This beautiful part of Cape Cod is a summer playground where coastal estates blend with communities of modest saltbox homes. Here enjoying the mild summer weather on decks and terraces designed into this beautiful setting requires a well thought out landscape. When created to solve problems of strong winds or salt air, outdoor living spaces in these communities are rich in the finest amenities old money can buy.

This is where the good life with sailing and golf draw a large retirement community. That means lots of time for relaxed alfresco dining in your backyard sanctuary. Where there's a lovely view, let your design put you where it matters most, be it nestled into the woods or high on a hill overlooking the cape.

The neighboring towns of Yarmouth, Barnstable and Weymouth offer some of the best marinas and beaches on the south shore. Older homes and lovely elegant neighborhoods feature expansive landscapes in the moist salt air, but until recently the outdoor spaces beyond the porch were lacking. Inspired by the western trend of living outdoors as long as the weather allows has driven a new discovery of well appointed patios, terraces and decks. They are built out with elaborate furnishings, outdoor kitchens and luxurious dining areas for family or parties.

Brockton and Randolph are inland so the character here is more of a working class community where yards are modest and homes small. This is where expanding outdoors for summertime activities make sense by adding considerable value to your real estate investment. Homes with outdoor living spaces that provide roomy dining tables and open air grilling allow entire families to come together in comfort. These improvements can solve many problems when multiple generations live in the same community. So whether you're hoping for a wood fire pizza oven or just a monster grill strong enough to fire up burgers for an entire softball team, these neighborhoods are the places to make it pay in summer fun without ever leaving home.