Waterfront Living Near Univeristy of Delaware (Newark, Bear: for sale, renting, house)

[CastleAdam]

I will be relocating with my family to the area. I have two kids four and six years old.

Is there anyway to get a waterfront/boating lifestyle (preferably fresh water) where we can walk to a boat dock, get good schools, and be in a family friendly area? I would be willing to commute up to 50-60 minutes from the University.

Thanks for the help, this forum is great!

[jayJay64]

Chesapeake City (in MD) might be a good choice for you. You can be right on the canal with easy access to the water. It also happens to be a great town. I would think Bear, DE might have some canal front options, but I am not familiar enough to know. Any opinions out there on Delaware City or Bear?

[SXMGirl]

The Marina at Lums Pond is on Route 71 South. It has been quite a while since I have been to the marina, but there are house boats and mooring. There have also been several restaurants there, but because of State law, I don't think they stay long. I also would look at Chesapeake City.

[toobusytoday]

I was also thinking of Maryland. In general their schools are supposed to be very good, but you should check them out here - Search for Maryland public schools. or this site - SchoolMatters (http://www.schoolmatters.com/schools.aspx/q/page=sr/ust=MD/p=1/fp=1 - broken link) You can use the same site to compare Delaware schools.

[CastleAdam]

Thanks for the info. I will check out the schools on the website. Is Lums Pond nice? Does it connect to the Chesapeake somehow?

[SXMGirl]

I would think that Lums Pond connects to the C & D Canal because of the marina. There is also a swimming area, small boating area, and a dog beach. There are picnic areas, basketball courts, and lots of activities. You might want to check it out. Lums Pond State Park, Bear, Delaware

[neecewh]

I would recommend Chesapeake City on C & D Canal. I replied on your Maryland thread but will reply here as well. I am living in (renting) an amazing waterfront property that just went up for sale. It is on the C & D Canal in Chesapeake City. I just created a website for the owner with all the info on the house but I don't think I would be aloud to post the link (even though it is not my house) . If you want more info direct message me. It is a must see!

[phlydude]

Lums Pond does NOT connect to the canal.

There is very limited housing in Delaware on fresh water with water access around the area you are looking. We don't have very many ponds or lakes and those that we do have are small.
The river has been built up industrially aside from Del City and New Castle but even access in New Castle is extremely limited.
Honestly, the views across the river where you can have access will have the nuclear power plant in Jersey well in view.

Chesapeake City is nice but can be loud in the summer as the restaurants along the canal tend to bring in the party crowd.

You might be able to find some water property in Old Christiana or in Newark along the creek but that will be it.

[fishintheobx]

I would definitely take a look at Chesapeake City, MD or North East, MD. Both are going to keep you within a reasonable 30-45 minute commute from Newark. While CC is on the C&D canal, North East is on the North East river a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Both have plenty to do (probably more to do in North East with shops, grocery store, etc.) and are family friendly. Chesapeake City is more touristy and historical, but is much smaller and very un-commercialized.

I now live in Coastal NC, but grew up in Chesapeake City, spending my childhood on the waterways around Cecil County. The people, schools, and towns are very decent...if MD can keep itself from becoming a tax-crazy state.

[CastleAdam]

I've been looking for someone familiar with the water around Cecil County. Do you swim in it? I noticed that you can't see through it (at least where I was on the Elk River), it was muddy.