Ocean, View Delaware beach house

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone own a beach house in Ocean View, DE--near Bethany Beach? We are considering buying a beach house there--prices are lower than at Bethany but it's just 3-4 miles from the beach. I'm also wondering about the parking situation at the beach--this house is in a community but there's no beach shuttle. Thanks!

We do. Which community are you looking at? Traffic is bad at times during the summer. Parking can be tough depending on where you go. We don't tend to go to Bethany Beach - we buy a state park pass for $70 per year and go to those beaches. Parking is rarely an issue, except at the one between Bethany and Fenwick and Cape Henlopen. But you have a choice of a ton of beaches. Our personal favorite is the unguarded beach just across the Inlet Bridge.

Are there any parking permits for homeowners? There don't seem to be a lot of spots in town for Bethany Beach. That is a good idea about the other beaches. What do you tend to do when you're not at the beach? When we vacation there at hotels, we usually do beach from 8-noon, then back to hotel for lunch and nap, then back to beach from 4-7 pm, then dinner out. I'm just wondering about how we would structure our days there if we buy a place. Kids are 2 years old and infant.

No parking permits for homeowners except right around the house/property you own. As far as what we do, we have a community with a pool, golf, volleyball, tennis, basketball. We go to the beach a lot - like 40x a year. So we don't actually spend time on the beach everytime we go - maybe just like one day each weekend. We like to go fishing, which you can do on the unguarded beaches. We kayak (we're right on the water) and ride bikes a lot. Because we live there, we have a lot of friends that we socialize with - also I have a ton of friends from here who have beach houses as well, so we get together there. I keep projects at the beach house, like scrapbooking stuff. We have lots of game and movie nights. We do cookouts and have s'mores just about every weekend - I'm not a fan, but apparently the rest of the world is. There are bunches of festivals, mostly during the off seasons, that we go to. If the weather is bad, we binge watch TV and movies. We like to walk on the beach during the off seasons and two of my kids will swim in the ocean all year round - we keep blankets in the car as soon as it starts getting cold out so they don't freeze. I've transitioned different life things to the beach - like getting my hair done. We also save up all of our Walmart type shopping because there is no tax. We are never at a loss of things to do and the kids really love it because we don't have any stress there. Everything is about family game nights and having fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Savannah's landing development is in Ocean View and is about 1.5 miles from the beach. It is nice. As you ssid the cost is lower. The drive isn't bad. Parking is always a pain but just go early with a load of quarters. You can bike as well.

You don't need quarters anymore. You can now use a parking app on your phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone own a beach house in Ocean View, DE--near Bethany Beach? We are considering buying a beach house there--prices are lower than at Bethany but it's just 3-4 miles from the beach. I'm also wondering about the parking situation at the beach--this house is in a community but there's no beach shuttle. Thanks!

We do. Which community are you looking at? Traffic is bad at times during the summer. Parking can be tough depending on where you go. We don't tend to go to Bethany Beach - we buy a state park pass for $70 per year and go to those beaches. Parking is rarely an issue, except at the one between Bethany and Fenwick and Cape Henlopen. But you have a choice of a ton of beaches. Our personal favorite is the unguarded beach just across the Inlet Bridge.

Are there any parking permits for homeowners? There don't seem to be a lot of spots in town for Bethany Beach. That is a good idea about the other beaches. What do you tend to do when you're not at the beach? When we vacation there at hotels, we usually do beach from 8-noon, then back to hotel for lunch and nap, then back to beach from 4-7 pm, then dinner out. I'm just wondering about how we would structure our days there if we buy a place. Kids are 2 years old and infant.

No parking permits for homeowners except right around the house/property you own. As far as what we do, we have a community with a pool, golf, volleyball, tennis, basketball. We go to the beach a lot - like 40x a year. So we don't actually spend time on the beach everytime we go - maybe just like one day each weekend. We like to go fishing, which you can do on the unguarded beaches. We kayak (we're right on the water) and ride bikes a lot. Because we live there, we have a lot of friends that we socialize with - also I have a ton of friends from here who have beach houses as well, so we get together there. I keep projects at the beach house, like scrapbooking stuff. We have lots of game and movie nights. We do cookouts and have s'mores just about every weekend - I'm not a fan, but apparently the rest of the world is. There are bunches of festivals, mostly during the off seasons, that we go to. If the weather is bad, we binge watch TV and movies. We like to walk on the beach during the off seasons and two of my kids will swim in the ocean all year round - we keep blankets in the car as soon as it starts getting cold out so they don't freeze. I've transitioned different life things to the beach - like getting my hair done. We also save up all of our Walmart type shopping because there is no tax. We are never at a loss of things to do and the kids really love it because we don't have any stress there. Everything is about family game nights and having fun.

OP here. This sounds amazing PP! We are considering 2 communities, one just has a pool and a small playground (but very low HOA fees), and the other has all the amenities you list but has steep HOA fees. I'm not sure which would be better given we won't be there all the time.
How do you manage to go 40 times per year? That is a lot of driving!
How did you make all these friends at the beach? I find it hard enough to make friends here (I have two under 2). But if we do end up buying a beach house, I really want to build a community there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone own a beach house in Ocean View, DE--near Bethany Beach? We are considering buying a beach house there--prices are lower than at Bethany but it's just 3-4 miles from the beach. I'm also wondering about the parking situation at the beach--this house is in a community but there's no beach shuttle. Thanks!

I have one in Bethany Meadows. About 2.5 miles back from the beach. It's great. Never ever have a problem with parking if I get to the beach before 10am. 9:30 right at the bath houses if you want to be safe.

A really nice part is that it's outside the flood plain, so homeowner's insurance is low. And we've had our house for 16 years now. Through many big storms. Everything stays put. No flooding. Just don't buy right next to any tidal creeks, though.

I don't know about parking around 4pm at the beach. I've got around 3pm on non-holiday weekends and haven't had any trouble finding something close to the beach. May not be near the bathhouses, though, which you may need with little kids.

The state park beaches are lovely and never crowded, but they are $10 a day for out of state plates.

There are backroads to the beach, so you don't have to sit on 26, which can be a parking lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone own a beach house in Ocean View, DE--near Bethany Beach? We are considering buying a beach house there--prices are lower than at Bethany but it's just 3-4 miles from the beach. I'm also wondering about the parking situation at the beach--this house is in a community but there's no beach shuttle. Thanks!

I have one in Bethany Meadows. About 2.5 miles back from the beach. It's great. Never ever have a problem with parking if I get to the beach before 10am. 9:30 right at the bath houses if you want to be safe.

A really nice part is that it's outside the flood plain, so homeowner's insurance is low. And we've had our house for 16 years now. Through many big storms. Everything stays put. No flooding. Just don't buy right next to any tidal creeks, though.

I don't know about parking around 4pm at the beach. I've got around 3pm on non-holiday weekends and haven't had any trouble finding something close to the beach. May not be near the bathhouses, though, which you may need with little kids.

The state park beaches are lovely and never crowded, but they are $10 a day for out of state plates.

There are backroads to the beach, so you don't have to sit on 26, which can be a parking lot.

How often do you go to your beach house PP?

I guess our big dilemma with the beach house is: beach house vs. other vacations. We love the beach and go several times per year (and would go more often but hotels are very expensive in the high season). And because we don't have any local family (and we miss out on big family holidays with extended family) we want to have a place where we can make memories with our kids, and also invite extended family to come and stay there with us, since they all love the beach too. But, on the other hand, if we buy the beach house we will only have room in our budget for one other vacation per year. Right now with no beach house we do enjoy our vacations to other locales. But the idea of the beach house is very appealing. And we enjoy all aspects of home maintenance (renovating, decorating, home upkeep, yard work, gardening, cleaning), so having another house to maintain is not a burden to us at all.

[Anonymous]

The state park beaches are lovely and never crowded, but they are $10 a day for out of state plates.

It's $10 a day or $70 for the entire year. Far cheaper than parking in Bethany or Rehoboth. And you can go to any of the state park beaches using the permit.

OP here. This sounds amazing PP! We are considering 2 communities, one just has a pool and a small playground (but very low HOA fees), and the other has all the amenities you list but has steep HOA fees. I'm not sure which would be better given we won't be there all the time.
How do you manage to go 40 times per year? That is a lot of driving!
How did you make all these friends at the beach? I find it hard enough to make friends here (I have two under 2). But if we do end up buying a beach house, I really want to build a community there.

Our HOA fees are $300 per month and includes trash removal, snow removal and all upkeep. So, it's not that bad. The drive is only about 2.5 hours, except in summer. In summer you have to plan your trip to miss traffic and find alternate routes so you can save time. As far as making friends, people just tend to be really friendly at the beach so it's easier than here. I meet people just walking the dog and then we all get together for drinks or whatever, which leads to facebook friends and celebrating birthdays etc.

I guess our big dilemma with the beach house is: beach house vs. other vacations. We love the beach and go several times per year (and would go more often but hotels are very expensive in the high season).

Not the PP you asked, but here's the thing. The beach is a way of life for us, not a vacation. We have a small two bedroom, two bath condo and it came furnished. So it's not that expensive. There are things I will eventually change - like some of the dishes and furniture. But, for now, it's fine and doesn't cost so much that we feel captive to it. We made that decision because we also love to vacation and we do take other vacations each year. Some years we don't take anything more than a one week trip somewhere and then we spend longer times at the beach (use it or lose it vacation). And, other years, we take several weeks of vacation.

Anyway, OP, good luck with your decision.

[Anonymous]

OP here. PP, I like how you described that "the beach is a way of life"--I feel the same way. I'm still amazed though that you go up there 40 times per year! Still at 2.5 hours each way that's a lot of driving. How did you decide on the Bethany area? For us we've been going there over a decade already so it feels like a "second home" already. We usually stay in hotels in Rehoboth but spend more time in Bethany. Did you consider Rehoboth or Lewes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. PP, I like how you described that "the beach is a way of life"--I feel the same way. I'm still amazed though that you go up there 40 times per year! Still at 2.5 hours each way that's a lot of driving. How did you decide on the Bethany area? For us we've been going there over a decade already so it feels like a "second home" already. We usually stay in hotels in Rehoboth but spend more time in Bethany. Did you consider Rehoboth or Lewes?

We wanted to be on the water and Bethany was the only place we could afford that. We are right on Indian Bay - literally like 20 feet from the water at high tide. The plus for my family was the golf - I am not a fan but they love it and I can do anything they love.

As far as the driving, we leave on a Friday and return on a Monday morning in time for the first school bus. So, each weekend, we have three nights and two full days. Makes it easier to handle the driving. And, I work in DC, so I get picked up and left off at New Carrollton where I get the Metro to work. Often we will get a pizza from Little Cesars ($5 one) and eat in the car on the way. We put in a movie for the kids and it's a nice pleasant drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone own a beach house in Ocean View, DE--near Bethany Beach? We are considering buying a beach house there--prices are lower than at Bethany but it's just 3-4 miles from the beach. I'm also wondering about the parking situation at the beach--this house is in a community but there's no beach shuttle. Thanks!

I have one in Bethany Meadows. About 2.5 miles back from the beach. It's great. Never ever have a problem with parking if I get to the beach before 10am. 9:30 right at the bath houses if you want to be safe.

A really nice part is that it's outside the flood plain, so homeowner's insurance is low. And we've had our house for 16 years now. Through many big storms. Everything stays put. No flooding. Just don't buy right next to any tidal creeks, though.

I don't know about parking around 4pm at the beach. I've got around 3pm on non-holiday weekends and haven't had any trouble finding something close to the beach. May not be near the bathhouses, though, which you may need with little kids.

The state park beaches are lovely and never crowded, but they are $10 a day for out of state plates.

There are backroads to the beach, so you don't have to sit on 26, which can be a parking lot.

How often do you go to your beach house PP?

I guess our big dilemma with the beach house is: beach house vs. other vacations. We love the beach and go several times per year (and would go more often but hotels are very expensive in the high season). And because we don't have any local family (and we miss out on big family holidays with extended family) we want to have a place where we can make memories with our kids, and also invite extended family to come and stay there with us, since they all love the beach too. But, on the other hand, if we buy the beach house we will only have room in our budget for one other vacation per year. Right now with no beach house we do enjoy our vacations to other locales. But the idea of the beach house is very appealing. And we enjoy all aspects of home maintenance (renovating, decorating, home upkeep, yard work, gardening, cleaning), so having another house to maintain is not a burden to us at all.

I only got down there five times this summer. We rent to friends and family too.

I love the memories. My son loves going every year. So do my nephew and nieces. I love that they are growing up with a beach house of "their own."

We go down about once a month in the off season. A little more in May to fix things and super clean. Then usually twice a month in the summers. Extended family use it 90% of the rest of the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. PP, I like how you described that "the beach is a way of life"--I feel the same way. I'm still amazed though that you go up there 40 times per year! Still at 2.5 hours each way that's a lot of driving. How did you decide on the Bethany area? For us we've been going there over a decade already so it feels like a "second home" already. We usually stay in hotels in Rehoboth but spend more time in Bethany. Did you consider Rehoboth or Lewes?

NP here. We go 2.5 hours in the other direction (Northern Neck). And the drive is a breeze. It is actually relaxing for us (the only time it wasn't was when we were in potty-training stages. Yikes!). We have landmarks along the way that the children (used to be tots but now the oldest are in college) still talk about and reference in conversations. Yes, there is something to be said for always visiting new places but, for our family, it is a way of life and we thrive on the community that we've built there.

Anyway, even though we're in a different direction, I just wanted to lend my encouragement to what you're doing and I'm loving reading the insights that folks have about the areas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. PP, I like how you described that "the beach is a way of life"--I feel the same way. I'm still amazed though that you go up there 40 times per year! Still at 2.5 hours each way that's a lot of driving. How did you decide on the Bethany area? For us we've been going there over a decade already so it feels like a "second home" already. We usually stay in hotels in Rehoboth but spend more time in Bethany. Did you consider Rehoboth or Lewes?

NP here. We go 2.5 hours in the other direction (Northern Neck). And the drive is a breeze. It is actually relaxing for us (the only time it wasn't was when we were in potty-training stages. Yikes!). We have landmarks along the way that the children (used to be tots but now the oldest are in college) still talk about and reference in conversations. Yes, there is something to be said for always visiting new places but, for our family, it is a way of life and we thrive on the community that we've built there.

Anyway, even though we're in a different direction, I just wanted to lend my encouragement to what you're doing and I'm loving reading the insights that folks have about the areas!

OP here. Thanks PP for sharing, this is very inspirational. Can you share more about how you have built community there? I have found it hard enough to build community here, am wondering about how I would do it there. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone own a beach house in Ocean View, DE--near Bethany Beach? We are considering buying a beach house there--prices are lower than at Bethany but it's just 3-4 miles from the beach. I'm also wondering about the parking situation at the beach--this house is in a community but there's no beach shuttle. Thanks!

I have one in Bethany Meadows. About 2.5 miles back from the beach. It's great. Never ever have a problem with parking if I get to the beach before 10am. 9:30 right at the bath houses if you want to be safe.

A really nice part is that it's outside the flood plain, so homeowner's insurance is low. And we've had our house for 16 years now. Through many big storms. Everything stays put. No flooding. Just don't buy right next to any tidal creeks, though.

I don't know about parking around 4pm at the beach. I've got around 3pm on non-holiday weekends and haven't had any trouble finding something close to the beach. May not be near the bathhouses, though, which you may need with little kids.

The state park beaches are lovely and never crowded, but they are $10 a day for out of state plates.

There are backroads to the beach, so you don't have to sit on 26, which can be a parking lot.

How often do you go to your beach house PP?

I guess our big dilemma with the beach house is: beach house vs. other vacations. We love the beach and go several times per year (and would go more often but hotels are very expensive in the high season). And because we don't have any local family (and we miss out on big family holidays with extended family) we want to have a place where we can make memories with our kids, and also invite extended family to come and stay there with us, since they all love the beach too. But, on the other hand, if we buy the beach house we will only have room in our budget for one other vacation per year. Right now with no beach house we do enjoy our vacations to other locales. But the idea of the beach house is very appealing. And we enjoy all aspects of home maintenance (renovating, decorating, home upkeep, yard work, gardening, cleaning), so having another house to maintain is not a burden to us at all.

I only got down there five times this summer. We rent to friends and family too.

I love the memories. My son loves going every year. So do my nephew and nieces. I love that they are growing up with a beach house of "their own."

We go down about once a month in the off season. A little more in May to fix things and super clean. Then usually twice a month in the summers. Extended family use it 90% of the rest of the time.

Without providing too much detail - how do you decide how much to charge friends and family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. PP, I like how you described that "the beach is a way of life"--I feel the same way. I'm still amazed though that you go up there 40 times per year! Still at 2.5 hours each way that's a lot of driving. How did you decide on the Bethany area? For us we've been going there over a decade already so it feels like a "second home" already. We usually stay in hotels in Rehoboth but spend more time in Bethany. Did you consider Rehoboth or Lewes?

NP here. We go 2.5 hours in the other direction (Northern Neck). And the drive is a breeze. It is actually relaxing for us (the only time it wasn't was when we were in potty-training stages. Yikes!). We have landmarks along the way that the children (used to be tots but now the oldest are in college) still talk about and reference in conversations. Yes, there is something to be said for always visiting new places but, for our family, it is a way of life and we thrive on the community that we've built there.

Anyway, even though we're in a different direction, I just wanted to lend my encouragement to what you're doing and I'm loving reading the insights that folks have about the areas!

OP here. Thanks PP for sharing, this is very inspirational. Can you share more about how you have built community there? I have found it hard enough to build community here, am wondering about how I would do it there. Thanks!

I'm not the PP but have stayed in Ocean View in the off season. Very nice people but year round residents will tend to be much older. The best way to become part of the community was to be involved with one of the local churches. There are several denominations to choose from.

The Hocker family bought the Harris Teeter property in Salt Pond so you will have a local store to shop in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone own a beach house in Ocean View, DE--near Bethany Beach? We are considering buying a beach house there--prices are lower than at Bethany but it's just 3-4 miles from the beach. I'm also wondering about the parking situation at the beach--this house is in a community but there's no beach shuttle. Thanks!

Sorry, 3-4 miles west of the beach is not a beach house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone own a beach house in Ocean View, DE--near Bethany Beach? We are considering buying a beach house there--prices are lower than at Bethany but it's just 3-4 miles from the beach. I'm also wondering about the parking situation at the beach--this house is in a community but there's no beach shuttle. Thanks!

Sorry, 3-4 miles west of the beach is not a beach house.

+1

I was wondering! LOL.