55+ Communities (Dover, Middletown, Smyrna: for rent, Home Depot, buying)

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

[2] Southern Meadow: Southern Meadow was not originally on our list, but having watching Eliza post about it, I thought I'd go see it for myself. I'm glad I did. First of all, Eliza is charming. So is Debbie, the office manager and Marta, the recreation direction ... and Eliza, you can tell them I said so! They were both also extremely gracious and shared absolutely everything with me. The facility is clean and well kept, the models are simple but well done (the Acacia is particularly attractive to me), and the clubhouse and pool area is exactly what I'd want. Southern Meadow is on my list. I could see myself living there.

[Pond and assuming it continues to develop the same way the Wild Meadow's developed, I think the Nobles Pond might be very high on your list.

Note: Though I did not go this time, I have seen Bon Ayre in the past. I was not impressed. I thought the homes were a little too close together and I did not like some of the things I saw in the construction. I actually saw cracks in some of the concrete steps while the construction was ongoing. Bon Ayre seemed a little cramped and we chose not to see it again this time.

This post completes my report on my trip to Delaware. If anyone has ANY questions at all, please feel free to ask, and if I have the answer, I'll be happy to share it with you.

Charley

Thanks for the compliment Charley and will most certainly pass along your kind words about Debbie and Marta. You are correct, they are great gals.

Southern Meadows was not on our list either. We just stumbled across and glad we did.

By the time you are ready to move, there will even be more communities to choose from. Something for everyone. They are popping up all over DE.

There are many factors to consider when looking and money was one important factor. I loved the Acacia too but we really had to keep the cost down. I felt blessed to be able to get what I got. There for a while, It looked as though I was going to have to work the rest of my life. Now we have our brand new home. I thank God and have so much gratitude.

When we saw Barclay, we loved it but since I have heard others that were not all that impressed.
We really loved the homes at wild meadows but that was out of our price range. Not saying they were expensive but for us we couldn't.

yesterday was a blast. then we come home to our lovely home.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

You're most welcome.

Here is how we get to Nobles Pond. These are not exact directions as we never had any. We "found" it through trial and error before they even broke ground. We've traveled there many different ways. I think this one is the easiest.

From the Scarborough Road Exit off of Route 1, make a right so you're on Route 13 North. Follow Route 13 North until you get to Fork Branch Road. Make a left onto Fork Branch Road. Just past the railroad tracks, make a right onto McKee Road. Follow McKee Road and on your left you'll see the clubhouse under construction. You can't miss it. There are a few driveways onto the property. The one you want is marked as Eddie Evans Lane. The office is actually a little house, just past the construction.

Here is Southern Meadows. Eliza, if you can improve on this, please do:

Take Route 1 south passing the Dover Air Force exits. On the next exit, turn right. Look for the small sign for Magnolia, Route 107. Go 2 miles to the traffic light, then approx 2 miles to Lexington Mill Road. Turn left, then make the second left onto Bluebell Drive and follow into Southern Meadow.

Have a terrific time and ask lots of questions!

Charley

Your directions are "perfect"!!!

[elizamary]

ee

Originally Posted by sleeplessinpa

I could not help but notice your post about a comminty in Jim Thorpe,Pa. That is the area I am from! Did you actually look in that are to retire???

My husband and I are looking to move out of this area to Delaware (he will be 55 in 3.5 years). We pay outrageous Property taxes and Occupation taxes here in Pennsylvania(this is a poor county so they look to tax you many ways).

Anyway, we do not want to go into a community(we have 2 dogs and cats) and we prefer a rural area of Sussex without restrictions and privacy but a decent community with shopping within an hours drive.

Can you suggest towns or areas that would be good starter areas to look over. We are coming down in September.

Thanks

Sorry, I must of missed your post. You might want to try Sussex West and Sussex East. Bayside homes.
It was a very nice community in a rural setting not far from the beach.
Homes were reasonable and nice.
If you want you can pulll this up on the web. Just type in Sussex West or Bayside homes. They are located on Route 1 in Lewes De.

I didnt' want to live in Sussex because of the summer traffic. Most places allow pets. We have 2 cats and they are fine.

Yes, we were looking to retire. It is beautiful there. Little Switzerland!!
You may want to try our community as well. It is southern Meadows in Kent county.
There are many. I'm not familiar with any others in Sussex county. But if you want to know about Kent county then I can help you there.
We are only 35 mins fromt the beach yet away from the summer traffic.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by JoycieM

PS. Does anyone know about the job situation for us " older" citizens in the Dover area? While age discrimination is illegal, it is out there but disguised. When were at Dover Downs I did notice some people our age and older working there. Does anyone know about their hiring practices and/or pay?

Thanks again!
Joyce

I'm not in the market as of yet but maybe in the future so I don't know about this topic. I do however, see olders working around so I guess they do.
There is alway Wal Mart as a greeter.
Some of the post I read dont' speak too kindly of jobs down here but I think if you work hard at looking, you will get something. It is like anything else. Especially when you get older, it is going to be harder.

[Charley]

It looks like Rachelle's posts have been removed. I wondered whether our moderators would allow them to remain as they did seem a bit like solicitation. I do hope that Rachelle will remain with this forum as she might have good insight for us, for example:

Many of us are looking at Delaware from other states. I know about the closing or settlement costs in New York, but are not familiar with those in Delaware. Certainly for planning purposes, knowledge of the various items required in settlement and how to estimate the costs would be helpful to those of us planning a move. There is a transfer tax of 3% where traditionally the buyer and seller each pay half. We don't have that in New York, so I'm wondering what the settlement items are and how we can estimate them.

Rachelle? Are you still with us?

Charley

[peeweeaz]

Joyce,
If you want a sneak preview, Southern Meadows has a web site that will give you the five models, prices and floor plans. If you want a manufactured home, this place deserves a serious look.

[Charley]

Peewee - you're so right and I'm sorry I didn't suggest that. Nobles Pond has one also. I'm not sure I'm allowed to post the website, but if you Google Nobles Pond it will return the address for out. There is some great information along with floor plans and pictures.

[peeweeaz]

Charley,

Since you don't work for Nobles Pond, I don't think the moderators would consider your posting the web site as a "solicitation" for business.

Joyce,

I agree age discrimination is alive and well and much easier to practice or disguise before you're hired. My wife and I live in Arizona where there are many Native American casinos. I worked for one for three years and was hired when I was 60. I mention this because I've been to the casino at Dover Downs many times and have observed old timers working there. If interested, they have a web site where you can get job info. Also Home Depot likes to hire "seniors". The biggest draw back to employers' hiring seniors are the medical costs. Actuarially, seniors will require more health care than younger folks. However, if you can carry some health insurance with you and just tell the employer you're looking to make a few extra bucks and will waive the health coverage, you will have a better shot at getting hired.

[peeweeaz]

Charley,

I forgot to express my extreme gratitude for taking the time to post all that good info on 55 + communities in Delaware. It sounds like you will have completely researched (like Eliza) every aspect of moving to Delaware before you make a decision. Good on ya. You never know if the "grass is greener ..." unless you climb the fence and play in it for awhile. Some folks like to take the plunge and then go from there. I'm like you - I want to know what I'm getting into before I jump.

[JoycieM]

Thanks so much to everyone on the site. Your information and suggestions surely have been so helpful. I am soo glad to have found this forum and am anxious to visit the communities. I have checked out the websites, too. Everything looks so nice but you are right to advise us to take our time. I once booked a hotel from a website ( the hotel and pool looked wonderful ) and found out that they must have airbrushed those photos!!! Even now, at my age, I am still learning some lessons.

Thanks for the information about the casinos, Peeweeaz, the medical benefits are so expensive but we have to look into finding an individual plan that is affordable for Ron. I have one through my job ( for now ) but he isn't covered. Currently he is working and does have benefits so it is an important factor in our decisions.

Right now we are trying to figure out when we can make the trip again. It seems like every weekend we can go something is up with the family. We may have to sneak down early on a Saturday morning and stay till Sunday afternoon. Will have to check out hotel rates. We were wanting to come the weekend of the 21st but realized that was Nascar Weekend! So, that's out!

Take care all and thank you again!

Joyce