The Delmarva Peninsula separates the Chesapeake Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The name comes from the states that each has a part of the peninsula: Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Surrounded by water, the area offers abundant water sports and recreation opportunities, from boating to fishing to swimming. All three states have preserved natural areas and parks, including wildlife refuges, national parks, and state and local preserves.
Active adults can find 42 communities on the peninsula in Maryland and Delaware. Maryland’s Eastern Shore occupies parts of the Chesapeake Bay-side and ocean-side of the peninsula, while Delaware lies on the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. And although the southernmost tip of the peninsula is Virginia, this small strip of land doesn’t currently have any active adult communities.
Here are four of the best lowest-priced communities on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Maryland
Maryland’s Eastern Shore features seven active adult communities, ranging from Elkton at the top of Chesapeake Bay to the Ocean City area. All of the communities are mid-sized but vary in price based on the location and home sizes. Here are the two best low-priced communities on the Delmarva.
1. SummersGate – Salisbury, MD
Mid $100s – High $300s
SummersGate is an age-restricted community in Salisbury, Maryland. Salisbury is the largest city on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and home to a university, zoo, and historic downtown. The Chesapeake Bay and Ocean City are less than an hour away.
At SummersGate, residents have plenty of amenities to enjoy. The clubhouse includes a fitness room, a great room, a party room, a catering kitchen, a craft room, a card and game room, and a library as well as a bar and lounge. Outside, the pool, patio, BBQ area, and natural space provide places to relax and get to know neighbors. Prospective homebuyers can choose from condo, attached, and single-family models, ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet.
2. The Parke at Ocean Pines – Ocean Pines, MD
High $100s – High $300s
Homeowners at The Parke at Ocean Pines live a resort-style life. The age-restricted community sits within the planned Ocean Pines community, which provides residents with additional amenities like a golf course, tennis courts, and marinas.
Within The Parke, residents enjoy an age-restricted clubhouse with a fitness center, an indoor pool, a sauna, meeting rooms, a crafts studio, and game rooms. Situated right on the water, Ocean Pines offers residents lakes, piers, and waterfront walks. Residents are also just minutes away from Ocean City, which offers restaurants, bars, and mini golf, in addition to the beach and boardwalk. Prospective homebuyers can find attached and single-family models for under $250,000.
Delaware
Since Delaware is entirely on the Delmarva Peninsula, all 35 active adult communities in the state are on the peninsula. Here are the two best lowest-priced communities that let residents take advantage of a leisurely shore lifestyle.
1. Heritage Shores – Bridgeville, DE
Low $200s – Low $400s
Heritage Shores offers golf lovers a spot on the Delmarva Peninsula. Located in central Sussex County, this large community includes new and resale homes from three builders. Homebuyers can choose from attached and single-family models. Two-bedroom homes list around $250,000.
In addition to the 18-hole golf course, residents practice their technique at the driving range and putting greens. For those who enjoy other recreation, the Fitness and Aquatic center includes an indoor and outdoor pool, exercise equipment, and fitness studios. Residents also stay busy with planned activities, clubs, and groups that meet at the clubhouse as well as at the restaurant and bar.
2. Spring Meadow – Smyrna, DE
Low $200s – Low $300s
Spring Meadow is another affordable option in Delaware. This smaller community includes 246 attached and single-family homes currently offered for resale. Prospective homebuyers can find two-bedroom, two-bath homes for under $250,000.
Though this community is smaller, residents still experience many resort-style amenities. The clubhouse includes a fitness room, a yoga studio, a dance studio, an arts and crafts room, meeting rooms, a library, and a theater. Outside, residents swim in the heated pool, play bocce ball or shuffleboard, practice their putts, or go for scenic walks around Garrison Lake. Additionally, the location of the community near historic Dover offers shopping and dining options as well as recreation opportunities on the Delaware Bay.
