Sussex County Delaware 55 + Active Adult Communities

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If you have just begun to ponder your retirement and wondering about the ultimate getaway, Rehoboth Beach 55 plus communities are perfect for you. The resort area of Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach in Delaware are two of the best in the entire east coast. Here you will find plenty of lovely accommodations, fun-filled activities as well as special events.

Where to Sleep
If you plan to take a vacation with style, you’ll easily find a lot of hotels and inns around the area with great water views. The Admiral Hotel on Baltimore Avenue is known for its spectacular backdrop and excellent facilities. You’ll find nice suites along the bay at Atlantic Oceanside on 1700 Highway, Dewey Beach and An Inn By the Bay on Savannah Road. You can get conveniently close to the exciting boardwalk at Atlantic Sands Hotel. There’s also Atlantis Inn just a couple of blocks away from the beach. Most of these places are Wi-Fi hotspots and has several amenities like bars, restaurants and playgrounds.

Delaware active adult homes are also open for those who may want to stay indefinitely. There are condominiums, cottages, guesthouses and retreat houses developed and operated by some of the largest realtors in the country. Boomers will surely enjoy being very close to the tranquil ocean while enjoying the sights and sounds of nearby artistic specialty shops and factory outlets. Delaware 55+ communities are found at key points all throughout the county which is exclusive for retirees offering special privileges and activities.

Beach Highlights
Downtown Rehoboth boasts of the boardwalk which ranges a whole mile. The area is very ideal for joggers, strollers and bikers. There are a number of attractions on the “boards” such as bandstand musical performances, a small amusement park, arcades, restaurants, miniature golf and many festivals. Active adults get to experience the captivating sunrise and sunset, watch migrating dolphins and other water highlights as well as taste local delicacies.

Dewey Beach is situated just south of Rehoboth which has a very unique layout. The sandbar community has the ocean on one side and a bay on the opposite end. People from Delaware retirement communities and outside the state gather more than once each year to witness or try water sports like catamaran sailing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, snorkeling and skimboarding. At night, Dewey Beach changes into a romantic setting with seaside joints offering delectable treats and fine wine.

The Delaware Seashore State park is found very near Dewey Beach which allows four-wheel rides along the sandy expanse. A lot of active adults enjoy sand and dune fun like treasure hunting with metal detectors and getting a piece of natural vegetation and wildlife. This is an ideal spot for surfers as well. There are many walking dunes, exotic birds and beach plums found in the site too.

Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach usually have a variety of activities in the spring and fall every year. The Fiddler’s Festival and Sea Witch Halloween are must-see events so you may want to grab reservations earlier to possible acquire special packages and premier spots. Reservations can be made online.

In Delaware, you get to have nothing but the best when trying to plan your future retirement. There are many Delaware 55+ friendly homes and communities catering to all your business, leisure and health needs. You will be surprised to know that a lot of organizations, social groups and health agencies are working hand in hand just to provide all residents with high quality living.

House Choices
The historic Lewes and Rehoboth Beach areas are ideal for active adult living featuring Delaware 55+ friendly communities with adjustable floor plans and interior designs that perfectly match your taste and functional needs. Rehoboth Beach condominiums are available for retired couples who want to be near the Ocean. Single family homes are available at Rehoboth Beach featuring anywhere from 3 to 7 bedrooms and 2 to 5 baths.

Lewes and Rehoboth Beach are perfect for Beach living. Quiet Beach retirement friendly homes are spread throughout Rehoboth with prices ranging anywhere from $300,000 to $5,000,000 depending on location, size, number of rooms and age. These retirement friendly spots are strategically placed near leisure facilities, grocery stores, health clinics and outlets for the benefits of residents.

Events and More
There are virtually hundreds of recreational activities and events held in Sussex County, Delaware. Residents of Rehoboth Beach active adult homes gather together many times each year to participate in or witness festivals and special group shows. The events are planned and handled by various existing groups and organizations in the county. A lot of these are focused on fostering camaraderie and promoting healthy living among retirees and active adults.

The agencies also help improve the business sector in Sussex County by making ventures more feasible to interested parties. There are programs that specifically cater to the material needs and human resource of budding entrepreneurs. People can now easily find jobs or start a business downtown with support from ordinances and local employers. Cooperatives are also formed in order to further promote businesses and make quality of living better for all Delaware 55+ communities.

Health Benefits
Beebe Hospital in Lewes Delaware is the premier health institution in Sussex County which actively promotes and maintains active and healthy living among all boomers and active adults. Beebe has a hospitalist program which involves fully licensed and experienced physicians providing quality care 24 hours a day. Retirees can now rest assured that all their health needs will be properly assessed and attended to since Beebe Medical Center specializes in major medical procedures like diagnostics, surgery and rehabilitation.

Since retirees need to be medically checked more frequently, the hospitalist program effectively allows them to monitor their physical state and condition regularly to minimize impending risks and complications. This is an innovative plan that benefits both doctors and patients of Delaware retirement communities. More programs and actions are implemented yearly by Beebe to continually support all health needs of residents.

Lewes Events and Festivals
The Historic town of Lewes features annual events and festivals for retirees and visitors to enjoy. Thousands of visitors every year gather to witness great water parades and highlights such as the 4th of July Boat Parade. The Boast the Coast Maritime Festival and Lighted Boat Parade is held during the fall. Spring events include The Great Delaware Kite Festival and the British Motorcar Show. People from Delaware and outside are free to participate in these activities.

Boating has become a very popular activity in Lewes. Families, couples and single individuals sail in different boats to tour the Delaware Bay. The Cape-May Lewes Ferry is also a must-visit providing a spectacular view of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Coast. Aboard you will see in detail the wonderful seashore homes in historic Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Lewes is a great place to experience history, art and nature at its best. You will surely appreciate Prime Hook Wildlife refuge and Cape Henlopen State Park which feature thousands of acres of well-preserved land.

Mike Brown was “meme’d” or “tagged” by Donna and Wayne Realtor Friends in Columbus Ga with a challenge to tell 7 interesting things about Him. So here it goes.

1. Mike grew up in Ann Arbor Michigan and attended Michigan State University where he studied business and marketing, graduating in 1992.
2. Mike’s favorite childhood hobbies included sailing, skiing, model making, playing with lego expert builders kits, his 1977 Commodore PET computer and learning BASIC.
3. Mike’s after college hobbies were not that different from those of childhood, just a good deal more extreme. At the age of 22 in 1993 Mike packed up his 1984 station wagon and headed off to the mountains of Colorado where he spent a season working at Crested Butte Ski Resort which led to other outdoor employment adventures including Mt. bike guide in Moab Utah, mountaineering guide in Red Lodge Montana, ski resort employee/ski bum at Alpine Meadows Lake Tahoe California. The climax of this “adventure period” a very long drive from San Francisco CA to Kodiak Island Alaska where he spent a season as a commercial Salmon fisherman.
4. These exciting times were followed by two very boring non productive years in Michigan. Craving more adventure, Mike did what anyone who wants to see the world but cannot afford to do so on their own does. He joined the Military. Although rules & regulations were a little alien to Mike’s way of thinking he adapted well and before long boot camp, tech school and aircrew survival school were all behind him.
   Over the next 10 years Mike flew to all reaches of the globe aboard the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy. It’s actually quicker for Mike to tell you the countries he has not visited than those he has.
5. Mike’s first child (daughter) was born just a few weeks ago. January 2008.
6. Mike Has driven across the the country twice on motorcycles.
7. Mike was head of the top sales team at his office for 2007

I’ll be passing this on to another 7 Realtors later this afternoon but at the moment I have to get ready to host an open house.

1. Cape May Lewes Ferry
2. Cape Henlopen State Park
3. The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk - Junk food and Grotto’s Pizza
4. Outlet Malls
5. Jet ski rentals at Dewey Beach
6. Surf Fishing the Miles of Beach South of Dewey
7. Shell Collecting
8. Dinner on the Lewes Canal
9. Big Fish Grill
10. Junction Breakwater Bike Trail

Southeastern Sussex Area Chapter # 003543
Meeting Place: Jake’s Seafood House
4443 Highway One Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Meeting Days 2nd Tuesday 12:00PM Closed July and August.

South Coastal Delaware Chapter # 005226
Meeting Place: The Bay Center
RR1 Dewey Beach, DE 19971
Meeting Day 3rd Tuesday 12:00PM Closed July and August

Long Neck Area Chapter # 004903
Meeting Place: American Legion Post 28
RR24 Millsboro, DE 19966
Meeting Day 4th Wednesday 11:30AM Closed July and August

From Delaware AARP NEWS June 7, 2007
Our growing and graying demographic
Two major shifts in workforce demographics will present many American businesses, and consequentially Delaware employers, with unique human resource challenges.

First, there will be more workers over age 55. In 2000, 13 percent of the workforce was 55 and older, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2012, this figure is expected to rise to nearly 20 percent. Not only is this segment growing by the sheer number of boomers, but also reflects their desire to continue to work into what was considered “normal” retirement age.Other factors also contribute to the increasing numbers. Boomers leading longer and healthier lives; the elimination of mandatory retirement, changes to Social Security and the erosion of pension and retiree health benefits encourage some to remain for financial reasons. Many continue to work because they enjoy their jobs; staying mentally and physically active and quite simply, need to feel productive.

The second shift is that as the boomer population does retire, there will be more jobs than workers to fill them as a result of the smaller size of the generations that follow.

Recognizing these challenges, the U.S Chamber of Commerce has partnered with AARP to help small and medium-sized businesses address the growing impact that aging boomers are having on the workforce. “As the relative proportion of younger workers declines, attracting experienced and reliable workers must become a core business strategy for all employers,” notes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website.

How will these demographic trends impact Delaware?
With boomers edging closer to traditional retirement age and fewer numbers in subsequent generations entering the workforce, competition for qualified workers is likely to increase in the First State.

In the fourth quarter of 2005, 16.4 percent of the labor force in Delaware was age 55 and older. With the 55-plus population of the state expected to more than double by the year 2030, the number of older workers is likely to double as well.

In contrast as we entered the twenty-first century, each of the nation’s 50 states had more people under 18 than 65 and older. In fact, in about half of the states, the ratio was about two to one. By 2030, ten states including Delaware are projected to have more people 65 and older than under 18—further increasing the gap in the numbers exiting and the numbers entering the workforce.

Adding to the challenge is the predominance of small business in the local economy. Over 80 percent of Delaware businesses have fewer than 20 employees; while over 80% of the workers are employed by businesses with 20 or more employees. Unlike their larger counterparts, smaller firms face greater challenges in providing retirement health benefits, productivity incentives and training programs—all of which are important in retaining or attracting skilled employees.

How are Delaware businesses preparing for an aging workforce?
To understand the extent to which Delaware employers are preparing for these shifts, AARP Delaware commissioned a study of employers statewide. The telephone survey, conducted in November and December 2006 with 400 organizations with twenty or more full-time employees, explored employer’s perceptions of worker shortages, loss of institutional knowledge and approaches to keep older workers. From Preparing for an Aging Workforce: A Focus on Delaware Businesses, several key findings emerged:

• More than three in five employers surveyed believe their business is likely to face a shortage of qualified workers within the next five years. However, only one in four said they have consciously taken steps to prepare for the possibility of boomers retiring at the traditional age.
• When asked about specific approaches companies might use to prepare for a shortage of workers caused by boomers retiring, only 12 percent of businesses surveyed say they are offering incentives to encourage their employees to delay retirement.
• Almost one in three organizations surveyed say they do not offer retirement benefits. Of those that do offer benefits, most do not offer long-term care insurance (70 percent), retiree health benefits (63%), or prescription drug benefits (58%). Remarkably, 44 percent of organizations surveyed offer phased retirement, but mostly on an informal basis.
• Almost three-fourths of businesses surveyed say it is extremely or very important to retain institutional knowledge that might be lost when employees retire or otherwise leave. But, only a third of businesses report having a formal process that enables employees who retire or leave to share the knowledge they have obtained on the job.

This study uncovers the fact that Delaware businesses are aware that fundamental shifts will occur in the workplace as the boomers approach traditional retirement age. Few, however say their companies have taken action to mitigate the potential impact on their competitiveness.

How Can Delaware Businesses Respond?
There is still time for Delaware’s employers to identify and evaluate policies, attitudes, and perceptions towards older workers that can influence their ability to retain and compete for qualified workers. Strategies such as conducting workforce planning, reevaluating benefits, developing flexible work options and implementing succession planning and mentoring programs can help address the potential shortage of qualified workers in the next five years as well as the loss of institutional knowledge.

A recent report released for AARP by the consulting firm Towers Perrin suggests some steps organizations can take to effectively address their aging workforce. These suggestions include:

• Inventory current talent and define near and long term organizations goals
• Consider the investment needed and the total compensation costs of attracting 50-plus workers
• Pay attention to both revenue and performance considerations
• Study the available labor pool and define organizational talent strategies
• Align reward programs to support business and talent objectives
• Align workplace policies and culture to make the work environment attractive to the 50-plus worker

Small businesses are not as exempt from these ideas as they might have been in the past. Indeed, financial services firms are now offering retirement planning services to small businesses to help them set up employee-retirement accounts and 401(k)s. Some experts point out that adding or extending health and supplementary benefits packages, such as superior dental and vision plans and long-term care plans, can be attractive employment incentives to baby boom workers.

Engaging in strategies such as these may help organizations retain and recruit experienced and skilled 50-plus workers, and they may also help organizations preserve the important knowledge possessed by their retiring employees and enable them to pass it on efficiently to current or new workers. Moreover, companies that actively address the impact of labor force trends on their business and take the necessary steps to adjust their operations and policies are likely to remain competitive in the marketplace. Turning to 50-plus workers as a means of filling the potential labor shortage gap in the near future may actually provide a competitive edge for forward-thinking businesses.

Please Note:
AARP Delaware, along with Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and the Delaware Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Managers, has launched a 50+ Worker Campaign to help the First State’s employers and human resource professionals work together to positively prepare for the future of Delaware’s workforce.

For more information, call the state office at (302)498-6508.

From AARP DELAWARE NEWS March 15 2007
Here are five quick savings tips from First State Saves that you can start today.

• Save your loose change. Putting aside fifty cents a day over the course of a year will allow you to save nearly 40 percent of a $500 emergency fund.
• Substitute coffee for expensive coffee drinks. The $2 a day you could well save by buying a coffee rather than a cappucino or latte would allow you, over the course of a year, to completely fund a $500 emergency fund.
• Ask your physician to consider prescribing generic drugs. Generic drugs can cost several hundred dollars less to purchase annually than brand-name drugs.
• Shop around for gas. Comparing prices at different stations and using the lowest octane (recommended by the car owner’s manual) can save you hundreds of dollars a year.
• Borrow books rather than purchasing them. Borrowing books and reading magazines at your local library, rather than purchasing reading material, can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

I was originally going to do an article called “Southern Delaware’s top ten retirement communities” but soon realized there were not ten to choose from. There are very few official retirement communities in Sussex County Delaware. Quite honestly with the median age in Rehoboth Beach being 58 (in 2008) and over 38% of the population being over 65 the entire area is one big retirement colony. What makes one 55+ community stand out from the others? If it’s walking paths, community pools, activity directors, community centers and close proximity to things to do, I give you the #1 active adult community in Sussex County Delaware….

1. Independence - Millsboro Delaware click for more info
   Independence is an age restricted 55+ community featuring approximately 430 homes and an absolutely humongous 22,000 sf community center housing a pool, computer center, massage rooms, pool hall, yoga studio, theater, fitness center, self serve bar, outdoor cooking area, tennis facility, putting greens as well walking trails and community gardens. The community will also offer an activity director to host movie nights and plan excursions and events. No other community in the area offers 1/3 the amenities of Independence. Prices range from the mid $200’s - $400’s
2. Bay Crossing - Lewes Delaware click for more info
   The 55+ community of Bay Crossing is located on 106 acres of land set at the midpoint between Lewes Beach and Rehoboth Beach just off Coastal Highway. Both beaches can be driven to in less than 5 minutes. Bay Crossing has a 5000 sf community center housing a fitness center with an outdoor tennis court and pool. Homes in Bay Crossing range from 1800 sf - 2400 sf. Prices are typically in the mid $300’s - mid $400’s
3. Cedar Valley - Rehoboth Beach click for more info
   Sometimes you don’t want to pay extra for amenities you may never use, in this case Cedar Valley may be just what you are looking for. There are actually so many things to do nearby that you really do not need community amenities. If you like to golf the Old Landing public course is less than 1.5 miles down the road, If you like to walk the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk or swim in the Atlantic it is only a 5 minute drive, groceries, restaurants and shopping are less than two minutes away. Residents like Cedar Valley so much that there are usually not many homes on the market, so if you see a Cedar Valley home for sale you may want to move quickly. It could be another six months to a year before another becomes available. Prices in the High $300’s - Mid $400’s
   

MOST TAX-FRIENDLY STATE FOR RETIREES

From Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, November 2006
Delaware
people tend to focus on states with no income tax, such as Florida, Texas and Nevada. But for many retirees the biggest burden is property taxes and sales tax. That’s why Delaware is a first-class bargain. There’s no state sales tax, property taxes are relatively low, and homeowners 65 and older qualify for a tax credit on half of their school taxes, up to $500. Delaware does have a maximum state income tax of 5.95%, but Social Security benefits are exempt, and so is up to $12,500 of investment and pension income for residents 60 and older.