new set of friends. And a big bonus was that many of our friends in New Jersey came to see us regularly. One bought a summer house in Orleans, where we live.
LOCAL ECONOMY
There’s a good mix of all ages for Cape Cod residents; young business and professional people up to active retirees well into their eighties. There is little manufacturing on Cape Cod. What there is represents only 3% of total employment – all in light industry. The Cape is a vacation-oriented economy and most of the job opportunities are in that area or in the service businesses building trades. There are numerous small businesses, many in the arts and craft fields. So, if you know how you are going to support yourself, don’t worry about “fitting in” on the Cape.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN WINTER?
Almost every resident, at sometime or another, has been asked the question, “What do you do in the off-season?”
A curious change takes place almost immediately after Labor Day. A drive through any Cape town finds the streets comparatively quite. Gone are the hordes of suntanned youth, the parents followed by youngsters from babes in arms on up. Shops seem comparatively empty and traffic congestion eases.
Residents who have been besieged by friends and relatives all summer have time to socialize again. And most of the visitors are those with children back in college.
There is no end to the many interests and activities during the “off season.” In the outdoor category, beach picnics are a relaxing experience. There are walks along the many trails, including those of the National Seashore. Golf can be played during practically every month of the year on the Cape’s 31 courses.
If you are interested in civic affairs, there are many opportunities for service in the towns and villages. There are more than 100 placed of worship on the Cape. There are women’s clubs, garden clubs (for men too), sportsmen’s clubs, retirees clubs, bridge clubs, arts, dancing and social clubs. Dues are low too.
It has been said that there is more creative talent on Cape Cod per thousand population than anywhere else in the country. While much of it is professional, the number of “amateurs” whose work ranks with the pros is amazing. Whether your talents lie in painting, wood carving, ceramics, photography, or in some other craft, there are choral groups and theatrical groups. Two outstanding organizations are the Cape Cod Conservatory of Music and Arts and the Cape Cod Symphony.
WE ARE “70 MILES AT SEA”
Some strangers think that Cape Cod is one big sand pit. Although there is plenty of sand here, topography, soil conditions and plant life vary widely. It’s a far cry from the sand dunes of Provincetown to the high, heavily wooded sections of such communities as Sandwich or Brewster. In fact, there are some areas that are reminiscent of the hills of New Hampshire. This phenomenon is explained by the way the Cape was formed by glacial action thousands of years ago.
Cape Cod is divided into 15 towns, subdivided into villages. Each town has its own “personality” and there are distinct differences within each community. Barnstable, Bourne, Falmouth and Yarmouth are the largest towns, with populations of from 14,000 to 30,000. The others run between approximately 1,500 to 12,000. The flavor of living is definitely that of the small New England village.
If you have no special knowledge of any area, it is wise to spend time visiting, especially off season, before you settle down.
THE FOUR SEASONS
No one can live on Cape Cod without being conscious of the ever-changing panorama of nature.
Every season has its special and special charm. The glorious summer days melt gradually into brilliant “Indian Summer” that stretches into late November. In the swamps and salt marshes, one sees the brilliant red of the glasswort and the white flowers of the Groundsel bush.
Winters are mild and the colder weather frequently does not arrive until January. Zero and sub-zero temperatures are rare.
Spring is late on the Cape, but makes up for its tardiness with its sudden blossoming of trailing arbutus, beach plum, bayberry, scotch broom and other typical Cape flowers and shrubs.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Cape Cod is considered one of the best regional hospitals in New England. The Falmouth Hospital serves the upper Cape area. The MediCenter Five medical services center serves the five towns of Brewster, Chatham, Eastham, Harwich and Orleans.
Every town has a 24 hour medical emergency service tied in with the Cape Cod Hospital and the Falmouth Hospital. Boston, one of the country’s leading medical centers, is only 90 minutes from Hyannis.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation by air, plus a network of improved highways, has brought the Cape close to the eastern parts of the United States. Boston in only an hour and a half by car or bus from Hyannis or Falmouth.
The Barnstable Municipal Airport is now one of the busiest air shuttle services to Boston, which in turn connects with Washington and New York.
There are regular ferry and airline services to nearby islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
WHAT ABOUT EDUCATION?
Centrally located on the Cape is the Cape Cod Cumminuity College. All persons age 60 and over are eligible to take both day and night credit courses at no tuition cost.
Additionally, the Center for Successful Aging was developed in response to the ever-growing need for education for the Cape’s population of retirement.
Of special interest to persons of retirement age is the Academy of Lifelong Learning where people join their peers to explore new areas of interest such as Native American Literature, the History of Cape Cod and Constitutional Law. Members meet weekly for the two hour sessions.
Adult Education programs are available in all Cape towns, covering a wide range of subjects.
SENIOR SERVICES
There are special services available in every town to the Cape’s retirees including meal programs, social, travel services and assistance with a wide range of matters related to the retirees.
LIBRARIES
Every town has at least one library (there are 7 in the town of Barnstable alone). All are part of a state-wide inter-loan system. Cape libraries are funded almost exclusively by local communities. Many have “Friend” organizations which provide lecture and concert programs.
The Cape Cod Community College has the most complete reference library on the Cape and is open to the public.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Many retired people are active in supporting the over 160 non-profit organizations of Cape Cod.
VILLAGE CHARM
No point on the Cape is far from the ocean. There are many other sites on or near the more than 365 freshwater lakes and ponds which dot the landscape.
Homes in the 15 villages of Cape Cod are well spaced. Many are in cul de sacs, on dirt roads, or overlook the marsh land. Even in the village centers houses are not crowded together.
In buying a home on the Cape you have a wide choice in location, type and price. There are also a number of well-planned residential communities, where both new and older homes are ready for occupancy.
There are still plenty of homes and home sites available. Waterfront property costs more – but there are many locations with lovely water, marsh or woodland views. And, for those not wanting to maintain a single family residence, there are many attractive condominiums available.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
