A coastal resort town in the Lower Cape
Eastham is a small Cape Cod beach town, sought-after for its iconic coastal New England amenities and aesthetic. Settled in the 1600s as an agricultural and fishing community, Eastham’s history as a vacation area began in the 1830s. “It’s about a third full-time year-rounders, a third second-home people, and a third summer renters. But the best thing about it is that most people have no idea what the off roads are like – they just drive through on their way to Provincetown. It does get sleepy in the winter, but it’s not as touristy as other areas,” says Donna Gemborys, a Barnstable County local and William Raveis Real Estate & Home Services Realtor with nearly 30 years of experience.
Eastham’s Cape Cod beaches and annual events
Cape Cod Bay beaches line the length of Eastham’s east side, while the Cape Cod National Seashore spans the oceanfront side. “There are just so many beaches. You can walk on the beach endlessly,” Gemborys says. The Nauset Marsh Trail is a looped path connecting the oceanfront Coast Guard Beach to the Salt Pond Visitor Center, which has a theater and an America’s National Parks store. Fort Hill Trail, another looped hiking path, is nearby. “What’s really nice in the summer is going up to Fort Hill, doing the nature walk and watching the moon come up out of the water, then driving five minutes to the bayside and watching the sunset at First Encounter Beach,” Gemborys says. Eastham Windmill, between Salt Pond Bay and Depot Pond, is the oldest and last working gristmill on Cape Cod. Windmill Weekend is held after Labor Day annually, with a cookout and local vendors on the Windmill Green. And every June, the Green hosts Eastham’s Hands on the Arts Festival, with live entertainment, kids’ crafts and artist vendors.
A hot market for coastal cottages and Colonials
Classic cedar-shingled New England housing styles, from Cape Cods to Colonials, are common. Prices for small cottages and standalone condos start close to $230,000 and climb to around $620,000. Larger Cape Cods and Colonials tend to sell in the $600,000 to $1 million range, while waterfront properties are usually priced in the multi-millions. “Inventory is historically low,” Gemborys says, noting that there are about half the number of homes on the market as normal. Eastham’s flood risk is relatively low, despite its coastal location, but higher on the south side of town.
Highly rated Nauset Public Schools
The Nauset Public Schools district offers controlled school choice, but the community is zoned for Eastham Elementary, Nauset Regional Middle and Nauset Regional High. The elementary school earns a B from Niche. The middle and high schools are A-rated. Nauset Regional High is the only high school in the country located within a national park: the Cape Cod National Seashore. Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School is a B-plus-rated public charter school nearby. The Laurel School, also close, is an unrated private option for toddlers and elementary students.
U.S. Route 6 has retailers and restaurants
U.S. Route 6 is lined with shopping and dining. “Some businesses and restaurants close seasonally, but eating out is really big here in the winter,” Gemborys says. She recommends Local Break, a pub-style eatery open year-round. “Everybody goes there, it’s very popular.” Other perennial restaurants include Basco Grill, known for classic New England seafood and diner fare, and Casa Del Cabo, a Latin eatery. The Eastham Farmers’ Market runs between June and September. Mac’s Market & Kitchen and Sam’s have grocery and deli items year-round.
Commuting on and off Cape Cod
U.S. Route 6 runs through the middle of Eastham, heading north to Provincetown and west toward the mainland. Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority bus stops are spaced along the highway. Ferry service to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard is available in Hyannis. Cape Cod Gateway Airport and Cape Cod Hospital are also in Hyannis, within about 30 miles of Eastham.
