I lived in Wilmington from the age of 2 years old til after graduation from the University of Delaware. Then I lived in San Fran. 5 years, Italy 5 years and now in Manhattan for 12 years. My mom still lives in Wilmington and I go there several times throughout the year. All this to let the reader understand my point of view about Wilmington. Also consider I am a single female so I come from that perspective, not that of a family raising children. For retired people I understand its a pretty good situation. There is no sales tax and there are abundant senior housing options. For singles, forget it! Unless you're an introvert and hate people. The married people I spoke to there on my many visits confirm this. It is a place where the life is centered around the home and domestic life. There are very few places to meet singles. There is the waterfront, which has been in the process of being developed for years. I cannot believe anyone bought a place down there. It is literally across from the train station in downtown Wilm surrounded by the worst neighborhoods full of crime. If you live further out in the Greenville area or Hockessin there is abundant beauty. Very scenic and where the monied live. Very charming for a second home but, offers little variety. A few other relevant facts that have been my experience and shared with me by people who have moved from other areas of the US; The attitudes towards women are positively antiquated. I stayed a few months thinking I should live closer to my aging mother, I lasted 3 months working at a bank. The attitudes towards women were positively unbearable! The locals don't know the difference. There is an overall pressure to CONFORM to the values of Wilmington which are, don't stand out too much, be nice, don't communicate any strong idea's, don't be too passionate, be modest, and just plain conform. Individuality is NOT encouraged. Also lots of prejudice towards other races. I'm used to NYC so, these attitudes for me are unbearable. Many companies are incorporated in Delaware so its population is abundant with corporate lawyers, think about THAT for an inspiring place to live (I'm being sarcastic here) . Another oddity... very little streets lights so the winter is unbearable for the darkness and dangerous for driving. I've heard many people from other areas complain as I do plus its just plain depressing in the winter with all the darkness. Crime near the city of Wilmington is bad. The outskirts like Greenville of course a different story. On a sunny day in the summer, visiting one of the museums like the Hagley or Winterthur or Longwood Gardens, you could think it's all lovely. It is lovely for a change of scenery from NYC and as a second home destination. But for someone used to living with more stimulation and who is young or young in mind, Wilmington is way too limited. Also pollution is a big problem. I believe Delaware is number 1 for breast cancer in the nation. The duPont company did an excellent job in polluting the environment for years! Their experimental station is right in the middle of the woods in prime residential areas by Greenville!!! The stories that people told me about their illnesses from working there are right out of the movie "Erin Brockovich" (the story about how the calif. utility company poisoned all the residents in the one town)... yes, Dupont company significantly impacted the health of the population and everyone was afraid to speak up because it was the primary place of employment. Schools - there are some great private schools (and public) if you can afford it. "Friends" is one but there are many good schools in certain areas. Country Clubs - Wilmington is home to the "old school" country club, the Wilmington Country Club. It has a swimming pool, fabulous gulf course, very nice restaurants and is very expensive. Housing - Wilmington and the surrounding areas has some of the most beautiful homes you'll ever seen. Those constructed in the 20's through the 60's and there are many, built with stone and are magnificent. BUT what do you do when you leave the house? The only place that was my destination in Wilm. for those 3 months was the Barnes and Noble bookstore. A place to see, and gather with other people. I live in NYC and there are hundreds of places to gather with people and "feel" part of something. Being an extrovert I cannot live without that. I love that I can walk everywhere and interact with people constantly. But ...most of the US is car oriented, cutting you off from interaction with the rest of your "tribe". Hope this input helps.
Laurie | New York, NY | Report Abuse