Cape Cod vs. Outer Banks
 

Mrs. dchristiva and Jr. dchristiva and I are trying to plan our summer vacation and are giving vacation rentals at Cape Cod and the Outer Banks serious consideration.

My understanding is that it takes a pretty hearty soul to brave the water temperatures around Cape Cod in the summer, but this would be a shorter journey for the family. On the other hand, I spent quite a bit of time in the Outer Banks when I was a kid, so even though it would be a VERY healthy drive from NY, I'm leaning in that direction. Plus, I think waterfront vacation rentals in Cape Cod are few and far between whereas they're pretty abundant in the Outer Banks.

I don't know the various towns in the Outer Banks all that well (besides the obvious Nags Head and Kitty Hawk), nor am I too familiar with the Cape (only been there once for a wedding).

So, I figured I'd turn some of the decision-making over to the experts here at FT. Some of you are bound to be experts on both areas, so I'm open to your suggestions and thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

I'd much rather go to Cape Cod than the Outer Banks in the summer. First off, it will be cooler at the Cape than down south in NC. Secondly, the ocean may be warmer in NC, but you better be prepared to dodge jelly fish and crabs. Do you like lobster?

Boston is boat ride away if you're going to Provincetown. New England far outranks the south for me any season of the year! I love New England seaside towns.

Analise, thanks for the insight. I should have mentioned that hot weather wouldn't concern me. In fact, if I'm renting a beachfront house, the warmer the better. I don't recall that jellyfish were a big problem in NC in July or August, but I could be wrong.

Yeah, lobster's great, and that IS a big selling point for the Cape.

Good thoughts all around, so thanks again.

My pleasure. :)

How long is the rental?

Most likely one week, but it depends on whether Mrs. dchristiva is still working then or not. If she quits work to be a stay-at-home mom, then we might go for two.

Your wife is very lucky to have the option of working or not working. ^ For a week or two weeks, it is a very long drive to NC. Yet it seems you have a greater fondness for the OB since you spent time there as a child. Given that, you might just want to choose to go south just to relive some wonderful memories. Does your wife have a preference?

I think it's really a preference thing....

I have only been to the Cape once and that was during the off season so I can't say to much about it...EXCEPT for the FOOD...OMG I could have grown about 10 sizes eating all that lobster!

I was in NY during last summer and it was way to cold for me!!..I was in the pool at the inn and it was around 80 degrees out and I was freezing. Some of the others around the pool with their cell phones were saying they were about to die due to the heat!

I lived in Winston-Salem for several years...and Outer Banks is OK to me...and don't recall the jelly fish issue either. You will be happy if heat is no issue and I believe the rentals might be easier to come by and maybe cheaper. Also, the drive down might be relaxing with some pretty sites.

Again I think it is a preference thing bc if I had the choice I would go to Pensacola Beach in a heart beat..even with all the hurricane damage..nothing like that whiter then white sand and bluer then blue water....



**BTW...what's up w/ this sponsor business in between some of the post...has that always been there and I haven't noticed it or is that new?

I understand what you mean, but I always find it interesting that people use the word "lucky" to describe this situation. We didn't leave this decision to "luck" or chance. We've been planning this since the day we were married, making sure that our savings provides a safety net, ensuring that my career path provides enough income to cover our expenses without her paycheck, etc. The financial planning that has enabled us to have this option was significant, and I'm proud that we've accomplished this goal.

I'm really happy that my spouse now has the option to stay at home, and can make whatever decision is best for her (and our son). I hope that she chooses to stay home, but if she wants to work full- or part-time, that's okay with me, too. She loves going into work everyday knowing that she can say "I quit" whenever she wants. It's very liberating!

As for the vacation destination choices, yes, I'm leaning towards NC, but not so much that I couldn't be persuaded to go to the Cape. Does anyone go swimming in the ocean there, or is it just too cold? How difficult is beach access? Are the vacation rentals right on top of each other like they are in NC, or does everyone have some space?

Ocracoke in the Outer Banks
 

I'm not familiar with rental houses because my stays there have been in B&B's, but I'd suggest looking into NC's Ocracoke Island. It's lovely, isolated and quiet with beautiful beaches. And kids (or those who act like them on occasion) can enjoy exploring some of the old haunts of colonial-era pirates, including Blackbeard himself. (He met his end at the hands of the Royal Navy when they found he and his crew anchored at Ocracoke.)

It's been 35 years since I spent my summers on the Cape but I'm pretty sure the water is still warm and comfortable for swimming on the bay side. Cape Cod Bay is shallow and protected and much warmer than the ocean side. At low tide, it is enjoyable to walk way out and wade through tidal pools looking at the stranded sealife. The downside, is that the waves are way smaller if you're into surfing or just jumping into the big rollers.

I would guess you could find a beach rental if you look. Try Orleans and Brewster. Better hurry, though. I've no idea of the prices but would guess it will be more expensive than the Outer Banks. And don't do it if you don't like crowds. Cape Cod in the summer was Hell for me and I haven't been back in 20 years. It can only be worse.

If you do it, have a clam roll for me.

Cool. Can you offer any B&B recommendations? This might be a better option that renting a house, as I don't think we really need that much space for just 3 people.

[QUOTE=BamaVol]It's been 35 years since I spent my summers on the Cape but I'm pretty sure the water is still warm and comfortable for swimming on the bay side. Cape Cod Bay is shallow and protected and much warmer than the ocean side. At low tide, it is enjoyable to walk way out and wade through tidal pools looking at the stranded sealife. The downside, is that the waves are way smaller if you're into surfing or just jumping into the big rollers.

I would guess you could find a beach rental if you look. Try Orleans and Brewster. Better hurry, though. I've no idea of the prices but would guess it will be more expensive than the Outer Banks. And don't do it if you don't like crowds. Cape Cod in the summer was Hell for me and I haven't been back in 20 years. It can only be worse.QUOTE]

I agree - Cape Cod Bay is warmer and it's so neat that you can walk out really, really far at low tide and still have the water be up to your thighs.

I love Cape Cod - there is so much to do there. You have the beaches at Cape Cod Bay, or the National Seashore beaches lined by huge dunes. The water is cold here, but the scenery more dramatic. There are nice hikes, great small towns to explore, some nice used book stores (that's always a plus for me!) I've never been to the OB, but from my understanding, there's a lot more to do on Cape Cod.

I would also recommend Ocracoke. Stay in the town at the south end of the island and spend your days on the 17 miles of untouched beaches on the rest of the island.

There's something about having to take a boat to get somewhere that really makes it seem like a vacation to me.

Just some examples to see the prices

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/massachusetts

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...rolina/coastal

being from MA, the Cape is a wonderful place. My family likes it out past the elbow, in Brewster, Orleans, Truro, Wellfleet, P-town because there is a lot more space than in Yarmouth, Hyannis, and Dennis and and we like the ocean. Others religiously return to Dennis/Harwich every year. The bay is for small kids imo, much warmer water and no surf, but make a nice way to relax. The ocean side is more scenic, nicer dunes, but you have to walk through them which can be a pain climbing up after the end of the day with two boogie boards, a cooler, several beach chairs, towels, and enough sunblock to ward away cancer forever, but body surfing Cahoon's Hollow or Nauset will give you a great workout and the water is only cold for a few minutes.

The Cape is heavily developed now, but there still exist places to hide out. Would love to try OB.

Go To The Cape
 

[QUOTE=BamaVol]It's been 35 years since I spent my summers on the Cape but I'm pretty sure the water is still warm and comfortable for swimming on the bay side. Cape Cod Bay is shallow and protected and much warmer than the ocean side. At low tide, it is enjoyable to walk way out and wade through tidal pools looking at the stranded sealife. The downside, is that the waves are way smaller if you're into surfing or just jumping into the big rollers.


I grew up on Cape Cod (living in sunny AZ now) and travel back every summer to see my grandparents. Having spent many a summer in the ocean, I can assure that it is definitely warm enough to swim. However, Cape Cod Bay (the north side of the cape) is by far the coldest water you wille experience. It is protected and not in the warm gulf stream waters so it is substantially chillier. Waves are much smaller on the bay side although the towns and villages are just as cozy.

The Cape Cod National Seashore (beginning in Eastham and running all the way to Provincetown) is not to be missed. Waves here can be huge and great for surfing or body boarding. Here the water is also a little bit colder becasue you are directly accessing the Atlantic Ocean. The warmest waters (mid to high 70's) in the summer can be found on the south shore of the Cape. Specifically, the towns of Dennis, Barnstable, Yarmouth and Harwich. Here, waves are smaller but the water is warm because you are directly in the gulf stream and shallower water of Nantucket sound.

There is also a lot to do in the evening on the Cape;ebverything from great restaurants to nationally acclaimed theatre and the Cape Cod Baseball League (where many of the country's baseball talents started out).

I'd be happy to answer any question you have about the Cape. It's a great place and I hope you conisder it.