Delaware
Although it's the second smallest U.S. state, Delaware is also one of the more prosperous with a high median income and no sales tax. The total population is just under 850,000 for the entire state. This increased slightly each year in the past few years as more people get Delaware apartments to take advantage of the inexpensive housing and boom in biotech and pharmaceuticals in Wilmington.
Giants like DuPont, AstraZeneca and Syngenta are leading the growth of pharmaceutical and biotech expansion in the state, with Wilmington being the center of this activity. Banking is also a thriving industry because of lower costs of operation combined with proximity to New York City, Philadelphia and Washington. Major players include AIG, Bank One, JP Morgan Chase and Deutsche Bank.
Outside of Wilmington most of Delaware is agriculturally focused, providing a variety of produce regionally to areas of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Another large employer is Dover Air Force Base, one of the largest Air Force bases in the U.S. and strategic to defense of the eastern seaboard.
Outdoor Attractions
If you can do it on a river, you can do it in Delaware, which boasts three major rivers – the Delaware, Mispillion and Nantichocke - in a very compact area. Fishing, boating and wakeboarding are popular. The seashore runs for over one hundred miles, including Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach. Both of these are popular with families because they have clean, white sands and remain relatively unspoiled by the over-commercialism of larger beaches in some other states.
The summers can be humid and are usually hot, but breezes off the coast cool temperatures down in the evenings. In Delaware, apartment dwellers often sleep with their windows open to catch the breeze three seasons out of the year. Winters are generally mild with not much snowfall, although occasionally you'll get more accumulation in the northernmost tip of the state.
Colleges and Universities
The University of Delaware is the only state affiliated university, but it's highly respected and exceptionally priced for in-state students. Delaware State and several community colleges also offer various degree programs. Wesley College is a privately endowed liberal arts college that has a covenant relationship with the United Methodist Church, the largest single denomination in the state.
Real Estate and Housing
With only one major city, apartment hunting in Delaware can be a bit of a challenge. If you want to rent a Delaware apartment, Wilmington and Dover are your best bets. Rents are less than the national average, making a Delaware apartment affordable for just about anyone. One caveat – utilities are slightly higher here than the national average, so figure that into the cost of your next Delaware apartment.