Questions about Dover area (Wilmington, Newark: sales, real estate, renting)

[Shadozer]

My husband and I are looking into buying a home in the Dover area. I'm not familiar with the area at all so if anyone could answer a few questions for me it would help alot. -What is the traffic like or the commute from Dover to Wilmington be like? -How are the schools in that area? -Any places we should avoid buying from? -Is there plenty of things for me to do with my toddler? Any other tips about the area would be nice allso

[Julie1226]

We are actually leaving Dover the day after tomorrow and are very sad about it. I LOVE it here.

My daughter was 18 months when we moved here. There are "some" things to do with a toddler. Story Time at the Dover library is every Tuesday and Friday at 10:15 am. Ms Jackie is fantastic. We joined the YMCA and did swimming, soccer, and dance lessons as soon as she was old enough. There are nice parks in the area. The skating rink does a tot skate on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday afternoons.

I don't know anything about the public schools. We live on base. If you are military, I highly recommend it. The school on base is the best in the area. My daughter is only 4 and we haven't gotten that far yet. As for preschools-- St. Johns, The Little School, and Wesley are the most popular.

Traffice isn't that bad. From Dover to Wilmington is about 45 minutes. Unless it is Friday or Sunday afternoon, there isn't much traffic. Everyone drives down to the beach from PA or MD on the weekend throughout the summer and the traffic can get a little backed up. 1 is a Toll road and a straight shot from Newark, DE down to the Beaches.

Houses are expensive here, and they aren't selling very well, at least not the pre-owned. I know several people that are trying to sell a house. I can't think of any areas to avoid, there are a lot of nice neighborhoods around the Dover or Camden area.

No sales tax in Delaware, which has been great!

DM me if you have any more questions!

[maryCh]

Hi Shadozer,

Welcome to the DE forum! I have heard the commute from Dover to Wilmington can be hit or miss (for heavy traffic), depending on what time you travel and the ultimate destination. Julie hit it right on the head regarding Route 1; as I understand the other "main" alternative is Route 13. While I don't drive the trip daily, I've heard from some that do that either route gets pretty congested quite a bit.

We currently are renting in the Camden-Wyoming area, actually outside of town, but convenient to Dover and its offerings. We're buying a house next month with a Felton address, but the school district is the same. Our kids are a bit older (11 & 13), so I can't help you much about things to do with a toddler. From what I read in the paper, seems like quite a bit more than what I've been able to find for my pre-teens.

Julie1226, sorry to hear you're leaving! Sounds like you've gotten to know the area well, and hope you'll pop into the DE forum after your move. Good luck at your next duty station, and new home site!

Mary

[Shadozer]

thanks you've both been very helpful. im pretty excited about making the move! i just dont know what to expect. i'll be moving from baltimore so it will be a huge change for me.

[debbiekr]

Homes are actually cheaper here than the Baltimore area. I am orginally from MD and I think the house prices here are great compared to what I am use to. My kids are 4 and 8 and we visit a lot of the local parks. The YMCA is great for more specific sports and hobbies. We live in the CR school district, which a lot of people seem to prefer but I've also lived in the Lake Forest School district, which I thought was fine too. There are a lot of great communities in this area, beautiful homes and the commute to the beach is short, if you like the beach. You can definitely make it a day trip, which we do a lot during the summer. Tax free shopping and property taxes are half of what they are in MD. My property taxes in Millersville, MD were $1900 a year, here they are $700 a year! Anything else? Good luck with your move. I think you will prefer the more laid back living here in DE compared to where you are now and the people are very nice. I always loved and missed MD but now plan to retire here after my husband gets out of the service. We have grown to love the area.

[maryCh]

I have a friend who moved here last summer from Pasadena. She loves her home, and said the same thing as debbiekr about the real estate prices. Will get back to you later tonight... we're off to the fair for the evening!

Mary

[Shadozer]

debbiekr-you are right, that's EXCACTLY why we chose delaware! there are few places we can afford to live in maryland as i am not working at the time (stay home mom) and the ones we can afford the taxes will bring them out of our range. maryland is crazy expensive! and being close to the beach makes DE all the more appealing to me. and as you said i will much prefer a more laid back living. and i was thinking about joining the ymca for awhile now, my son loves the pool and i think swimming lessons might be fun. maryCh i hope your enjoying the fair! and thank you julie i will certainly check into story time, what a great idea! this is all really helpful for me and makes me feel a little less nervous about moving to a place i am unfamiliar with, thanks again to everyone

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by Shadozer

debbiekr-you are right, that's EXCACTLY why we chose delaware! there are few places we can afford to live in maryland as i am not working at the time (stay home mom) and the ones we can afford the taxes will bring them out of our range. maryland is crazy expensive! and being close to the beach makes DE all the more appealing to me. and as you said i will much prefer a more laid back living. and i was thinking about joining the ymca for awhile now, my son loves the pool and i think swimming lessons might be fun. maryCh i hope your enjoying the fair! and thank you julie i will certainly check into story time, what a great idea! this is all really helpful for me and makes me feel a little less nervous about moving to a place i am unfamiliar with, thanks again to everyone

Shadozer: When are you moving? Will you be here on August 2nd? We'd love to have you attend our Small Town Welcome to Delaware Porch Breakfast. See details in the Welcome to Delaware Thread, or PM me.

[countrygirl08]

I recently transfered here to. There are several different communites that I have looked at. So far the one I continue to go back to is Clearview Meadow. It is beside target and safeway. It is in Capital District and the elementary school is across the street. I have found it to be a really good location. I wouldn't have to drive to the store, I could walk over to it if I wanted to. It is I have met several of the people that live there and they are friendly and happy. I have seen several of the houses there and they are very nice. I would suggest to check it out if you haven't already. I'm just trying to decide which house I want.

[MargieCyr]

Hi MaryCH:
I am seeking info about renting in the Camden-Wyoming area. How did you find your rentail house? How long a drive is it to downtown Dover?