I have questions about DE (Dover, Seaford: rentals, home, buy)

[James420]

Originally Posted by ~seasoul~

I don't eat McDonalds food, but I do enjoy some alcohol now and then, so tavern it is! Thanks for the tip.

That video and commentary were very informative for me. "Hill billies without the hills" yikes! It is making more sense to me now why people have steered me more toward the northernmost county. Like I described in my original post, I want country but not COUNTRY. More like suburb-rural border.

The trouble is, housing / property is so much more affordable in the lower 2 counties it seems. But it is looking like I'll really love the feel of New Castle County, so I'll have to be patient and wait for the right place at the right price I guess.

So that video depicted Sussex County mainly? Is Kent County the same?

It was also super interesting for me to listen to the subtle DE accent. I've been wondering about how you all talk there.

Its Penciltucky without the Hills. Eastern Sussex ( Beaches) is nothing like Western Sussex, like Laurel, or Seaford.

I'm sure there are vidoes of Wilmington, DE and Chester, PA that would make you never want to live in middle of them which is North Wilmington.

[Pine to Vine]

^^^ seasoul - Actually there is a lot of charm downstate. Each part of the state (well, the world in fact) has its share of poverty and decay. It's just as easy to post pictures of New Castle County's housing projects which would also be a turnoff, but we haven't done that. In truth, Kent and Sussex Counties are experiencing double digit growth compared with 7.6% in New Castle County (with most of that in the area adjacent to Kent County): Delaware's southern counties feed state's growth - USATODAY.com. That's why these guys are working construction.

Here is a video from just outside of Seaford which happens to be one of my favorite spots in all Delaware, north or south:

[IMG]Share[/IMG]

YouTube - ‪Old Woodland Ferry - Last Day‬‏

I think this not only captures some of the subtle beauty of the countryside, but also the pride local folks take in their culture and history. The ferry's had mechanical prblems lately, but hoepfuly will be up and running soon.

[~seasoul~]

That video is lovely.

You guys are right of course, there are surely better and worse areas in each of the 3 counties. This is why I'm so looking forward to visiting the state next month! I think I need to explore and figure out where would be the best fit for me.

Although it will always come down to work location in the end..

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by jm02

^^^ seasoul - Actually there is a lot of charm downstate. Each part of the state (well, the world in fact) has its share of poverty and decay. It's just as easy to post pictures of New Castle County's housing projects which would also be a turnoff, but we haven't done that. In truth, Kent and Sussex Counties are experiencing double digit growth compared with 7.6% in New Castle County (with most of that in the area adjacent to Kent County): Delaware's southern counties feed state's growth - USATODAY.com. That's why these guys are working construction.
Here is a video from just outside of Seaford which happens to be one of my favorite spots in all Delaware, north or south:

YouTube - ‪Old Woodland Ferry - Last Day‬‏
I think this not only captures some of the subtle beauty of the countryside, but also the pride local folks take in their culture and history. The ferry's had mechanical prblems lately, but hoepfuly will be up and running soon.

What a great post, and said with much eloquence! I started to respond, but I would have come off as being defensive. Kent & Sussex take a beating sometimes, and it's usually from those who don't, or who've never, lived here. Might be a good thing, though. Maybe it will slow down the caravans of new people.

[doctorjef]

Seasoul, I'd say that in general you are probably better staying in the more easterly areas of Kent and Sussex, as opposed to the more deeply rural and isolated western parts of those counties -- that is if you want a compromise between urban and rural or outskirts suburban. One nice little town in Sussex that is affordable and might fit that description is Milton, just a little west of Rt 1, a little north of Lewes, and home to the Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. Other places in Kent and Sussex that I would look to meet your description of preferred niche would be the little towns of Camden-and-Wyoming just a little way from Dover, and the medium sized town of Milford that straddles the dividing line of Kent and Sussex counties.

[rdlr]

Along the lines of Slower Lower Delaware (it's not Lower Slower as some folks call it) -

Peter Marconi sure got it right - a Wilmington transplant who took much bashing because he moved from Wilmington to Millsboro. As this article says, he turned the negative comments he received from his friends/cohorts into a fashion statement, creating the Slower Lower Delaware Tee Shirt Company (patented). It's a nice story mostly about Millsboro, but also about Pete, and I hope some enjoy it.

By the way, Pete is moving from his long time business address on Main St. in the Town of Millsboro, to Long Neck. Don't know if the move is complete or not.

Millsboro: A country village is growing up | The News Journal | delawareonline.com

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by rdlr

Kent & Sussex take a beating sometimes, and it's usually from those who don't, or who've never, lived here. Might be a good thing, though. Maybe it will slow down the caravans of new people.

As someone who has lived both above and below the canal, I see the positives of each, including the rural areas the OP is being coached to avoid by some. Most of those who visit enjoy southern Delaware, as is evidenced by those who are moving there in droves. As you say, it is usually those who know little about it who make the more disparaging remarks, be it backhand or outright.

Although western Sussex may not everyone's cup of tea, I think it is a very charming area. Here are a few scenes:


All sizes | Laurel, Delaware | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29295318@N08/3966335294/sizes/z/in/photostream/ - broken link)


All sizes | ross mansion seaford 1892 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54180089@N02/5396266850/sizes/z/in/photostream/ - broken link)


All sizes | St. Luke's Episcopal Church | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51036863@N00/3642592646/sizes/z/in/photostream/ - broken link)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/mapleleafs/5694258137/sizes/z/in/photostream/ (broken link)


All sizes | nanticoke river, seaford, delaware | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nogoodnik/290878944/sizes/z/in/photostream/ - broken link)


All sizes | Laurel, Delaware | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29295318@N08/3968348555/sizes/z/in/photostream/ - broken link)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/little_larry/2043642272/sizes/z/in/photostream/ (broken link)


All sizes | Woodland Ferry Terminal | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/auvet/5627385959/sizes/z/in/photostream/ - broken link)

[Gone-2-Beach]

Originally Posted by jm02

As you say, it is usually those who know little about it who make the more disparaging remarks, be it backhand or outright.

Very well said - and I enjoy seeing the pictures you posted. Thanks for sharing them.

[~seasoul~]

Beautiful photos!!!

I can't wait to see all of this stuff in person. Delaware looks gorgeous.

My hotels are booked. 2 nights in Lewes, 1 night in Dover, 2 nights in Wilmington. We are planning to stop by the visitor center in Dover 1st thing, on our way to hotel #1 in Lewes.

I have a feeling I'm going to fall in love with DE. I'm going to feel guilty when I decide to move there. I know you guys already have enough newcomers invading

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by ~seasoul~

Beautiful photos!!!
I have a feeling I'm going to fall in love with DE. I'm going to feel guilty when I decide to move there. I know you guys already have enough newcomers invading

Nah! The first caravans I remember coming were in the early 40's. That's when there was no SR 1, of course, and Rt. 13 was only one dual lane. So we built these roads to make it easier for everybody to get here.
Now, you can help us pay for the road maintenance.