Sussex County development hell? (Dover, Milford: for sale, HOA fees, condo)

[sunglo1]

South DE, you looking to elect people to keep those developers in check down there, or is it a sinking ship? I can tell you from experience in central MD they have ruined most of it, and this will come there too if you don't . Also , looking to maybe move down near Milton Lewes in a newer type used house, but with school taxes etc ...... how much cheaper is it then Maryland in some parts, say like Easton Maryland? Just looking for some honest locals who can give the 2020 pros and cons and people that have moved there.


What do see there in 20 years?


Thanks!

[lyndyb]

I'm a newcomer here myself, so I feel it would be hypocritical of me to complain about the developments that are rising up all around us since I am in one of them myself. I did try to find a resale, but was Goldilocks and nothing was "just right". What I can tell you is I lived in south Harford County, Maryland and the house we built here cost 25% more than the comparably sized home we had there.

I can't compare the prices here to those in all areas of Maryland, as I have only personal knowledge of the areas I was in and without knowing what area you're interested in and the type of house. Prices vary widely depending on which area, builder, model, size, etc. You could start out by looking at the resale market online via realtor.com to get an idea or you could contact a realtor with knowledge and experience in this area.

We love it here, but moved within the last year from a metropolitan area, so our basis of comparison may differ from yours. Those who have lived here for some time have no doubt seen an increase in traffic. We see road construction everywhere to try to address it, as well as home construction. I imagine that will get much worse, but it is not much different from the areas where we've lived over our lifetime, all of which grew dramatically.

Good luck!

[nuts2uiam]

I am a transplant from NY almost 7 years ago now. The best thing to do is to look at your expenses overall considering the lack of sales tax here and the tax treatment for your retirement funds vs MD.

In my experience compared to Long Island, I would say food is about the same in this area (Rehoboth) but produce is more expensive by a long shot. Water is also more expensive here than I paid there. If you have Tidewater Utilities for your water there is a quarterly administrative charge of just under $70, and that is just for the account and no water. Beyond that EVERYTHING is cheaper here than in NY.

Traffic is heavy in the summer getting to the area including to where you are looking since they need to travel on Rt.1 to get here. Bay Health hospital just went up, so that is brand spanking new.

Pointing out the obvious here, but the further you get away from the beaches the cheaper the housing is. Here is a link you can check out. Sussex County Homes for Sale Area

Cable, Internet and Phone are rip offs no matter where you are or who the provider is. Good Luck.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by sunglo1

South DE, you looking to elect people to keep those developers in check down there, or is it a sinking ship? I can tell you from experience in central MD they have ruined most of it, and this will come there too if you don't . Also , looking to maybe move down near Milton Lewes in a newer type used house, but with school taxes etc ...... how much cheaper is it then Maryland in some parts, say like Easton Maryland? Just looking for some honest locals who can give the 2020 pros and cons and people that have moved there. What do see there in 20 years? Thanks!

Native of Delaware, here. You asked is this a sinking ship? I'm here to tell you it's been sinking since I started noticing when I was 6 years old, in 1946. My parents had a mom and pop store on Rt. 13, and to keep me busy, I was told to sit out front and count all the colors of cars on that one-lane highway. I soon ran out of numbers. When I asked my parents where all the cars were coming from, they said that poor people from other states couldn't afford to live in their home state, so they were all moving here. I could understand that logic at 6 years old, and I was a long time feeling sorry for those people. But, why do they all have nice shiny cars? I asked.....(no answer).

About the beach area, needless to say, we can't throw a rag-tag tent up along the Atlantic Ocean at Indian River, sleep there, and cook fish on a bonfire, like we did once/week, every week all summer. We backed our old pick-up truck to the shore-line, slept in the back of the truck, and it was lots of fun waking up to the truck stuck in the sand as the tide rolled in. Progress has replaced all of that fun.

As said by others, the farther you move away from the beach area, the lesser you'll pay for housing. Milton is the popular place right now, and it's a short trip from Milton via Cave Neck Road, to Lewes. About Maryland, we have relatives who live in Easton, Maryland (Talbot County) and from what I've seen, it's a high-dollar area, I think....similar to our beach area prices. In my opinion, the immediate beach area will be developed and filled up much before 20 years. Good Luck!

[sunglo1]

Originally Posted by rdlr

Native of Delaware, here. You asked is this a sinking ship? I'm here to tell you it's been sinking since I started noticing when I was 6 years old, in 1946. My parents had a mom and pop store on Rt. 13, and to keep me busy, I was told to sit out front and count all the colors of cars on that one-lane highway. I soon ran out of numbers. When I asked my parents where all the cars were coming from, they said that poor people from other states couldn't afford to live in their home state, so they were all moving here. I could understand that logic at 6 years old, and I was a long time feeling sorry for those people. But, why do they all have nice shiny cars? I asked.....(no answer).

About the beach area, needless to say, we can't throw a rag-tag tent up along the Atlantic Ocean at Indian River, sleep there, and cook fish on a bonfire, like we did once/week, every week all summer. We backed our old pick-up truck to the shore-line, slept in the back of the truck, and it was lots of fun waking up to the truck stuck in the sand as the tide rolled in. Progress has replaced all of that fun.

As said by others, the farther you move away from the beach area, the lesser you'll pay for housing. Milton is the popular place right now, and it's a short trip from Milton via Cave Neck Road, to Lewes. About Maryland, we have relatives who live in Easton, Maryland (Talbot County) and from what I've seen, it's a high-dollar area, I think....similar to our beach area prices. In my opinion, the immediate beach area will be developed and filled up much before 20 years. Good Luck!

WOW! thanks for your history. Those are some classic memories and times. God bless you and your family and your history again. I grew up similar here in AA County MD near Gibson Island on the Magothy River, very much like a Normal Rockwell painting for the Chesapeake Bay , fishing, crabbing , waterskiing , and hanging out at our great beaches at that time. Now its way over-crowded. I live near Annapolis now in Crownsville on the Severn , very nice though ..... but it is Maryland and we don't know what Socialist/Commie we might get for Gov after Hogan is gone. I kind of like the people and vibe in south DE and like being out but kind of close to the beaches, like around Milton or the Lewes zip code , maybe even parts of Milford. The only thing with DE you have to watch for is that , with school taxes, HAO/Condo fees along with property taxes it doesn't make it more expensive then being in Maryland.


I will say Easton has many homes as cheap in price as DE , maybe cheaper in some cases but its still Maryland. Maryland could be a great place to retire if not for one party rule - The Democrats - for so long; they even try to tax the rain here !

[elizabeth224]

We are contemplating a move as well. Not sure we want to be here after Governor Hogan's term is over.

[emmmcubed]

States will make their money, one way or another. I live in Anne Arundel County, Maryland (I keep an eye on the Delaware board because I spend a lot of time on the Eastern Shore, and am contemplating a possible move to somewhere on the Delmarva when I retire in a few years.) My property taxes are high compared to other areas I've looked at, but on the other hand, here are some things that I don't have to negotiate, contract, and pay for separately: weekly curbside trash pickup; weekly curbside single-stream recycling pickup; weekly bulk-item trash pickup; weekly yard waste pickup; snow plowing; winter road treating; summer mosquito spraying (if I want it) . . . there might be some other items, but that's off the top of my head. I don't have kids, but I understand that we have some really excellent schools in our area. As is the case with a lot of things, to a *certain* extent (and whether that "extent" is sufficient is an individual judgment) . . . you get what you pay for.

[elizabeth224]

Originally Posted by emmmcubed

States will make their money, one way or another. I live in Anne Arundel County, Maryland (I keep an eye on the Delaware board because I spend a lot of time on the Eastern Shore, and am contemplating a possible move to somewhere on the Delmarva when I retire in a few years.) My property taxes are high compared to other areas I've looked at, but on the other hand, here are some things that I don't have to negotiate, contract, and pay for separately: weekly curbside trash pickup; weekly curbside single-stream recycling pickup; weekly bulk-item trash pickup; weekly yard waste pickup; snow plowing; winter road treating; summer mosquito spraying (if I want it) . . . there might be some other items, but that's off the top of my head. I don't have kids, but I understand that we have some really excellent schools in our area. As is the case with a lot of things, to a *certain* extent (and whether that "extent" is sufficient is an individual judgment) . . . you get what you pay for.

The last line says it all. When we look at other locations and weigh what is included in our taxes, then add up the new states taxes PLUS extras, it's a wash.

We are also spoiled in a way with a variety of hospitals, a great airport and shopping. What is really making us think about leaving is the crime. Unfortunately we are in a county bordering Baltimore City.

[nuts2uiam]

Originally Posted by elizabeth224

The last line says it all. When we look at other locations and weigh what is included in our taxes, then add up the new states taxes PLUS extras, it's a wash.

We are also spoiled in a way with a variety of hospitals, a great airport and shopping. What is really making us think about leaving is the crime. Unfortunately we are in a county bordering Baltimore City.

I will respectfully disagree. While the taxes were part of our decision to relocating here, it was not the driving factor. We could afford to relo to a beach area of Long Island, but then to pay the taxes etc. we would have to hold off on retirement and continue to work. Taxes on a 900 square foot bungalow within 3 blocks of the beach were about 11K and rising. We wanted to be by the beach and to retire so that was the driving force and then came the taxes.
My disagreement is that I believe it comes down to what you are currently paying in taxes. The taxes here adding in garbage and sewer (I am in an unincorporated area) plus my HOA fees and I am still over $7k in my pocket. I am not much of a shopper and can do a lot online or in the outlets. If I really need something, I can always take a leisurely ride to Christiana or Dover. My feeling on the hospital situation is that when your time is up, it is up. We are all here on borrowed time and if I am meant to be alive I will be.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by nuts2uiam

I am not much of a shopper and can do a lot online or in the outlets. If I really need something, I can always take a leisurely ride to Christiana or Dover. My feeling on the hospital situation is that when your time is up, it is up. We are all here on borrowed time and if I am meant to be alive I will be.

O.K. You convinced me. I'm stayin'. Happy New Year!