Retiring to Sussex County (Bridgeville, Bethany Beach: 2009, to rent, condos)

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by oncesir

I couldnt agree more. Im not even close to being a retiree but "slower lower" DE, esp Sussex county, is a joke to me. Very few things to do(other than the beach) and real estate is expensive and corrupt. The Eastern Shore, in general, is geared more towards ppl who already have money and not towards those looking to make a living. The real estate prices to decent paying jobs ratio is horrible and for such a small area crime can be quite a problem. For some its their cup of tea, for me its just "ok". BTW, the mention of chickens and the smell they bring should be experienced before you move anywhere on the shore. Its a nasty almost smothering smell that is evident almost yr round but even more so when the wind picks up. hth

Oncesir....
I'm so sorry you hate it here, but it's a fact! Delaware is not for everybody! Only natives know where to buy real estate and which areas to avoid, and a real estate agent may soft peddle that information. I'm very proud of our State, and believe every state has it's pros and cons. About the chickens.......you said "anywhere on the shore"....???? Not so. Evidently, you've experienced "Sussex County Snow" and may have inhaled some (it's a tongue in cheek local joke). You're lucky, though. Delaware used to be the "Chicken Capital" but now, I think, Arkansas stole that title from us, and also one of the southern states claims the same. Perhaps, soon, you can get out of the miserable place in which you live. I genuinely wish you the best!

[Charley]

If you click on someone's name in the upper left hand corner of their message, you have a few options. One option is seeing that person's history of posting. When someone posts negatively about an area, I check to see if he or she has posted negatively about other areas as well. That sometimes can tell me whether the poster is negative in general, or just about specific things, and helps me determine how much weight to place on individual posts. I find it helpful.

Charley

[oncesir]

Originally Posted by Delly

Oncesir....
I'm so sorry you hate it here, but it's a fact! Delaware is not for everybody! Only natives know where to buy real estate and which areas to avoid, and a real estate agent may soft peddle that information. I'm very proud of our State, and believe every state has it's pros and cons. About the chickens.......you said "anywhere on the shore"....???? Not so. Evidently, you've experienced "Sussex County Snow" and may have inhaled some (it's a tongue in cheek local joke). You're lucky, though. Delaware used to be the "Chicken Capital" but now, I think, Arkansas stole that title from us, and also one of the southern states claims the same. Perhaps, soon, you can get out of the miserable place in which you live. I genuinely wish you the best!

Its not a horrible place by any stretch, but for some moving from an area with lots of entertainment options and few odd odors it WILL be a bit of a culture shock. I find it a "joke" because of the crazy high real estate prices and the nill job market. Is anyone in slower lower not house poor?

BTW I live in MD but housing here isnt any cheaper.

[rockky]

oncesir, Most of the chicken farms are gone from eastern Sussex Co., DE. The western part and south of the county into Maryland still have them. The real estate is too valuable. The farmers made out much better selling and moving on.

<<Disclaimer....Rockky mounts her soap box again....ignore if you wish>>

If oncesir is feeling less that enthralled about where they are living, I think it's perfectly within reason for them to post about it. That's what helps us to learn about an area and make further investigation. What is a good fit for one person, may not be comfortable for another person. It's up to the reader to decide what their personal comfort level may be living in a particular area and garner as much info as possible. I, personally, find it condescending and unfair to suggest that readers check into what other posts are made by a particular person if there is personal disagreement. If someone wishes to check posting history, fine. I do it, but to suggest in a post that a personality trait is stilting opinion....well, I see it as unfair and rude. Each person here is entitled to an opinion and a voice....errrrr....typed words. I understand why Lori has attempted to make a point about her feeling demeaned if she or I post anything other than a 'rah-rah' session.

The fact is there are not many jobs in southern Sussex County that will support the life style that is marketed there. Unless you are a doctor, attorney, etc. the cost of housing will be prohibitive. If a person is retired, has a comfortable income, wants a slower pace of life.....go for it!!!

The areas around Roxanna, Frankfort, Selbyville, etc. are rural, and the prices of property were affordable in the recent past. They are now included under the blanket of 'beach living'. Heck, Millville was considered 'away from the beach' for a long time. Anything west of the Costal Highway was much more reasonable. Not now.

The prices of homes in the beach areas are exorbitant. Simple fact. There aren't many things to do which would be in line with an urban area. Simple fact. The summer months make life stressful with the influx of all the vacationers. Simple fact. I own property less than two miles from the beach. I lived the day to day. The infrastructure of the area is very poor and has not kept up with the population increase.

Up until 10-15 years ago, there were very few (perhaps no) family doctors at the beach. That has changed. We used to go to the police station in Bethany to get stitched up quickly. In the summer, it may take over an hour to reach the local hospital in Lewes. If the Indian River Bridge closes, it could create disastrous situations. The inland trip to the hospital will take even longer...by car.

Charley, with all due respect, I feel the need to point out that occasionally your posts seem to be rather stilted in the direction of 'know it allishness'. I don't think you necessarily intend for your words to come across that way, but please keep in mind that you have not lived in DE as yet. Most of the long-term, regular posters here have lived in DE for a relatively short time. There is a huge difference between the day-to-day life styles of each county. Upper New Castle Co. is very different than southern Kent Co. Each has their own +s and -s, and I hope interested people will seek out more info than they find here. I know there are a lot of Charley supporters here, and I enjoy reading your posts as well. I'm sure they will defend your right to an opinion. I'm not trying to smother opinion. I am trying to say that opinion and fact are two different things. What is fact to one person may not be another person's life experience. That doesn't mean that anyone is wrong. The cost of housing is not opinion. It is fact. oncesir's comments were about Sussex Co. not 55+ housing in other areas of DE.

Delly, I was pleased to see your comments about Kent General. My personal experience, as a patient and an employee, was not as positive as I'd hoped. But, again, that is based on my life experience contrasted with most of my life in another area. Perhaps, if I had known about this site when I moved to Dover, I could have made better choices with providers. I just had another CAT scan and MRI where I'm now living. I am tired and frustrated. I can't help but wonder if I had better care in DE???....well, would I be fighting the battles I'm fighting now.

<<<Rockky slides down from her soapbox and becomes silent..again...for awhile >>>

[Charley]

OUCH!! I've been spanked!!

BUT ... rightfully so. You did well on that soapbox, Rockky. Thank you. Your points are valid and I apologize.

I actually consider myself the complete opposite of a know-it-all. I know that I know very little, which is why I'm trying to learn all that I can. I just want to be sure that I am learning it from objective teachers. I look at the totality of someone's posts to confirm that they are balanced and objective (like Lori and so many others). When there are significant differences between information posted and things that I've seen for myself, I have to question the information to determine what I've missed (like that Smyrna crime data which still makes no sense to me).

Please don't misinterpret my inquiring mind for anything other than it is. I'm trying to learn all that I can before I take the plunge. I'm very lucky that I have time --- and contact with folks like you all who are so willing to share. People sometimes post in absolutes and I'm trying to see all the shades of gray. I visit Delaware several times a year and work to find different aspects each time I'm there, except of course my official visit to "Where Pigs Fly" with each trip.

So ... with that said, spanking accepted and lesson learned. Thanks, Rockky. Keep that soapbox! It works!

Charley

[rockky]

Whew! Thanks, Charley. I was sweatin' what I wrote. I truly don't want this discussion to become a personality thing. I see that happen on other forums, and it totally takes away any insight and educational value for those reading from the periphery of the issue.

I know exactly what you mean about trying to find all the info available and sifting through it via these discussions. I've been accused of being a very strong, aggressive person when I write. In fact, I'm the total antithesis of that behavior IRL. I do tend to become more outspoken in defense of others, and it has placed me in less than perfect situations. I've done that all my life. At my advanced age, you'd think I'd learn.

It's sort of that female trait...talk it out loud...to death....in order to process what I'm experiencing. I know it makes most men crazy. Hey, you must be one of those guys who is a woman's dream come true!! LOL! Let's talk, Honey!!

As I've said many times, I found life in Dover to be totally different than what I expected even after having lived in Sussex Co. It took me well over a year to be discouraged. I went to Dover for personal reasons that were totally different than most posters here. I'm very pleased to read about the peace and happiness others have found there. That's how it should be.

If I were back there, Pig's would be one of the places I'd need to visit! I miss those salads!!! Who knows. If I had found this gang in Dover two years ago, I may have been perfectly content. I felt very isolated and alone there. Not something I ever had to deal with before in my life. I left my life-long girlfriends (support system) when I moved, and finding new friendships at 55yo in an area without a full-time job just didn't materialize. There seems to be much more opportunity for those connections where I am now, but I'm so dern busy trying to wade through my medical mystery that I have made the choice to lay low.

Have a great day, and let's find some more stats to process.

[Charley]

Originally Posted by rockky

Whew! Thanks, Charley. I was sweatin' what I wrote. I truly don't want this discussion to become a personality thing.

It's sort of that female trait...talk it out loud...to death....in order to process what I'm experiencing. I know it makes most men crazy. Hey, you must be one of those guys who is a woman's dream come true!! LOL! Let's talk, Honey!!

No, I knew it wasn't personal. I'm really very happy that you felt comfortable enough to be honest. That adds to what we're building here and that's a great thing!

I'll leave the rest alone, as my wife of 33 years, who is my best friend, and who I've known since we were 13, also reads this forum. Hopefully she will NOT join in and share her opinion.

Charley

[oncesir]

Originally Posted by rockky

The fact is there are not many jobs in southern Sussex County that will support the life style that is marketed there. Unless you are a doctor, attorney, etc. the cost of housing will be prohibitive. If a person is retired, has a comfortable income, wants a slower pace of life.....go for it!!!

That statement sums it up. I truly feel for the ppl who arent well-off and have a decent job because the statement "poor on the shore" comes to mind. Arent the local politicians aware of the amount of low wage jobs compared to the overpriced housing??

BTW, your soapbox was well said and I too sometimes have a bit of a negative attitude about the shore. I try to see the positives but I prefer to be entertained and there isnt much of that here. To each his own.

[rdlr]

This has been an interesting thread, which reflects first hand, what people really think about Delaware. And as said, Everybody Has One.........an Opinion!

I was born and raised here, and have watched the state change from a quiet, rural area, to a hustle-bustle, overbuilt, traffic snarled mess. Previously, we knew everybody, where they shopped for groceries, what they did on weekends, and which ones were strange enough to lock their doors. From my prospective, everything is here that I want or need. For the arts/theatre, Philadelphia is 1 1/2 hours away for me. That's as close as I want to be to that mayhem. As a real estate professional, I travel the state from the northern boundary of Delaware, south to Delmar, at least 2 days/week. The other 3 or more days, I travel from the western boundary of the State of Delaware, east to the beach area. Geographically, I see it all, and smell it all (or smell nothing). Along with all of that travel, I meet people from all walks of life, and most are newcomers here, making the move because the cost of living is so much less than in other states. Rarely, do I meet natives on my travels, but when I do, we have a lot to talk about! I have an interesting life/profession, and words spoken on here are typical of what I always hear. Some like it here, and some can't wait to get out. Whatever, there's a long line of others with their bags packed, ready to move in. We've come a long way from when Route 13 (DuPont Highway) was a one lane road, and the only way in and out of Delaware. I should write a book!

[rockky]

Oh, Delly....I wish you would write a book!! I would love to have a first-hand memory of the area.

I remember when you could be riding in a car with your eyes closed (as a passenger of course ) and be able to distinguish where you were by the smells. That's horses.....that's cows....that's pigs.....that's chickens.....yeaaaahhhh! We're here!

My first memories of Bethany are from around 1958. Addy Sea didn't have any foofoos to make it seem older. Do you remember when the Post Office was in Bill's Store? I still tend to call G & E "Jake's". We drove to where the Rental place is now on Rt. 26 when I was a kid. I thought we were half way home! Ha! There was an old guy who used to sit out on the porch. He wore a sea captain's hat and smoked a pipe. I enjoyed watching him. He talked to me one day. I felt soooo special.

The streets were all sand and we kids never wore shoes. In the early morning my mom would pack the beach bags. My dad grabbed the umbrella and put it over his shoulder. Then Mom would hang the bags from either end of the umbrella, and off Daddy would go to 'stake out a spot' for the day. When I think of that now it's hysterical. We had the whole dern beach!! Except for that family of what my parents called 'beatniks'. Their little kids got to run around naked!! Lucky kids!

I remember seeing the cottage the summer after the '62 storm. The water marks were half way up the walls. Those scarred walls were a reminder of the ocean's power for many years.

Then there were the teen years. Well, never mind! Ha! Actually, there wasn't anywhere to get in trouble down there. I think the local kids still go in town to play basketball and volleyball under the lights. Most of them have never met. You just show up and play. At least I hope that still happens. The local kids used to do the same thing down at Libby's. As I'm sure you know, Libby's has been gone for a couple of years now.

There was those duck pin lanes on the boardwalk in Bethany. I think the storm took them.

When we went crabbin' in the bay we would pull them in one after another. They are gone....well, mostly gone now. We used to find them in the canal right in Bethany! We found a big turtle walkin' down the road one time. My cousin and I fed it chicken corn soup. That was one haaaaaaaappy turtle!

The hucksters would come around in their trucks each morning.....Straaaaawberries! Sweet cooorn! Toooomatoes! Mellon! , etc. Mom would run out with her wallet. Fresh and wonderful...real food. You can't get better cantaloupe than those were.

The drive between Bethany and OC was dark and barren...except for the Carousel in later years. What a scandal that was at the time! There was that dance club on the second floor of the one building on the boardwalk in OC. I seem to remember it was near the public toilets...and they were pay toilets.

Rehoboth was for shopping and the smaller rides on the boardwalk. Gershman's Store was the destination! Gems and Junk for toys and dinner at the Avenue. You could even find a place to park then.

Oh...sigh.....I wish I could go back and show everyone what it was like then.

My kids had the same experience growing up there. Just more people and more cars. It's been the last 10-15 years that have seen the rapid changes.
My kids got in under the wire. They remember it before all the zips and zaps.

I wish you could all have had the opportunity to experience DE when it was more isolated. Not everything was great, but it was so different then.

OK. Off I went to my childhood again. Sorry. I'm sitting here watching the sleet coming down like sheets of satin. The tiny globes of ice bounce off the needles of the pine trees; then reconnect and stick. Sorta like my life.