Moving to Delaware?

We lived in Delaware twice (I used to work for DuPont). I found it to have a midwestern feel to it, not like other areas on the east coast.
 
Katsmeow said:
House hunting is a challenge.
Click to expand...

Not at all political: Have you considered that the current President often travels to and around your new home state? Personally, I would avoid any overlap with his potential travels. Living in Hawaii from the time President Obama was elected until he left office, I can assure you that most people dreaded his "visits." If he decided to eat at an old favorite restaurant, traffic would be suddenly cut off so the motorcade could pass unmolested. It could last for hours. There was a no-fly zone over the entire Island (Inter-Island and commercial flights were exempted with special routes.) At least one guy lost his charter business because he couldn't fly over the Island - which was his business. All the charter helicopter tours were halted each time the President was on Island. I don't know how they survived. Disruptions of this sort might not affect you, but you can't be too far from Wilmington IIRC. Just something to think about.
 
GhostofTomJoad said:
Correct: "most" cities.
Honolulu? Homeless everywhere. You can't swing a dead cat without bumping into them. And crime is on the rise. Wonderful projects in the works with federal money to house them. But most suffer from addiction or mental illness. Address THAT problem, and you might actually make some progress toward alleviating the situation. Eric Adams in NYC has good ideas. Remove them, even against their will, for psychiatric assessment.
Click to expand...

Speaking of my home town:

Yes there are lots of homeless (why wouldn't there be?) There is always nice weather. There are lots of homeless services. The city/county is very tolerant of homelessness. It's ideal.

However, I would quibble with your characterization of the homeless being "everywhere." They are centered around the sources of what they need. Go very far from there and you do not find homeless. There are two kinds of homeless. The ones you see in the city (as mentioned, located close to their needs) and those who live in beach parks and especially on the Waianae coast who primarily have j*bs. They are truly the "homeless." The ones you spoke of have other kinds of needs which keeps them in a very circumscribed area.
 
Koolau said:
Not at all political: Have you considered that the current President often travels to and around your new home state? Personally, I would avoid any overlap with his potential travels. Living in Hawaii from the time President Obama was elected until he left office, I can assure you that most people dreaded his "visits." If he decided to eat at an old favorite restaurant, traffic would be suddenly cut off so the motorcade could pass unmolested. It could last for hours. There was a no-fly zone over the entire Island (Inter-Island and commercial flights were exempted with special routes.) At least one guy lost his charter business because he couldn't fly over the Island - which was his business. All the charter helicopter tours were halted each time the President was on Island. I don't know how they survived. Disruptions of this sort might not affect you, but you can't be too far from Wilmington IIRC. Just something to think about.
Click to expand...



I live about as far from Wilmington DE as it is from Newark DE to Wilmington DE. The president has been in residence dozens of times and it has not affected me at all. There was some excitement when military jets flew overhead to intercept a small plane that violated airspace, but since we aren’t pilots there’s no concern there. DD works in Wilmington and has encountered road closures due to a presidential visit, but they are rolling closures and don’t last more than 15 minutes or so.
 
Philliefan33 said:
I live about as far from Wilmington DE as it is from Newark DE to Wilmington DE. The president has been in residence dozens of times and it has not affected me at all. There was some excitement when military jets flew overhead to intercept a small plane that violated airspace, but since we aren’t pilots there’s no concern there. DD works in Wilmington and has encountered road closures due to a presidential visit, but they are rolling closures and don’t last more than 15 minutes or so.
Click to expand...

You are most fortunate. Oahu is so small that disruptions were not uncommon - especially toward the airport and the down-town area as well as around Kailua where the presidential compound and the MCBH (Marine Core Base Hawaii) was (presidential golf.) YMMV
 
You think houses in Delaware are old because they are from the 50's and 60's? Try New Hampshire where they are from the 1850's and 1860's! Lol!
 
Katsmeow, it's good to hear of your progress.

The shopping bag thing brought a smile to my face. I'm still getting used to that. Fortunately we have a zillion reuseables taking up the trunk, and occasionally we even remember to take them into the store!

We roll with REI in our area for outdoor wear.

Check out the ALDI food store. We love to fill a cart in that store. Remember to bring a quarter to unlock the cart!

You'll see many military and commercial aircraft in our area. No big deal. You will hear some sonic booms from test flights going up and down the Atlantic Coast.
 
I agree with Philliefan33, Chester County in PA may suit your needs. Towns like Exton, Paoli, Malvern, Villanova and Wayne have both older and newer homes. Paoli and Chester County hospitals are both great hospitals, plus you’re not far from Lankenau or Penn if you choose them.
 
Philliefan33 said:
I live about as far from Wilmington DE as it is from Newark DE to Wilmington DE. The president has been in residence dozens of times and it has not affected me at all. There was some excitement when military jets flew overhead to intercept a small plane that violated airspace, but since we aren’t pilots there’s no concern there. DD works in Wilmington and has encountered road closures due to a presidential visit, but they are rolling closures and don’t last more than 15 minutes or so.
Click to expand...

Our nephew lives in the area and tells us that it's referred to as a Joe jam.😄
 
Hi Kat -

Haven't been on here for awhile, so just stumbled on this thread. We've lived in southern DE for 12 years (Rehoboth area), and love it, but I can understand your concerns about medical care. We've found primary care and specialists we like, but I wouldn't want to have a true medical emergency here. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year, my first call was to Johns Hopkins, and I have been treated there since, actually at Sibley Hospital in DC, which JH runs. It's a 3-hour drive away, which led to us renting an apartment in MD for 2-1/2 months during my daily radiation treatments, but for us it was worth it, as we LOVE living in southern Delaware "at the beach." I'm not as familiar with the Wilmington area, but have many friends from there, and they still speak highly of the area.

It can be somewhat humid near the coast, but having lived and traveled all over the U.S., I would call our weather moderate year-round on balance -- not too hot in summer, nor too cold in winter, about as well as you can do without being a snowbird. And having lived in the Houston area many years ago (in the Woodlands!), our humidity here just doesn't compare! The overall tax burden (income+property+sales) is better than most. Just don't try to drive from Wilmington to Rehoboth on a summer weekend ...
 
Last edited:
Taco said:
The first picture in that listing shows a garage door, but no driveway to the garage and a bunch of foundation plants in front of it. It is a rendering and not a real photo - but still, strange! :)
Click to expand...

Good catch. Hollywood house. :)

Description says it is a +55 yo community. Worth checking out afaik.

Lennar is the builder. Cheapest available home is $444K. They also listed one starting at $430K.

https://www.lennar.com/new-homes/delaware/greater-philadelphia-area/newark/thecascadesactiveadult55
 
Last edited:
Katsmeow, you are really doing great with this move. With study, hard work, and the experience of having moved before, you have really nailed down exactly what you want in a home. Defining your goal so completely, is huge.

Once you find the perfect house for your needs and wants, and then buy it, you'll be in "dream house nirvana" like I have been for the past 8 years. You deserve that perfect house in the perfect location, and soon you'll have it. I wish you all the best and I am really enjoying reading about your quest and progress! Obviously, don't settle but I don't expect you would (even though it may take some time to find that perfect home).
 
I have never lived anywhere that you can’t back out if the inspection identifies issues. That’s scary. I wish you the best in finding the perfect home.
 
I think when the market is hot, people waive inspection so that the sellers give priority to their offers. When I sold my CA home, it was highly desirable, at 4600 sq ft, former model home and I also had contractor add a 4-season sunroom attached to the back of the house with an Endless (recurring current) indoor pool, I had listed at a loss because I just wanted out during the down market. I had 5 competing offers and I took the cash offer which waived inspection and close in 10 days. I did not expect any problem with the 7-year old home but I also did not want surprises.
 
RetiredHappy said:
I think when the market is hot, people waive inspection so that the sellers give priority to their offers. When I sold my CA home, it was highly desirable, at 4600 sq ft, former model home and I also had contractor add a 4-season sunroom attached to the back of the house with an Endless (recurring current) indoor pool, I had listed at a loss because I just wanted out during the down market. I had 5 competing offers and I took the cash offer which waived inspection and close in 10 days. I did not expect any problem with the 7-year old home but I also did not want surprises.
Click to expand...

I sold my house "as is." I allowed an inspection - it was an old house and in my case I thought it best - but made I made it very clear I was not making improvements or cutting the price. In other words, it was take it or leave it - there were (a list of) other offers.
 
Philliefan33 said:
Are you dead set on buying a house in Delaware? You could also look in Chester County PA.
Click to expand...

We very, very much hope to buy a house in Delaware. Pennsylvania is lovely and has much to recommend it. Taxwise for us (not necessarily for everyone) Delaware is significantly better than PA. But, let me simply say that PA does not quite as solidly match my political desires for a state. We have considered going to Maryland if we couldn't find anything here. Elkton is not far away from me as I type this. That area of Md has its issues for me but the state as a whole would be fine, although Delaware is much tax advantageous for us.

I do think we will eventually be able to find a house here. In fact, just this evening we made our first offer on a house! Even though it is a strong offer, well above listing price, it is very unlikely that we will get accepted simply because there is so much competition. But, you never know and you have to start somewhere.

Koolau said:
Not at all political: Have you considered that the current President often travels to and around your new home state?
Click to expand...

I have indeed. The offer on a house that I made this evening is about 15 minutes from his house. I did consider the issue and the area they most typically block off is not one that I would often need to drive through. And, I could mostly reroute.

However, I have lived closer than 15 minutes to a President. Many years ago George H W Bush had a house about 10 minutes or so from mine. In fact, he and Barbara shopped at the same grocery store and attended the same church (although they went to the early service and I went to the later one). Of course, he was far enough away from Texas that we was not often there while Biden comes home far more often.

Plantman said:
Our nephew lives in the area and tells us that it's referred to as a Joe jam.��
Click to expand...

That is how I have heard it called.

Crabby Mike said:
Hi Kat -

Haven't been on here for awhile, so just stumbled on this thread. We've lived in southern DE for 12 years (Rehoboth area), and love it, but I can understand your concerns about medical care. We've found primary care and specialists we like, but I wouldn't want to have a true medical emergency here.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have been careful to select an area for good emergency care since my highest risk is of a heart attack. Even in New Castle County, there can be waits to initially see a primary care doctor and to find specialists. I am thinking that we will sign up with a concierge doctor for at least the first year. Maybe one of the MDVIP doctors.


And having lived in the Houston area many years ago (in the Woodlands!), our humidity here just doesn't compare! The overall tax burden (income+property+sales) is better than most. Just don't try to drive from Wilmington to Rehoboth on a summer weekend ...
Click to expand...

I used to live in Montgomery County. I lived in the greater Houston area for almost 40 years. Yes, even today when it was 88 or so this afternoon I just laughed at people who thought it was hot and humid. I mean it was, but not as oppressive as it is in Texas.

Teacher Terry said:
I have never lived anywhere that you can’t back out if the inspection identifies issues. That’s scary. I wish you the best in finding the perfect home.
Click to expand...

In Delaware you can back out if there is a major defect and the seller won't repair it. In Texas, though, you have an option that typically lasts about a week (shorter in hot markets). During that week you do your inspections and you can cancel the contract for any reason. I once cancelled a contract because I found another house I liked better. Delaware is different. It has to be a major defect that was not disclosed on the disclosures. Basically it has to be either something unsafe or that does not perform its intended function. AS it was explained to me, a roof that isn't leaking is performing its intended function even if at the end of its useful life. On the other hand, leaking plumbing (even if relatively minor) isn't performing its intended function.

It really doesn't matter though. Because in the current market you effectively can't buy a house unless you waive inspection. I mean there are a few houses that are grossly overpriced and don't get offers or they have major red flags and get no offers. But, most houses get multiple offers and go under contract very quickly. If you don't waive inspection then you aren't getting the house. This is why we have rejected countless houses where we don't feel comfortable doing that. I do not love at all the idea of waiving inspection but I also don't love the idea of not being able to buy a house unless it is one that literally no one else wants.... So we look at the disclosures, look carefully at the house (it helps that we have bought and sold a number of houses over the years) and pay a lot of attention to how well maintained the house is.
 
Last edited:
Just a quick follow up. We made an offer on a house and it was accepted. I was honestly kind of surprised we succeeded on our first offer. However I had listened to the agent about what was needed to get an offer accepted and did those things and offered above listing price (I did get comps to help me decide what to offer). We don't close for a couple of months at seller's request but that works well for us we well.

We are very happy with the location of where we selected. For those familiar with Delaware it is around the Pike Creek Valley area. We will be very close to all the amenities including restaurants and a variety of grocery stores and other stuff. Google says 12 minutes to the Christiana Care Hospital. It is easy to get to other places from there also. The subdivision is very attractive which was a big plus.
 
Congratulations, Katsmeow. It sounds like it will be perfect for you.
 
Congratulations on finding your new home!
 
Wonderful news, Katsmeow!
 
Congratulations! That is a nice area, and one of my favorite places to go mountain biking
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Happyras
Thoughts on moving to 55plus community
2
Replies
44
Views
4K
pb4uski
pb4uski
T
Retired 10 years today!
Replies
20
Views
2K
walkinwood
walkinwood
J
49 and 6 years to go in TX
Replies
11
Views
1K
Harris4crna
Harris4crna
D
Planning my last 20 years, how much to spend. (Part 2)
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
llolly
L
O
Moving reg IRA to Taxable portfolio
Replies
17
Views
656
harley
harley

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom