How about ER in Delaware???

[Holyoak]

Yep, still trying to see where I want my new life to begin...  Been to Delaware a few times, and it always seemed nice.  Property prices seem reasonable, taxes great, and I would get to enjoy one of my favorite hobbies; surf fishing!  Gun laws are good for me, and I love the history of the state.  Looking for laid back, friendly folks; not rushy rush, rude, 'in your face' BS.

I have $1.35M in investments to fund this, zero debt, and figure a very easy to live on 3% WR.  Interested in rural living, in a modest 1000sf or less home w/attached or detached 2 car garage, in mid central/South central state for around $100-$125k cash deal.  Anyone here able to shed some advice my way?  Thanks everyone!

[Murr]

I don't live there but travel to Millsboro quite frequently for work. Seems very laid back and the people are great. Very 'southern" feel for being in DE. Also very close to the shore without much of the shore headaches. Weather is fairly mild, especially compared to SE PA where I'm at. One knock in my opinion is that there doesnt appear to be much culture or identity to the area.
I'd keep it on your list but would investigate more.

[catccc]

I'm in neighboring PA, just north of the DE line.  I'm personally not a fan of DE, but perhaps my reasons for disliking the state are of no consequence to you and your personal situation.  I'm a minority and I feel that DE is not diverse enough for my liking.  Maybe this is not an issue for you.  Also, the schools suck big time.  Again, maybe not an issue for you.  I just don't get a great cohesive community feel from most of DE, which is one of my fave things about the town I live in.  Delaware, however, is great for tax free shopping.  (Not that it matters since we all pay in use tax, right?)  Again, not a big draw for me since I buy very little.  Don't mean to rain on your parade, this is just my humble opinion.  Good luck wherever you end up.  One thing I do love about DE: Rehoboth Beach is LGBTQ friendly.  This doesn't really apply to me, but I appreciate a progressive setting.

[Holyoak]

Thanks, keep em coming.

[MrsStubble]

I live in De (north Wilmington) but our in-laws are in the "Slower Lower" and I'm a little familiar.  It is completely reasonable to find what your looking for with your requirements - especially in you want rural.   I don't normally say this but I would honestly start with a realtor to get to know the areas then start looking in the local papers and craiglist there's tons of nice places down there .   My only big advice is beware the chicken farms (smell is horrible) and keep an eye on the property height above sea level since a bunch of people down south are being forced to put their septic above ground b/c of rising sea levels causing their fields to fail.   

If you have specific questions I can try to help although i am a NYC transplant so I tend to flock to the less rural areas (big fan of Lewes, etc.).     

Catccc is correct though public schools here are truly horrible (byproduct of low taxes) and even as a white girl I get freaked out about how children of the corn-white southern DE is.   I sometimes feel like the only non-blond in the area.

[HawkeyeNFO]

Southern Delaware?  Yawn.  Too much of nothing going on for me.