Why is everyone moving to Lewes to retire?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
We seriously looked into the Lewes Delaware area as a possible retirement site and actually visited with a high school friend of my husband and her spouse for dinner and saw their lovely home with one floor living and a lower basement. In talking, when her husband mentioned he would be going to Wilmington about two hours north for a knee replacement at some point, I realized that it was likely that medical facilities for more extensive conditions and traveling for those services would need to be considered carefully. Just driving out to Lewes from the DMV as we do like that area, you can see how "remote" from major health care services one could be. We were also considering services for a daughter with an intellectual disability who is used to working part-time and a variety of activities all within perhaps 20 minutes maximum of where we live now. In general in Delaware, there just seemed like there was going to be a lot more driving for services that all three of us have more at hand where we are. However, Lewes is a lovely place.

Also from having parents who went between Cape Cod and Naples for over 25 years in retirement, you realize that evaluating a place 65-70, it is hard to look at the needs which likely increase for most 85-90. I also think at least researching places with assisted living, memory care as well as skilled nursing are also important aspects. My parents were in the Boston area and did move into a CCRC at about age 92 which offered memory care just when my mother needed it, and my dad remained in independent living until he passed away in late August after a 3-week decline. There was a saying that you went to Naples at 65 and you went back home at 85 as my folks outlived all who started with them in their community down there.

Another area on the Eastern Shore of Maryland that we actually enjoyed going to visit and bike the rails to trails on is Kent Island, and from I have seen there are some new retirement communities there, too. It is right off of the Bay Bridge so closer to Annapolis and DC possibly for health care issues.

The lack of comprehensive medical care is real. I have elderly relatives living in Lewes and they routinely drive to MD for doctors' appointments. One may need memory care soon and the options are quite limited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was in Lewes last year for the first time in decades and I kept thinking “who on earth is buying these houses?!” The indistinguishable neighborhoods just go on and on and on forever. Now I know!

LOL, except that you were not actually "in" Lewes, which is only 4 square miles.

That's Sussex County, as much as they try to sell it as Lewes.

No, I actually was “in” Lewes. We stayed in the old, adorable part. Took our bikes out on the trail, thinking it would be scenic, but it was just miles and miles and miles of suburban developments. Loved Lewes, but that trail was disappointing.

[Anonymous]

Lots of old people to meet?

[Anonymous]

I know a gay couple who went there, and hated it.

They were used to a more sophisticated social life (more in a worldly than snobby sense), and were miserable.

[Anonymous]

No way, I would never consider Lewes. It gets all the treated sewage water from New Jersey and Philly that is upstream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was an earlier poster in this thread that talked about good medical care, what good hospital is around Lewes? Is that really where you want to be if you are older with significant medical problems?

Beebe.

[Anonymous]

Delaware real estate will increase in value because by the year 2100 about 11% of the land in Delaware will be underwater, creating new waterfront opportunities. They are building for the future. The actual beach will be moving inland and so they will need to build new beach towns in Delaware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a gay couple who went there, and hated it.

They were used to a more sophisticated social life (more in a worldly than snobby sense), and were miserable.

They should have bought in Rehoboth. But it is more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Delaware real estate will increase in value because by the year 2100 about 11% of the land in Delaware will be underwater, creating new waterfront opportunities. They are building for the future. The actual beach will be moving inland and so they will need to build new beach towns in Delaware.

We are almost 5 blocks from rehoboth. Expecting to be beach front in the future. Not selling. 🏖

[Anonymous]

^5 blocks from the beach.

[Anonymous]

It’s a lot cheaper than Cape May, and a nice place. Not that I have a place there, but I can see the appeal.

[Anonymous]

Really? I'm moving to France.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really? I'm moving to France.

Some people want to be closer to their kids, or even give their kids a reason to visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Really? I'm moving to France.

Some people want to be closer to their kids, or even give their kids a reason to visit.

CFBC..don’t have to worry about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok, I get it that taxes are lower. However, all I see are these little sterile looking developments popping up all over. I like the idea of a second vacation home, but I don't see myself in these neighborhoods. Yet, everyone seems to like it. What don't I understand?

The taxes are not really lower.

That is false. I have a house in Bethany have for years.