Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Retirement in Dover, Delaware

The city of Dover website says it best "Dover offers an ideal location along with a quality of life second to none. Conveniently located halfway between Washington and New York, Dover is within a few hours of one third of our nation's population, yet without the hassles and problems of large cities. Living in Dover, you will experience a vibrant downtown, a very attractive historical district and well established neighborhoods as well as brand new subdivisions.You will feel connected to your community, be able to enjoy its natural beauty as well as attend arts & entertainment activities. The Schwartz Center for the Arts and Dover Downs brings in national acts on a regular basis. Dover was chosen as one of the 10 Best Small Cities by Employment Review Magazine based on employment rates, cost of living and overall quality of life."

The City of Dover is located in Central Delaware in Kent County and is the capital of Delaware .It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware River coastal plain.

Population: As of the censusof 2000, there were 32,135 people.

Universities and Colleges: Dover is home to Delaware State University (a land-grant university and Delaware's only historically black university), and Wesley College. It is also home to the Terry Campus of the Delaware Technical & Community College and that college's administrative offices. Dover also has satellite locations of the University of Delaware and Wilmington University.

Things to See and Do: The former Dover Opera House, , was recently renovated and converted to the Schwartz Center for the Arts, which hosts performances by the Dover Symphony Orchestra, ballet, and classic films.
The Delaware State Library, Delaware State Museum, and the Delaware State Archives are located in downtown Dover and are open to the public for research and browsing.
In Dover's historical district is the Sewell C. Biggs Museum of American Art, featuring collections from the Colonial days to the present. Dover may not be a huge city, but it seems it has big city culture!

Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $156,000 (it was $111,300 in 2000) I read that Dover was one of the fastest growing cities in Delaware because of the relatively low cost of living.

Retirement Communities: Heritage at Dover, www.genesishcc.com Westminster Village, www.wmvdover.org