Beyond price values, why do people move here?
Air traffic controller Ed Stratton and his wife, Tracy, moved to Dover as a military family after stints in New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio and several other states. Without hesitation they count off the same reasons as many other locals: low property and school taxes and a reasonable cost of living.
Stratton adds that Delaware was “big enough, but small enough.” In other words, we have the open space, but we’re small enough to get to the beaches and major cities.
Retired Salvation Army majors Walter and Alvina Bethel had similar reasons for retiring in Delaware. They bought a home in Kent County’s Garrison’s Lake community because it was quiet, clean and friendly. The lake provides opportunities for fishing and leisurely walks along trails. Because they are on fixed incomes, the low cost of living was a major factor.
Dode and Barbara Gladders moved to Delaware for employment and liked what they found. They discovered that Moore’s Lake, just south of Dover, allowed for inexpensive living in a home that would have cost them much more elsewhere.
Warren Wetherbee lives in Northridge, outside Smyrna. He finds Delaware to be a “comfortable” size, which makes Wilmington—with its great restaurants and Frawley Stadium—an easy hop. —J.C.
