The Cape Charles Mirror recently received this email query:
I am a 61-year-old man retired from the U.S. Navy who currently teaches on-line courses for a small community college in West Virginia. I have followed the news from Cape Charles for several years (The Wave and Cape Charles Mirror) and have read about the beauty and charm of Cape Charles. I grew up on Rock Creek in Pasadena, Maryland and wish to spend my remaining years close to the Bay and ocean surf. I visited Cape Charles to view available housing in the spring of 2013 and found the town to be welcoming and friendly. I especially appreciated the amenities there: fishing pier, restaurants, community theater, and etc.
I would like some advice on whether or not to settle there. The information I have gleaned from the news articles, comments, and opinion pieces (corruption, high cost of utilities, animosity between the locals/new arrivals and the historic/new housing development populations has created doubt about moving there. There seems to be a strong movement to reform the local administration of the town, and an attempt to unify the residents; this gives me hope of positive change.
I would greatly appreciate several individuals providing me:
- Five reasons to move to Cape Charles?
- Five reasons not to move to Cape Charles?
We thought this was a great question, and the answers might provide a pulse of just what the sentiment is about our town as we head into May elections. We will keep the ‘poll’ open for two weeks or so, and all responses will be confidential. Once we have somewhat of a sampling, we’ll publish the results.
To respond to this gentleman’s query, send to: capecharlesmirror@gmail.com with “Reasons to Move to Cape Charles” in the subject line. Or, leave a comment at our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/capecharlesmirror.
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I have owned my home in Cape Charles for 14 years. I retired here 3 years ago. There are so many positive aspects of living here it is easy to name just 5. My top five are the great people here. We don’t always share the same opinions on everything but we respect one another and get along. We have all four seasons but a very mild winter. I have Palm trees growing in my backyard. People here are passionate about the shore. We love our great seafood and water sports. Folks here are charitable always willing to pitch in to help our neighbors and those less fortunate. We have a great diversity of interest and folks from all backgrounds farmers, bankers, scientists, inventors, artists, actors, entrepreneurs and small business owners who welcome newcomers and have great stories to tell. I can’t think of much that is negative about the place except we could use a good emergency healthcare facility in Cape Charles. The local medical facilities and healthcare professionals are great but it not the same as an emergency room.
Don’t let the negatives you read about the town dissuade you. Cape Charles is no different than any small town — there are dissenting opinions on any number of issues. The fact that so many folks engage in public discourse about the issues is testament to just how much they care. It’s actually a positive, in my opinion! In the end, everyone gathers at any number of the region’s festivals and share a steamed oyster and a beer or two. As David Gay states, it’s the people.
We owned three weekend homes in Cape Charles for about 9 years before deciding the commute was simply too much for us to make from Richmond, so we moved across the Bay. But, we still firmly believe in Cape Charles, its people, and its future. Understand — it’s a small town. You’ll need to get in your car to get groceries, hit the mall, etc. But, on the flip side, the Bay is right at your door step.
An even bigger “secret” is what lies just on the other side of the peninsula: The Barrier Islands. Miles and miles of simple beauty without the crowding of Ocean City, Virginia Beach, or the Outer Banks. Wide-open, say beaches teeming with wildlife, shells, and vistas. We love the islands so much that 90% of our boating and exploring was over there and not on the Bayside. Then again, both sides offer so many amazing places to kayak.
Cape Charles and the greater Eastern Shore of Virginia is an amazing place with some of the best, friendliest folks you will find anywhere.
Here are five reasons not to move to Cape Charles.
1. The Town Council is being run by people who could care less about the locals. They pretty much only care about tourism.
2. The water that you get to pay for is very corrosive to all of the appliances in your home. And taste awful. Most of the water mains the joints are filled with lead.
3. If you live in the town of Cape Charles or any other Incorporated town on the Eastern Shore you pay double taxes. Taxes to the town and taxes to the county.
4. As a citizen of the town if you go to a town council meeting you are not allowed to verbally speak out against anything that the council does not want to hear. They will gavel you and throw you out of the meeting.
5. The town is being driven into debt further and further. At this point to my knowledge the town is at least 14 million dollars in debt. There are approximately 900 full-time residents in this town. The taxes are going to do nothing but go up.
If you really want to get an education about the town of Cape Charles go to the website capecharleswave.com . This website will give you all the education you need to learn all about Cape Charles Virginia. Have a great day!
To Deborah Bender, what’s keeping you there??
Im reminded of a book i read many years age “Christ stopped at Eboli” the people were cut off from history, a motionless civilization in remote poverty. just like Northampton County, when you’re born into it there is no other way but to accept it as a way of life. You Anne excepted it and I’m sorry for you that there is a beautiful intelligent world out there outside of “Eboli” you should embrace.