Retirement in Wilmington, Delaware

Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley metropolitan area. Beginning in the 1990s, the city launched a campaign to revitalize the former shipyard area known as the Wilmington Riverfront. Development continues as the Wilmington Riverfront tries to establish its cultural, economical, and residential importance. Recent high-rise luxury apartment buildings along the Christina River have been cited as evidence of the Riverfront's continued revival.

Population: the population of the city is 72,876 (as of the 2006 census)

Transportation: Wilmington is served by the Wilmington Rail Station, with frequent service between Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC, via Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, with additional local service to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania via SEPTA Regional (commuter) Rail. The closest major airport is Philadelphia International Airport. A few miles south of Wilmington is New Castle County Airport.

Universities and Colleges: Universities and Colleges
Delaware College of Art and Design
Delaware Technical & Community College
Drexel University - Wilmington Campus
Springfield College - Wilmington Campus
University of Delaware - Wilmington Campus & Downtown Building
Widener University - Wilmington Campus, Widener University School of Law & University College
Wilmington University
Delaware State University - Wilmington Campus
Goldey-Beacom College

Health Care: Christiana Care Health System
13 Reads Way, Ste. 203, New Castle, 19720 (Click for Map)
Website: http://christianacare.org/
Phone: 302-733-1000
Christiana Care is recognized as a regional center for excellence in cardiology, cancer and women's health services, as well as Level-I trauma care and Level-III neonatal intensive care (both highest intensity). Christiana Care operates two hospitals: long-term and transitional care services and outpatient and home health services. Christiana Care provided $25.2 million of charity care last year.

Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $141,600 (it was $89,100 in 2000)
Median gross rent in 2005: $736.Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2005: 23.8%

Weather: The climate in the Greater Wilmington area is moderate. The average temperature in the summer is 76 F (24 C) and 33 F (1 C) in winter. Snowfall is moderate and is most likely to occur in January-February-March. Our annual rainfall is approximately 45 inches

Retirement Communities: Sunrise of Wilmington - www.sunriseseniorliving.com , Ingleside Retirement Apartments - www.inglesidehomes.org

The Regions Of Delaware

Delaware is divided into three counties, creating three regions.
In the Northern Region of Delaware (New Castle County) there are du Pont properties maintained as a triumph of both natural and architectural splendor. Dine in elegant surroundings, and then immerse yourself in the Wilmington nightlife.

Central Delaware (Kent County) boasts the capital city of Dover. Horse racing and headlining entertainment at the ever-popular Dover Downs complex lies a quiet, peaceful land with many sites instrumental to the founding of a new nation. This is where you learn firsthand why "It's good being first."

Then there's Southern Delaware (Sussex County), which draws visitors through small, pastoral towns toward sand, and surf . Throughout the year, you can look forward to a relaxing escape filled with sight-seeing, golf, trips to the spa and plenty of bargain-hunting at tax-free outlet stores and antiques shops. Sounds like a retiree's heaven to me!

Retirement in Delaware

Delaware is a state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
Delaware is famous for their tax-free shopping and world-class entertainment options, but you'll also find romantic hideaways, scenic byways and fun places for the whole family to enjoy.
Or maybe you just want to slip back into America's proud past: Walk the cobblestone streets of New Castle… visit the square in Dover where Delawareans rallied around the U.S. Constitution… enjoy festivals celebrating diverse ethnic groups.
From north to south, enchanting landscapes also promise seasons of exceptional bird watching, fishing, hunting and camping, along with an extensive trail system for biking, hiking and canoeing. Delaware's history spans from pre-Colonial days to the present. The First State offers hundreds of exciting and stimulating attractions. Enjoy museums and monuments that honor all aspects of our rich heritage.
The following website has provided some of this information, www.visitdelaware.com As I researched Delaware, I realized what a great place it is for American history buffs to retire. You would have a never ending source of material to peruse.

CNN Asks: Can You Retire by 55?

Early retirement - usually with a target age of 50 or 55 - is considered something of a holy grail by Americans. Although some folks are so happy with work they'll keep on plugging away to 65, 70, or beyond, most prefer the flexibility and opportunities that come from casting off the chains of employment obligations in favor of travel and a leisure or volunteer lifestyle where they can pursue what they want to do on their own terms.

CNN helps you decide if you are or will be ready for early retirement here with some case studies and a retirement calculator.

The Regions of Alabama

Alabama is comprised of coastal plains at the Gulf of Mexico turning to hills and broken terrain in the north. Five major land areas make up the Alabama landscape with more than two thirds of the state covered by the East Gulf Coastal Plain. You may view a generalized map of these regions or a detailed map that includes more specifics and the Black Belt Prairie.

Central Alabama- Central Alabama includes the area surrounding Montgomery, Auburn and Tuscaloosa. The Tuskegee National Forest, a portion of the Talladega National Forest, numerous State Parks and several large lakes can be found in this area.Gulf Coast Region- The Gulf Coast Region encompasses the southernmost portion of the state, in southwest Alabama. Mobile is the largest city in this region. The Gulf Coast offers white sand beaches, lakes, coves, and bayous.North Alabama- North Alabama includes the northern third of the state, from Birmingham, north. This region offers waterfalls, fish-filled rivers and lakes, rapids suited for rafting and caves to explore.Southeast Alabama- Southeast Alabama includes the area around Dothan, Eufaula, Troy and Andalusia. The region is home to the Conecuh National Forest and several State Parks

Retire to Alabama

The State of Alabama is located in the southern region of the United States of America. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland waterways. The state ranks 23rd in population with almost 4.6 million residents in 2006. Alabama is unofficially nicknamed the Yellowhammer State, which is also the name of the state bird. Alabama is also known as the "Heart of Dixie". The state tree is the Longleaf Pine, the state flower is the Camellia. The capital of Alabama is Montgomery, and the largest city is Birmingham.

The fact that the cost of living, including home prices and taxes, are below the national average only adds to the state's attractiveness as a great place to retire. But perhaps nothing has spurred interest in Alabama as a retirement destination as much as the development of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a system of more than twenty challenging courses spread out across the state at ten ecologically diverse locations. Combine over 50,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness in the rugged foothills of the Appalachian Mountains…miles of snow-white beaches and the pleasant sea breezes of the Gulf Coast... an almost total absence of urban congestion …and a unique and affordable collection of public golf courses… and you have a formula that makes the state of Alabama an extremely inviting place for thousands of retirees.

Elder care websites

CNN has listed some good resources for you to find services and communities for ailing parents with special needs:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/03/20/ep.family.care/index.html

Bridgeport Connecticut Retirement

Bridgeport, in the Coastal Fairfield region of Connecticut. The mayor himself welcomes you to Bridgeport with this note:

Bridgeport is a thriving multicultural city located right on the water of Long Island Sound in the southern part of Connecticut. Our great location and proximity to other cities such as New York and Boston make Bridgeport a wonderful city to live, work, and visit.

Home of American icons such as PT Barnum and Tom Thumb, Bridgeport’s rich history of providing the rest of the United States with needed manufactured goods during the early- to mid-20th Century earned it the name “Arsenal of Democracy” during World War II.

Bridgeport is also often referred to as the "Park City" because it possesses such beautifully designed public parks. Our Seaside Park and Beardsley Park were both created by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who famously designed Central Park.

Retirement Communities:

Bridgeport Rescue Mission Inc www.bridgeportrescuemission.org
Park City Residential Care Home (203) 362-1000
Isaiah Inc (203) 549-0018
Ludlow Health Center www.ludlowecenterhealth.com - (203) 372-4501
Barnum House (203) 384-0243
Hall Commons Inc (203) 338-0615
Seymour Hollander Housing www.hollanderhouse.org

Population: 138,000

Weather: www.wunderground.com/US/CT/Bridgeport.html

Housing Costs: The Median home price in Bridgeport is 229,000 and housing prices appear fairly stable over the past year.
www.Zillow.com has more detail for home prices in Colorado

Connecticut Taxes

Transportation: www.gbtabus.com

Universities and Colleges:
St Vincent's College www.stvincentscollege.edu
University of Bridgeport www.bridgeport.edu
Sacred Heart University www.sacredheart.edu
State of Connecticut: Bridgeport www.hcc.commnet.edu
Bridgeport Hospital School-Nursing www.bridgeporthospital.org

Health care:
Bridgeport Hospital www.bridgeporthospital.org (203) 384-3000
St Vincent's Medical Center www.stvincents.org (203) 576-6000
HealthSouth Surgery Center of Bridgeport LLC www.healthsouth.com

Travel and tourism: www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com
Attractions list for Coastal Fairfield County

Pueblo Colorado Retirement

Pueblo Colorado is in the southeast region of Colorado. The Pueblo Official City website: www.pueblo.us

For some Pueblo perspectives check out City Data's forum on Pueblo.


Retirement Communities:

Pueblo Regent Retirement (719) 566-0111
Sharmar Village Care Center www.chateauatsharmar.com - (719) 544-1173
Villa Pueblo Senior Living (719) 545-5911
Belmont Senior Care www.belmontseniorcare.com

Population: 104,000

Weather: www.crh.noaa.gov/pub/

Cost of Living: Low to moderate due to declining home prices.

Housing Costs: The Median home price in Pueblo dropped precipitously this year to 131,000.
www.Zillow.com has more detail for home prices in Colorado

Colorado Taxes: www.revenue.state.co.us

Transportation: Pueblo Transit

Universities and Colleges:

Colorado State University-Pueblo www.colostate-pueblo.edu
Pueblo Community College www.pueblocc.edu
Red Rocks Community College www.rrcc.edu
Colorado Technical University - Pueblo www.pueblo.coloradotech.edu

Health care:
Parkview Medical Center www.parkviewmc.org
Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo www.cdhs.state.co.us
St Mary-Corwin Diabetes Center www.stmarycorwin.org

Travel and tourism:
www.destinationpueblo.com is the Chamber of Commerce's tourism website.

Sterling, Colorado Retirement

Sterling, Colorado is in Northeast Colorado. The City website notes about Sterling:

Known as the Queen City of the Plains, Sterling is located in Logan County in the Northeastern corner of Colorado on Interstate 76. Having the largest population, estimated at approximately 13,900, of those communities in Colorado east of Pueblo, Sterling is the regional shopping hub for Northeast Colorado and Southwest Nebraska.

Retirement Communities:

Sterling does not appear to have many organized retirement communities. Please let us know if you know of some!

Population: 13,000

Housing Costs:
http://www.zillow.com/ has more detail for home prices in Colorado

Colorado Taxes: http://www.revenue.state.co.us/

Health care:
Sterling Regional Medcenter http://www.bannerhealth.com/
615 Fairhurst Street, Sterling - (970) 522-0122

Travel and tourism: http://www.sterlingcolo.com/ http://www.logancountychamber.com/