9 Most Comfortable Towns in Delaware for Seniors
Delaware is easily one of the top states for retirees looking to relocate. Consequently, many seniors are contemplating moving to the First State. Delaware's tax benefits for this demographic are well-known, as the state does not tax Social Security benefits, nor does it have state or local sales tax, and property taxes are lower than the rest of the nation. Those looking to relocate to the state want to find welcoming communities and towns that are the most comfortable for seniors. The nine towns listed here all offer senior citizens a relaxing yet fulfilling lifestyle with amenities and benefits that cannot be found just anywhere.
Newark
Although well-known as a college town and home to the University of Delaware, Newark is attractive for seniors because of the many amenities it offers them. The town's population is 30,655 (per the US Census Bureau). Roughly 13 percent of the population is aged 60 and over. Many seniors find the lower median age in Newark of 22.6, appealing as it gives the town a youthful vibe and ensures intellectual stimulation. Homes are fairly affordable in Newark, with values averaging $365,500.
Newark has much outdoor space for seniors to make use of, including White Clay Creek State Park, with its many hiking trails, picnic areas, and a clamshell stage for summer concerts. Additionally, the Newark Reservoir has a 1.8-mile paved trail around it and is a favorite of seniors who enjoy walking.
Seniors aged 60 and up in Newark can take classes at the University of Delaware for free. Additional senior amenities in Newark include the Newark Senior Center, which offers activities, events, and lunch Monday through Friday; and the Newark Free Library, which has a variety of programs and clubs available.
Seniors will also appreciate that Christiana Care, a highly-ranked hospital with advanced technology, has locations in Newark and nearby Wilmington. Reduced price senior transportation is available through SCAT, the Senior Citizens Affordable Taxi, of DART First State.
Lewes
One reason that the quiet beach town of Lewes is enticing to seniors is that more than 50 percent of its 3,339 full-time residents are over the age of 65. Home values are a bit higher in Lewes, averaging $600,000. Property taxes in Delaware are at one of the lowest rates in the nation, however. Many seniors feel that the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to life in Lewes.
The northernmost beach in Delaware, Lewes is on the Delaware Bay and is home to Cape Henlopen State Park, with its many hiking and biking trails. Seniors who live in Lewes will appreciate the picturesque views of sunrises and sunsets, as well as the serenity, sights, and sounds of the ocean, which can provide mental stimulation and foster emotional well-being.
Lewes Senior Activity Center offers recreational, cultural, educational, and health-related programs to those aged 50 and up. Because Lewes is quickly becoming known as "the" town in Delaware for seniors, many senior independent and assisted living communities are springing up across the region. They include The Lodge at Historic Lewes and The Moorings at Lewes.
Lewes is right down the road from Beebe Healthcare System, with locations across Sussex County. For seniors in Lewes who need transportation assistance, the Lewes Senior Activity Center can arrange shared-ride transportation to and from medical appointments, errands, and to visit the Center.
Middletown
The burgeoning town of Middletown, with a population of 23,572, sits halfway between the larger cities of Dover and Wilmington, and is popular with a wide variety of age ranges because of its ideal location. About 18 percent of residents are over the age of 65. Home prices in the Middletown area average $550,000, but amenities trump the higher home prices for many seniors who call Middletown home.
Middletown's Main Street and downtown area is a quintessential small-town delight, with restaurants like Sully's Irish Pub, and shops such as F&L Boutique, as well as the historic Everett Theatre, lining its streets. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the town's Charles E. Price Memorial Park, and golfers can look forward to playing 18 holes at Back Creek Golf Club.
Seniors can enjoy reduced-price DART bus fares around town as well as to Dover and Wilmington. The MOT Jean Birch Senior Center (which stands for Middletown-Odessa-Townsend) offers classes, activities, and trips for adults age 50 and up.
Christiana Care's medical offices are located throughout Middletown, and its hospitals are conveniently just a few miles away in Newark and Wilmington. As the town has grown, its living options for seniors have grown accordingly and now include more than 25 communities, such as Holly Square and Meadowcrest at Middletown.
Milford
Imagine a small, vibrant, yet relaxed town that is still close to the beach area, and you will have conjured up a good image of Milford. With a population of 11,714, 24 percent of whom are over the age of 65, Milford offers many enticements for seniors to live there. One of them is that home values average a reasonable $399,000.
The beach is less than an hour's drive from Milford, which appeals to many who live there, including seniors. Milford's location along the Mispillion River is also attractive, as is its mile-long boardwalk, the Mispillion Riverwalk, which is the largest municipal park in Delaware.
Artistic seniors may wish to join the Mispillion Art League in downtown Milford. Others have joined Downtown Milford, Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes and beautifies the town. Milford has been designated a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Another volunteer group called Milford in Bloom maintains plants and landscaping across the town.
Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus is conveniently located in Milford and is a fit for most seniors' medical needs. The Milford Senior Center offers activities, meals, and more to those 50 and older. Senior living facilities, such as the assisted living Milford Place and Silver Lakes Estates independent apartments, can also be found in town.
Dover
The capital of Delaware and the second-largest city in the state, the historic town of Dover has a population of 38,879, with 17 percent over the age of 65. Median home values are a reasonable $365,700. The town is not just for history-loving seniors, as a multitude of amenities exist in Dover for those aged 50 and up.
In the center of historic Dover is The Dover Green, a National Historic Park. In cooperation with First State Heritage Park, guided tours of the historic area of the city are offered Wednesdays through Saturdays. On this tour, you will see the John Bell House, a home from the 1700s with early Chesapeake architecture, as well as Delaware Legislative Hall and the Old State House, which are still used today.
Senior NASCAR fans will appreciate the proximity of Dover Motor Speedway. For gambling enthusiasts, Dover is also home to Bally's Dover Casino Resort, the largest casino in Delaware, which includes a hotel, restaurants, bars, and live entertainment areas.
The Modern Maturity Center, Dover's senior center, hosts activities, parties, farmers' markets, and more for those age 50 and up. Dover is also home to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, as well as PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Dover. Senior living apartments like The Grande Dover and communities such as Harmony at Kent are additional residential options for seniors who relocate to Dover.
New Castle
The small, colonial town of New Castle is a favorite among seniors who live in Delaware for many reasons. Its small population of 5,523, 17.6 percent of whom are over the age of 65, is one of them. Home prices in New Castle average just $323,000. New Castle is also 10 minutes south of the larger city of Wilmington and its amenities.
New Castle is a historic town with intriguing destinations such as the New Castle Court House Museum, built in 1732 and available to tour. Some seniors may choose to become involved in the Old New Castle Outdoor Rec Coalition, an organization created by those living in Old New Castle to promote educational, recreational, and community-building opportunities throughout town.
Being on the Delaware River, New Castle even has its own beach, Deemers Beach. This area on Route 9 just south of the old town of New Castle is great for swimmers, kayakers, paddleboarders, and fishermen. Seniors who frequent the beach warn that you must watch out for jellyfish, however, as their stings can be quite painful.
The New Castle Senior Center provides activities, a daily lunch, transportation, and resources for those age 50 and over in the area. New Castle is just 10 minutes from Christiana Care's hospital facilities in Wilmington and Newark. Senior living options ranging from independent living at Spencer Apartments to assisted living at The Lorelton in nearby Wilmington are available for those needing them.
Delaware City
Despite the "city" in its name, Delaware City is a small hamlet with a population of 1,932, 12.8 percent of whom are over age 65. Home values in Delaware City are affordable, averaging $285,000. Delaware City offers many benefits to senior citizens who live there, making the area more attractive for seniors who are looking to relocate to the Delaware town.
Delaware City offers city property tax and water bill discounts to qualified senior property owners. The Community Center in town provides programs, art classes, trips, and lunch outings for senior citizens. Delaware City keeps its senior residents safe through a program called "Just Checking," in which seniors can sign up for regular check-ins by city officials. The city's Code Red program also notifies residents of town-wide notifications and emergencies by phone or text.
Several parks exist in Delaware City for outdoor enjoyment, including the waterfront Battery Park, and Dragon Run Park with its hiking and biking trails, streams, and forests. A Nature Center exists inside Dragon Run Park, providing educational programs on the flora and fauna of the area. Christiana Care's hospital facilities in Wilmington and Newark are just a 15 to 30-minute ride away.
Smyrna
The peaceful suburban town of Smyrna, a former farming town, has a population of 13,870, 13 percent of whom are over age 65. Home values average $440,000. Smyrna's small-town atmosphere and proximity to larger-town amenities in Middletown and Dover make it an attractive option for many seniors.
Six outdoor recreation areas exist in Smyrna, including George C. Wright Jr. Municipal Park, with ball fields, a skateboard park, picnic tables, and barbecue grills. Those looking for hiking and biking opportunities should try Big Oak Park, with its 1.2-mile easy hiking loop. The picturesque area features a wooded section and a boardwalk over a marsh area.
Many seniors who live in Smyrna appreciate that it is just 10 minutes to the nearest small beach, Fraland Beach, along the Delaware River. The more popular Rehoboth Beach is about an hour's drive away. The state capital of Dover, with its many amenities, is just 20 minutes away.
The Mamie A. Warren Senior Center in Smyrna serves lunch Monday through Friday and offers activities, health screenings, and events for those ages 50 and up. Sunnyside Apartments provides independent living for Smyrna seniors. Those in Smyrna needing a more supportive living environment may find it at Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Health Center.
Clayton
Clayton's crime rate is 65 percent lower than the national average, according to data from the FBI. With a low population of 3,978, 12 percent of whom are over the age of 65, and fairly reasonable average home values of $460,500, many seniors are choosing to relocate to the small town of Clayton, just two miles by one-and-a-half miles in area.
Clayton's Lillian Smith Senior Center provides lunch Monday through Friday and social and recreational programs for those age 50 and up. They also offer referrals and resources to help seniors live independently longer.
The Blackbird State Forest and the Blackiston Wildlife Area are both just minutes from Clayton, for those interested in outdoor activities. The Blackbird State Forest offers ten tracts for nature walks, biking, jogging, and horseback riding. Blackiston Wildlife Area covers over 2,200 acres and provides opportunities for hunting.
Bayhealth Hospital in Dover is only a 20-minute drive away. Senior living facilities, ranging from independent living at Westminster Village to assisted living at Dover Place, are also available in nearby Dover for those who need supportive living services.
Find Your New Comfortable Home in Delaware
Senior citizens who are looking to spend their golden years in a more comfortable environment should check out these towns in the First State. Small towns such as Milford, Clayton, and Lewes offer top-notch healthcare, ample recreational opportunities, and amenities for seniors that cannot be found in just any old town in Delaware. Relocating to one of these nine comfortable towns in Delaware will ensure that your retirement years will be spent in contentment and satisfaction.
