Cape Cod Beach Homes

With miles of shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean, Nantucket Sound, and Cape Cod Bay, the Cape offers a number of opportunities to enjoy beach living. In fact, the Cape touches five different bodies of water:

• The Atlantic Ocean on the east coast
• Cape Cod Bay on the north
• Nantucket Sound on the south
• Vineyard Sound on the southeast
• Buzzards Bay to the west

Unlike so many other parts of the country where a busy main road runs parallel to the beach and creates a significant traffic hazard, Cape Cod is nearly free of main roads bordering its beaches. In many instances, beach access roads run perpendicular to the beach with quiet beach neighborhoods sprinkled along these secondary roads.

Cape Cod Beach Homes For Sale

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Cape Cod Beach Home Neighborhoods

The Cape beach neighborhoods are particularly prized because of the limited scale of the homes. Cottages and single-family homes dominate beach housing on Cape Cod with a limited number of condo developments. You will never find high-rises towering over Cape Cod beaches, but instead encounter waterfront estates, as well as charming homes and cottages tucked away on the coastal dunes. A beach neighborhood is typically defined by its distance from the beach and loosely refers to homes that are less than half a mile away from the water. Important considerations include the ability to easily walk or bike to the beach and parking capacity if you need to drive. Beach neighborhoods can also encompass homes that are close to both public and private stretches of the beach although the latter is much more desirable.

Cape Cod National Seashore

Most of the Atlantic Ocean beaches are nestled within the protected confines of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Extending almost 40 miles, these pristine coastlines are federally preserved, ensuring their natural beauty for generations to come. In addition to a limited number of homes, this coastal haven also boasts lighthouses, walking and biking trails, historic sites, and nature preserves set against a backdrop of windswept dunes.

The Atlantic Ocean

The eastern shoreline of Cape Cod plays host to the Atlantic Ocean beaches gracing the towns of Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown. The soft white sand is offset by big, crashing waves ideal for surfers in select areas. Swimming is possible but be prepared for cooler water temperatures even in the summer months.

Cape Cod Bay

In contrast, the beaches along the bay and northern shore boast light surf and warmer water temperatures.The Bay side is also renowned for its “flats,” revealing miles of sandflats and numerous tidal pools teeming with marine life and sand-blasted shells to explore when the tide recedes.

Nantaucket Sound

Along the Nantucket Sound, you’ll find the most family-friendly beaches with gentle waves and balmier temperatures. Locals cherish the oceanside for crimson sunrises and look to the Bay for stunning sunsets as the perfect bookends to close the day.

While beach neighborhoods have much to offer, it’s essential to make well-informed decisions before you invest. Enlisting the help of a professional can assist you in effectively navigating the variety of beach types as well as alert you to any erosion issues that could affect your home value in the future.

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