Have you ever thought about leaving the Bay Area to be closer to your kids or to stretch your retirement dollars further? In this episode, I talk with Heather Williams, a Compass agent and former registered nurse who helps retirees and downsizers in New Castle County, Delaware.
Delaware may be small, but it offers a lot. There’s no sales tax, and property taxes are generally lower than in many parts of the country. Northern Delaware sits right along I-95, with easy access to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and even New York, plus Amtrak service from Wilmington. Major employers include ChristianaCare, DuPont, and JPMorgan Chase, and the University of Delaware is based in nearby Newark.
Life there comes with four real seasons, from humid summers in the 90s to colorful falls and the occasional snowy winter. Retirees enjoy golf, parks, biking and hiking trails, tax-free shopping, and beach towns like Rehoboth, Dewey, and Bethany. There are also plenty of 55-plus communities and one-level homes for those who want to avoid stairs.
What really stood out to me was the price of homes. Heather showed us a three-bedroom ranch near Wilmington listed at $285,000, with property taxes of about $1,750 a year. A newer four-bedroom home in a 55-plus community in Middletown was priced in the $600,000s, with HOA dues of $235 a month. And at the high end, $5 million could buy an estate on more than 120 acres with equestrian facilities.
Compare that with Santa Clara County, where the median home price recently came in around $1.85 million. For Bay Area homeowners, selling here and moving to northern Delaware could open the door to more space, lower taxes, and a very different lifestyle.
If you’re thinking about relocating out of state, the right plan starts with understanding both what your home is worth here and what your money can buy there.
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From the Monterey Bay Wayback Machine
Thousands Rally for Striking Cannery Workers in Watsonville (November 3, 1985)
Thousands of supporters gathered in Watsonville to stand with striking cannery workers, nearly two months into what became known as the Watsonville cannery strike. The strike began on September 9, 1985, when workers at Watsonville Canning and Frozen Foods and the Richard A. Shaw Company walked out over deep cuts to their wages and benefits. Most of the strikers were Latina women, members of Teamsters Local 912, and their determination drew support from across the community. The strike lasted about 18 months, ending in March 1987 with a new contract that restored medical benefits, and it remains one of the most significant chapters in the Pajaro Valley’s labor history.
This Week in Santa Cruz County
How State Propositions on the Ballot Could Affect Santa Cruz County
California voters face 14 statewide propositions on the November 3 ballot, and Santa Cruz Local identified three with especially strong local effects on Santa Cruz County.
Prop 43 would raise the voter-approval threshold for some citizen-initiated special taxes from a simple majority to two-thirds. Locally, that could affect a proposed sales tax to support Santa Cruz Metro, which a community group hopes to place on the June 2028 ballot, as well as future extensions of special taxes like the City of Santa Cruz’s Measure C for affordable housing and homelessness services.
Prop 44 would require Federally Qualified Health Centers to spend at least 90% of their income on patient services, with fines for clinics that don’t comply. Santa Cruz County has two such nonprofits, Salud Para La Gente and Santa Cruz Community Health, and the Board of Supervisors has opposed the measure.
Prop 45 would overhaul the state’s environmental review process, limiting reviews to 365 business days and speeding up court decisions on challenges. Local zoning wouldn’t change, but projects that have often been delayed by lawsuits, including housing, could move forward faster.
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See the Live Sales Data →Health Screening at Watsonville YMCA
Date: Wednesday, November 4
Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Watsonville Family YMCA, 27 Sudden Street, Watsonville
Take a moment for yourself and stop by for a friendly, free health check-in. Caring nurses and dietitians will help you learn more about your health and share simple, practical tips for eating well, staying active, and feeling your best.
Joshua Redman Quartet
Date: Wednesday, November 4
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz
Spend an unforgettable evening with one of jazz’s most celebrated saxophonists as Joshua Redman brings his quartet to the intimate stage at Kuumbwa. Expect beautiful new music from his latest album, Words Fall Short, along with the soulful, adventurous playing that has made him a favorite of jazz lovers for decades.
Shelter to Home: Fall Giving Dinner
Date: Thursday, November 5
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Seascape Golf Club, 610 Clubhouse Drive, Aptos
Join friends, neighbors, and longtime supporters for an inspiring evening celebrating families who have found their way from shelter to a home of their own. This heartwarming dinner raises support for Pajaro Valley Shelter Services and its work helping local families build brighter futures.
Wine & Roses Casino Rosal
Date: Saturday, November 7
Time: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Crosetti Hall, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville
Dress up and try your luck at this festive evening of fine wine, delicious food, casino games, and a lively silent auction. It’s a fun night out with a meaningful purpose, supporting programs that improve health, wellness, and opportunity for children and families throughout the Pajaro Valley.
Time to talk to a REALTOR?
Senior Friendly Homes in Silicon Valley South
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