Bethany Beach, Ocean Viesw, Millsboro (Bear, Lewes: HOA fees, violent crime, vacation home)

[McGeno]

Who knows about these areas? Nice place to live? Is it a safe area which are the nicer developments and what parts should be avoided How does this part of the state compare to other coastal sections such as Rehoboth or Lewes? Which other coastal areas of Delaware should be considered beside the southern coastal region or is that the most desireable??

[DelawareLiz]

I've lived in Ocean View since 2002 and love it. I previously resided in Lewes for two years before moving to OV, and I lived in an area east of Millsboro called Warwick for five years before moving to Lewes. Before Warwick, I lived in Oak Orchard for ten years, also east of Millsboro. I wouldn't live in Oak Orchard again if you gave me a free house and money to go live there. Millsboro is not Oak Orchard, but it has a Millsboro address. If it's Oak Orchard you're looking at, I'd run for the hills if I were you unless you don't mind druggies, drug dealers, home invasions, rampant theft, and trashiness.

Now, Millsboro itself has some nice areas. It's not a bad place, by any means. Some areas are better than others and they have seen a rise in crime, but it's certainly not a dangerous place to live.

I lived east of route one in Lewes and adored that lovely little town, but I know that the Village of Five Points (and one or two other areas) brought some undesirable activities into the area since I've left the area. Basically, the closer you get to the beach in Lewes, the better the neighborhoods. Generally speaking, Lewes is a very good place to live. I won't be moving back because I fell in love with Ocean View, which leads into my Bethany/Ocean View discussion. There are NO bad areas in either town. Violent crime is extremely rare, and if it does occur, then it's typically a domestic or a squabble between people who already know each other. I would feel safe walking through any area in Bethany/Ocean View at night, and I have done so. Your biggest worry in Bethany/Ocean View will be careless drivers or theft, and theft is typically an issue for vacation homes or people who leave stuff unlocked at night. Thieves around here are very lazy and unmotivated; they are not much into breaking car or house windows or doors unless it's a vacation home. Other than Halloween pumpkins, I have never had anything stolen here because I keep everything locked. I go on vacation a couple weeks every year and still no issues.

Bethany/Ocean View is a much "quieter" area than Lewes/Rehoboth, and there's just a lot less drama in general. Of course, there are not as many stores or restaurants, and it's pretty dead here in the off-season. But, that suits me just fine . I can always head to Rehoboth or Ocean City, MD for some excitement.

[McGeno]

thanks liz

[Caladium]

You might enjoy this thread, which has a ton of info about Bethany and Oceanview:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/delaw...t-bethany.html

[McGeno]

TU Caladium

[baltimorecolt]

Nice info Caladuim! I'm only 50, here in Annapolis and making a drive down to the Oceanview Bethany Beach area in a few weeks to check it out. I hope its still a mellow place in about 15 years. How about Milville dagsboro area.... is that even more mellow?

j

[DelawareLiz]

Millville is right next to Ocean View; it's a pretty nice area as well. Millville is still close to the beach but a bit more rural and less expensive. Dagsboro is farther inland and much more rural unless you live right in town, and it has more of that "small town life" feel to it than the "beach town" lifestyle associated with Ocean View and Bethany. There are far fewer stores there and not as much to keep one occupied, but then again it is closer to Salisbury if you want stores and such. Both Millville and Dagsboro are mellow towns with a slower paced lifestyle.

[baltimorecolt]

cool thanks!

[McGeno]

I am coming down to take a look weekend of sept 17, please give me ideas on nicer neighborhoods....250-325k range pool gym not nessasarily golf course?...noticed HOA fees can be high!

[DelawareLiz]

I'm partial to Bethany Preserve, Bay Forest, Cedar Landing, and Whites Creek. We are looking to move (but stay within Ocean View) as well, and we noted that many developments do have higher HOA fees compared to the $60/year we pay here. But, then again, we don't get any extras in my development either .

All of the above mentioned developments have a pool, but only Bay Forest has a gym. None of them have a golf course. Bethany Bay and Bear Trap both have golf courses though along with a pool.