Tell me about Delaware...

[Holyoak]

Have only surf fished the coast while I was there back in 2010, so know little of the state as a potential new home.  I'd ideally like to be in an area that would match the lower, slower slogan for southern DE, seeking privacy, elbow room, and not the crazy traffic I'm sure the coast has to deal with, esp in summer.  Driving west toward the Chesapeake Bay bridge, I saw a lot of rural areas, that I think might be a nice fit, if i can find a rental home.  Sure, I'd like to find this nearer the coast, but I'd think that would get VERY expensive, very fast, not to mention the traffic issues.

I like the 0% sales tax, not too crazy ACA costs, and the relatively lower property taxes should I buy, etc.  What can you tell me/help guide me in the right direction with regard to areas I might research?  Thanks.

[The Guru]

I'll weigh in for a fellow PA Mustachian!

My friends own a vacation home a few miles inland from Bethany Beach. I've spent time there most summers since 1990. BB is the southernmost of what's billed as The Quiet Resorts in slower lower DE. not surprisingly, the area has gotten built up in the last 27 years (the development kitty-corner from my friends' place was a cornfield not that long ago). Even so, one needs to go only 1/4 mile or so before being in the midst of farmland and widely-spaced homes.

The main (basically, the ONLY) east-west road is two lanes with turning lanes being gradually added. Consequently, traffic moves at, to be charitable, a leisurely pace most days. That road is largely commercial; interestingly, though, the businesses are all locally owned or regional chains (Wawa, Fox's Pizza). Apart from a single McDonald's and a Papa John's I can't think of a national chain anywhere close. Consequently the area has a vibe much different from the ubiquitous strip-mall Hell.

And anyway, there are sufficient uncongested back roads that avoid the traffic. Plus the area- even well away from the beach/commercial area- is very bikeable. Mrs. Guru and I rely almost exclusively on ours when we're there. The town itself is small- the downtown business district is probably only about 3 blocks square before giving way to residential. There are plenty of people around, yet except for the beach itself- on a hot summer day I think you could walk from the boardwalk to the water under other people's umbrellas-  it doesn't seem that obtrusive. (maybe b/c I'm on vacation and have nowhere in particular to be). Once the vacationers clear out, I believe the place only has a couple thousand year-round residents.

With rural areas and small towns to the west, Rehoboth Beach to the north and Ocean City MD to the south, you ought to be able to fine-tune your search to accomodate whatever your tastes might be.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions if I can. Good luck!

[Holyoak]

Thanks a lot Guru, and curious; are you in-and-around Erie?  I ask, as I am about 30 miles due south. 

I have fished the beaches well after the summer crowds, and kinda figured it would be a mad-house/traffic mad-house, if going by the beach cam crowds from about June-Sept.  I also know the place is over-run with folks from upper NJ/NYC, and if my experience driving in these areas some years back still holds true, let's just say it is a bit more hectic than I like.

As with so many other areas of the USA, it seems rural drug problems/its fallout are a very big issue in W. DE, which is really a shame, as I like the look of the area.  Thanks again Guru, and I may send you a message, in the future.