Although Delaware is the second-smallest state in the country, it has much to offer retirees. Southern Delaware’s Sussex County has a great selection of active adult communities in or near attractive coastal towns that provide retirees with ocean breezes, fun boardwalks, beach attractions, and scenic views. Beach getaways are also never too far for a quick day trip and include popular coastal towns like Lewes, Bethany Beach, Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Fenwick Island. Not only do these beach towns offer beautiful coastal shorelines, they also offer active adults local, small-town charm within many 55+ communities.
Lewes, Delaware
Ideally situated where the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean meet at Cape Henlopen, Lewes is a great beach town that attracts retirees who are looking for miles of sandy beaches, nature trails, and bird sanctuaries. The city is also known for being a walkable town where baby boomers will find museums, the historic district, shops, restaurants, and attractions within a half-square mile of each other. Retirees will also find a few active adult communities that offer quality-built homes, vibrant social atmospheres, and well-appointed amenities.
Communities like The Villages At Red Mill Pond are both active lifestyle communities located in Lewes and feature unique resort-style environments and are close to beaches and outdoor recreation like Lewes’ Historic District, Cape Henlopen State Park, and the Delaware Shore. Homebuyers can also find all of that and more in Bay Crossing, an age-restricted community that offers easy access to resort towns like Rehoboth Beach.
Rehoboth Beach & Dewey Beach, Delaware
Rehoboth Beach and the Dewey Beach area are some of the most popular coastal towns in the state of Delaware. These areas are busy during the summer months with tourists flocking to escape winter blues and have some fun along the shore. Both beach towns offer a variety of accommodations from hotels and inns to condos and homes.
Rehoboth Beach also offers retirees plenty of attractions and events such as jazz festivals, film festivals, beach concerts, museums, and holiday events. Dewey Beach also provides a ton of entertainment and attractions like The Running of the Bull & Kids’ Run, the Elvis festival, plus music and arts festivals. The Delaware Seashore State Park is also close by and offers six miles of ocean and bay shoreline that are perfect for the beach-goer.
Bethany Beach, Delaware
Bethany Beach is another attractive beach town in Delaware. This area is full of lanes perfect for biking throughout the town while enjoying scenic views of the coast and countryside. Some of the notable events and attractions in Bethany Beach include the Ocean to Bay Bike Tour, Southeastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour, Seaside Craft Show, Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral, and Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival.
