So you live in another mid-Atlantic state and you hear about friends, neighbors and even former co-workers retiring to tiny little Delaware, and you wonder why? Why on earth would you move to the second smallest state in the country, and in particular, the most rural county in said state?
Well, there are many reasons to move to coastal Delaware, reasons we've found over the years to be extremely compelling. Whatever nickname you decide to give to tiny Delaware, and believe me there are plenty going around, the First State has plenty to offer.
So if you know of people moving here to live out their Golden Years and you can't figure out why, well here's hoping you'll understand the appeal after reading this blog entry.
Just a few of the reasons:
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THE BEACH. Yes, I had to put that in all capital letters because it is clearly the most popular answer we receive to this question. With 26 miles of Atlantic coastline, five (5) top notch beach resorts, two (2) beaches named among America's cleanest by the National Resources Defense Council, entertainment galore during the summer months, tranquil beauty year-round and some of the best locally owned dining options anywhere along the East Coast, the beach is definitely the top draw here in coastal Delaware. And the best part is, these are still, for the most part, small town beaches devoid of many of the problems you see in larger Atlantic coastal resorts like Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach and even Ocean City, Md. So come here and enjoy all the Delaware beaches have to offer – and catch a glimpse of what your neighbors are talking about.
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THE TAXES. If the beaches are reason Number 1 for retiring in coastal Delaware, then the low taxes are clearly Number 1A. Featuring no sales tax, no Social Security tax, no inheritance tax for most residents and some of the lowest property taxes in the country (Sussex County property taxes in 2014 are just 44.5 cents for every $100 of assessed value, the same as it has been since 1990), living at or near the Delaware beaches makes great sense from a financial standpoint. Oh, and those assessed values the property taxes are based on – home values have not been reassessed since 1972, so you're actually paying a low percentage based on what your property was worth more than 40 years ago! Are you understanding now why people want to retire here?
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The Proximity to the City. Backing away from the all caps here because the two (2) reasons above are clearly the most popular ones for retirees moving to the area. But another reason is the close proximity to several metropolitan areas, including Baltimore (about 2 hours), Washington (about 2 hours), Philadelphia (about 2 hours) and New York City (between 4-5 hours). So, if you feel like escaping the small town lifestyle and partying it up in the big city for a day or two, you can do so relatively easily.
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Low Stress. Hey, you're at the beach, which automatically means a lower amount of stress in your life, right? But living in southern Delaware also means a slower pace of life, neighbors who you will get to know and become friends with and even a less expensive cost of living. So come on over to the beach and relax. Slow down and enjoy life for a bit.
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Retirement Communities. There are now plenty of communities in southern Delaware reserved for those over the age of 55. Heritage Shores in Bridgeville, Cinderberry in Georgetown, Independence in Millsboro and Cedar Valley in Rehoboth Beach are just a few of the communities where seniors can relax and enjoy life with people their own age.
So, there you have it. Just a few of the reasons why southern Delaware has become such a popular retirement destination over the last couple of decades, and why it will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
Come for a visit and see all that what some have begun calling the “Florida of the North” has to offer those of retirement age. You may just decide to stay for awhile.
And as always, feel free to call the Oldfather Group today at 302-227-6767 to see how we can help you find that perfect retirement home.