Middletown, DE (Newark, Townsend, Odessa: new home, neighborhoods, buy)

[Mike_Brooklyn_NYC]

Would like to come to Middletown, DE within the next few weeks to look at some new home developments. I know of St. Annes but thats all I can find. I would like the community to be in the Appo school district because I have young children. Anyone know of any additional communities and there address so I can plug it into the GPS. Thanks in advance.

[queenofbavaria]

hi and welcome

you should check out

long meadow (close to rt. 1, shopping and schools) - willow grove mill drive
dove run (walking distance to schools, shopping, restaurants, close to rt. 1) - mallard way or bucktail drive
park side (nice homes, small lots),
lake side (close to soccer and recreation, close to schools)

these neighborhoods feature mostly single family homes in a price range from 250 k - 500 k (4b/4 b)

[camrynh]

Are you working with a realtor or just driving around to get an idea of what you like? Anywhere in Middletown will be in the Appo district, and you can find tons of developments driving around.

For new-new, Willow Grove Mill, Park Side (I thought Dove Run was complete?) are good. There's also Shannon Cove (Shannon Blvd, Murphy Dr), Augustine Creek Augustine Creek – Large Estate Homes in Middletown, Delaware – by Blenheim Homes[/url]), Odessa National (Tweedsmere Dr, Townsend... it's just outside Middletown, but still in Appo), Belden (in Newark, Appo SD -- Denny Rd).

You're probably going to have to map a lot of these out or update your GPS right before you leave. My GPS is a year old and can't find half the streets in Middletown b/c there's been so much new construction.

[jdoll]

There are a lot of choices. Any price ranges, min size or other criteria? New only or existing homes, 5 years or less? queen and camrynh gave you a good list to start with.

[Mike_Brooklyn_NYC]

@jdoll - looking to keep it in the 350 - 400k range. New or exsisting home from 2500 - 3000 sq ft. At least 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths.

[PANJ]

Hi Mike,
You sound like you were looking for exactly what were were a year ago! We moved from Philly, have a young child and wanted to be in the Appo district. We looked at a TON of houses in the area and just moved yesterday to Belden. Our realtor was fantastic and patient (never pressured) and I can give you her contact info you'd like.

In any event our favorites were Belden, Augustine Creek, Back Creek and Parkside. The yards in Parkside were too small for us. Belden put me closer to work (I'm still working in Philly). Augustine Creek had some really nice homes and Back Creek had a golf course (most homes were a bit older) but there are some newer ones at a higher price.

We stayed away from St. Anne's only because the golf course they built never came to fruition and the developer went bankrupt. A lot of the development seemed unfinished due to clubhouse area being on hold. I know progress is on indefinite hold because of court hearings but if they ever complete it - that development could shoot up in value. So if you are patient - it could be a great investment since the homes are very reasonably priced right now. We chose not to take that risk because we wanted an established community - or one moving forward.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me. It was a long journey for us in terms of house hunting and I took a lot of notes along the way that I'd be happy to share with you. There are a LOT of developments there. One member of this board, Sandee was EXTREMELY helpful and lots of good advice. We're neighbors now!

Good luck.

[camrynh]

In that case, I think you'd do fine just to put your paramaters into a search. In that price range, you should find a good number of homes that will meet your preferences for size and age. Then you can figure out which house/neighborhood you look best. Folks here are very helpful in the narrowing-down process if you have a commute to consider, or desire certain amenities.

I am not affiliated with prudential in anyway, but you can search by school district at their site here (you may have to register, though). [

[momonthemove]

Hey Mike. We moved to Middletown from NJ last year. Can we ask why you are moving? Do you need to be close to anything special? And...do you have a certain date to be moved by? Good luck with your search.

[jdoll]

Originally Posted by Mike_Brooklyn_NYC

@jdoll - looking to keep it in the 350 - 400k range. New or exsisting home from 2500 - 3000 sq ft. At least 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths.

You will find a good choice of house Mike. Likely enough you can select your preferred school feeder pattern (posters already on this thread with personal experience) and commute/local preference.

$350k-$400k will buy that sq/ft and places more, 1/3 to 1/2 acre lots and something built early 2000's or newer. These are all generalities of course.

You likely have the Appo School info, but coming soon will be the new pre-5th schools near Odessa, opening in 2012 that will expand to pre-12th by 2016 per the plan. Environmental Center and Aquatic Centers also will be located on the same campus. Building wise this will be the crown jewel of the Appo district.

The west side (Parkside & St Anne's) will be near the new toll road (New Rt 301) and all the new shopping that it will bring.

[Mike_Brooklyn_NYC]

@jdoll - Thanks for the info regarding the new school in 2012, will that school be servicing the Middletown area. I am not that familiar with DE yet so please forgive the questions. I just want to have all the info I need just in case I do relocate.