New Castle Makes Buyers Feel Right at Home
Published Apr 16, 2005
From artsy Arden to urban Wilmington, New Castle County has communities that suit just about every taste.
In terms of area, New Castle County is the smallest county in the second-smallest state, so prospective newcomers are often surprised by its impressive array of distinctive, diverse places to live.
From the quaint town of New Castle to artsy Arden to urban Wilmington, “there are living choices to suit just about every taste and budget,” says Gail Renulfi, president-elect of the New Castle County Board of Realtors and a longtime agent with Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate in North Wilmington.
When people scout out the area, “they are amazed that there is so much to see and that no matter what price range they are in, they will have a number of choices (of residences),” Renulfi says.
Picturesque New Castle is popular with those who love history. Founded in 1651 by the Dutch, it features cobblestone streets, a walkway and park along the Delaware River, and Colonial, Victorian and Georgian homes. Unlike many historic communities, New Castle is a vibrant town where people live, work and play, with each house reflecting the individuality of its past and present owners.
Another place known for its architecture is the Ardens – actually three different villages, Arden, Ardentown and Ardencroft, where the villages own the land while residents hold long-term leases. The name “Arden” comes from the wooded retreat described in Shakespeare’s As You Like It, and the community has been a retreat since being founded in 1900. Theater is and has been a mainstay, as have concerts, crafts, weekly community dinners and the annual Arden Fair. Houses “are incredibly diverse, ranging from bungalows to Tudors, cottages to elaborate homes,” Renulfi says.
The state’s largest city, Wilmington, has a hip, big-city feel despite its relatively small population. Neighborhoods include the ethnically rich Little Italy and the stately homes of Westover Hills and Wawaset Park.
Downtown’s revitalized Riverfront Wilmington beckons visitors and residents alike. Historic buildings on the banks of the Christina River have been reclaimed for modern use, and new developments such as the Residences at Rodney Square – 280 upper-end apartments developed by Buccini/Pollin Group – have attracted professionals who work in the central business district. New parks, cafes, restaurants, outlet shopping and art museums make this famous shipbuilding area an attractive address.
Newark, home of the University of Delaware, offers the pleasant atmosphere of a small community coupled with the vitality of a college town. For those who like newer homes with a suburban feel, Middletown is a leading choice. A former farming area that was mostly cornfields until about a decade ago, Middletown “is where you see the bulk of new development in the area,” Renulfi says.
The Centreville area, dubbed “chateau country” for its many estates – is the ultimate address, with home prices ranging from $450,000 to more than $2 million. Delaware City, a small community situated on the Delaware River and the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, is a port city with a rich architectural heritage and wide, tree-lined streets.
State Planning Director Constance C. Holland praises residents and civic leaders for working together to ensure that as New Castle grows, each community maintains its livability and character.
She cites a statewide strategy called “Livable Delaware” that is designed to curb sprawl and direct growth to areas where the state and local governments have the requisite planning and infrastructure in place. New Castle County is a shining example, Holland says, of how well that approach can work.
“Giving those kinds of diverse choices to people on how and where they like to live, that is exactly what gives us a ‘Livable Delaware,’” she says.
Story by Anna America
Photo by Stephen Cherry
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