It is fairly safe to assume that most people dreaming of a retirement home near the beach would not necessarily have Delaware at the top of their list. However, more and more seniors from metropolitan areas along the East Coast have, in fact, selected the state as their retirement destination.

Here, retirees from the area can enjoy living on or near the beach and experience a relaxed, quality lifestyle and relatively low taxes and still be close to family and friends. Many, seeking to escape the fast-pace and congestion of city life, have discovered the allure of such places as Milton, Lewes, Bridgeville and Rehoboth Beach. These are rural and resort communities, all quietly tucked away in a corner of Southern Delaware and brimming with history, charm and personality. An added plus is that the urban conveniences of cities like Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Baltimore are just a couple of hours away.

With a population of less than 4,000, Lewes, situated where the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean meet, may not be as well known as neighboring Rehoboth Beach, but it is considered by some to be the most livable of the Delaware resorts. It is clearly a walking town with a complex of shops and residences in beautifully restored historic structures. There are opportunities for all types of boating and fishing, as well as swimming on the ocean beaches. Nearby Cape Henlopen State Park offers miles of nature trails and bird sanctuaries, adding to the area's reputation as a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

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