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Dover, Delaware
Dover, Delaware
What It Is Like to Retire in Dover
Dover is the capital of Delaware and the county seat of Kent County, and was named by William Penn after Dover in Kent, England. The population was 39,403 (in 2020), and is the second most populated city in the state, with Wilmington the largest (population of 70,898.) The city is still a fast growing area due to its low cost of living. It is home to Dover Air Force Base, several schools of higher education, and the Dover Motor Speedway which hosts NASCAR races. Photo of West Loockerman Street in Downtown Delaware courtesy of Wikipedia and Tim Kiser, photo of Silver Lake courtesy of Wikipedia and Kfasimpaur (public domain),Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Where to Retire in Dover and Home Prices
There are a lot of active adult communities being built in the area due to abundant land and the tax-friendly attitude of Delaware (small income tax, low property taxes, and no sales tax). See link at top right for Dover Active Adult Communities. The median home price in Dover was $294,700 in the1st quarter of 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors.
What Is Special about Dover
Dover Air Force Base, low tax environment, proximity to Chesapeake Bay and the Ocean, 3 colleges, Dover International Speedway (NASCAR racing)
What Is Not Special about Dover
High crime rate and chilly winters
Who Will Like Retirement in Dover
People who want to remain in the northeast but do so in a more tax-friendly environment will like Dover. It is close to Washington and Baltimore, yet also near the great beaches of Delware and the DelMarVa peninsula.
Local Economy Is Driven by
The State of Delaware is the largest employer, since Dover is the capital. Procter & Gamble has some facilities here. Dover Air Force Base is another very large and stable employer.
Climate and Physical Environment
Dover is near the middle of Delaware, not too far from the Chesapeake. The average daily high in July is 87 degrees and the average January low is 27. August tends to be the rainiest month with almost 5" of precip.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Delaware Opera House is now the Scwartz Center for the Arts. Activities at Delaware State University and Wesley College. The Delaware State Library, Delaware State Museum, and the Delaware State Archives are here. Sewell C. Biggs Museum of American Art.
Crime
Crime in Dover is about a third higher than the national average.
Medical facilities
Bayhealth Medical Center serves Dover.
Transportation
DART First State provides bus service throughout the city. New Castle Airport and Baltimore-Washington-International are the nearest airports (BWI is home to discount carrier Southwest).
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