Thinking of moving to Southwest DE? -- Don't! (Wilmington, Dover: 2014, crime rate)

[doctorjef]

Shortly after we moved to DE there was an amazing house outside of Seaford (If I recall correctly, but definitely somewhere in western Sussex) that was on the market for less than 500K. It was on about a 3 acre lot and dated to an original William Penn land grant. The house was very large and had a section built in the 18th Century, but looked mostly quite up to date and in good condition. Most of it was probably mid-19th Century and it could only be described as a country mansion. As it was outside city limits, it had a ridiculously low annual property tax, something around $500. It would have been an amazing thing to own for someone willing to live in that area.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by brava4

What are the photos of? It looks rather pleasant. Thanks for posting them!!

Thanks Brava. In Post 7, the first photo is of Hearn's Pond just north of Seaford, and the second two are of the Nanticoke River (the third near Woodland just west of Seaford). I found all of these on flickr. In Post 15, I posted pictures I took of High Street in downtown Seaford last summer.

As for this:

Originally Posted by longnecker

There are some nice beautiful areas. Inner-city(?) Laurel and Seaford are rather poor areas whose housing and business areas are really run down. There is a lot of poverty.

I am less familiar with Laurel's current state. About once a month I visit family in Seaford and like to for go for walks around town. I will agree with you that much of housing the central core between High Street and Stein Highway as well that in as East Seaford is in decay. For the rest of the town, I see is a good mix of well-kept working class neighborhoods as well as some very nice upscale homes, some recently built:

Seaford, DE - Google Maps
Seaford, DE - Google Maps
Seaford, DE - Google Maps
Seaford, DE - Google Maps
Seaford, DE - Google Maps

. . . etc.

These are all in the town limits. If you know Seaford, then you know some of the nicest homes are in the forested developments outside the corporate limits such as Beaver Dam, Atlanta Circle, Devonshire, Nanticoke Acres, Rivers End, etc.:

Rivers End Drive, Seaford, DE - Google Maps
Woodland Mills Drive, Seaford, DE - Google Maps

Despite conventional wisdom, while there is indeed much more poverty there than when I was growing up, there remains quite a bit of wealth in Western Sussex.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

Shortly after we moved to DE there was an amazing house outside of Seaford (If I recall correctly, but definitely somewhere in western Sussex) that was on the market for less than 500K. It was on about a 3 acre lot and dated to an original William Penn land grant. The house was very large and had a section built in the 18th Century, but looked mostly quite up to date and in good condition. Most of it was probably mid-19th Century and it could only be described as a country mansion. As it was outside city limits, it had a ridiculously low annual property tax, something around $500. It would have been an amazing thing to own for someone willing to live in that area.

Speaking of mansions in southwestern Delaware, this is absolutely one of my favorites!
The Governor Ross Mansion

Seaford Historical Society - Governor Ross Mansion & Plantation

[doctorjef]

Thanks for that! We definitely shall have to go there this summer when we are next downstate.

[rdlr]

Southwestern Delaware has a very interesting past. I also enjoy the history of Patty Cannon, the murderess. There's an historic home in Bethel which is unoccupied, but furnished. The huge dining room table is set for 12, and candelabras are throughout the house as if someone lives there. Patty Cannon, I'm told, had some ties with that house. I was only in there once. Now, when I drive past, I get a very eerie feeling.

[Legendof302]

Originally Posted by beachliz

Crime is horrible out that way. They just busted a huge drug dealing ring out by Trap Pond which is considered a safe and quiet area. My husband was so used to hearing state police choppers flying around his house growing up that he can now tell if one is flying around our area without even looking. He graduated from Seaford high in 1994 and he said that other kids flashed gang signs at each other without consequence and carried so many guns to school that he would witness the handguns literally falling out of other kids' jackets or pockets in the hallway and bathroom.

Im not allowed to post the link but Salisbury is ranked the 22nd most dangerous city in America right now.

Just sad if you ask me, my grandmom lives there...

[Legendof302]

Is this the right thread to talk about Harrington?

Specifically the State Fair and redneck culture in slower lower?

[longnecker]

Originally Posted by Legendof302

Is this the right thread to talk about Harrington?

Specifically the State Fair and redneck culture in slower lower?

Why don't you start a thread about the State Fair?

[Legendof302]

Originally Posted by longnecker

Why don't you start a thread about the State Fair?

I worked for the sound company that has done all the concerts at the Delaware State Fair for the last 10 years...

I have alot of pics to post and things to talk about regarding my experience...

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by Legendof302

I worked for the sound company that has done all the concerts at the Delaware State Fair for the last 10 years...

I have alot of pics to post and things to talk about regarding my experience...

We've spent a lifetime at the Delaware State Fair, and we're rednecks.
Slept in the barns when we were kids, our children slept in the barns when they were kids, and our grandchildren now sleep in the barns - all during fair week when they show their livestock.

It started for me in 1945 when I was called from the audience to ride in a little red wagon, while some strange side-show guy pulled the wagon with fish hooks in his eye lids.
True Story