italy to delaware (Wilmington, Newark, Bear: low crime, homes, neighborhoods)

[italy03]

recently widowed; military wife...two children...what kind of place is Wilmington to raise a family and start again...are there any italian american neighborhoods? Good schools? Low crime? do not want farm very rural areas, more like modern suburbs...heard newcastle is nice

[doctorjef]

The suburbs of Wilmington include some nice areas. By contrast, the City of Wilmington is not a desirable place to live on the whole, with the exception of a few neighborhoods. Wilmington has a Little Italy that was settled by Italian immigrants largely between 1880 and 1920. However, the Italian population of Little Italy is now very much diminished, as the original demographic has moved out and dispersed over time. However, there are many people in northern New Castle County who are of Italian origin and have Italian surnames. I am not sure whether your own reference regarding New Castle is to the city of New Castle or to the county. There are many nice areas in the county. The city of New Castle, however, is largely not so nice, save for the historic area of Old New Castle. The quality of public schools around here is a matter of controversy. The best local district is probably Red Clay, which covers some of the suburban Wilmington area, followed by Brandywine, which again covers other suburban areas generally referred to as "North Wilmington". The best public school districts, however, are not generally thought of as including the ones in northern New Castle County. For those able to afford them, there are numerous good private school options. The one district in New Castle County that has a quite solid reputation is Alapocas, which is farther south in the county and tends to be identified with Middletown, a growing bedroom (primarily) community south of Newark and Bear.

Crime within the City of Wilmington is rather bad, though largely confined to the poverty areas. It is also particularly a problem in the City of New Castle. If you are interested in a modern suburb and a decent school district, you might look at Middletown or the area of Bear that is within Alapocas school district.

[SXMGirl]

Appoquinimink is the school district for most of Middletown and parts of Bear.

[DelawareLiz]

Wow, good question! My mother's side is from southern Italy and they all primarily reside in New Castle County. Kent and Sussex really don't have much in the way of Italian neighborhoods or Italian culture so you're most likely better off looking at New Castle County. There are also far fewer people of Italian descent in Kent and Sussex, trust me on that one. Kent and Sussex are also more rural. I still have some family in Wilmington's Little Italy, but many Italian families have moved away from Little Italy due to close proximity to major crime issues.

I agree with doctorjef's suggestions....if you want good schools, stick with Brandywine, Red Clay, and Appoquinimink. I would strongly advise against sending a child to the other school districts in New Castle, although there are some excellent private schools available.

[doctorjef]

Sorry -- middle-aged moment: I meant Apoquinimink school district, but kept writing "Alapocas" (which is a suburban neighborhood of Wilmington)!

[whereshome]

Originally Posted by italy03

recently widowed; military wife...two children...what kind of place is Wilmington to raise a family and start again...are there any italian american neighborhoods? Good schools? Low crime? do not want farm very rural areas, more like modern suburbs...heard newcastle is nice

The OP does not want rural areas, so I would not recommend the APPO school district. The Red Clay school district is fine. We have been happy there so far, one year. Pick your feeder pattern carefully and you will be fine. You did not say what age your kids are. That would be helpful in recommending areas and schools.

[doctorjef]

Well I would not call. Middletown rural. I see it as suburban even if it is a distinct town.

[9162]

Italian neighborhoods started dispersing after WWII. Many Italian immigrants took to the suburbs, leaving the cities along with other Anglo Americans.

[catsy girl]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

Well I would not call. Middletown rural. I see it as suburban even if it is a distinct town.

quite true- middletown is most definitely not rural. you are correct that it is suburban although there is an effort made ( often with positive results ) to retain small town flavor and a community feel. however it is a mix of families with children- drawn to area because of appo school reputation, more affordable homes than farther north, and often larger lots, and older, retired, semi-retired who move there because of low taxes, 55+ communities, and proximity to larger cities where they might have adult chlidren/grandchildren.

i would suggest to the op that if she considers this area, she might look at some of the "older"- by middletown standards- neighborhoods which are closer in town and nearer amenities. in my opinion these neighborhoods feel more like a community than the very new, treeless developments which are off of #13 and #896, a distance from town, restaurants, stores, etc. this is my personal choice, but may not matter to everyone.

catsy girl

[pgm123]

Delaware has a lot of people of Italian descent, but not that many Italians. As was mentioned, there is a Little Italy. It has an annual Italian festival. I'm not sure how many people are actually born in Italy, though.