Sussex County Delaware 55 + Active Adult Communities

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.

In 2006 AARP included Rehoboth Beach in its “Top five US cities to retire to“. In 2008 AARP awarded Cape Henelopen as one of the countries “Top Five US Beaches“. It seems that the AARP has a love affair with Sussex County Delaware.

For those of you who do not know, Cape Henelopen State Park is located in Lewes Delaware just a few miles from Rehoboth Beach and offers everything from a fishing pier, Historic WWII Fort Miles, observation towers, biking and walking paths, sandy beaches, surf fishing and camping for both tents and RV’s.

Another reason the AARP loves Delaware is that we have some of the lowest taxes in the country. If you are tired of paying $5000 - $20,000 a year for taxes you might want to think about relocating to Sussex County Delaware. In Delaware it is not uncommon for a $500,000 home to have property taxes of less than $800 a year.

To view homes in the areas 55+ active adult communities please take a look at www.deretiree.com