Offering a mix of cities, picturesque beach towns, and rural farmland communities spread across the East Coast, Delaware is a beautiful place for retirement living. Situated within day-trip distance of several major metropolitan areas including Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC, Delaware offers a slow and serene pace of life—even in its larger cities.
In Delaware, you’ll find a relatively mild climate—especially near the coast. Winters are moderate, and summers tend to be warm rather than hot. With its rolling green hills and beautiful beach vistas, Delaware attracts tourists from all over the Northeast and Midwest in the summer months—and offers activities for active retirees year-round. The state has gone out of its way to preserve large sections of coastline for public use, including construction of bike paths and boardwalks. In Delaware, you’ll find plenty of boating, birding, fishing, crabbing, biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities to keep you occupied.
The cost of living in Delaware isn’t the cheapest in the US, and median home values are higher than the US average. However, Delaware is also a very tax-friendly state. The combination of local, state, and federal taxes throughout the state rises to only 24th highest in the country. There are no state sales or estate taxes, although some cities levy a sales tax of their own. And because retirees can exempt up to $12,500 in pension income from state taxes if they’re age 60 or over, many retirees won’t pay any state income taxes at all.
Property values may be high in Delaware, but the state does try to lessen the burden on retirees. Under the Delaware Senior Property Tax Relief program, seniors can exempt up to 50% of their home value against school property taxes, up to $500.
If you’re interested in Delaware retirement living, here are a few areas to check out:
Lewes
Historic Lewes was founded in 1631 and is the oldest town in the oldest state of the nation. The city is popular with retirees—and the average age is 59. It’s no wonder—with a beautiful beachfront and plenty of shopping, restaurants, art galleries, museums, and other attractions, Lewes is a popular location year-round. It’s also in close proximity to the Beebe Medical Center, which recently added an additional patient wing and expanded services in specialties such as cardiology and orthopedics, to serve an aging population.
Wilmington
Delaware’s largest city, Wilmington has a more industrial feel than resort towns like Lewes or Rehoboth Beach—but the city is working to establish its cultural and residential capital with an expansive revival of its riverfront area. It’s a major stop on rail lines between Boston and Washington, DC—so it’s convenient for those who travel. There are a large number of major university campuses in the area, and the cost of living is significantly lower than in resort towns.
Dover
Located about halfway between New York City and Washington, DC, Dover is close to major metropolitan centers—without the high crime rates, congestion, and hassles of big cities. Dover offers a beautiful historical district and a bustling downtown, with plenty of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and entertainment. The town was recently chosen as one of Employment Review Magazine’s 10 Best Small Cities based on cost of living, quality of life, and employment rates.
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach is an artsy resort town with plenty of art galleries and cultural events—including the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival every November. The town offers a picturesque location with historic bed-and-breakfasts, ethnic food, and plenty of shops—from specialty boutiques to outlets. Strict building codes in the area guarantee that the city will stay beautiful.
If you’re interested in retirement assisted living facilities in Delaware, this is the place for you to find out more information. Our website contains extensive listings of a wide range of Delaware retirement living and senior housing options. Get started today.
