Delaware is the smallest state in the United States of America, but it delivers a high quality of life. From tranquil seaside communities to busy urbanized suburban areas, Delaware presents an ideal mix of cheapness, beauty as well and opportunities for young professionals, growing families, or retirees who want absolute tranquility by the sea. Delaware is a place that suits different lifestyles.
Best Places to Live in Delaware
1. Newark
2. Middletown
3. Rehoboth Beach
4. Wilmington
5. Lewes
6. Dover
7. Hockessin
7 Best Places to Live in Delaware
In this guide, we will discuss the 7 most popular places to live in Delaware, what is unique about each place, and why this place can be called home.
1. Newark
Newark is located in New Castle County and is a lovely and vibrant place to reside in Delaware. This college town is also the home of the famous University of Delaware, combining the youthful energy with the intellectual culture and the atmosphere of a small town. Its paved streets, comfortable cafes, and the bustling Main Street with restaurants and shops have made it an exciting place to live as an undergraduate student, family, and professional alike. Affordability is one of the greatest attractions in Newark. Its cost of living is approximately 10 percent cheaper than that of the United States and is a good option for those who are seeking a compromise between comfort and price. The average cost of a house is approximately 370,000, with a choice of contemporary apartments by the university to the serene suburban houses that would suit a family well.
Newark has good employment opportunities due to the University of Delaware, hospitals such as ChristianaCare, and the development of more tech and manufacturing industries in the region. There is also good accessibility to major highways in the city, which links people with Wilmington and Philadelphia. White Clay Creek State Park has picturesque hiking, biking, and picnic trails to explore. If one has a passion to enjoy the natural surroundings of the place, it is a local choice of what to do on a weekend. Newark has the flavor of Delaware living, friendly, affordable, and full of promise, and it is a safe, walkable, and community-pride neighborhood.
2. Middletown
Middletown is an extremely fast-growing town in southern New Castle County, which has attracted families and professionals almost immediately. With good schools, quiet suburbs, and close community living, Middletown provides a calm suburban living environment with easy accessibility to neighboring cities such as Wilmington, Dover, and even Philadelphia.
The town has shown a very gradual increase in the last ten years and has changed into a bustling suburban town. Nevertheless, Middletown has managed to stay a small town with family-owned shops, local farm markets, and yearly celebrations such as the Middletown Peach Festival, which unites the residents annually. Middletown is fairly cheap in terms of cost of living in comparison with bigger East Coast cities. The median price of houses is about 420,000, as most contemporary single-family houses and new communities serve both young families and retirees. There are only utilities, groceries, and transportation costs that are close to the national average, which makes it a balanced location to settle.
There is also an increase in job opportunities. The location next to the large employers, including the fulfillment center of Amazon, ChristianaCare, and DuPont, offers an added advantage to the town, and local schools and small businesses also contribute to the stability of the location. To relax, locals visit local parks such as the Silver Lake Park and Charles E. Price Memorial Park, which have walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic service areas. Middletown also has the best rating from both the government and the private school, hence it is one of the best places to have a family in Delaware. Harmless, wholesome, and expanding, Middletown is the best combination of suburbia and urban comfort – a place where the hospitable Delawarean soul meets with possibility.
3. Rehoboth Beach
Although Rehoboth Beach is a well-known vacation resort, the city has developed to be a successful residential community with high standards of living. The cost of living is marginally more than the national average, which is mostly caused by housing costs – the median home price in the area is approximately $600,000. But day-to-day costs are surprisingly affordable with low property taxes in Delaware, as well as zero state sales tax charged by the state.
There are good employment practices in tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and small businesses. The internet infrastructure of Rehoboth is also very reliable; most locals work remotely or commute to the neighboring cities, not to mention the proximity to Route 1.
Rehoboth Beach is not simply a place where people live, but it is a lifestyle. The community in the town is well established, restaurants are rated on the highest level, and the natural escapes that the town can provide, such as Cape Henlopen State Park, are quite beautiful and only a few minutes away. It can be the time when you see the sunrise over the Atlantic, the time when you go to the Rehoboth Jazz Festival, or when you just ride a bicycle along the coast, and here life does not seem to be tiring. Rehoboth Beach is the jewel of Delaware, and to anyone who dreams of a seaside dwelling, personality, charm, and permanence.
4. Wilmington
On one hand, Wilmington is the biggest and most urban city in Delaware, which means that it can be considered the intersection of history, business, and culture. Located in the middle of Philadelphia and Baltimore, this busy city offers its inhabitants the best of both worlds: the dynamism of a big city and the affordable cost of a mid-sized city. Wilmington is the economic powerhouse of the state of Delaware, and it is where big banks, law firms, and corporations have their headquarters, leading to its being dubbed the Corporate Capital of America.
Wilmington has one of the most successful job markets in the state, which is propelled by such industries as finance, healthcare, and technology. There are large offices of such global companies as JPMorgan Chase, DuPont, and AstraZeneca, which offer thousands of high-paid and stable jobs. The re-energized Riverfront Area of the city has also turned into a restaurant and entertainment district as well as a start-up place, with a youthful, innovative feel. The living cost in Wilmington is marginally lower than the national average, with a median home cost of a home being approximately $300,000. Modern downtown apartments or old houses in sleepy areas like the Trolley Square and Brandywine Village are offered to renters. There is also a good transport system in the city, easy accessibility to Amtrak, and close proximity to I-95; therefore, commuting within the city to other neighbouring cities is not a problem.
Wilmington is also a cultured and recreational place, besides business hub. Locals are pleased with such local attractions as the Delaware Art Museum, Brandywine Park, and the Grand Opera House. Rockford Park can be visited by outdoor enthusiasts, or they can make weekend visits to the beaches of Delaware, which are within an hour’s drive. Having a blossoming arts culture, a multi-ethnic population, and some of the most affordable living in the city, Wilmington is the perfect place to find the opportunity and affordability that a megalopolis may not offer professionals and families. It is an up-and-coming city, contemporary, interconnected, and promising lots.
5. Lewes
Lewis is one of the most charming towns in Delaware, in case you want to enjoy the tranquility of the shoreline and the hint of the past. The First Town in The First State is often called the place that includes historic charm, natural beauty, and a warm and welcoming community. Situated at the junction of the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, this town has breathtaking views, walks, and a slow lifestyle, which is attractive to both retirees and remote workers as well as families.
What is so special about Lewes is that it has an even older charm, colonial-style houses, boutique shopping, and waterfront restaurants, all add to the picture of a postcard. The living cost is moderately increased than the state average, driven predominantly by the housing demand. The average property value is approximately $650,000, which is not too expensive considering the fact that the town of Lewes has a clean atmosphere, low rates of property taxes, and zero sales tax on goods and services. Lewis has good jobs in health, education, and tourism. One of the largest employers in the area is the Beebe Healthcare system, which is based here. Also, small businesses and local entrepreneurs flourish because of year-round tourism.
Lewes is also a paradise for outdoor sportsmen. Cape Henlopen State Park, which consists of biking trails, birdwatching, and kayaking, is easily accessible from the town. The beaches are also clean and quieter as compared to most of the surrounding coastal resorts, and as such, the residents have that vacation every day feel. Lewis has a strong sense of community, making up the life of the small town, small-town life, local events, farmers’ markets, and art fairs give the town a warm and vibrant atmosphere. Lewes is not just a beach town, but it is a safe, scenic, and full-of-heart place where modern comfort blends with the history and natural beauty of Delaware.
6. Dover
Being the capital city of Delaware, Dover is a perfect combination of history, affordability, and opportunity. This beautiful city was established in the late 1600s and is a combination of the colonial past and an emerging modern city. From the historic downtown up to its fast-growing suburbs, Dover provides any family, professional, or even retiree with a comfortable lifestyle. Low cost of living is one of the largest attractions of Dover. The city is approximately 15 percent below the national average, with a median cost of housing at approximately $290,000, which is one of the cheapest homes in the state. The renters will also have cost-effective options that do not compromise on quality or location. Dover has no state sales tax and relatively low property taxes, making it a very good value to those willing to make their dollar stretch.
There is a wide range of employment opportunities, and the state government, Dover Air Force Base, the Bayhealth Medical Center, and local educational institutions are the major employers. Such industries bring stability and a high sense of civic pride to the residents. Also, emerging retail and service business areas in Dover keep on drawing entrepreneurs and small industries.
Dover also does not fail in leisure and recreation. People have access to such cultural sites as the First State Heritage Park, music performances in the Schwartz Center of Arts, and the thrill of the annual Firefly Music Festival, one of the largest music festivals on the East Coast. Silver Lake Park can be visited by nature lovers, and they can also have weekend outings by making short drives to the beaches of Delaware. Dover is an excellent place to live in because of safe neighborhoods, reputable schools, and a friendly atmosphere, all at the very center of the First State.
7. Hockessin
Hockessin is a hidden gem of the North New Castle County; it is one of the most sought-after residential areas in the state of Delaware, and it is a place full of suburban charm, the best schools, and scenic beauty. Hockessin has perfect peacefulness and great safety data, and it is located close to Wilmington, which is why it is popular among both families and employees who appreciate peace and convenience at the same time.
The cost of living in Hockessin is a little bit higher than the national average, which is an indicator of the higher-end housing market and facilities. The median price of homes is approximately $550000, yet it is possible to find value in the fact that the area offers spacious homes, high-quality infrastructure, as well as access to the best schools of both public and private in Delaware. Its convenient accessibility to Wilmington and other cities in Pennsylvania is another factor that commuters love, and thus it is a perfect fit for dual-state workers.
There are lots of jobs in the education, healthcare, and corporate fields, and lots of the residents are employed in local organizations, such as JPMorgan Chase, ChristianaCare, and DuPont. It is also true that Hockessin is increasingly becoming a place of small businesses and family-owned companies, contributing to the local appeal.
On the leisure front, Ashlanders have the Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin Athletic Club, and a multitude of hiking and biking paths that enable them to enjoy outdoor living as part of living.
Hockessin is a place of perfect harmony in clean, scenic, and family-oriented lifestyles: community, comfort, and class all combine to create a glorious picture of the Delaware suburban life.
Conclusion
The city of Delaware is indeed filled with so many great places to live, irrespective of your taste or preference. All you need to do is do your necessary research based on your preferences and budgets before choosing the perfect place to settle
