Sussex County Delaware 55 + Active Adult Communities

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.

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