Chatham : Massachusetts
Living a Beach Lifestyle in Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham, Massachusetts, is set at theCape’s outer elbow, the town’s is surrounded on 3 sides by ocean. The Chatham Bar is an extremely long sand bar that is hazardous enough to warrant the Chatham Light, a lighthouse that has been warning off sailors for centuries. Monomoy Island is just off the coast to the southeast. Chatham enjoys some wonderful flat sandy beaches, including the huge one just below the Chatham Light. Chatham is one of the more affluent towns on the cape.
Where to Retire in Chatham and Home Prices
Some condominiums are available in addition to single family homes. Retirement living in town is very attractive in many quiet neighborhoods, and there are a lot of water views over the ocean, bays, and inlets such as Stage Harbor. Prices are very high, reflecting Chatham’s presence at the top of the Cape Cod real estate food chain. Zillow reports the median home value to be $1,119,535 in early 2022.
What Is Special about Chatham
Chatham has a charming downtown with excellent shopping and restaurants and is home to the famous Chatham Bars Inn. The ocean and the Chatham Bar on 3 sides, topped by the Chatham Light, Monomoy Island and Stage Harbor, along with ocean views and beaches all make Chatham a special place.
What Is Not Special about Chatham
The only possible bad things to say about Chatham are that it is expensive, and crowded in season.
Climate and Physical Environment
Chatham is on the outer elbow of the Cape, east of Falmouth as it turns toward its terminus in Provincetown. Chatham is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and bays on 3 sides, and gently rolling land on the other.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Art and antiquing are big here. The Chatham Historical Society has an excellent collection and frequent program. The Society is located in the historic Atwood House Museum, one of the oldest homes in town and which dates to 1752. The expanded library is a tremendous resource for the town. As a resort community there is a great choice of good restaurants both in Chatham and in surrounding towns like Orleans.
Crime
Crime is low in Chatham.
Medical Facilities
Cape Cod Hospital is 23 miles away in Hyannis.
Transportation
Barnstable Airport is 22 miles away in Hyannis.
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