A Guide to Living in Eastham, Massachusetts

With a population of about 4,900 people, Eastham, Massachusetts, is one of the smaller towns on Cape Cod. It's also overlooked at times because it doesn't have a distinguishing feature like the harbors in Wellfleet and Provincetown or the highlands in Truro.

Having said that, homeowners in Eastham love this location because it's close to other parts of the Cape while having a serene atmosphere and plenty of ocean access. Living here puts you minutes from the Cape Cod National Seashore and Cape Cod Bay, but is a short drive from places like Orleans, Chatham, Brewster, and Dennis.

If you're looking to relocate to Cape Cod and want a little bit of everything in your life, Eastham has it for you.

Neighborhoods and Areas

Eastham only has two actual neighborhoods: Eastham Center and the village of North Eastham. However, the reality is that there are many different areas, each with unique characteristics that might entice you.

Most of Eastham's population resides in Eastham Center, which encompasses everything east of Route 6 and south of Great Pond. 

The eastern side of Eastham Center is the most prestigious and the most challenging area to buy a home. That's because this entire section is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, so there's no new development and very few existing houses. It'll take a stroke of luck to find a home in this part of the town.

In the south, it's almost impossible to tell where Orleans ends, and Eastham Center begins, as the towns converge a few minutes north of downtown Orleans. 

Some of the homes in the southeast Eastham Center area are on Town Cove, which you can follow into Salt Pond Bay and out to the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the houses there have private docks to take advantage of this ocean access.

Southwest Eastham Center is less populated but has a couple of great beaches and a boat launch into Cape Cod Bay. Some houses are also within walking distance of Main Street in Orleans.

Moving north into the more central part of Eastham Center, many houses are near Salt Pond Bay, although very few have docks or direct access because much of the land is protected. There are boat launches, however, and the homes near the water have beautiful views. There are also numerous residences along or near Route 6.

Route 6 also runs through Eastham's heart and acts as the split between Eastham Center and North Eastham. This section is where you'll find most of the community's restaurants and other businesses, along with some residences.

North Eastham includes much of the area on Cape Cod Bay between Great Pond and the border with Wellfleet.

Those who are moving to Eastham for the beaches should consider these areas because although they're some of the most densely populated sections of Eastham, there's more than enough sand to go around.  The area around Great Pond is another popular section of North Eastham, as you can live on the water while remaining a safe distance from the ocean.

Have a look at various neighborhoods throughout Eastham and decide on the one that best suits your desired lifestyle.

What Residents Do For Work

There isn't a particular industry that dominates the workforce in Eastham, mainly because the community itself doesn't have much industry.

About 16% of Eastham residents work in sales, while 13% have management jobs and 9.5% deal with administrative support. There's also a surprisingly high number of telecommuting individuals, as over 11% of the population works from home. These workers generally have white-collar jobs or run small businesses from their houses.

Eastham has a diverse workforce, and you shouldn't struggle to find like-minded people after relocating to this gem on the Outer Cape.

Recreational Opportunities

Of course, you'll find plenty of great activities in Eastham, starting with the beaches. If you feel like heading to the Cape Cod National Seashore, the community is home to Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach, two of the park's most scenic areas.

Away from the Cape Cod National Seashore, Boat Meadow, Campground, Cooks Brook, Dyer Prince, First Encounter, Herring Brook, Kingsbury, Sunken Meadow, and Thumpertown beaches offer calmer waters and are usually less crowded. There's also Great Pond Beach and Wiley Park if you'd prefer a day away from the ocean.

Do you enjoy cycling? The Cape Cod Rail Trail is a 25-mile path that extends between South Dennis and Wellfleet, passing through Eastham along the way. You can get on the trail and ride to Orleans and Brewster very quickly, or make a day exploring the Cape.

Eastham Green has a bandstand that hosts concerts all summer long, and there is a large park behind Town Hall with baseball diamonds, a basketball court, a playground, a soccer field, and tennis courts.

If you enjoy hiking, Red Maple Trail and Fort Hill Trail take you through Salt Pond Bay, offering great bird and wildlife watching opportunities. You can also hike Nauset Trail from the Cape Cod National Seashore Salt Pond Visitor Center, or head inside if you want to learn more about it. These activities are just the beginning in Eastham, as you'll quickly see after moving to this community.

Getting to Know Eastham, MA

Eastham is a vibrant community that maintains a peaceful atmosphere because it doesn't attract partygoers like other parts of the Cape.

The town is also highly educated, with over 51% of residents having at least a college degree, compared to the national average of less than 22%, and many having advanced degrees in their field.

Buying a home in Eastham, Massachusetts, puts you in the heart of one of Cape Cod's quietest towns while remaining close to livelier locations like Provincetown and Orleans.

All of these factors make Eastham one of the Cape's most charming places to own a home.