Trying to figure out where in DE to move (Wilmington: 2014, renting)

[MovingtoDE2014]

Hi All! I've read through a bunch of the posts here, and have learned a lot of great information. I'm hoping for a few opinions on some of the best areas to live. My husband accepted a job in Middletown and we are looking to sell our current house and move to DE. We have only done one quick trip where we drove through some neighborhoods in Wilmington, Bear, Middletown and Dover. From the little bit that I've seen I'm leaning toward Dover.

We have several things that are important: schools (we are willing to consider private but would prefer public), safety, family friendly area, shopping (I'm originally from long island and don't really want to be too far from a supermarket, convenience stores etc.), parks and other places to take the kids.

I prefer some of the more established neighborhoods. When we drove through Middletown we drove through an area that had a lot of beautiful newer houses, but there were no trees, no privacy in the backyard, I really didn't like that aspect.

I'd love to hear opinions on areas we should look, the perks of some areas vs others, etc.

Thanks!!

[CarrieM]

How old are your children? Are you renting or buying? Budget? How many children? Will you be working?

Living in Dover and commuting to Middletown means driving over the canal and paying a toll daily. Dover is the state capital, and there are a lot of stores/services/population in that area. Depending on where you are, you would likely be in the Capital or Ceasar Rodney school district.

Parts of Middletown are very new, lots of new construction, lots of new shopping, lots of growth in that area. I'm just south of Newark, and love this area. You could look in Glasgow, which is an area (not it's own town) between Newark and Middletown. Odessa is very pretty, mostly older homes, but very quaint with no major shopping of its own.

[MovingtoDE2014]

Hi Carrie!

My kids are 2 and 4. We plan on buying. Ideally we'd stay around 350k, but willing to spend around 400k if it is a place we just fall in love with. Right now the plan is for me to stay home with the kids and get them settled in. But, I do work full time now and while I may not be working in the immediate future i do see myself going back to work within the next 2-3 years.

That is good info about the toll. I didn't realize that. How much is the toll? One of the houses I was interested in looking at was in the Ceasar Rodney School district. Do you know anything about that district? I've looked at the ratings of the schools online and it seems fine, but then I've read other forums that lead be to believe it isn't the best district?

I'll definitely check out Glasgow. Thanks for the suggestion. I definitely love the idea of quaint, but want to be close to shopping

[longnecker]

Originally Posted by CarrieM

Living in Dover and commuting to Middletown means driving over the canal and paying a toll daily. Dover is the state capital, and there are a lot of stores/services/population in that area. Depending on where you are, you would likely be in the Capital or Ceasar Rodney school district.

I believe you could use 13 and save the toll. It been a while since I was in that area but I thought Middletown was south of the canal.

[rdlr]

$1.00 (One Dollar)
That's what I pay from Dover to the Middletown/Odessa Exit, Weekdays. Another $1.00 to go home, back to Dover. It's worth it to me, to save all the red lights, and it saves time. The speed limit is 65 mph. I drive the speed limit, and everybody passes me. I also do not have the need to go to Middletown, or farther north every day.

Weekends, we soak the tourists. It's $2.00 each way.

[Mary2014]

Originally Posted by rdlr

Weekends, we soak the tourists. It's $2.00 each way.

As of 8/1/2014 the weekend toll rate on route 1 just went up to $3 each way.

Mary2014

[catsy girl]

Originally Posted by longnecker

I believe you could use 13 and save the toll. It been a while since I was in that area but I thought Middletown was south of the canal.

middletown is south of the canal. i travel a couple of times a week from middletown to the scarborough rd.exit( first dover exit traveling from north to south ) and the fare for that exit is $.50. if you travel farther south, fare would probably be $2 maxium- not certain.

according to some published ratings- u.s. news and world report-us high schools- the appoquinimink school district- middletown school district- is one of the best in the state. it has always had a good rating since i've been living here for the last 8 years. is it the best?? many families move here for the schools.

i understand the concern about few trees in middletown developments, and that is something i think is a negative as well, but many of the newer developments were built on cornfields where there were no trees to begin with. middletown has improved, in my opinion since i've lived here, its "downtown" becoming a part of the main street america project, encouraging local businesses to set up shop and hopefully stay. what you can't find in middletown is probably found 20 miles away in either direction. it's a generally convenient location.

i work part time in dover and it's an easy commute. i like dover, in as much as i know about it, but i have to say i wish that parts of it did not appear so dated and somewhat run-down. the area around the state capitol is very attractive and well maintained.

i'm not advocating any area, but just providing input on my experience and observation thus far.

catsy girl

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by catsy girl

middletown is south of the canal. i travel a couple of times a week from middletown to the scarborough rd.exit( first dover exit traveling from north to south ) and the fare for that exit is $.50. if you travel farther south, fare would probably be $2 maxium- not certain.

catsy girl

It's $1.00 (one dollar) Weekdays.
I enter north of Camden and exit at Odessa/Middletown.
And, a dollar to go back, Weekdays.

[youngprodigy21]

I believe Route 1 commuters get a 50% discount per month after 30 transactions with EZ Pass.

[dreamchaser23]

Middletown, DE is the best option in my opinion...the crime rate is EXTREMELY low close to nonexistent...the crimes there are very petty nothing serious like rape or killings...Appoquinimink school district is the best in the state and the new Appoquinimink high school in Middletown is less than 5 years old...its a very small town where mostly everyone knows evrybody...complete strangers will wave to you in the neighborhoods...deer comes out in your back yard all the time cuz its just a peaceful, quiet area. also, we have a 24 hour super walmart and a newly built movie theater. we have a couple great restaurants right in town like applebees, ruby tuesdays, texas roadhouse, and friendlys....best of luck to you!