55+ Communities (Dover, Middletown, Smyrna: real estate, houses, rent)

[jvogle]

Zarabeth,

Can you help with doctors, hospitals etc. dentists.

I am particular -- want really really good docs.

Not sure if this is private or not -- here is my private email --

jacqueline_vogle@att.net. There is an underscore character between first and last name

Jacquie

[peeweeaz]

Jacquie,

What area do you winter in AZ?

[CMTAD]

Hello everyone,

Our big research trip starts on Tuesday. We're going to see, in no particular order Wild Meadows, Nobles Pond, Barclays, Southern Meadows, Springmill, Spring Arbor, Jonathan's Landing, Longacre Village, Spring Meadows, Independence, DelWebb's Coastal Club and Providence.

Some we've seen before, some will be first visits. Some are land lease, some are not. Some are sold out and will be considered for resale, some are just breaking ground and won't be ready for a while. I think with this visit, we might be able to start narrowing down some of the choices.

While checking out these communities, we will also be checking out the surrounding areas of each, eating in the local restaurants, seeing local shopping options, people watching, talking to locals where appropriate, etc. We have a huge agenda spread over six days and hope to collect enough information to start really making some preliminary decisions.

Two issues that stand out for me are landlease vs. ownership (and I have been reading that thread) and the issue of healthcare, which needs much more research on my part. I was in hospital administration in New York for almost 30 years before retiring and know that a place can be both good and bad at the same time ... so lots of work to do on that front. As far as landlease, I'm hoping that a few of the landlease communities will be willing to give me a pro forma agreement so I can really give the issue a detailed look over time.

Oh yes ... and while here, a Blue Rocks baseball game, time at the beach, outlet shopping in Rehoboth, dinner at "Where Pigs Fly" and some slot time at Dover Downs. What a week!! Wish us luck!

Charley

[MPBsr]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

Hello everyone,

Our big research trip starts on Tuesday. We're going to see, in no particular order Wild Meadows, Nobles Pond, Barclays, Southern Meadows, Springmill, Spring Arbor, Jonathan's Landing, Longacre Village, Spring Meadows, Independence, DelWebb's Coastal Club and Providence.

Some we've seen before, some will be first visits. Some are land lease, some are not. Some are sold out and will be considered for resale, some are just breaking ground and won't be ready for a while. I think with this visit, we might be able to start narrowing down some of the choices.

While checking out these communities, we will also be checking out the surrounding areas of each, eating in the local restaurants, seeing local shopping options, people watching, talking to locals where appropriate, etc. We have a huge agenda spread over six days and hope to collect enough information to start really making some preliminary decisions.

Two issues that stand out for me are landlease vs. ownership (and I have been reading that thread) and the issue of healthcare, which needs much more research on my part. I was in hospital administration in New York for almost 30 years before retiring and know that a place can be both good and bad at the same time ... so lots of work to do on that front. As far as landlease, I'm hoping that a few of the landlease communities will be willing to give me a pro forma agreement so I can really give the issue a detailed look over time.

Oh yes ... and while here, a Blue Rocks baseball game, time at the beach, outlet shopping in Rehoboth, dinner at "Where Pigs Fly" and some slot time at Dover Downs. What a week!! Wish us luck!

Charley

With all that running around, I hope you gave yourself at least 4-5 days.

[CMTAD]

Yes, 6 days and 5 nights.

[handypeacock]

Been following your posts. Did you get to Independence? If so what do you think of it. We love the idea of an indoor pool. Is the community center built yet? We don't think we want "Land Lease", did you find any other over 55 that are not land leased? Thanks!

[CMTAD]

When I return next week, I'll provide a report of what I've found. Hopefully others will be able to use the information as part of their research.

We're about 80% sure that Delaware will be our final destination. We still want to see State College, Pennsylvania. If anyone is familiar with that area and would post something brief (so as not to go TOO off topic in our Delaware discussions) that would be helpful.

Thanks,
Charley

[handypeacock]

Originally Posted by nevada49

I am also looking to move to Delaware after I retire in about 3 years. I found elizamary's posts very helpful. I am going down for about a week next Spring and will check out Wild Meadows, Homes at Nobles Pond and Shore Club, which is just starting to be built. I appreciate all the good info people have posted here. I want to live in a 55+ community, with a pool, clubhouse, guard-gated, and want to own my lot (rather than lease). Thanks for all the good info people put on here.

Eileen in Conn.

Did you ever find your Active Adult Community which is not land-leased? Thanks!

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

When I return next week, I'll provide a report of what I've found. Hopefully others will be able to use the information as part of their research.

We're about 80% sure that Delaware will be our final destination. We still want to see State College, Pennsylvania. If anyone is familiar with that area and would post something brief (so as not to go TOO off topic in our Delaware discussions) that would be helpful.

Thanks,
Charley

State College Pa has a nice community. I believe it is Nottingham something and it is very nice. We almost decided on that but found we would make out better in DE with taxes. Although, the scenery is fantastic. PA is a beautiful state.

barclay farms we visited and both were over priced We thought.

[CMTAD]

Hello from Delaware!

I've spent most of the last few days visiting several 55+ communities and speaking to many locals about a variety of issues. Over the next few days, I will report my findings to you.

I want to organize my messages so that I provide enough information for you without overwhelming you with more data than you need ... or long rambling posts. I'll be dividing up the information into several smaller posts. I want to write them in such a way that you can rate the posts positively so that future readers can learn from what I found.

I will start with the easiest information, Sussex County.

Longacre Village: I followed the directions very carefully and arrived at the exact location where Longacre Village was supposed to be. Nothing there but individual houses. No signs, nothing that looked like a cohesive community, nothing.

Independence: I visited the site to find that there were a few workers and trucks in the area but it appears that they have not broken ground yet. I then went to the sales office which is in a different location. I arrived to find a sign on the front door saying that they were "closed for the day for an office party". I left my name and told them that I had travelled from New York to see them. This was on Wednesday. As of today, Friday, there has been no contact from them. Not a good sign.

Also not a good sign is that the roads in the area, specifically routes 23 and 24 and small, single lane roads. Once these new communities open, the traffic may be a serious issue. Traffic in the Rehoboth area is significantly busier than it was last year at this time and the number of businesses in the area has expanded. The outlet shops still have good bargains, but I don't think we got the same service that we got last year. It might be just a fluke on a single day, but there was a difference.

Coastal Club: Del Webb was to open this originally in 2005, then 2006, then 2997. I arrived at the site to find a Del Webb Coastal Club sign ... and nothing else. Ground has not been broken and there seems to be nothing other than the sign.

Providence - Heritage Shores: In Bridgeville, which is in the southwest corner of the state. The models are beautiful. There is one model that has a kitchen that might be the best kitchen I've ever seen in any model home. My wife agreed. However, the plan calls for 1800 homes as part of a joint venture with another developer, Lennar! For my tastes, it's absolutely too large. It's also a golf community and not only will it be for the residents, they are also advertising memberships to the golf club and restaurant to the general public. The current road infrastructure is not great and there's not much else around the area. The roads to the beach, routes 9, 23 and 24 being the major routes, currently take about 40 minutes to get to Rehoboth and as more developments are opened, that time will be added.

Side note on Lennar: They said they could not send me information because they were not approved to send info to New York or New Jersey. All I could have was what was on their website, which was insufficient. I asked them if I could have them send the info to a friend in New Mexico who would forward. They agreed. My friend received it and forwarded it, Fed Ex. When it arrived, I opened it to find a copy of the one page from the net! I called to ask them why, and they reiterated that they could not send to New York, even though they said they would sent it to New Mexico. If it's that hard to get info up front, can you imagine the joy of building with them, or closing on the property, or ...?

Overall, I was not impressed with Sussex County and do not plan to buy there.

Future posts will include what I found in New Castle County (upper Delaware), Kent County (Dover, Smyrna and other central Delaware areas), healthcare services and hopefully land lease. Clearly, you get MUCH MORE HOUSE with land lease!

I apologize for the length of the post. I hope you find it helpful, look forward to your comments and stand ready to answer any questions you might have ... if I know the answer

Charley