Delaware: How does it compare to other states? (Wilmington, Seaford: 2014, house)

[DelawareLiz]

Another thread prompted me to start this one--didn't want to hijack it. As many of you may know, I have lived in Delaware for all of my 36 years. My husband has lived here for his entire life as well. If it can be done in Delaware, then I've most likely done it. I've never left the state (other than to travel)--not even when I attended college(s). However, my husband and I already haves plans in the making for a south Florida move in June 2014.

So, what swayed you to move here if you're not from here? Do you miss home? How does it compare to your home state or country (or other states)? Do you plan on staying? Why or why not??

I love living at the DE beaches and it already bothers me when I think about moving away.

[Barbour120]

Well Liz as I haven't yet moved although we've now "owned" our DE house now for a month, I can't really speak to what my impressions are of actually living there. I can say that I will miss the hills and lush green topography of Maryland. We were sitting on our deck last evening and my wife said she will miss our trees and perhaps the privacy they bring.

I like what I've experienced on my visits to DE, but Howard County, MD is perhaps the best place I've ever lived. It's just too expensive to retire here. My property taxes alone will go from 6K to 1.2K and the DE house is nicer, newer and the lot is twice the size.

[Pine to Vine]

Hi Liz - You may or may not realize I recently returned to the area. I grew up in Seaford, went to UD in the mid-70s and then took off – grad school in Virginia, short stints in Boston and Kansas City, and finally spending over 26 years in Houston. After college, I was thrilled to leave for bigger things and lamented the two brief times my career took me through Wilmington (the last time in 1986). While I wouldn’t trade these experiences for the world, a funny thing happened on my way to adventure – I realized just how special this area is. When I would return to visit family, I’d travel across the Woodland Ferry, drive “down the beach,” visit St Michaels and such.

I don’t really have a particular advice to offer – this is just my story. It was truly great to be able to experience life in other parts of the country. Yet while I was away longer than I lived Delaware, I never lost my connection to the state, and when circumstances changed, found myself drawn back this area to live. In my opinion, the most important thing to realize is that if life does take you elsewhere, you can come home again.

Best of luck!

[Joe84323]

The most obvious part of Delaware (having lived in PA and NJ,) is that life is pretty easy. Compared to the surrounding states, Delaware doesn't make life too expensive or complicated, and kind of just lets you live and do your thing. The townships, taxes, and little "get screwed" quirks of the other states is what draws people to move here in the first place. It's cheap, easy, convenient, and has good job opportunities.

People may try to bash the job opportunities here, but you cant, as per the population of the state. There are more jobs per capita within 100 miles than 99.8% of the rest of the country. You also have incredible amounts of amenities within a couple hours drive.

Moving to Delaware is certainly not glamorous, but it is extremely practical and logical if you're, for example, retiring.

[doctorjef]

I agree with Delaware being very "user friendly", something I noticed here from the first, and indeed even years before ever moving here when I got a license to practice here by reciprocity, something that other state psychology boards/licensure laws either don't offer or make more arduous than DE. Likewise, upon moving here the ease of simply swapping my old Texas drivers license for a DE license was impressive.

When I've got more time I may try to address more comprehensively what brought us to Delaware and some of the other things about this state that I like a lot in contrast to other places I've lived.

[DelawareLiz]

Thanks for the replies so far. I feel so, well....bumpkin-like sometimes because all I've ever known is Delaware and I cannot compare it to any other state because I've never lived anywhere else. The most amount of time I've ever spent away from DE is eleven days in my entire life. Same goes for my husband, although I have lived in two very different counties (New Castle and Sussex) whereas he has only lived in Sussex.

I agree that Delaware is "user friendly", and I admire that this state keeps life as simple and drama free as possible.

[Gone-2-Beach]

Originally Posted by beachliz

Thanks for the replies so far. I feel so, well....bumpkin-like sometimes because all I've ever known is Delaware and I cannot compare it to any other state because I've never lived anywhere else. The most amount of time I've ever spent away from DE is eleven days in my entire life.

In essence, you've got it good, but perhaps you don't know how good you've got it! That's not meant to be a negative comment at all. I can make some comparisons to New York in my brief experience in dealing with Delaware "processes" and the term user-friendly is perfectly applied.

New York is a disaster. Nothing is easy. Not the DMV, not any of the town governments, certainly not the state agencies and most of the systems are malfunctioning at best ... and possibly failing in some instances. Because of bureaucracies, turf-battles and wasted money, the bridges and roadways are distressed, the healthcare system is bloated and inefficient, and the school districts are heading toward financial ruin.

If my plans come through as I've written them, I'm thirteen months away from seeing New York in my rear view mirror for the last time (as a resident) and I won't be complaining at all. And the smile that will fill my face as I cross the St. Georges Bridge will be as wide as the canal below it!

[nuts2uiam]

Originally Posted by Charley

In essence, you've got it good, but perhaps you don't know how good you've got it! That's not meant to be a negative comment at all. I can make some comparisons to New York in my brief experience in dealing with Delaware "processes" and the term user-friendly is perfectly applied.

New York is a disaster. Nothing is easy. Not the DAV, not any of the town governments, certainly not the state agencies and most of the systems are malfunctioning at best ... and possibly failing in some instances. Because of bureaucracies, turf-battles and wasted money, the bridges and roadways are distressed, the health care system is bloated and inefficient, and the school districts are heading toward financial ruin.

If my plans come through as I've written them, I'm thirteen months away from seeing New York in my rear view mirror for the last time (as a resident) and I won't be complaining at all. And the smile that will fill my face as I cross the St. Georges Bridge will be as wide as the canal below it!

Couldn't agree more. We are in about the same time line as you and can't wait. Just starting to do the preparation of the house and decided to put in a fence for more privacy, applied to the town for a permit and was turned down because the Central air that was here when we closed on our home 15 years ago did not have a permit and the sewer connection that was done in 1962 did not have a certificate. The sewer is a money maker, plain and simple, fill out a form including a $35 check and it is yours.

The a/c however is a major problem. It must be up to todays codes, and has to be inspected by an electrician approved by the town. IF it sits within 5 feet of the property line (which it does) then after the permit fee is paid, and the electrical inspection is paid, the application will be turned down and then we need to apply for a variance which is $1500 plus certified mail/return receipt costs to God only knows how many of our neighbors, all to maintain an existing unit that was here when we bought the house and CLOSED on it. By the way the "laws" regarding the permits were on the books since 1963, so why the prior owners escaped unscathed is anyones guess.
The simple life is what we are looking for, and we too are looking toward the rear view mirror of LI and I am a lifer here. Never thought I would say good riddance but I am now.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by beachliz

I feel so, well....bumpkin-like sometimes because all I've ever known is Delaware and I cannot compare it to any other state because I've never lived anywhere else.

Oh, NO! Liz!
You should wear your bumpkin badge proudly, like I do! I NEVER ever wanted to live anywhere else, because I know how good we have it here. I learned that at a very young age. When I was 6-7 (1947) I started waiting on customers in my mom and pop's store on Rt. 13 where we had a thriving business of travelers from NY, NJ, PA, MD and everywhere else. The constant I always heard, was how they hated where they lived and how they wanted to live in Delaware. I think that's when I awakened to how lucky we are to be here, and how we have the best of everything. When I think about my childhood I have to laugh....I thought all of our out-of-state customers were actually poor people who hated to go home. They'd stop at our store on the way down to the beach happy, and stop on the way back from the beach SAD because they had to go home.

[DelawareLiz]

Bumpkin badge--LOL!!!

I have heard from many previous NYers and NJ residents that they couldn't stand their state, and they are relieved to finally reside in Delaware. Other than an occasional visit to NJ for a beach, casino, or car event, I don't really care to go up there. Too fast paced, too much traffic, and they laugh at my accent . Same goes for NY--great place for a day trip or vacation, but I think I'd get eaten alive if I lived there.