🤔 10 Things I Wish I Knew About Martha’s Vineyard Sooner

A few things I’ve learned, plus advice crowdsourced from longtime islanders

Some lessons you only learn after living on Martha’s Vineyard for a while. Here are ten things locals say they wish they had known earlier. These aren’t complaints, they’re practical FYIs from people who love the island deeply but want you to know the FULL picture.

💸 It’s Like…Really Expensive

The top crowdsourced answer to this question is that many people wish they had bought property years ago. It would make living here much more manageable. But it’s not just the housing. The cost of food, both groceries and restaurants, is often complete sticker shock to visitors. For locals, any off island trip for a medical appointment usually includes a grocery run to stock up where prices and selection are better.

Locals have to be strategic about budgeting, shopping, and spending while also factoring in the frequent cost of ferry travel. Even for those who do well financially, there are plenty of unanticipated expenses that come with island life. The cost of living is so high that food insecurity remains a quiet but serious issue. Volunteering Guide

📉 Unbelievable Seasonal Business Turnover

Every year brings new openings and closings, especially in dining and retail. It keeps things exciting, but don’t count on your favorite place being there next summer. Some newcomers are surprised to learn how many storefronts are controlled by a small circle of owners. The opening of new businesses in May and the sad goodbyes in September are part of the island’s annual rhythm. New Businesses Guide

🧪 Incredibly Limited Medical Access

Many local providers have long wait lists and there isn’t an urgent care on the island. It can take weeks to get a basic appointment, and seeing a specialist often means leaving the island entirely. For anyone with a medical condition, this usually involves an expensive, all-day trip that starts with the ferry.

🌊 Chappy is Actually Shrinking

Erosion is rapidly reshaping Chappaquiddick, and entire stretches of beach have disappeared. Sea level rise is something islanders are witnessing in real time. Local land trusts are working hard to preserve what they can, but nature is moving faster than planning. Chappy Guide

📮 Inconsistent Residential Mail Delivery

On MV, even getting a package can feel like a game of chance. Some get returned to sender, others end up at the wrong house, and many just sit at the post office waiting to be picked up. Some homes don’t get mail delivery at all—residents rely on P.O. boxes, which are expensive, hard to get, and only work with USPS. Amazon isn’t two days. Most meal delivery services don’t ship here. And just to make it interesting, your physical address might be in a different town than your mailbox. Delivery here takes patience, planning, and low expectations. Controversies Guide

🕷️ Take the Bug Warnings Seriously

Lyme, Babesiosis, and Alpha-gal syndrome are common here, and they can be life-altering. Ticks are part of daily life, so learn how to protect yourself, your pets, and your yard early on. Shake out your towels. Check your shoes. Be alert! Ticks Guide

🌊 Only A Few Public Beaches

Martha’s Vineyard has one of the most beautiful coastlines in the country—but most of it is off-limits. Unlike the Cape, we’re not part of the National Seashore system, so there’s no public guarantee. Some beaches require town residency, and many of the most iconic beaches are restricted during the summer. It’s an antiquated system, and unfortunately, it’s gatekept by a few. Beach Guide

🛳️ Car Logistics Are Very Complicated

Getting your car to and from the island can require months of advance planning. Steamship reservations for summer open in January and sell out quickly—especially weekends. you're stuck refreshing the waitlist or figuring out how to make the trip without a car. Some locals keep a car on the mainland year-round just to avoid the hassle. And even with a reservation, ferry delays, breakdowns, and limited standby space mean nothing is guaranteed. It's a stressful system that takes time, patience, and local know-how. Ferry Guide

🏠 Housing Is the Hardest Part

Housing here is limited, expensive, and often out of reach. Year-round rentals are nearly impossible to get without personal connections, and summer rentals are priced for vacationers, not workers. Even if you can afford it, options are competitive and often riddled with scammers taking deposits then ghosting. Many people live in overcrowded or unstable situations just to stay on-island, and the lack of accessible housing is a major factor behind staffing shortages. Many of the island’s workers commute from off-island daily due to the high cost and inability to find housing here.

For those hoping to put down roots, buying isn’t any easier. The island-wide median home price reached $1.55 million in 2024. On top of that, buyers must pay a 2 percent Land Bank fee in cash at closing. Between limited inventory, fierce competition, and high upfront costs, homeownership is out of reach for most people who live and work here. Housing Guide

🌍 The Island’s Diversity Runs Deep

The island’s diversity isn’t always visible at first glance. This is Wampanoag land, and the Brazilian community is one of the island’s strongest and most essential. For Black visitors, places like Inkwell Beach reflect a growing culture of celebration, and pride. But there’s still work to do to make the island more inclusive, welcoming and equitable for all. Inkwell Guide

I started MVacay because I wanted to see more inclusivity and less gatekeeping on this island. These are just a few of the realities I wish someone had told me sooner!