A Moving Guide to Dover, Delaware: Uncovering the First State’s Charms

Dover, Delaware, may not be the first city that comes to mind when considering a move. However, Dover is a quintessential town for those seeking a quieter, more cost-effective, and community-oriented lifestyle. Delaware’s capital blends historic and small-town charm with modern amenities, making it an attractive option for those yearning to escape the congestion of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the DC area.

This comprehensive moving guide will give you an overview of why people fall in love with loving in Dover.

About Dover, DE

Dover is more than the legislative hub of the First State; it’s a culturally rich small town with a promising future. Despite being a state capital, Dover has an intimate community atmosphere. Only 39,000 people live here; it has grown little over the last two years. That’s okay with the permanent residents who don’t want it to become a crowded metropolis.

With picturesque farmland and a short drive to pristine beaches, Dover’s location alone makes it the ideal blending point for those who can’t decide between city convenience and rural tranquility.

Dover’s strategic central position is within a 90-minute driving radius of major cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. For those who need to reach these cities for work or want to catch a show in the city, this level of accessibility can’t be understated. Dover is a place where you can still enjoy the big-city perks without living in a concrete jungle. Come home to a quiet neighborhood surrounded by greenery and not a concrete jungle.

To get to these metro destinations, a regional airport and an Amtrak station make it easy to travel domestically and internationally.

But to relax, the beaches of the Delaware Bay coastline are a short drive away, with the closest just 15 minutes at Pickering Beach.

Four-Season Weather

The good thing about Dover is only a little happens here weather-wise. All four seasons put on a solid showing, but the chances of extreme weather are much lower than in other regions along the eastern seaboard. It’s far enough inland and protected by marshland to have minimal hurricane flood impacts. Events like tornados and blizzards are rare.

That’s not to say you won’t experience flooding events, severe thunderstorms, or blizzards–they’re just not as common as, say, North Carolina or Boston.

January posts averages 44F/27F, while July averages 87F/68F. May is the wettest month, with an average of nine days of rain. It does see snow, typically 5.4 inches a year.

Dover Cost of Living

The central Mid-Atlantic isn’t known as an affordable place to live, but Dover could be the solution. Compared to the national average, Dover’s overall cost of living is 1% lower.

What really makes the town an affordable option for families, young professionals, and retirees is its housing costs. The median home price of $305,990 in December 2023 for Kent County was well below the national median of $390,000. Specifically for Dover city limits, the December 2023 median sold price was $290,000. Even how much housing expenses usually take up a household budget, that’s a real opportunity to realize a higher quality of life!

The three areas to budget more are utilities, groceries, and healthcare. But all other expense categories come in under national medians. Of course, what you’ll really spend will depend on your lifestyle and budget choices.

Find a Home in Dover

Think of the real estate market in Dover as having “affordable charm.” Those median prices mentioned above are attractive from a national viewpoint. And they’re less than Wilmington to the north, which had a median sold price of $295,000 in December 2023.

Housing choices are both robust and budget-friendly. For a picture of what you could expect, Dover had 249 homes on the market in January 2024, listed from $29,000 to $4.98 million.

At the low end, the market had a 958 sq ft mobile home for sale. The high end was a 166-acre property across from Dover Air Force Base. But the median sold price at that time were vacant one-acre lots and homes anywhere from 1,000-2,000 sq ft on lots up to 9,500 sq ft.

Some Dover neighborhoods to get you familiar with the town:

• Foxhall: Find it north of downtown with historic properties and townhomes.
• Mayfair: Walk to downtown on sidewalks under mature shade trees. Homes here are typically from the 1960s and 70s.
• The Retreat: Near the Turnpike north of downtown are newer homes near shopping and restaurants.
• Quails Nest: A newer community with more oversized homesites and a location near the Dover Downs and the highway.

Local Education Options

Dover takes education seriously. Locals are zoned for one of two districts: the Caesar Rodney School District and the Capital School District.

Capital School District’s mission is to meet the whole child’s needs through a linear and progressive alignment. It was a Verizon Innovative Schools participant in 2023. Overall, it has 11 schools: one high school, three middle schools, and seven elementary schools. Special programs include Spanish Immersion and Advanced Placement Classes.

On the southern side of Dover, Caesar Rodney School District focuses on academics, arts, and athletics to develop well-rounded students. Among its schools are National Blue Ribbon Award winners. The district has one high school, four middle schools, and seven middle schools. Two special programs include an early childhood center and an alternative education program.

For higher education, Delaware State University is a prominent Historically Black College & University (HBCU) and the only one of its kind in Delaware. Its urban campus has empowered students for over 125 years and runs four colleges and 17 academic departments, from aviation studies to doctorate studies in chemistry.

Additionally, Wilmington University-Dover runs academic programs such as child advocacy, health science, and information systems, which are closer to home for its students. Delaware Technical Community College furthers education pathways for the city’s residents through two-year degrees, certificate programs, and a bachelor of science program.

Stable Job Opportunities

Dover acts as the economic center of the state. The presence of the state government, the Dover Air Force Base, and Bayhealth Medical Center solidifies Dover’s financial standing. People commonly move to Dover for work in the government or at the base. 

The largest sectors for employment are healthcare, education, and government work. However, other top employers by size include Kraft Foods, Perdue, and the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, highlighting other industries that impact central Delaware.

The Dover Air Force Base is assigned two air wings and supports nearly 11,000 military personnel, civilians, and their families. Its significant presence influences the local economy, as families utilize on-base and off-base housing and schools.

Overall, job opportunities are plentiful in Dover due to its diverse range of industries.

How to Have Fun in Dover

Parks and Recreation

Part of Dover’s attraction is its connection to the outdoors, starting with an impressive list of parks. Locals can watch the ducks and geese at Silver Lake Park or bike the Capital Greenway to get around town.

Dover also has four country clubs, an 85-acre multisport complex with indoor sports arenas, and a recreation center for organized sporting activities.

Beyond the city’s borders, Dover’s location provides easy access to the great outdoors. Little Creek Wildlife Management Area and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refugee protect vital marine habitats. From here, locals can canoe or kayak paddle through the winding grasses to relax or spot birds. Goose and duck hunting are popular activities when in season. It’s also possible to access Delaware Bay, where sails grace the skies and motorboats whiz past to their favorite fishing spot.

Dover residents have multiple ways to stay healthy and active outside, from angling in the local lakes to beachcombing along the Delaware coastline.

Cultural Hotspots

As the First State, Delaware has abundant centuries-long colonial history. In Dover, it is evident through landmarks like the John Dickinson Plantation and the Old State House, which are a window into the area’s colonial past. Centrally, the First State Heritage Park is a focal point for learning about Dover’s past. This first-of-its-kind, no-borders urban park shares the stories of early Delaware residents with tour guides dressed in era-appropriate clothing. Stops on tours include the historic Green, the John Bell House, and the Johnson Victrola Museum. The annual November Market Fair brings the 18th century back to life in a weekend of woodworkers, blacksmiths, and brewers, showing the historic ways our ancestors lived and worked.

The state capital’s museums showcase Delaware’s archaeological history and house its historical archives for research. It also includes the Biggs Museum of American Art and the Legislative Hall.

Festivals and Events

When moving to Dover, you can’t miss the renowned Firefly Music Festival. Held in the Woodlands of the Dover International Speedway, the family-friendly festival is one of the most significant music events on the East Coast. The four-day experience blends food, craft vendors, and live acts from all genres. Day tickets and camping are available.

Other noteworthy festivals include the Delaware State Fair, the free Dover Days Festival, and NASCAR race weekends at Dover International Speedway.

The Environmental Outreach Festival and the 4th of July celebration are a couple more events that showcase Dover’s community and celebrative culture.

Entertainment

Dover Downs Hotel & Casino doubles down on high-energy entertainment. Its casino spans over 91,000 square feet and features table games, slots, and horse racing. The facilities play home to the “Monster Mile” Harness Racing.

For movie lovers, the Schwartz Center for the Arts showcases classic films and new releases in its historic theater. Even more performance art is a short drive north into Wilmington.

Moving to Dover

The welcoming spirit in this small town envelops newcomers, making it easy to feel at home in Dover. As you consider your next move, Dover’s promise of a good life at a reasonable cost might be the answer you’re looking for on the Delmarva peninsula. Let Dover, Delaware, welcome you with open arms to the cozy charm of the First State. Your next chapter starts here by viewing available Dover real estate.