Delaware is a hidden gem for seniors looking for convenience, affordability, and a friendly community. With its temperate climate, scenic scenery, and tax-friendly legislation, the state provides a perfect setting for seniors to enjoy their golden years.
Delaware has a variety of senior-friendly communities that prioritize safety, convenience, and quality of life, ranging from tranquil coastal retreats to vibrant rural towns. These cities strike the ideal blend between relaxation and activity, with everything from tranquil nature paths and waterfront vistas to cultural attractions and recreational programs.
In this guide, we’ll look at the Five most comfortable towns in Delaware for seniors, each with its own set of amenities that make retirement enjoyable, meaningful, and stress-free.
1. Newark
Although well-known as a college town and home to the University of Delaware, Newark is appealing to seniors due of the numerous amenities it provides. The town’s population is 30,655 (according to the US Census Bureau). Approximately 13% of the population is 60 and older. Many seniors find Newark’s lower median age of 22.6 appealing because it gives the area a young atmosphere while still providing intellectual stimulation. Newark’s home values average $365,500, making them very inexpensive.
Newark has plenty of outdoor space for seniors to enjoy, including White Clay Creek State Park, which has numerous hiking routes, picnic spots, and a clamshell stage for summer performances. In addition, the Newark Reservoir includes a 1.8-mile paved route around it, which is popular among seniors who enjoy walking.
Seniors aged 60 and older in Newark can take free classes at the University of Delaware. Additional senior amenities in Newark include the Newark Senior Center, which provides activities, events, and lunch Monday through Friday, and the Newark Free Library, which offers a range of programs and groups.
Seniors will also appreciate that Christiana Care, a top-tier hospital with cutting-edge equipment, has locations in Newark and adjacent Wilmington. DART First State’s SCAT, or Senior Citizens Affordable Taxi, provides low-cost senior transportation.
2. Lewes
One reason why the tranquil coastal town of Lewes appeals to seniors is because more than half of its 3,339 full-time residents are over the age of 65. Home values in Lewes are slightly higher, averaging $600,000. Nonetheless, Delaware has one of the lowest property tax rates in the country. Many seniors believe that the advantages of living in Lewes exceed the disadvantages.
Lewes, Delaware’s northernmost beach, is located on the Delaware Bay and is home to Cape Henlopen State Park, which features numerous hiking and bike paths. Seniors who reside in Lewes will appreciate the stunning views of sunrises and sunsets, as well as the tranquility, sights, and sounds of the ocean, which can provide mental stimulation and promote emotional well-being.
Lewes Senior Activity Center provides recreational, cultural, educational, and health-related programs for people aged 50 and over. Because Lewes is gradually becoming renowned as “the” town in Delaware for seniors, various senior independent and assisted living complexes are sprouting up all over the area. They include The Lodge at Historic Lewes and The Moorings at Lewes.
Lewes is just down the road from Beebe Healthcare System, which has locations throughout Sussex County. For seniors in Lewes who require transportation assistance, the Lewes Senior Activity Center may offer shared-ride transportation to and from medical appointments, errands, and Center visits.
3. Middletown
Middletown, a thriving town with a population of 23,572, is located midway between the larger cities of Dover and Wilmington and is popular among people of all ages due to its convenient location. Approximately 18% of people are over the age of 65. Middletown homes cost an average of $550,000, but amenities are more important to many seniors who live there.
Middletown’s Main Street and downtown area are archetypal small-town delights, with eateries like as Sully’s Irish Pub, stores like F&L Boutique, and the historic Everett Theatre along the sidewalks. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the town’s Charles E. Price Memorial Park, while golfers can play 18 holes at Back Creek Golf Club.
Seniors can take advantage of reduced DART bus prices in town, as well as to Dover and Wilmington. The MOT Jean Birch Senior Center (which stands for Middletown-Odessa-Townsend) provides classes, activities, and trips to adults aged 50 and older.
Christiana Care’s medical offices are spread across Middletown, and its hospitals are only a few miles away in Newark and Wilmington. As the community grew, so did its senior living alternatives, which today number more than 25 complexes, including Holly Square and Meadowcrest at Middletown.
4. Milford
Milford is best described as a tiny, vibrant, yet relaxed town near the seaside. Milford, with a population of 11,714, 24 percent of whom are over the age of 65, has several enticing features for seniors to consider living there. One of them is that property values average around $399,000.
Many Milford residents, even elderly, enjoy the fact that the beach is less than an hour’s drive away. Milford’s location on the Mispillion River is especially appealing, as is its mile-long boardwalk, the Mispillion Riverwalk, which is Delaware’s largest municipal park.
Artistic seniors may like to join the Mispillion Art League in downtown Milford. Others have joined Downtown Milford, Inc., a non-profit organization that promotes and beautifies the community. The National Arbor Day Foundation named Milford as a Tree City. Another volunteer group, Milford in Bloom, looks after the town’s plants and landscape.
Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus, is conveniently located in Milford and can accommodate most seniors’ medical needs. The Milford Senior Center provides activities, lunches, and other services to people over the age of 50. Senior living facilities in town include Milford Place, an assisted living facility, and Silver Lakes Estates, independent apartments.
5. Dover
The historic town of Dover, Delaware’s capitol and the state’s second-largest city, has a population of 38,879, with 17 percent over the age of 65. The median home value is a respectable $365,700. Dover is not just for history buffs; there are other amenities available to anyone over the age of 50.
The Dover Green National Medieval Park is located in the heart of medieval Dover. Wednesdays through Saturdays, guided tours of the city’s historic district are available in conjunction with First State Heritage Park. This tour includes the John Bell House, a 1700s residence with an early Chesapeake design, as well as Delaware Legislative Hall and the Old State House, all of which are still in use today.
Dover Motor Speedway is well-located for senior NASCAR enthusiasts. Bally’s Dover Casino Resort, Delaware’s largest casino, features a hotel, restaurants, bars, and live entertainment spaces.
The Modern Maturity Center, Dover’s senior center, offers events, parties, farmers’ markets, and more for people aged 50 and up. Dover is also home to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, and PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Dover. Senior living apartments like The Grande Dover and communities like Harmony at Kent offer additional housing options for seniors moving to Dover.