Best Delaware Small Towns to Move to for Life
Small towns can be great for a visit, but they can also be the perfect landing spot to live for the long term. The best Delaware small towns to move to for life offer the peace of living in a small town but also some of the perks of living in a bigger city. These towns are cozy and welcoming, because that’s just how small towns roll. Here are the best Delaware small towns to move to, according to experts.
The Best Delaware Small Towns to Move to for Life
Moving to a small town is actually a trend, according to experts. In 2023, roughly 291,400 people moved from cities and suburbs into small towns and rural areas in America, states University of Virginia demographer Hamilton Lombard. If you’re wondering the definition of a small town in this study, Lombard designates it as metropolitan areas with 250,000 people or fewer. Some of this migration has to do with remote work trends. “With a third of workdays being done remotely in 2023, Americans have more geographic flexibility and have been increasingly willing to move far from large population centers if their destination offers a good quality of life,” Lombard wrote. It’s worth noting that this study only measured the moving trends of those who stayed in America, not those who relocated abroad.
One reason people like living in small towns is the sense of community. “I think we’re more aware of the importance of community,” Matt Wagner, chief program officer at Main Street America, told Realestate.usnews.com. “When we weren’t coming out of our homes in early 2020, and we weren’t connected with our neighbors and our fellow citizens, that was a big eye-opener for folks.” What’s also interesting is that the price of homes in small towns is going up, due to this trend. I actually dream of living in a small town on the river, but close enough to a large metropolitan area to get there in a few minutes. I want the best of both worlds.
So, what are the best Delaware small towns to move to for life? The experts at Moveto.com put Hockessin at No. 1. They explain that this town has “some of the most expensive real estate on our list,” but that “there’s good reason for that.” For one, it has some of the highest income averages in Delaware at approximately $130,190 a year per household, according to Moveto.com. They also state that public education is very good here. Other stellar Delaware small towns to move to for life include Camden and Clayton. I’m glad people are starting to recognize these beautiful Delaware small towns.
Secret Tips to Save Money on Your Next Vacation
1. Try to Negotiate Your Lodging
Did you know that hotel fees can be negotiable? Fidelity.com points out that, “You may be able to negotiate the online price by calling a hotel directly, or asking if they have any discounts for students, government employees, or members of certain groups, such as AAA.” So, don’t settle for that price you see on your laptop. Try to do better. It’s a secret tip that can pay off bigtime.
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2. Get Smart with Your Lodging
Did you know some hotels that are virtually the same, including the same brand, can be cheaper just a few miles apart? As a general rule, hotels that are near the airport are more expensive. So, you can look at the hotels you want to stay at and their multiple locations in the area for the best rate. “Some hotels that are under construction may rent rooms at a discount, which is a great option if you can deal with the noise,” Fidelity.com points out.
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3. Snack Your Way to a Cheaper Trip
Going out to eat on vacation can be one of the most exciting things about the trip. But, if you want to save on cash, skip a few meals out and opt for healthy, hearty snacks. Pack (or buy at a local store) some protein-rich snacks, like protein bars and meal bars, and limit your dining out. You can still enjoy some of the best food the area has to offer, just not as much of it. This is a way to stay fit on your trip, too. A lot of people don’t think of this tip, so it’s a bit of a secret.
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4. Timing is Everything
You’ve heard it so many times in life: Timing is everything. That’s true for travel, too. Research to find the least-busy times to visit your destination. If you travel during those downtimes, you’ll save big. While this is a common tip, something people forget is that every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, be specific for your travel spot.
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5. Travel with a Friend
If you’re thinking of traveling solo to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go cheaper by traveling with a friend. You two can share lodging fees. Also, sometimes there are more deals and discounts for those traveling with multiple people. I always do this when going to a big music festival, if it’s far away. I’ll usually meet my friend there, and we share lodging costs. It also makes the trip more fun.
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6. Find Free Spots to Travel
Look for some free attractions in your travel area. Chances are, they won’t be as packed as the big-named places, too. You can still visit some of the popular landmarks. But, if you add a trip to a national park or free museum to your itinerary, it will save you some cash.
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7. Max Out Your Memberships
Are you a member of any random groups? You might have travel deals just waiting for you. Check everything, from your college alumni membership to your credit cards, for travel discounts. You may be surprised what you find.
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8. Don't Get Picky
Say you just want to get out on a fantastic trip, but you don’t really have a place in mind. That’s actually a good thing. Take an hour to look at flight specials happening right now. If you aren’t picky on where to travel, chances are you’ll find a great rate on airfare and lodging somewhere. Once you find the most reasonable place to travel, then you can start looking at what to do when you’re there.
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9. Go Popular
This is a bit ironic, but often times, the most popular tourist destinations are also the cheapest. That’s because there is a lot of competition for all those travelers. So, big-named destinations like Orlando, Florida, or Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to have really good travel deals. Go popular, or go home.
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