Rehoboth Beach, Ranked 4th City, Same Sex Couples (Wilmington, Middletown: for sale, condo)

[rdlr]

New census stats here. Rehoboth Beach has been going in this direction for a number of years.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/us...pagewanted=all

http://www.delawareonline.com/articl...me-sex-couples

[momonthemove]

It took almost 2 weeks after this appeared in the NY Times for our newspaper to run the story. Interesting to read how the town has "matured".

[doctorjef]

Important to remember the qualification that this relates to small cities under 100K in population. In general I think larger cities continue to be more attractive places for single gay and lesbian persons because better chance of finding a compatible mate in a larger pond. However, smaller cities are undoubtedly more comfortable for gay and lesbian couples than was once the case, even places without the strong LGBT community identity of Rehoboth (like Wilmington and Middletown for instance) and can be preferable to many people over the hassles of big city life. Places like San Francisco and NYC are also simply too expensive for most couples - especially young couples - unless they are very high earners indeed, while struggling young singles may be a little more willing to live in those places in very small, shared digs in order to experience the freedom those places offer or to try to realise their ambitions.

[Caladium]

I think it's great. Strong LGBT communities tend to thrive and have homes and businesses that are well cared for.

[doctorjef]

I've encountered quite a few coupled gay and lesbian persons in Rehoboth who moved there specifically in order for one or both to open a business of one sort or another there, so there seems to be a significant entrepreneurial gay and lesbian input to the Rehoboth business community. I've also encountered a lot of older, retired gay couples who relocated to Rehoboth upon retirement, usually from larger cities, often DC or from someplace in NJ. The in-residence LGBT community in Rehoboth tends to be middle aged to elderly. Although gay and lesbian visitors to Rehoboth may be younger in some cases, the overall LGBT weekend/summer/tourist crowd also seems to be weighted toward the middle-aged demographic -- again, an awful lot from DC and typically working in government or in firms related in some way to government. I know one younger gay couple in the Rehoboth/Lewes corridor, living west of Rt 1, who both work from home and made the deliberate decision to move to the area from Wilmington once they got the work flexibility to do so.

[GraysFerryB4]

To your point, Jeff. Rehoboth is in ideal proximity for those GLBT couples and singles from DC and Philly. With nothing close by in NJ, it fits the bill. We are buying in Eagles Landing next month!

[doctorjef]

That's great!

[camplauren]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

I've encountered quite a few coupled gay and lesbian persons in Rehoboth who moved there specifically in order for one or both to open a business of one sort or another there, so there seems to be a significant entrepreneurial gay and lesbian input to the Rehoboth business community. I've also encountered a lot of older, retired gay couples who relocated to Rehoboth upon retirement, usually from larger cities, often DC or from someplace in NJ. The in-residence LGBT community in Rehoboth tends to be middle aged to elderly. Although gay and lesbian visitors to Rehoboth may be younger in some cases, the overall LGBT weekend/summer/tourist crowd also seems to be weighted toward the middle-aged demographic -- again, an awful lot from DC and typically working in government or in firms related in some way to government. I know one younger gay couple in the Rehoboth/Lewes corridor, living west of Rt 1, who both work from home and made the deliberate decision to move to the area from Wilmington once they got the work flexibility to do so.

I've watched the changes in Rehoboth for the last 50 years. My parents spent their honeymoon there and I was a "Grotto girl" in the late 60's. About 15 years later things were looking pretty seedy in a summer only resort town. The gay population discoverd Rehoboth and the changes began. Wonderful restaurants, beautiful bed and breakfasts, classy older homes brought back to life. One of the best things about the town is how much the gay and straight populations seem to respect each other. Still very much a good family resort it has some terrific gay bars and entertainment sites.

My mother lived there until she died at 81. She loved everything about the town including many members of its gay population. I have her 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo for sale now. Any takers?

[doctorjef]

DM me with details, please.

[Clark Park]

I'm from Philly and I confess that I've never been to Rehoboth.

What is it like in the off season? Are the quaint shops, cafes, restaurants and bars still open? Is it worth the rather long distance for a day trip?