Moving from Southern Calif to Yikes Middletown DE. please help me decide if this is the town for us. (Dover: rent, new house)

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by from PA

I agree. The I95 split is the only concern I have. I'm trying to find a way around it to get on I495. I know there is. But for someone coming from CA, this will not be a problem. They are used to it. MDH says that Californians are the best drivers in the country. His Mom was required to take her driving test on a regular basis. They do not do that here and should. MHO...

495 is not bad but it is right before and right after that rattles my nerves.
Let me know if you do find a way around it.

[Laural]

Originally Posted by elizamary

Hi Laurel,

Is your son out of Dover air force base? Just wondering. A lot of military live in this area.
So you are an animal lover..............so am I. Big time. don't have a lot of animals cuz I can't care for them but we have 2 cats.
My neighbor says my cats don't know their cats. They think they are people.
We come home and yell "hey kids, were home". they come running out and if we have bags, they think there is a treat or toy for them.

We just moved from Philly to Magnolia not far from the base. Like Mary had said, there are so many little towns. And I mean small towns all around.
We went back to philly yesterday and I have to say the ride was nerve racking.
It is not far and about an hour an a half ride but I personally hate it where rt 1 meets 95. It rattles my nerves plus it was raining.
Just wanted to share that cuz I know you said you hubby has to travel back and forth.
Now PA and her hub go back but I dont' think she minds the ride that much.
What say you PA?

Currently my son is based in South Dakota, I wished he was at Dover, but he will be out in October than he will start school in San Francisco.

I'm a huge animal lover, yup we call our dogs our kids, and they think they are people too, people can't believe they hug it's pretty funny.

I think I'm pretty good about battling traffic, got that living in CA. So I think I will be ok if I drive North in DE.

[maryCh]

Laural, so you queried "farms" and got some Amish farm listings? Hubby & I were talking this past weekend about the prospect of getting one of those and modernizing it! Gotta make sure we stay in the same school district, as we love where the boys are and don't want to change that!

Sorry for being a ditz about you're having a son... I knew you had posted it elsewhere and I just had a memory lapse on another of my posts. As elizamary said, LOTS of military around here, active duty and otherwise. Part of why my folks are planning on moving here.. while dad is retired Navy, the area is very good for veterans. So dad is really looking forward to this environment.

Gotta love the pets! We have had dogs and a few cats, but hubby is allergic to cat dander so that one is out. Unless we end up with a barn cat or something! Can't have either here, as it is in our lease. We fully intend on 2 dogs soon after we buy a home in the fall (hopefully). I'll have to check with you about the rescue thing when the time comes.

Mary

[rdlr]

It's so hard to find the perfect place, in any state. In the Middletown-Glasgow area, you will be closer to the metropolitan area, but of course, the traffic comes with it. Down here in the Kent area, traffic is not as bad, and 3 minutes out of Dover you're in Amish country. Then in Sussex, of course, the farther down you go the higher the prices because of the beach. About Amish farms, there are some for sale but they are just that, farms with 50-150 acres or so of land to till, plant and harvest. You'd be surprised just how big 1-2-3 acres really is, but you'll find out when the grass starts growing. There are plenty of those "farmettes" for sale. The Amish have caught on, and most of the time, now when they build houses, they rough-in the plumbing and electric, considering a future sale. I've been in many Amish homes.

[Laural]

Originally Posted by maryCh

Laural, so you queried "farms" and got some Amish farm listings?

Yup got some not a lot. They weren't as cheap as I thought they might be, then I was thinking what would they do with all that money since they are suppose to live modestly

[Laural]

Originally Posted by Delly

I've been in many Amish homes.

Delly do you know a lot of Amish?

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by Laural

Delly do you know a lot of Amish?

Yes, the ones in our immediate area.

[maryCh]

Actually, Laural, the few Amish families I have come to know in our short time here, for the most part, DO live modestly. But there are many factors in their family dynamics that feed into their need for money, just like the rest of us.

I do not mind doing business with the Amish, as in our little bit of experience they have all been very fair. What I find is greed is not their motivation, just the old fashioned value of providing for their family. THAT philosophy still pushes my smile button.

Delly... I think I want to go to lunch with just you one day! Or at least have you over for coffee and cake! I sense you are a wealth of information, and I am the sponge!

Mary

[Laural]

Originally Posted by maryCh

But there are many factors in their family dynamics that feed into their need for money, just like the rest of us

Mary

You'll have to forgive me being naive I know nothing about them accept what I see on tv. What do they use money for? I always thought they were pretty much self sufficient.

[Laural]

Originally Posted by Delly

Yes, the ones in our immediate area.

Another naive question, I thought they don't associate with outsiders. What are they like? Do they really don't like their pictures taken?