moving to New Castle Co. area (Wilmington, Newark: apartment, houses, maintenance)

[ridemx]

I just accepted a job located right off exit 3 on 95 and need some help deciding where to find an apartment. I have looked at Newark, Bear, Glasgow, Middletown, and Odessa areas. My biggest priorities are convenience, safety, and an upkept area. I want an area that has a good variety of stores and restaurants, while still having a rural feel, without looking rundown.

I am 22yo male and currently living in Fairfax (northern Va) and while I enjoy the lively atmosphere where there is a thousand things to do nearby, nearly every other aspect of the area I dislike. I am about to graduate from Virginia Tech, which is located in Blacksburg, Va, a pretty small town. I very much enjoyed my time spent living in blacksburg and want to maintain the rural feel.

After the interview I scooped out Newark, and while the small main street strip was nice, everywhere else seemed very rundown, horrible roads, houses drastically needing maintenance, and an overall low quality urban feel. So I would like to avoid the Newark area

I also drove through Bear and Glasgow. In my opinion this area seemed much better, has that rural feel while still having many shopping centers near by. I have done research on these forums and many people have mentions to avoid some parts of Bear, while others are fine. What are the good parts of Bear?

I have done some research on, but did not have time to drive anywhere farther south, like Middletown and Odessa, how do these areas compare to Bear or Glasgow? Any other areas I should consider, I would like not go any farther south than Middletown or Odessa to limit my commute to 20-30 minutes.

[Pine to Vine]

You likely saw the student housing near UD in Newark. You might look at Pike Creek Valley northwest of Newark. It would be convenient to your work, the shopping and restaurants of Newark as well as the big box stores near Wilmington. The Glascow/Bear area seems to have its share of crime, but I'll let those more familiar with it share their views. Odessa is quite small. Middletown has been on a tear in terms of growth so would offer you lots of newer housing options.

I know you call Blacksburg a small town which in many respects it is. Keep in mind, however, that it is about the size of Newark and over three times the size of Middletown. Just trying to help you calibrate.