Moving to Southern Delaware from Maryland, New Jersey or Pennsylvania

Delaware's taxes, in brief

Delaware's tax rules are a big reason people move here, especially at or near retirement. Compare these with what you pay today, and confirm the details for your situation with a tax professional:

• No sales tax on anything you buy in Delaware, including furniture and appliances for the new house.
• Social Security isn't taxed by Delaware.
• Retirement income exclusion: up to $12,500 per person age 60 and older (up to $25,000 for a married couple) of pensions and other eligible retirement income.
• No inheritance tax and no estate tax.
• Property taxes among the lowest in the nation, especially in Sussex County. Your bill depends on the county, school district and town.
• Realty transfer tax: 4% when a home is sold, customarily split between buyer and seller. Ask me how it applies to the home you're considering.

The full breakdown, including the fine print for new residents, is on Delaware's tax advantages.

General information, not tax or legal advice. Tax rules and amounts change; confirm current details with the Delaware Division of Revenue or a tax professional.

Choosing where to live

Southern Delaware is several distinct areas, each with its own feel and price range:

• Lewes, Milton and Rehoboth: the historic towns and the busiest beaches, with shopping and restaurants along Route 1. See new homes in Lewes and Milton.
• Millsboro and Long Neck: central to everything, with wooded homesites, the Indian River Bay and more home for the money. See new homes in Millsboro.
• Bethany, Fenwick and Selbyville: the quiet resorts, close to Ocean City. See Selbyville and Frankford.
• Georgetown and Seaford: western Sussex, with larger lots and lower prices. See Georgetown and Seaford.
• Kent County: near Dover and Milford, with easy access to Routes 1 and 13. See Frederica and Felton.

The community map and comparison shows prices, HOA fees, schools and drive times to each beach side by side.

Health care, utilities and everyday life

• Hospitals: Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford and Bayhealth's Sussex Campus in Milford, plus outpatient centers throughout the county.
• Utilities: depending on the community, electricity comes from Delmarva Power or the Delaware Electric Cooperative. Some communities have natural gas; others use propane. Each Insight home's efficiency keeps those bills low (see how much).
• Schools: each community page lists its assigned public schools from Delaware's official School Locator.

Moving to Delaware: the pros and cons

I'd rather you know the trade-offs before you move than after. The honest list from buyers I've worked with:

Living a few miles inland, in towns like Millsboro, Milton or Selbyville, avoids much of the summer traffic while keeping the beaches close. See drive times from every community.

Your first-months checklist

• Get your Delaware driver's license within 60 days of becoming a resident, at the Delaware DMV.
• Title and register your vehicles in Delaware (there's no sales tax, but there is a one-time document fee).
• Register to vote and update your address with Social Security, your bank and your insurance companies.
• Start filing as a Delaware resident for the year you move; a part-year return may be needed in your old state.
• Ask about property tax credits you may qualify for, and note the 10-year residency rule for the senior school tax credit.

Buying from out of state

You don't have to make a dozen trips. I can video-tour homesites and models with you, send floor plans and pricing, and plan an in-person visit that covers several communities in one day. Many buyers sell their current home while their new one is being built, and move-in ready homes help if your timeline is short. Tell me where you're moving from and when, and I'll put together a plan.