Perhaps Delaware's nickname is meant to indicate its great value in contrast to its small size. Will this state prove to be a diamond opportunity for you? Will you find jobs and apartment rentals that meet your needs? With a median household income of $47,381 ($6,000 higher than the national average), this is a prosperous state that offers residents many advantages—whether in apartments or employment.
What to Expect
Delaware's economy relies heavily on industry; for example, the state is home to Du Pont, one of the world's largest chemical companies. Outside of Wilmington, the state's only big city, much of the state remains agricultural, providing a range of farm products to urban markets in New York and other locales in the East.
Residents enjoy the great outdoors on the 90-mile coastline and hundreds of miles of nature trails throughout the state. Favorite recreational activities include fishing, hiking, bird watching, hunting and boating. Delaware has hot and humid summers with temperatures reaching the 80s during the day; sea breezes cool the area at night. Mild winters generally don't go lower than 30 degrees and see only light snowfall.
Where to Explore
The second-smallest state in the country, Delaware is divided into just three counties: New Castle, Kent and Sussex. Heavily industrialized New Castle County contrasts with the other two counties, which are predominantly agricultural areas. Most of the state's 780,000 residents live in New Castle County, in and around Wilmington, and that's where you'll find the majority of apartment rentals.
Wilmington
With a town motto of "A Place to Be Somebody," Wilmington has a lot to offer new residents. It is Delaware's center for manufacturing, commercial and transportation activities, as well as the state's foremost cultural center. The quality of life is high, and the cost of living is comparatively low, which comes in handy when it comes to looking for affordable apartments for rent. Delaware has no sales tax, and Wilmington's city wage tax and property taxes are among the lowest in the area. Wilmington is proud of its small-town atmosphere. But don't be fooled by its small-town charm. Thanks to its proximity to Brandywine Valley and larger cities in the mid-Atlantic region, such as Philadelphia and Baltimore, Wilmington enjoys a diverse range of social and cultural attractions, making it a highly desirable place to search for apartment rentals and a wide range of jobs.
Dover
Dover, although the state capital, is a small city with a population of 28,000. Don't let its size fool you, though. This thriving city is continuing to grow economically, in population and in land area, making it one of the more dynamic metropolises—albeit a small one—on the East Coast. Residential, commercial, industrial and institutional development continues to grow at a stable rate, and 13 major employers provide plenty of job opportunities. If that's not enough to entice you, how about the annual NASCAR season? Dover hosts the "All-American Heroes 400" and "Platinum 400" races. There may not be an overabundance of apartments for rent, but don't discount this small city on the rise; apartments here may be well worth the search.
