Each winter we hem and haw about our place in Cape May. It always makes me think of the 1982 song from The Clash, “Should I stay or should I go". It's during the winter months we have to cough up $9,400 for the fees to have a place at Cape Island Resort. When we're not down there it's easy to forget how much we love it there. The "rent" allows us to have the place from April 15th through October 31st. They take care of everything including the pool and amenities. And it's just a stones throw from Cape May. We stuck it out this year and when we pulled in we were glad we did.
But the biggest pain in the ass with a seasonal place is the dreaded opening and closing. With prepping for the Titusville house sale we were late to the party this spring, and paid for it this weekend. With all the weather we had it was overgrown and needed to be weeded, power washed, awning put up, and decorated.
We got down on Saturday with chilly and windy weather but on Sunday it was beautiful. While it was a working trip we did get to grab a bite and beer from the C-View Inn, a place I would recommend if you don't want to drop a ton of money just to grab a bite.
We woke up Sunday with a new plan. We're thinking we should upgrade our place at Cape Island. The screened in porch is great, it's that putting up and taking down that awning that sucks. Luckily this weekend our friends were down as gave us a much needed hand. Once it's up it's good, but I've been putting it up and taking it down for six years. A hard top enclosed room is the way to go. The inside at are place is functional, but we'd like to do it over and then it’s a question if it’s worth it or not. So we took a look at what's around and maybe found an option.
Having a dedicated "tiny house" might be the way to go if we plan on being reverse sunbirds. winter down in South Carolina and head back to Cape May for the summer. It's a little more solid, newer, and has a double loft and enclosed porch with that hard top. That means it can sleep a bunch of people.
But getting it would change our plans up a bit for down south. The home we pick down there may wind up being a tad smaller, the gold cart might have to wait, and the boat refurbishment, might be on hold. This place is on a quiet tree lined street which helps keep it cool in the summer and doesn't tax the air conditioners. We'd probably be looking at $45,000, and part of that could be offset by the sale of our place, which we're looking to get $18,000 for hopefully, which includes the 2026 fees of $9,400. So for nine grand you'd have a place in Cape May for six + months out of the year. Call or text me if you want it, 732 261 7291.
By Sunday night we were beat, but did good work down there. It's pretty much ready to go for the summer. I tossed the outdoor chairs last year and the umbrellas are faded so new ones
would make the place pop. There's no neighbors on the yard side so there's a ton of privacy, perfect when you're having a campfire at night. It's a really great hang.
So for about $10,000 a year you'd have a place in Cape May, and right next to Wildwood, for $1,500 a month. Again, go and rent a place for a week these days. You can let family or friends use it, you just can't rent it out, which is a blessing. No in and outs, and you know you're neighbors, and we look out for each other and our places when people aren't down. And the best part is I'll be right around the corner, kidding of course.
This whole move thing is very fluid, and our expectations are low. In the end it will all be what it is. Selling in Jersey, buying in South Carolina, and now maybe making a move in Cape May, there's a lot of moving parts, and plenty that could derail everything. Fingers crossed, God willing, we're on our way to a better and simpler way of life.
