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What Provincetown is like for active adults
Located at the terminus of Cape Cod is one of America’s more interesting retirement communities, Provincetown, Massachusetts. P-town, as it known, reflects a combination of its early history as one of the first settlements in the new world (the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact in its harbor), an early immigration of Portuguese sailors, and a long-standing tradition as an openly gay community. This interesting retirement community is located along the bay side of the cape and faces a large harbor. Many restaurants and interesting shops are the main street. Going away from the main harbor are picturesque homes, B and B’s, and small hotels. On the other side of town is the Cape Cod National Seashore - a priceless asset with a roaring ocean and towering sand dunes. An extensive system of hiking and biking trails make it possible for active adults 55+ to explore a landscape that is almost lunar in places.

Provincetown is unlike any other place on Cape Code. It has great seacoast charm. It also has a slight amount of honky-tonk provided by the remnants of a beatnik invasion that never left, along with a tangible gay presence. The result is a very “cosmopolitan hits fishing village” type of flavor that you will either enjoy or not appreciate. Active adults move here for the idyllic setting along the seashore in a town where you can walk or bike anywhere. Plenty of straight folks live here as well as the gay population.

In this retirement community one must generally must buy or rent a home, although a few condominiums are available. There are many quiet neighborhoods with water views of the ocean, bays, and inlets. Prices are high, reflecting the power of Cape Cod real estate. According to Yahoo Real Estate the MLS median asking price of 256 homes offered for sale in mid 2007 was $529,000. There were 212 homes in the classified listings with a median price of $599,000. Provincetown is in Barnstable County.
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What is special about this community
• The Pilgrim Monument designed by Willard Sears • One of the most “out” gay presences in America • Cape Cod’s leading whaling community • Internationally famous artistic and literary tradition • Many festivals including the Portuguese Festival, Mate’s Leather Weekend, and the Provincetown Film Festival
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What is not special about this community
• Crowded in season • Many stores close up for the winter • Can have a gritty edge • Some festivals are not family rated
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What kinds of people like living here
Provincetown attracts a community of retirees who want to live in a charming and vibrant seaside community. The town has higher than average percentage of gay residents
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Local economy is driven by
The economy is driven by tourism, construction, and fishing. The town of Chatham is nearby and offers a very establishment version of Cape Cod.
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Physical environment
Provincetown is on the outer end of Cape Cod as it hooks back toward Boston. Massive sand dunes are in the protected seashore area to the north and east of town. In many areas the sand has created a beautiful wasteland - perhapsf the nation's first environmental disaster - a result from the earliest colonists cutting down the forests and driving wagons through the soft sand.
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Cultural environment
Art and literature are big here, as a quick tour of the galleries and bookstores will show. The town is known internationally for its cultural output. Former and current cultural lights who have lived here include Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, and Norman Mailer. The Provincetown Film Festival is very important
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Medical facilities
Cape Cod Hospital is 29 miles away in Hyannis
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Transportation
Barnstable Airport is 28 miles away in Hyannis. You can take a ferry to Boston from the P-Town harbor. Or fly in or out of the small private airport.
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Active Adult Communities in Provincetown

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Facts about PROVINCETOWN
State:  MA
Environment:  Coastal,Small Town,
City Population:  Less than 10,000
Median age of Population:  45-64
Avg Jan Temperature:  21-40
Median HH Income:  20,001-40,000
Average Home Price (MLS):  $300,001-$500,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house:  NA
Total Crime Index:  81-90 (low)
Cost of Living Index:  111-120 (high)
Culture Index:  111-120 (high)
State Sales Tax:  Yes
State Income Tax:  Yes
Name of the Guide:  Frank
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10. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)

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