Any new residents in Middletown that can attest to safety and schools (Wilmington: appointed)

[franklinb]

We have been living in South Jersey for a very long time and while we live in an incredibly safe area.... we have had enough of the 10,000 a year tax bill for schools that continue to show declining performance standards.... Limited town services and schools that fundraise more than they teach for lack of funds. Add to that 7% sales tax on mostly everything you buy - tolls on the Turnpike and Garden State and... well you get the picture. I like what I've read about Middletown but I ask any recent transplants if the area is safe as is suggested in the forums -- or does a lot of it not get reported... .
I know there is no such thing as crime free - all areas will suffer from property crime ... i mean the scary stuff that keeps families away -- murders, rapes, assaults -- as the father of 3 daughters these are things that must be taken into account -- when making these decisions... and in the absence of a crystal ball
I defer to those who have taken that giant step and ask are you happy, do you have regrets or is it a combination of both -- Happy, but....

[daFrogMan]

Frank, I don't live there but know the area well. There are bad pockets as well as good and it's best to research the forum and use your best judgment. A visit is always good as well. To find out the local scuttle butt, google middletown transcript. It's the local rag. Oh, the part about the Smyrna resident arrested for dope, all charges dropped. But they forget to mention that in the local paper. Ugh! Ruin someone's life and then let it go. They did get the info from the Dover PD so I guess they are just reporting the 'news'.
Appoquinimink is a great district. One of the top in the state as many say. Lake street area used to be a drug haven but has cleaned up some since Middletown now has their own Police Force. Still this street is somewhat sketchy at times.
Google Earth is a good judge. Everything with Google Earth is within a couple years old.
Some NICE neighborhoods as well. Nothing really goes on there during the week but the weekends are busy. Most travel north to Wilmington/Phila for work.
Good luck!!

[dreamchaser23]

hey i currently live in middletown, de and have been here 9 yrs and even tho i agree that there's no such thing as a crime free area, middletown is as close as it gets...in my 9 yrs here, ive never heard or seen a story of murder, rape, or assaults...its just petty crimes such as possession of marijauna...also, daFrogMan is exactly right about lake st...that's the "worst" area in Middletown but as he said, its mostly drug-related arrests and they have cleaned up ALOT...other than that, its an PERFECT place to raise ur family...the appoquinimink school district is one of the best, if not THE best in the state....its one of those places where complete strangers will wave to you as if they knew you all their life...and best of all no taxes! lol overall, its a quiet town they just built a new movie theater which is nice...we have a 24 hr super walmart, bowling alley, dog park, a couple good restaurants all right in town! and we are 30 min away from 2 major malls, 2 major casinos, a skating rink, and a couple colleges (if u want ur daughters close lol) hope this helps with ur decision...

[catsy girl]

i've lived in middletown for 8 years, and although my initial reason for moving here was primarily practical- long story- i have to say that the town has improved in aesthetics, shopping convenience, medical resources, and general improved sense of community. i don't have kids in school but know parents who do; many have moved here because of school system and have not been disappointed. it is also a town convenient to many other things- larger cities, beach, some parkland and open spaces, etc. it is almost in the middle of the state so you can reach north and south delaware easily. i agree with other posters about the crime. although i know there are pockets of crime, i and most other residents i know feel generally safe. there is still more of that relaxed, "below the canal" feel to the town, and you can sense a different vibe- more congestion, more urban feel, more traffic when you travel even 20 miles north.

as far as taxes, especially real estate taxes, i'm paying the same tax i paid on my first house, in 1970. however, i do get a substantial discount due to age. even without the discount taxes would be reasonable; for a 1900 sq. ft. house- less than 1800 a year.

i never thought i'd stay here this long- i've moved around a fair amount- but the practical positives, especially the economics, make it difficult to leave. also, as i've noted, it has changed and improved in other ways. so- we'll have to see.

catsy girl