Living in a Beach Community (Laurel, Rehoboth Beach: section 8, rent, condos)
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Status:
"Not much time for CD these days but I'll post when I can"
(set 28 days ago)
Location: Loudoun County, VA
15,691 posts, read 8,934,298 times
Reputation: 39276
Living in a Beach Community
We're in the middle of yet another wonderful week in Rehoboth, and once again my dh is talking about retiring and moving here. Only this time it sounds a little more serious, not just like daydreaming.
We live a few hours away and are in a position where we could buy a place, rent it out for a few years (and also stay in it ourselves for a month or two at a time during the winter months), and then maybe live in it year round in another 3-4 years.
So.... maybe it's time to hear what it's like to live in Rehoboth year 'round. Are there other people around? Do most of the stores close? Is there a crime problem in the winter? Etc. We are older and don't need a lot of activities, but we also don't want to live in a place that's completely dead.
Thoughts?
Also, if you were moving to Rehoboth, which streets would be good places for year 'round residents to live? Right now we sort of like the homes near Silver Lake (especially near Scarbroough). Any thoughts on that area?
We're in the middle of yet another wonderful week in Rehoboth, and once again my dh is talking about retiring and moving here. Only this time it sounds a little more serious, not just like daydreaming.
We live a few hours away and are in a position where we could buy a place, rent it out for a few years (and also stay in it ourselves for a month or two at a time during the winter months), and then maybe live in it year round in another 3-4 years.
So.... maybe it's time to hear what it's like to live in Rehoboth year 'round. Are there other people around? Do most of the stores close? Is there a crime problem in the winter? Etc. We are older and don't need a lot of activities, but we also don't want to live in a place that's completely dead.
Thoughts?
Also, if you were moving to Rehoboth, which streets would be good places for year 'round residents to live? Right now we sort of like the homes near Silver Lake (especially near Scarbroough). Any thoughts on that area?
I've been in Delaware 71 years, and no, Rehoboth Beach doesn't shut down in the winter. In fact, we prefer to enjoy some of the clubs and restaurants in the winter, early spring, and late fall, when the crowds leave. We are self employed and frequent Rehoboth Beach at least once/week year round, primarily for business purposes. It's not a ghost town in the winter; some shops close, but it's quieter and cleaner those times of the year. We have friends who live on St. Lawrence, Stockley, and Laurel Streets. They like it and are comfortable there. It's a relatively safe city, but stay away from West Rehoboth, which is a dangerous place to be. Crime is not limited just to winter months in beach areas, including Rehoboth Beach. Maybe you'd better rent there for a few winter months to find out for yourself. For us, there's not enough action closeby, but to each his/her own. Here's some information on West Rehoboth: State & Rehoboth PD make 3 arrests in string of West Rehoboth assaults/robberies - WGMD.COM
What is the dividing line between Rehoboth and West Rehoboth?
Also, what is the area that is north of 1A (Rehoboth Ave) like? The area near the art league, if that helps.
West Rehoboth is the area near Hebron Road, and 1A. The Rehoboth Art League is on Dodds Lane, which is in Henlopen Acres (north Rehoboth) a nice area. There's not much of a dividing line between Rehoboth Beach and West Rehoboth anymore. Crime has spread from Hebron Road to Rehoboth Avenue (1A) which is the entrance to the City. Earlier this Spring, the boardwalk experienced some ugly crime, also. Haven't heard that it's continuing, though. The West Rehoboth incidents are serious as noted in that attachment I provided.
Crime is not limited just to winter months in beach areas, including Rehoboth Beach. Maybe you'd better rent there for a few winter months to find out for yourself. For us, there's not enough action closeby, but to each his/her own. Here's some information on West Rehoboth: State & Rehoboth PD make 3 arrests in string of West Rehoboth assaults/robberies - WGMD.COM
Best advice I've seen. Come during the winter. It is an entirely different world. If you are not in a position to come for months hotel rates during the winter are really cheap.
Status:
"Not much time for CD these days but I'll post when I can"
(set 28 days ago)
Location: Loudoun County, VA
15,691 posts, read 8,934,298 times
Reputation: 39276
Sounds like a good idea to me. Any suggestions of areas we should rent in to get an idea of what it's like to live in the area? We can probably take off 2-3 weeks next winter, which I think might be enough to get a feel for it. Is there any reason to choose one winter month over another? Are there any "local" experiences we should check out?
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"Spring is here and in full bloom..."
(set 26 days ago)
Location: Ocean View, DE
1,017 posts, read 688,445 times
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December might be a good month to visit if you are into Christmas parades, celebrations, and activities. And ditto on everything rdlr said. Always, always avoid West Rehoboth/Hebron Road area. And, like many Rehoboth residents, always keep your cars locked, especially if you join/visit the YMCA and drive your car there. Burton Village/section 8 is right across the street, and the Y had a problem a few months ago with Burton Village residents stealing from unlocked cars. They are also tied into the West Rehoboth residents/gangs. Why anybody would leave anything unlocked in ANY town is beyond me (I never do), but some people do for whatever reason.
Status:
"Not much time for CD these days but I'll post when I can"
(set 28 days ago)
Location: Loudoun County, VA
15,691 posts, read 8,934,298 times
Reputation: 39276
What about issues like salt air corrosion/maintenance on houses? Yesterday we saw a condo at Sea Strand (on Chesapeake, literally steps from the beach) that seemed to be a good price ($3K).
But, I wonder if it's not a good idea to look at properties right on the beach if you want to live here year round. Two possible issues come to mind, corrosion from salt air and being in in the "tourist" area as opposed to the "residents" area.
My guess is that maybe the beach properties would become ghost towns and the real residents live inland a few blocks, where the houses have fewer maintenance issues.
What about issues like salt air corrosion/maintenance on houses? Yesterday we saw a condo at Sea Strand (on Chesapeake, literally steps from the beach) that seemed to be a good price ($3K).
But, I wonder if it's not a good idea to look at properties right on the beach if you want to live here year round. Two possible issues come to mind, corrosion from salt air and being in in the "tourist" area as opposed to the "residents" area.
My guess is that maybe the beach properties would become ghost towns and the real residents live inland a few blocks, where the houses have fewer maintenance issues.
What do you think of this theory?
Just my opinion, but I don't think corrosion from salt air and maintenance issues will vary a few blocks inland vs. right on the water.
It is true, that most year round residents live a few blocks off the water. The properties my friends own are in the $900,000 - 1.5 Mil range, simple construction, but high end lot values due to location.
As in most beach areas, condos are popular with the vacation crowd. What was that list price again for a condo, and in what condo building?
Status:
"Not much time for CD these days but I'll post when I can"
(set 28 days ago)
Location: Loudoun County, VA
15,691 posts, read 8,934,298 times
Reputation: 39276
It's Sea Strand condos. They are off of Chesapeake, which technically is Dewey Beach but is on the border and feels more like Rehoboth. The complex is right on the sand (although this particular unit is not one of the beachfront ones). Straddling the isthmus between Silver Lake and the ocean. The unit has excellent views of both the ocean and the lake, as well as a really nice looking beach access that serves these condos. (But... no lakefront access to Silver Lake). The unit seems to be in good condition--I couldn't find any obvious problems from a quick glance. Three br, and I think about 1300 sf.
Anyone know the scoop on these condos? There has to be a downside.
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Best advice I've seen. Come during the winter. It is an entirely different world. If you are not in a position to come for months hotel rates during the winter are really cheap.
