Quality of Life in Delaware
Topics about the quality of life in Delaware found on this page include:
Cost of Living Affordable Homes Recreational Opportunities Historical/Cultural Attractions Climate
Cost of Living
As shown in the table below, Delaware's cost of living is similiar to the national average and considerably less than those in other urban northeast cities.| Cost of Living Index (average for all urban areas = 100.0) | |||||||||||||||||
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Affordable Homes
Delaware offers a wide variety of housing choices, including Sussex County beach cottages, Kent County farmhouses and historical settings, and a wide assortment in New Castle County. A brief description of some Delaware communities is included later in this section.The price an average family must pay for a home in Delaware is considerably below the national average and compares very favorably with the surrounding metropolitan areas. For example, a family earning $40,000 and purchasing homes of comparable size and quality can expect to pay 11% less than the national average for their home in Dover. Please see the table below for more comparisons.
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Recreational Opportunities
State Parks
Enjoy the natural diversity of Delaware’s 13 state parks. From elegantly catered meetings at Bellevue’s mansion to a sunny day at a beach park; enjoy hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and so much more! Fees are in effect from May through October. Annual passes are available. For more information visit Delaware State Parks OnlineSports
Auto Racing
Thousands of fans fill the stands as NASCAR Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series driver take on the Monster Mile at Dover Downs. Racing excitement can also be found at Delmar's Delaware International Speedway/U.S. 13 Dragway, which features a half-mile dirt trach and quartermile NHRA championship track for stock car and drag racing events, repectively.
Baseball
See the stars of tommorrow take the field with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, a Carolina League Class A farm tean of the Kansas City Royals
Figure Skating
The University of Delaware Figure Skating Club is one of the largest clubs affilited with the United States Figure Skating Association. Olympic stars such Tara Lipinski, Mckenzie Savidge and other world-class competitors have been represented and performed at the Fred Rust Ice Arena in Newark.
Golf
The DuPont Country Club hosts each year the McDonald's LPGA, which is considered to be one of the four majors played by the ladies each year. Delaware currently has 22 public golf courses
Horse Racing
Harrington Raceway is Americas's Oldest continually operating harness facility. Dover Downs also features harness racing. Delaware Park delivers live thoroughbred and harness racing along with simulcasting. The Winterthure Point-to-Point os a steeple chase race held in May along with a tailgating contest and antique carriage parade and several family activites.
Soccer
Both the Delaware Wizards mens professional soccer tean and Delaware Genies amateur women's club play home games in Wilmington.
Tennis
Mary Joe Fernandez, Patric McEnroe and Serena Williams are just a few of the big name professionals that have been associated with the Delaware Smash Tournament.
Water Sports
Top competitors like Bill Bryan of California come to Dewey Beach each summer for the East Coast Skimboarding Championships. Plus, the state's best surfers are drqwn to tournaments presented by the Delaware Eastern Surfing Association.
Shopping
Delaware offers excellent shopping opportunities -- all TAX-FREE! Major shopping malls located within Delaware’s larger communities and near major highways throughout Delaware offer selection and convenience for shoppers. Delaware also boasts a wide selection of company outlet stores, discount stores and hundreds of antiques shops.Six of Delaware’s towns and cities are experiencing a revival of their downtown shopping districts, through the Delaware Main Street Program: Brandywine Village, Newark, Delaware City, Dover, Rehoboth Beach, Seaford and Smyrna. The wonderful mix of shopping, dining, and history to be found in these downtown areas is worth a visit.
Major Historical/Cultural Attractions
For a complete tour guide to the State of Delaware, a State Map and an annual Calendar of Events, write or call the Delaware Tourism Office, 99 Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901. (302) 739--4271; (800) 441--8846.Historic Sites and Districts
Wilmington -- Largest urban and historic area in Delaware.
Willingtown Square and Old Town Hall -- Located on Market Street Mall, a group of 18th--century homes. Old Town Hall features changing exhibits on Delaware.
Fort Christina -- Site of the first permanent settlement in Delaware. In 1638, the first Swedish immigrants to North America landed here.
Kalmar Nyckel Boatyard -- A replica of the ship that carried those Swedish and Finnish immigrants to North America is docked here, and there is also a museum.
Old Swedes Church -- Oldest church in America standing as originally built and regularly used for religious services.
Delaware History Museum -- In a restored 1941 F. W. Woolworth Building, this museum tells the story of Delaware. The new "Distinctively Delaware" exhibit helps bring the state’s rich history to life.
Brandywine Valley -- The rolling hills of the area north and west of Wilmington are home to fine museums and elegant country estates.
Winterthur Museum Garden and Library -- The world’s finest collection of decorative arts made or used in America, 1640--1840, with extensive gardens in the style of an English country park. Major new addition featuring changing exhibits.
Delaware Museum of Natural History -- One hundred exhibits including over one million bird eggs, the third largest collection of seashells in the Western Hemisphere and an international collection of mammals. Features a living Australian barrier reef.
Hagley Museum and Eleutherian Mills -- Museum of 19th--Century industrial life, including the first Du Pont powder mills and the du Pont family homestead and gardens.
Nemours -- Magnificent Louis XVI--style chateau and gardens built for Alfred I. du Pont in 1909--1910.
Rockwood -- A Victorian theme prevails at this rural gothic mansion set in 72 acres northeast of downtown Wilmington.
Delaware Art Museum -- Built to house the works of Howard Pyle, this museum specializes in American art and has the second largest collection of 19th--century Pre--Raphaelite English paintings in the world.
In nearby Pennsylvania, Longwood Gardens -- World’s largest display gardens with a four--acre Conservatory, open--air theater and illuminated fountains.
Brandywine River Museum -- Restored, century--old gristmill featuring the Wyeth family collection of paintings and the Brandywine tradition of illustration.
Old New Castle -- Delaware’s colonial capital on the Delaware River.
Amstel House -- Early 18th--century home of New Castle’s famous "green umbrella" and headquarters of the New Castle Historical Society.
Old Dutch House -- A 17th--century home depicting the influence of the Dutch on life in Delaware.
New Castle Court House -- Built in 1732, this building once was Delaware’s colonial capitol building and county seat.
Immanuel Episcopal Church -- Built in 1703, the first church of England Parish in Delaware.
George Read II House and Garden -- A notable example of Georgian architecture and home of the son of a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Old Library Museum -- Hexagonal Victorian building, built in 1892.
Odessa -- This town features a district of historic homes, three owned and operated by Winterthur Museum. The Brick Hotel, the Corbit--Sharp House, the Collins Sharp House and the Wilson--Warner House are all featured as the Historic Houses of Odessa.
Dover-- The Green -- Historic square laid out in 1722 in accordance with William Penn’s orders. Center of life for the county seat and State capital.
Sewell C. Biggs Museum of American Decorative Arts -- Occupies the second and third floors of the Delaware State Visitors Center. Gift shop specializes in Delaware items.
Christ Episcopal Church -- Built in 1734; a monument to Delaware’s Caesar Rodney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, can be found in the graveyard.
Old State House -- Located on The Green, the second oldest state house in continuous use in the country. It still serves as Delaware’s ceremonial capital building although all government activity has been transferred to nearby Legislative Hall.
Delaware Agricultural Museum -- Creative displays and special events depict 200 years of farm life on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Delaware State Museum Complex -- Small complex of buildings in downtown Dover, featuring exhibits on all aspects of Delaware life and the country’s only complete collection of Victor Talking Machines.
Dover Air Force Base and Museum -- Situated two miles south of the city is home to the 436th Air Lift Wing and C--5 Galaxy airplane. The base museum houses a vintage collection of artifacts and aircraft.
South of Dover, John Dickinson Plantation -- The boyhood home of John Dickinson, "Penman of the American Revolution."
Frederica, Barratt’s Chapel -- Erected in 1780, it is known as the "Cradle of Methodism in America."
Lewes Historical Society Complex -- Features a number of outstanding sites, including a marine museum, Thompson Country Store, Rabbit’s Ferry House, Burton--Ingram House, Plank House and Old Doctor’s Office. Nearby is the Zwaanendael Museum, erected in 1931 to commemorate the first settlement in Delaware by the Dutch (1631). Zwaanendael also features relics from the H.M.B. DeBraak, a British ship which sank off the coast of Lewes in the late 1800s.
Georgetown -- Centerpiece of this town is "The Circle," a park in the center of town, site of the traditional "Return Day" held after every election to bring together and unify winners and losers. Both the old and new Sussex County courthouses are nearby.
Fenwick Island Lighthouse -- This landmark is near one of the first markers of the Delaware--Maryland border included on the Mason--Dixon line survey.
Delmar -- The "highball signal" and a small museum of relics from the Delmarva Peninsula’s railroad may be found west of town.
Performing Arts
Grand Opera House -- Meticulously restored 1871 Victorian opera house with majestic cast--iron facade hosts a variety of world--class performing artists. Home of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and OperaDelaware
The Playhouse -- Located in the Du Pont Building, Wilmington, this theatre features touring Broadway productions year--round and performances of the Russian Ballet of Delaware.
Delaware Theatre Company -- Resident, professional troupe produces a full season of plays in Wilmington.
Other Theatres -- The Candlelight Music Dinner Theatre in Arden and the Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre in Newark provide a variety of shows throughout the year. In addition, Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Milford and Georgetown have active local community theater groups. Dover’s Regional Ballet Company is known for its annual performance of "The Nutcracker" and for producing fine professional dancers. Open--air summer theatre is offered at Longwood Gardens. The Delaware Children’s Theatre in Wilmington provides entertainment for young people.
Miscellaneous Historic and Cultural Attractions
Wilmington and Western Railroad -- Authentic turn--of--the--century steam train that offers trips through the scenic Red Clay Valley.
Queen Anne’s Railroad -- This dinner train offers scenic excursions of Southern Delaware from Lewes.
Lincoln Room of the University of Delaware -- Located at the University’s Goodstay Center, this collection contains over 2,000 items pertaining to Lincoln’s public career and private life.
Rehoboth Art League -- Housed in the Homestead Mansion, one of the oldest homes in the area, this League conducts exhibits and classes in the summer and winter.
Governor Ross Mansion and Plantation -- A unique Civil War era plantation in Seaford with an Italian Villa mansion. The plantation features Delaware’s only documented slave quarters.
Climate
One of Delaware's attractive assets is a generally moderate and pleasant climate with a normal daily mean temperature of 54 degrees Fahrenheit. The State experiences four distinct seasons with an average monthly temperature range of 34 to 77 degrees, and an annual average of 41 inches of precipitation. (See the table below for more information.)
