What Surprised Us When We Moved to Delaware

If you’re thinking about moving to Delaware, especially to Sussex County or the Coastal Delaware area, there are a few things that might surprise you.

From unincorporated communities to lower property taxes and no sales tax, Delaware works a little differently than many states in the Northeast.

The first time we heard it, we thought the agent was joking.

“I don’t live in a town? What do you mean I don’t live in a town?”

Coming from New Jersey, that statement makes absolutely no sense. In Jersey, everything is a town. You drive from one town to the next every few minutes. Cross a street and suddenly you’re in a different municipality with a different tax bill.

Delaware works a little differently.

Many Areas Are Unincorporated

Large portions of Sussex County are unincorporated, which simply means the area isn’t part of a town or city government.

We live in one of those areas. Our mailing address says Georgetown, but we don’t actually live in the town of Georgetown. Because of that, we don’t pay town taxes — just county and school taxes.

For many people relocating to Sussex County, that alone is a pretty nice surprise.

And that’s just one of the ways Delaware feels a little different at first.

The Tax Differences

One of the biggest reasons people relocate to Delaware is the tax structure.

Property taxes are dramatically lower than what many homeowners are used to in the Northeast. When you go shopping, there’s no sales tax, which still feels like a small victory every time you check out.

The home buying process is also a little different. Delaware doesn’t have an attorney review period like New Jersey. However, an attorney still conducts the settlement and manages the closing.

There is also a transfer tax when buying or selling a home, and if you move from out of state you’ll pay a one-time tax based on the value of your vehicle when registering it in Delaware.

Once that first year is behind you, many homeowners find they’re saving a significant amount of money compared to where they came from.

The Landscape Is Different Too

Then there are the little lifestyle adjustments.

If you’re looking for hills… you won’t find them. Delaware is flat. Very flat.

The upside is beautiful open farmland and wide skies and some of the most beautiful sunsets that I have ever seen.  With fewer hills and less density, the breeze moves through the area more easily.

The weather is slightly different as well. Coastal Delaware is often a few degrees warmer than New Jersey, which means when northern areas are getting snow, we’re frequently getting rain.

Adjusting to Life in Delaware

Like any move, it takes a little time to get used to the differences. But once you do, many people end up wondering why they didn’t make the move sooner.

We know the feeling because we went through the relocation process ourselves. Today, we help others do the same — guiding buyers through the communities, local nuances, and everything that makes Coastal Delaware such a special place to live.

We’re Nancy and Katie — the mother-daughter duo behind Selling SoDel, helping you find your dream life in Coastal Delaware.