Where to buy on Cape Cod.......

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

The resort I own at - Ocean Club at Smuggler's Beach - is a fantastic Beach Front location in South Yarmouth - but they only have one direct ocean front 2BR - VERY spacious unit with large private balcony ....all the rest of the units are are oceanside (thing Aruba Surf) in that the building runs back toward the street BUT - all the units face out over the public beach to the Nantucket Sound - it is the last resort in a row of oceanfront resorts - week 26 thru 34 are sold as fixed weeks.....I have a float - weeks 18ish-25, 35-43ish (there is also a low season) and the resort is closed in January.
South Yarmouth has 2 beautiful town courses - Bass River and Bayberry - Google them - plus numerous private courses including Blue Rock where my parents live..

I paid about $250 plus closing on ebay from Holiday Group.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I just saw the previous post - Dennisport is the next town from South Yarmouth - south Y being South of there...LOL.

Exit 8 off the mid cape highway - kind of as Quogue/Hampton Bays is to the Sunrise Hwy/Montauk route - so a much easier ride.
Hyannis is exit 6 - exit one is near the Sagamore Bridge.....from Bridge to So Yar exit is about 24 highway miles

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Thanks guys for all the info. Seems I have a lot to learn about all the different towns.

Pat, you got a super deal, and the place sounds great. I really like that it's on the beach.

I'm planning on going to the Cape this summer, and checking out some towns, and timeshares. I've bought timeshares sight unseen, but this is a bit overwhelming. Too many towns, and I don't know the area well enough.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Thanks guys for all the info. Seems I have a lot to learn about all the different towns.

Pat, you got a super deal, and the place sounds great. I really like that it's on the beach.

I'm planning on going to the Cape this summer, and checking out some towns, and timeshares. I've bought timeshares sight unseen, but this is a bit overwhelming. Too many towns, and I don't know the area well enough.

It is worth checking out - nice clean simple - and a GREAT location...if I was going to the Cape, I would want to be on the beach.
People pay BIG bucks to stay at the Red Jacket which is on the same stretch of beach.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Funny, I have far fewer plans this summer than usual, and have been seriously considering hitting PTown (I haven't been there in 15 years). Harbor Hill sounds lovely, but I recall hearing that almost all summer weeks are owner-occupied.

[mschatz Member Find all posts View Profile Close mschatz]

Colonial Acres

I own a week 35 at Colonial Acres (happy Ebay purchase) which is a well done conversion of 2 motel type buildings and a series of standalone cottages. The cottages are adorable and MF are reasonable. I have a 2BR with a full kitchen and central air. It is a 2 minute walk to a quiet beach. It exchanges in II, but now seems to be offering RCI points.

It is however in S. Yarmouth. While the resort itself is in a nice residential area, some feel that S. Yarmouth lacks charm. I think it is centrally located to get around the Cape.

Probably not easy to find a lot of cottage units for sale however.

I am also staying at Brewster Green this summer as week 35 didn't work for me this year. I like Brewster and the areas around it, however it is not near the beach. IVS Realty always has lots of Brewster Green (and other Cape Cod) units on their site.

I happen to not be a big fan of Falmouth. I find it too far from P-Town, the drive-in, etc. and while Falmouth itself is fine, I feel cut off from the rest of the Cape.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

It is worth checking out - nice clean simple - and a GREAT location...if I was going to the Cape, I would want to be on the beach.
People pay BIG bucks to stay at the Red Jacket which is on the same stretch of beach.

Thanks Pat, I will check it out, when I'm out there.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Funny, I have far fewer plans this summer than usual, and have been seriously considering hitting PTown (I haven't been there in 15 years). Harbor Hill sounds lovely, but I recall hearing that almost all summer weeks are owner-occupied.

I saw a reasonable summer rental yesterday, somewhere. I've now been on so many sites, that I'm not even sure where I saw it. I was just scanning them, and not taking notes.

There does seem to be a bunch of reasonable rentals, tho, for Cape. Of course, I'm sure there are fewer in PT, than the other areas.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Not having been to the Cape in many years, I'm finding the various locations difficult to grasp. I'll have to see them for myself, and make a decision. Thanks for all the info, tho. It's helping to give me an idea of the different towns.

I own a week 35 at Colonial Acres (happy Ebay purchase) which is a well done conversion of 2 motel type buildings and a series of standalone cottages. The cottages are adorable and MF are reasonable. I have a 2BR with a full kitchen and central air. It is a 2 minute walk to a quiet beach. It exchanges in II, but now seems to be offering RCI points.

It is however in S. Yarmouth. While the resort itself is in a nice residential area, some feel that S. Yarmouth lacks charm. I think it is centrally located to get around the Cape.

Probably not easy to find a lot of cottage units for sale however.

I am also staying at Brewster Green this summer as week 35 didn't work for me this year. I like Brewster and the areas around it, however it is not near the beach. IVS Realty always has lots of Brewster Green (and other Cape Cod) units on their site.

I happen to not be a big fan of Falmouth. I find it too far from P-Town, the drive-in, etc. and while Falmouth itself is fine, I feel cut off from the rest of the Cape.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I own a week 35 at Colonial Acres (happy Ebay purchase) which is a well done conversion of 2 motel type buildings and a series of standalone cottages. The cottages are adorable and MF are reasonable. I have a 2BR with a full kitchen and central air. It is a 2 minute walk to a quiet beach. It exchanges in II, but now seems to be offering RCI points.

It is however in S. Yarmouth. While the resort itself is in a nice residential area, some feel that S. Yarmouth lacks charm. I think it is centrally located to get around the Cape.
Probably not easy to find a lot of cottage units for sale however.

I am also staying at Brewster Green this summer as week 35 didn't work for me this year. I like Brewster and the areas around it, however it is not near the beach. IVS Realty always has lots of Brewster Green (and other Cape Cod) units on their site.

I happen to not be a big fan of Falmouth. I find it too far from P-Town, the drive-in, etc. and while Falmouth itself is fine, I feel cut off from the rest of the Cape.

West Yarmouth - between South Yarmouth and Hyannis along Route 28 - is a bit 'honky tonk' with many motels, etc. South yarmouth off Rte 28 is rather upscale.

Angela, many people rent their homes by the week - unlike the Hamptons - Try Surette Realty for a LOVELY rental.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

West Yarmouth - between South Yarmouth and Hyannis along Route 28 - is a bit 'honky tonk' with many motels, etc. South yarmouth off Rte 28 is rather upscale.

Angela, many people rent their homes by the week - unlike the Hamptons - Try Surette Realty for a LOVELY rental.

Thanks, I'll take a look.

[Theo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Theo]

My $0.02 worth

I've been looking to buy a place in driving distance from NY, for summer use. I'd love Montauk, but Gurneys is expensive, with high MF's, so we're holding off buying there.

I'm thinking that maybe Cape Cod would work for us, because they seem to have lots of golf, as well as the beach. Problem is, I'm not really familiar with the resorts on Cape Cod. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what resorts to consider?

One thing is we would prefer to be on the beach. I also would like to be near shops, if possible.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! TIA!!!

There is a somewhat limited number of timeshare facility choices on Cape Cod to begin with. I won't address individual resorts, but will offer some observations still relevant to your choice process.

Beachfront property is extremely valuable on Cape Cod and I don't think you'll find too many timeshare facilities actually fitting that particular bill. There are a number of "waterfront" timeshare facilities in North Truro and Provincetown. Do not, however, confuse "waterfront" with "beach". All such places in this area are on the "Bay" side of the Cape land mass. The bay is extremely shallow at low tide there (think walking and wading, not swimming). There are NO commercial oceanfront properties at all on the "ocean" side of the Cape in this Truro / Ptown area (thank you, President John F. Kennedy). Most of the ocean side property right here is Cape Cod National Seashore (National Park Service).

If you don't care for Provincetown (some don't, for an assortment of reasons including seasonal congestion, crowds, traffic and a large "alternative lifestyle" population) there are also timeshare facilities further "up Cape" in Harwich, Dennis and the Yarmouths and Hyannis. This is "mid Cape" and logistically convenient, but in my view (having grown up on the lower Cape) much more commercial and "touristy". There is also a facility in Brewster, which is a good compromise location geographically, but the facility itself is of little interest (to me, anyhow).

At the risk of annoying others, I don't personally even think of the whole Falmouth area as being representative of Cape Cod. Technically, you are on Cape Cod once you cross over the Cape Cod Canal, via either the Bourne Bridge or the Sagamore Bridge. The Falmouth area certainly fits that particular criterion, but that whole area just does not have any of the "feel" of being "true" Cape Cod (to me --- it's just a personal perspective and opinion --- don't shoot the messenger).

I don't know every facility, but I wouldn't get your heart set on a beach front timeshare. Oceanfront land is generally much too expensive and much too valuable on most of Cape Cod to end up being an interval ownership property.

Everyone else in the entire state of NY already seems to infest (....er, I meant "visit") Cape Cod in the summer. I can certainly understand that you don't want to be left behind, all alone. ;-)

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Theo....Thanks so much for giving your 2 cents, I appreciate the info.

Can I ask you a personal question, since you are a New Englander, and seem to have much knowledge regarding the Cape? If not, not a problem, I understand.

If it were you, what town, and timeshare would you prefer? What would your 1st, and 2nd choices be? Thanks!

BTW....I didn't know that the Cape was filled with New Yorkers. Seems we're everywhere, these days.

There is a somewhat limited number of timeshare facility choices on Cape Cod to begin with. I won't address individual resorts, but will offer some observations still relevant to your choice process.

Beachfront property is extremely valuable on Cape Cod and I don't think you'll find too many timeshare facilities actually fitting that particular bill. There are a number of "waterfront" timeshare facilities in North Truro and Provincetown. Do not, however, confuse "waterfront" with "beach". All such places in this area are on the "Bay" side of the Cape land mass. The bay is extremely shallow at low tide there (think walking and wading, not swimming). There are NO commercial oceanfront properties at all on the "ocean" side of the Cape in this Truro / Ptown area (thank you, President John F. Kennedy). Most of the ocean side property right here is Cape Cod National Seashore (National Park Service).

If you don't care for Provincetown (some don't, for an assortment of reasons including seasonal congestion, crowds, traffic and a large "alternative lifestyle" population) there are also timeshare facilities further "up Cape" in Harwich, Dennis and the Yarmouths and Hyannis. This is "mid Cape" and logistically convenient, but in my view (having grown up on the lower Cape) much more commercial and "touristy". There is also a facility in Brewster, which is a good compromise location geographically, but the facility itself is of little interest (to me, anyhow).

At the risk of annoying others, I don't personally even think of the whole Falmouth area as being representative of Cape Cod. Technically, you are on Cape Cod once you cross over the Cape Cod Canal, via either the Bourne Bridge or the Sagamore Bridge. The Falmouth area certainly fits that particular criterion, but that whole area just does not have any of the "feel" of being "true" Cape Cod (to me --- it's just a personal perspective and opinion --- don't shoot the messenger).

I don't know every facility, but I wouldn't get your heart set on a beach front timeshare. Oceanfront land is generally much too expensive and much too valuable on most of Cape Cod to end up being an interval ownership property.

Everyone else in the entire state of NY already seems to infest (....er, I meant "visit") Cape Cod in the summer. I can certainly understand that you don't want to be left behind, all alone. ;-)

[Theo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Theo]

Compromises....

Theo....Thanks so much for giving your 2 cents, I appreciate the info.

Can I ask you a personal question, since you are a New Englander, and seem to have much knowledge regarding the Cape? If not, not a problem, I understand.

If it were you, what town, and timeshare would you prefer? What would your 1st, and 2nd choices be? Thanks!

BTW....I didn't know that the Cape was filled with New Yorkers. Seems we're everywhere, these days.

I'm certainly glad to answer, but my reply might not be all that helpful to you, since my criteria might differ considerably from yours and what I'd prefer is likely unavailable to either of us. In my own view, the wonderful beaches of the CCNS on the lower Cape (and lower Cape Cod in general, frankly) plainly and simply cannot be beat. Period, amen. Perhaps that is just the bias of an enamored native (I no longer live there, by the way). As far as beaches, I gladly drive to the beautiful beaches of the CCNS (parking, bathhouses, security, convenience) and pay the minimal entry fee (you can buy seasonal NPS passes too). I much prefer those short drives to having a little tide pool which just happens to be right outside my door.
More specifically, although I am not (past or present) an "alternative lifestyle" person or participant, I still happen to like the quirky Provincetown culture, restaurants, shops (if not the crowds, traffic, congestion and tourists).

In short, Harbor Hill would be my hands down first choice of a timeshare to own in that area. Wonderfully located outside Ptown proper (almost in North Truro, in fact), on a beautiful and quiet little stretch of Route 6A. In fact, I tried to buy a fixed summer week there myself some time ago (with no luck). There are "float" weeks periodically available, but no "float" week will ever get you in there in the summer months. In short, where I would buy you (or others) likely can't find a week available either (although, as we all know, circumstances and availability can and do change). A summer trade into that place is likely never going to happen either, no matter what "Tiger trader" one might own to use in attempting to do so. Owners use those weeks. They paid big money for good reasons, none of which included "depositing for exchange". The other Ptown timeshare facilities are too much in the center of things (and traffic) for my liking, so that might be it for the lower Cape (for me). To my knowledge, however, the only Golf Course on the entire lower Cape is at Highland Light in Truro. It's small, it's certainly no country club, but it's a stunningly beatutiful area. Land is much too valuable on the lower Cape to be allocated to golf courses....

My second choice? A VERY distant second choice would be, and even then only if available for mere peanuts, further "up Cape" at Brewster Green --- but ONLY because of its' somewhat convenient and reasonably quiet location. It's a "Friday to Friday" facility (a good thing, in terms of somehat avoiding the peak of the horrendous Cape Cod weekend traffic volume). At least a mile from any beach and more miles than that to any good beaches. Brewster is a nice, mostly sleepy (...boring?) little town, with not a whole lot to offer really, but at least it's a bit off the lower Capes' beaten, beaten (and beaten some more) path.
Third choice? None --- I don't have a third choice. I have no use whatsoever for the Falmouth / Mashpee area (Cape Cod's version of suburbia, in my view) and the mid Cape towns mentioned previously are much too busy, too tacky, too congested and too commercial for my personal liking.

I'm being blunt and honest, hopefully not unintentionally offending anyone in so doing. Having grown up and lived there for many years, however, I think I'm entitled to express a strong and well informed opinion rearding a few relevant personal observations.

Hope this helps you in some form or fashion....

P.S. I know that conspicuous by absence from my input are any references to Martha's Vineyard and / or Nantucket. That is simply because a) I know absolutely nothing about the timeshare facilities there, beyond the fact that some do indeed exist there and b) those two Dukes County islands are not actually part of mainland Cape Cod anyhow. While I've spent a little time on both islands over the years (and on Cuttyhunk, another island in the same area), none of that time was (knowingly, anyhow) spent in or around timeshare facilities there.

[mschatz Member Find all posts View Profile Close mschatz]

I resemble that remark

As a New Yorker with a family that looks forward to our week on the Cape in the summer nearly every year, I thought your well supported, logical response was excellent.

Matt