Living a Beach Lifestyle in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is a beach community located on the southern end of the pastoral Delmarva Peninsula (a portmanteau comprised of parts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia). Because this peninsula requires some effort to get here, it is less discovered than other resorts on the middle Atlantic coast such as Ocean City. This hospitable town, billed as “The Nation’s Summer Capital”, was chosen by the AARP as a “Best Places to Retire”. The Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk was named by Reader’s Digest as Best of America. It is increasingly popular as a retirement community for active adults because of its small town character, reasonable prices, and fabulous beaches. The year-round population of less than 2,000 swells to over 75,000 in summer.

Rehoboth began in 1873 as a place for Methodist Camp Meetings. While it still has plenty of small town charm and safety, it has also become known as an artistic community that is popular with gays and lesbians. It offers small town specialty shopping as well as factory outlets and malls typical of resorts. Recreational opportunities from golf to sailing abound. Delaware has an very appealing tax situation with low property taxes and no sales tax. Photo of Rehoboth Ave. courtesy of Wikipedia and Dough4872.

Where to Retire in Rehoboth Beach and Home Prices

The area near Rehoboth Beach is filled with active adult and 55+ communities (see link at top left), although some retirees choose to live near the beach or in town.
Real estate prices reflect the desirability of living near the ocean. Prices of active adult communities in communities such as Georgetown, Lewes, and Bridgeville might be less, particularly in the inland communities. The Median home value in Rehoboth Beach was $604,383 in late 2021 up 22.4% over the past year, according to Zillow.

What Is Special about Rehoboth Beach

• No sales tax and low property taxes • Wheelchair accessible beaches • Mixed crowd but lots of families
• Public bathrooms a plethora throughout the town and beach. Clean.
• Proximity to great boating and fishing • Rehoboth Beach Farmer’s Market • State parks including Cape Henlopen State Park • 12 public golf courses in addition to private courses • Diverse and gay-friendly • Nicolas Restaurant is home of the famous Nic-o-boli. A pizza that is basically wrapped into a calzone

What Is Not Special about Rehoboth Beach

Heavy summertime traffic. Lots of renters and tourists which could be annoying for year round residents.

Climate and Physical Environment

Rehoboth is near the midpoint of the Delmarva Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean. It is across the Delaware Bay from Cape May, New Jersey. This is a sandy, coastal plain where the temperatures are milder than just a short distance inland. View Google Map for Rehoboth Beach

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Theatre groups include the Henlopen Theater Project and the Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theatre. Concerts at the bandstand, the Rehoboth Art League, and the Rehoboth Film Festival. There are several movie theatres. Museums include the Historical Society, Overfalls Maritime Museum, Anna Hazzard Museum (Camp Meeting Era), and the Biggs Museum of American Art. Apple Dumplings etc is great cafe for treats. Try the donut breakfast sandwich. Owned by sweet couple.
Cultured Pearl restaurant is probably the best restaurant in Rehoboth.  Not cheap, but fresh seafood, sushi and fusion.  Major ambiance.

Crime

Crime in Rehoboth Beach is slightly less then the national average.

Medical Facilities

Beebe Medical Center and Nanticoke Memorial Hospital.

Transportation

Decent bus service between towns and to and from hot spots (outlet mall). "Jolly Trolley" between Dewey and Rehoboth is great cheap transit option. $2.50 per trip and runs every 10 min during peak or 30-60 mins off peak.Salisbury-Ocean City Airport is 40 miles, Philadelphia is 90 miles. Take the ferry to Cape May. Rehoboth Beach is above average for walkability when compared to other communities.

Valuable Links

City of Rehoboth

Rehoboth Beach on Wikipedia

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