Cher

I'm still considering the Atlanta job transfer, and have to decide very soon. (Moving from Rochester NY with hubby - mid 40s, no kids - hubby is willing to follow along and look for another job.) But I also have an interview lined up at a company in Wilmington, DE.

Can anyone tell me what the Wilmington area is like to live in ... cultural events, restaurants, concerts, things to do, people, cost of living, etc? (We'd be looking to buy a modest house.) Is there much going on in Wilmington, or would we have to go into Philadelphia for concerts, sports, good restaurants, etc? What's the area right outside Wilmington like? Is it essentially bedroom communities, or are there some areas with "character"? I'd love to live in a more established neighborhood/town close to shops & restaurants, rather than "cookie-cutter" suburban track. Is there much like that around there? What areas?

I won't have an opportunity during the interview visit to see much of the Wilmington area. If offered the job, I would visit again with my husband before we decide. However, I will have to make a decision on whether to take the Atlanta transfer before this Wilmington opportunity pans out (and before I would really get a chance to see the area).

I took a look through this site, and was not impressed with what most had to say about the Wilmington area, other than great access to beaches in the summer. Any thoughts ... Please?? How about living closer to Philly ... What would the commute be like?

Thanks!!

MikeT

We just did a thread on this very topic. Have you read it?

<a href="http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...?fid=1">Recent Thread on Wilmington

MikeT

Having been in Rochester, I would view Wilmington as a step-up. It is not a huge city, but close to everything. It's a town that has problems (like Rochester and Atlanta), but lots of history, wealth, and lovely attractions. The Brandywine Valley, full of numerous estates from the DuPont families, is lovely.

Cher

Thanks MikeT for pointing out that thread. It didn't come up under "Delaware" but came up with a search under all of the U.S. ... Good info.

SenecaGirl

Cher -- do you have any relatives in the area (i.e. Phila) that you could visit before you have to make this decisionn? I think Phila is only 1 hour from Wilmington.

Perhaps a relative that is moving to Seneca Lake soon....? (hint, hint!)

k_999_9

I don't think you're going to find the actual city of Wilmington to be especially atractive, although the waterfront areas has been rehabbed a bit and has some interesting spots.

The area around Wilmington is quite nice, however, though probably lacking the smalltown "character" you're looking for.

But here's a suggestion. Consider living in West Chester, PA, and commuting to Wilmington (about a 45-minute drive). WC has gone through a tremendous revitilization -- lot of shops, restaurants, art galleries, etc., and is considered one of the most desirable small towns in the area -- probably meets your "character" standard. Plus, there's the university, which has interesting events and speakers (Jesse Jackson, William F. Buckley, to name a couple).

Don't know what your price range is for real estate, but expect to pay $300K for anything decent, or maybe less for a small townhouse or condo. Just my two cents.

yeadonite

If I could get a job in Wilmington, De, I would leave NYC in a heartbeat. The tax structure in De and Pa are very different so you would have to see which suits your personal situation better. It is a tax free state which is great. The downtown Wilmington area has been undergoing a renovation in the last few years. They are trying to make it more culturally appealing see http://www.riverfrontwilm.com/. It is probably much more expensive than Rochester to live. Compared to NYC the houses are not on top of one another. Old New Castle is a beautiful small town. http://www.visitnewcastle.com/about.html. I think Delaware has something for everyone.

Cher

SenecaGirl: Good idea ... I'll let you know how things pan out. (BTW - You're "busted"! hint,hint)

yeadonite

So cher what did you decide?

Cher

Hi ... glad you're interested! I decided to move to Atlanta. Actually the position I was interviewing for in Wilmington was put on hold, so that possibility ended up not panning out. I'm still in Rochester and will be moving to Atlanta around March into a corporate furnished apartment until my husband and I sell our house and then find permanent housing in Atlanta. We're not sure yet if we're going to buy or rent right away - pros and cons with either approach. I'm very excited and also very anxious about the move since we have lived in Rochester for 25 years and actually grew up in the general area (Buffalo). So this will be quite an adventure both personally and professionally!

Stephanie

Unlike other people that have visited and lived in Atlanta, can't imagine why they are so addicted to the city. Wilmington, never been there, but I can't imagine that there is absolutely no quality restaurants or culture there. Since Delaware is such a small state it would be easy access to places like Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany Beaches and I love that area of Delaware.