Neighborhoods as Unique as New Castle Residents
Published Apr 16, 2004
When New Castle County residents first meet, the question undoubtedly pops up: “Where do you live?”
Yet rarely is the answer as simple as “Wilmington.” Instead, one might hear “Little Italy” or “Arden.”
By revealing their precise neighborhood, residents reveal something about their personalities, too.
New Castle County offers a neighborhood to match most any sensibility, whether it’s a downtown diva or a history buff. The county also accommodates a range of budgets. Of the 7,300 homes sold in 2003, more than 4,700 were between $100,000 and $250,000, according to the New Castle County Board of Realtors. Nearly 200 homes sold for more than $500,000.
Claymont, near Interstates 95 and 295, is ideal for commuters. It has its own train station, and it’s 20 minutes from the Philadelphia airport. Once home to business moguls and successful artists, Claymont became a blue-collar area when industry arrived. Now it’s experiencing a rebirth. Credit activists like George Lossé, a resident for more than 20 years.
“There are a lot of things happening here,”says Lossé, president of the Claymont Community Coalition for eight years. He notes new businesses, streetscaping and plans for a village town center.
Across I-95 rests Arden. Born as a summer artist colony, Arden is a self-governing village on the National Register of Historic Places. The village owns the land; residents hold 99-year leases.
Houses range from bungalows to Tudors. Residents gather at The Gild Hall for plays and the Arden Fair.
City of Wilmington neighborhoods include Little Italy, Westover Hills – known as home to corporate executives – and Wawaset Park, whose circular setup reveals its racetrack origins.
Trolley Square offers an affable mix of businesses and homes in Wilmington. Urbanites are flocking to the Residences at Rodney Square, a downtown apartment building with upscale amenities. Housing construction also is underway along the Christiana Riverfront.
To the west lies “Chateau Country,” named for its many estates. The unofficial capital is Centreville, an oasis devoid of strip centers. The main section includes 15 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hockessin sports the same rural appeal, but with more new construction. Country stores stand beside modern boutiques and a $3.4 million public library that was built in 1994. The mix of old and new makes Hockessin highly desirable.
The City of Newark is a “college town,” thanks to the University of Delaware. Main Street features businesses, homes and apartments. The neighborhood between the main campus and Elkton Road is the city’s heart, says Roy Lopata, Newark’s director of planning. “It’s still the desirable place to live.” Colonial, 19th- and 20th-century homes mingle to the west, while the northern boundary features new homes on large lots.
New homes are prevalent in Middletown, a former farm town that’s seen the bulk of area construction in recent years. The population is expected to double by 2020. Homeowners appreciate getting more room for the dollar.
Homeowners who love old charm head to historic New Castle. Founded as a Dutch fort in 1651, the town is a tourist attraction and a working community. Colonial, Victorian and Georgian structures surround the original square. The Strand, a street along the Delaware River, is a sought-after address. Nearby Battery Park is a main attraction.
“It’s very serene,” says Chris Castagno, president of the city council and a resident for five years. “It’s probably the finest park in the state.”
History buffs clearly adore the quaint area. But no matter your interest, you’ll find a place to feel at home in New Castle County.
Story by Pam George
Photo by Antony Boshier
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