What's it like in Delaware (Wilmington, Dover: real estate, property taxes, insurance)

[nsa162]

I currently live in NJ and it is getting really expensive. I was noticed that houses in Delaware are much cheaper and property taxes are almost nothing compared to NJ. Is there a reason for this? How does the job market look? Other issues? How is the general quality of life in DE? Any cities to avoid?

[blnkndufus]

We moved from NJ to DE about 3 1/2 yrs ago because of the property tax. We are in a house that is about 2 times the size of our Jersey houes and pay 1/2 the taxes. It is great! There are some big companies here that emply a lot of people but not nearly as big as philly which is not too far away either...

[Loki88]

NJ is more expensive because of the proximity to NYC on the northern side in my opinion, Delaware is less expensive do to school taxes being a lot lower and the population of the state being lower. I moved here with my wife from Philadelphia and we've never been happier. Wilmington has great opportunities in many financial and Insurance companies, it is also a haven for corporate headquarters.

For the square footage of the house I live in - there is no way I could have afforded it in either Jersey or in Pa.

[j5284]

There are a great deal of problems in the public schools in DE. There are less problems in the schools below the canal.

[sleeplessinpa]

Our kids are all grown up so Schools mean nothing to us. We are looking for lower Property Taxes after paying through the nose here in Pa.

We are retiring early(55) 3.5 years and counting.

After seeing our Real Estate Taxes double in 2000(we are at almost $6,000 a year for a home we built for $155,000 in 1995) we knew that we could not afford to stay here after retirement!

The school keeps raising taxes year after year because they insist the state does not send them enough funds! We do not live even near a city(an hours drive for us at least to any major shopping). If we lived near a city we woud be paying $12,000 a year or more in Real Estate taxes for the same type home.

Considering we live rural and simple here in Pa we figured we will fit in to the simple life of smalltown, Delaware.

We have relatives in Lewes(PA transplant as well) and they love it! They tell us there are Loads of retired PA people there so we would fit right in.

Hubby was looking at homes in Seaford, any info on tha area would be helpful.

[DE_Resident]

Delaware is divided up into 3 Counties. New Castle County (North Delaware), Kent County (Middle of Delaware), and Sussex County (Southern Delaware).

New Castle County (Northern Part of Delaware)
You will be more exposed to job opportunities as well as an higher cost of living. Wilmington is known as the Banking Capital due to Delaware's favorable corporation tax laws. But New Castle County has more companies which offer more employment opportunities.

Kent County (Middle Part of Delaware)
Is home of Dover Air Force Base so there is a good size population there but it's not as populated as New Castle County.

Across Kent County you will see it's more spread out in between towns of Middletown, Smyrna, Dover, etc.

Many people, including myself live in Kent County and travel to work. I drive an hour to work via Rt. 1 and I never have a problem with traffic.

Sussex County (Southern Delaware)
This part of Delaware is known as "Slower Lower" because you have a lot of farm land which spreads out housing communities and places to shop.

But this county is home to Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, and takes you into Ocean City, Maryland (Beach town).

If you are into the "fast lane" of life then New Castle County may be a place to look or the upper part of Kent County.

As always doing your research insures you are making the right move. I hear some people say they can't find jobs in Delaware and they are living in Sussex County where jobs, depending on what you do, can be more difficult to find. And traveling to New Castle County everyday would be a 1.5 - 2 hour one way trip for a good job.

Living in Kent County, I don't have any problems traveling an hour to work. It's not like your sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. Traffic jams are few here unless your on I -95 in New Castle County during certain times of the day. Or your venture into Dover DE during a NASCAR Race Weekend.

Many people chose to buy a house in Delaware and commute via car or Amtrak to places in Maryland, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey.

Cities to avoid would the City of Wilmington, DE. as far as living. The city has a lot of ways of trying to make money off the residents there and the crime rate in the City of Wilmington is higher. Now Wilmington is a big place and does have nice areas outside the city part. Cost of living may be higher depending on where you are looking to move.

And remember Wilmington is not the only place in New Castle County, you have Newark (Home of University of Delaware), New Castle, Christiana, Bear, where there are lot more housing communities going up.

Hopes this helps.

Tony


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[peeweeaz]

Tony,
An excellent summary and synopsis of the three distinct pieces of Delaware. I'd be willing to bet you're a journalist, writer, editor or news reporter. You cut right to the chase in as few words as possible. I think you did anyone looking to move in any of the three counties a big service. Great job!

[JulieF]

Tony,

I agree that this is a good summary, to the extent that I'm familiar with the state. Only question would be, what's "fast lane" about upper Kent County? Other than, of course, the race track. But I think the big NASCAR races are only twice a year, right?

I'm visiting family near Dover and the only thing thing I'd say was "fast" was a guy who flirted with me at the mall!

Julie

[DE_Resident]

Thanks, Peeweeaz! I try to describe Delaware as best as possible from someone who is on the "inside" of the State. I'm actually a mechanical engineer.

Hi, JulieF. Thank you too. When I mention "fast lane" I was referring to someone who is young, energetic, and into the nightlife.

Living in New Castle County or the Upper part of Kent County would give a person quick access to University of Delaware, New Castle, Philadelphia and other areas for those into the night life. Compared to living in Dover or anywhere south of Dover, which is the Middle to lower Kent County Areas and Sussex County.

Also, Amtrak runs through Wilmington (New Castle County) and will have you in Manhatten, N.Y. in roughly 1.5 hours or less. My wife and I sometimes will take weekend trips because she is from Long Island, N.Y. and knows her way around the Big Apple.

And you are correct the NASCAR races take place here 2 weekends out of the year. I usually stay out of Dover during that time because traffic is unbelievable.

Tony


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[peeweeaz]

Tony,

You're very welcome!

Bob