6 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Delaware

Retirees who are looking to save money should consider moving to Delaware. The state has many tax-friendly policies, including no sales tax, low property taxes, and no tax on Social Security income. The median housing value in Delaware is around $398,000 per Zillow.com. Several wallet-friendly small towns feature homes with average prices below the state median. Combined with a lower cost of living, access to beautiful beaches, and proximity to cities, Delaware offers retirees the perfect balance of savings and lifestyle.

Delaware City

According to the US Census Bureau, of Delaware City's 1,800 residents, 12% are age 65 and up. The average home value in Delaware City is around $290,000 per Zillow.com, well under the state average. This town in New Castle County is an affordable choice for retirees looking to save money. It is about 20 miles from the larger city of Wilmington.

The Delaware City Community Center houses the town's Senior Center, which provides activities, trips, classes, and lunch for seniors aged 60 and over. Battery Park and Dragon Run Park are two outdoor spaces in Delaware City that many retirees enjoy. Medical care is offered at Christiana Care, which has hospitals in Newark, 15 minutes from Delaware City, and Wilmington, 20 minutes away.

Georgetown

About 7,100 people, 14% of them over age 65, call Sussex County's Georgetown home, and with good reason. This town, just 35 miles south of the state capital of Dover, is the county seat of Sussex County. Homes here average $360,000, under the state median. Another plus to life in Georgetown is that the Delaware beaches are about a half-hour drive away.

The Activity Center in the Cheer Community Center provides a variety of activities for seniors. Retirees looking to enjoy live theater or participate in it should check out Possum Point Players. The Georgetown Antiques Market on Market Street sells curiosities and rare finds. Bayhealth Hospital Sussex in Milford is just 15 miles away from Georgetown for medical needs.

Milford

The town of Milford sits along the Mispillion River in Kent and Sussex Counties and is home to about 11,000 people, 20% of whom are over age 65. Homes here average $340,000, under the state median. One reason that many retirees move to Milford is that it is just a 45-minute drive to Delaware's beaches.

The Mispillion Riverwalk Park runs through Milford's downtown area and is a great place to gather and get some exercise. Abbott's Mill Nature Center sits on 313 acres and is a nature preserve with trails and a historic gristmill. The Milford Senior Center slates activities for seniors age 50 and over. Bayhealth Hospital Sussex Campus is located right in town for any medical needs that may arise.

New Castle

The historic town of New Castle is in New Castle County and just seven miles from the larger city of Wilmington. Of its 5,500 population, about 21% are over the age of 65. Homes average an affordable $275,000. Many retirees are drawn to New Castle for its historic charm and proximity to Wilmington.

The New Castle Court House Museum, built in 1732, is a must-see for those interested in history. Coventry Ridge Park is a relaxed park filled with nature and spacious areas to enjoy. The New Castle Senior Center serves seniors aged 50 and over. The nearest hospital, Christiana Care, has campuses in Newark, eight miles west of New Castle, and to the north in Wilmington.

Newark

Although Newark, known for the University of Delaware, is a college town, many seniors enjoy living amongst its youthful vibe. It is home to about 30,000 residents, 11% of whom are age 65 and up. Homes in this New Castle County town average $355,000.

The University of Delaware offers some free classes to seniors aged 60 and up. Chapel Street Players, a theater company in town, puts on live performances and is always recruiting seniors and others to act or work behind the scenes. The Newark Senior Center welcomes seniors age 50 and up. Christiana Care's Newark campus is right in town for any medical needs seniors may have.

Wyoming

The Kent County town of Wyoming, home to 1,600 people, with 13% over age 65, is only three miles from the state capital, Dover. Homes here average an affordable $300,000. Retirees who move to Wyoming often do so to relish its small-town atmosphere that is so close to a larger city, where they can enjoy city amenities.

Brecknock County Park is two miles away in the town of Camden and is filled with 86 acres of nature and walking trails. Fifer's Farm Store and Kitchen sells local produce, baked goods, and more from a family-run farm. The Harvest Years Senior Center is nearby in Camden. Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus in Dover, just three miles away, is the nearest hospital to Wyoming.

Save Money by Retiring to Delaware

These wallet-friendly towns in the First State provide seniors with an abundance of activities to keep them busy, facilities to serve their needs, and homes that fit their budget. Whether you want to live near the state capital of Dover, in towns such as Wyoming or Georgetown, or prefer living in a town with a youthful vibe, like Newark, choosing any of these six towns to move to in your retirement may offer you meaningful savings and a fulfilling life.