Looking to retire (Dover, Magnolia: mortgage, real estate, military)

[DeeJones]

Hello,
I am looking to retire in a few years, planning on buying a townhouse or somewhere in a retirement community, where its quiet but I would like to live close enough to where I can utilize Dover AFB, and close enough at least forth minutes to get to Annapolis, MD, can someone give me an idea of a good location to live in Delaware where its quiet or a good Real Estate number.

[from PA]

My husband and I moved to Magnolia a year ago. We wanted to leave our community in PA where congestion was a way of life. Here it is peaceful and reasonable to live. Taxes are low and now there are plenty of communities which are close to Dover AFB. There is also a new over 55 community which just opened recently. I know that taxes are extremely high in NJ and NY.
DE is the new spot for retirees because taxes here are so reasonable.
Com'on down , winters are mild,no more bumper to bumper rush hour, it's close to the beach,and mortgages go away but taxes don't. Check it out.

[Stonecoldharbours]

I would like to hear what you think is nice bout it, as I am checking out the area myself to move too, I have heard nothing but bad things bout DE, sure would like to hear some good things now! THanks!

[from PA]

It is all what you make of it. Sure, it's not a bustling nightspot but you are within 15 minutes of whatever it is that you might need be it shopping , good restaurants , or nightlife. Downtown Dover is quaint and beautiful. It is very clean and well kept , the grounds are beautiful. There is lots going on there too. They have fireworks for New Years and 4th of July, and even just had a St. Patty's day parade. You are 40 minutes tops from the beach and the outlets. Oh and there is Dover Downs , and fishing and golf are a stones throw away. Come on, what can be better than that? Some of the scenery here is breathtaking!!! We have sunrise and sunsets both visible from our back deck. I don't know where else we can breathe in so much beauty.

[MPBsr]

Originally Posted by from PA

My husband and I moved to Magnolia a year ago. We wanted to leave our community in PA where congestion was a way of life. Here it is peaceful and reasonable to live. Taxes are low and now there are plenty of communities which are close to Dover AFB. There is also a new over 55 community which just opened recently. I know that taxes are extremely high in NJ and NY.
DE is the new spot for retirees because taxes here are so reasonable.
Com'on down , winters are mild,no more bumper to bumper rush hour, it's close to the beach,and mortgages go away but taxes don't. Check it out.

Is the 55+ called Jonathan's Landing?

I'm waiting for the models to open (they say April) before we head down to check them out.

[from PA]

The +55 community is the Champion's Club @ Jonathan's Landing. There are also several other single family homes in the ajacent communities. LaCrosse homes has several models to choose from and there are also a few resales in the development. If you travel route 1 South. take the Trap Shooters Rd exit which is just after Dover AFB. Then just follow the signs.

[MPBsr]

Originally Posted by from PA

The +55 community is the Champion's Club @ Jonathan's Landing. There are also several other single family homes in the ajacent communities. LaCrosse homes has several models to choose from and there are also a few resales in the development. If you travel route 1 South. take the Trap Shooters Rd exit which is just after Dover AFB. Then just follow the signs.

Is LaCrosse also 55+?

[from PA]

No. They are single family homes on 1/3 acre lots.

[Roxanna]

Dee Jones,

To respond more specifically to your inquiry. Certainly, there are quiet neighborhoods in Dover and the smaller towns in the area, and--as you mention DAFB--if you are associated with the military, you may fare better in this area. Although all Air Force families I've known have come and gone, they do generally have a better experience here, perhaps because of mutual support.

Annapolis MD is about an hour-and-a-half from Dover, but it can take considerably longer in the warmer months when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge spans are jammed with traffic.

"from PA" I'm glad that your experience in Magnolia has worked out well for you, but it's probably better to give a clear picture of this little place with the beautiful name. For those who are interested, Magnolia's main street takes about 12 seconds, at low speed, to drive--and it has 1) a corner restaurant of some sort and 2) a discount furniture store. Oh, and an assortment of houses, most in disrepair, and at least one condemned. Attached to this: housing developments.

"It is all what you make of it." Awfully hard for anyone to, themselves, make a poor school, for example, better. As for downtown Dover's quaint beauty. There are a scattering of nice buildings, especially the old homes on State Street, but after you've seen them 40 or 50 times (thousands of times, in our case), they do not make up for the fact that there are so few stores worth shopping in left in downtown Dover. The few that were good have closed--most recently Dover Hardware, an exceptionally good store of its type. Yes, there are stores on the highway and the unimpressive Dover Mall. I'm so glad to be able to shop online!

Nightlife? We're not into that, but when I mentioned this statement to several younger acquaintances this morning--they laughed.

Restaurants. They've done away with the Blue Coat Inn, which--at least had a beautiful setting and pleasant food--and what's left are largely fast food, pizza places, the standard Olive Garden. Michele's, in the Dover Downs Hotel, has good food and high prices. That's it.

Dover Downs is for those who plan ahead several years in order to attend the two annual NASCAR races, and for those who like to gamble.

If you don't mind questionable schools, substandard medical care, lack of virtually anything resembling culture, and all the afore-mentioned, then by all means move to this area.

You WILL be able to find good housing at good prices, and if that's all that's on your list, you'll do fine here.

[from PA]

Hi Roxanna,
I have some concerns regarding your latest posting. Before moving here, we got a recommendation for doctors in the area. In the past year we've been pleased and are quite impressed with the practice we were referred to. What do you consider substandard medical care? Regarding schools, we get positive reviews on Ceasar Rodney and have spoken with several of our neighbors who are teachers who send their children to these schools. With regards to the actual town of Magnolia, you are absolutely correct. It is tiny for sure but so what? BTW the home across from the post office is being restored as we speak. I will admit that it has been an eyesore. Regarding shopping in downtown Dover? I would not consider the downtown area for shopping. It is a shame that the old time hardware stores are being put out of business by Lowes and Home Depot. I do feel that there is a rejuvination project in the works for Loockerman Street. The Dover Mall is tired ,I will admit that, but Christiana is not far towards the north and Rehoboth outlets are closeby to the south. Grocery stores are in abundance and I am too happy that I have Safeway (Genuardi's) and my favorite Kohls nearby on Rt.13. I am sure there are more stores like these in the works as the population grows.