According to Delaware Online, nearly a quarter of all residents in Southern Sussex County are over 65, and the over 55 population continues to grow throughout the state. Of the 34 active adult communities in Delaware, more than half offer homes under $300K. Here are five of the most affordable retirement communities in Delaware.
Southern Meadow – Magnolia
Low $100s – Low $200s
At Southern Meadow, prospective homebuyers may be shocked that they can find single-family homes for sale with two bedrooms and two bathrooms in the low $100s.
Built between 2007 and 2015, this small community of 120 homes is more like a neighborhood. The single-story homes center around amenities and social spaces including a clubhouse with exercise room, barbecue area, and outdoor pool with sundeck.
Residents also enjoy the walking trails, scenic ponds, and greenspaces that surround the neighborhood. In less than a 20-minute drive, residents can explore all that that’s offered by Dover, the scenic Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, and the Delaware Bay.
Spring Meadow – Smyrna
Low $200s – Low $300s
Also located near Dover in Smyrna, Spring Meadow is another affordable retirement community in Delaware. While the two- and three-bedroom homes list slightly higher than the homes in Southern Meadow, Spring Meadow does offer attached homes with one bedroom and a den ideal for those who want to downsize.
Residents enjoy the many amenities this 55+ community has to offer, including an 8,000-square-foot clubhouse with a library, meeting rooms, yoga and dance studios, craft rooms, and a fitness room.
Outside, the heated pool, putting green, bocce courts, walking trails, and nearby lake all provide plenty of opportunities for recreation right in the neighborhood. Nearby, golfers can also play a round on the nearby Garrisons Lake Golf Club and birders and hikers can explore the natural beauty of the Bombay Hook Refuge.
Crossings at Christiana – Bear
High $100s – Low $200s
Crossings at Christiana offers prospective homebuyers an affordable community on the south side of Wilmington. Located near the Christiana Mall, this small community of 140 homes includes attached models under 2,000 square feet with one or two bedrooms.
Residents can socialize and get to know each other at the clubhouse, which includes a fitness center and banquet room. Nearby, homeowners also enjoy golf courses like Cavaliers Country Club, wildlife areas along the Delaware River, and the arts and culture of Wilmington.
Heritage Shores – Bridgeville
Low $200s – Low $400s
At Heritage Shores in Sussex County, retirees can find an affordable new home with lots of amenities. Sussex County has become increasingly popular with retirees because of its close proximity to the Atlantic beaches and leisurely lifestyle.
Multiple builders craft new homes at Heritage Shores, and prospective homebuyers can find single-family and attached home models ranging from two to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms. Smaller homes list in the low- to mid-$200s.
With over 1,800 homes, the size of the community also means that residents can enjoy many of the resort-style amenities and social activities associated with retirement communities. At the 28,000-square-foot clubhouse, homeowners enjoy classes in the craft studios and woodworking shop, socializing with neighbors in the meeting and billiard rooms, and relaxing on the patio and wine bar.
At the fitness center, residents have use of exercise equipment, an indoor pool and whirlpool, an outdoor pool, and exercise studios. Staying active is easy on the 18-hole golf course, pickleball courts, tennis courts, and walking trails.
