9 Things Longtime Delawareans Wish They Could Tell Newcomers
By Kim Magaraci|Published July 18, 2017
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
Moving to Delaware takes some adjustment – after all, our state is unique! We’re a good mix of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with just a hint of ‘country’ southern living. Despite our lovely little state, one frustrating thing that we’ve all experienced is the “Dela-WHERE?” question, because many people totally overlook Delaware. However, if you’ve decided to move to the First State, whether it’s for a job, for education, or just because you need a change, we’re always willing to give some insider information to help Delaware newbies adjust. Here are a few things we wish we could tell newcomers right away:
Raise your standards, newbies. Delaware's creameries really take ice cream to the next level. Try Woodside Farm's famous strawberry ice cream, the seasonal concoction at UDairy, or any flavor at all at Hopkin's Farm. Fresh ice cream is a game changer.
Delawareans quickly learn alternate routes to get around the state, because traffic here can get bad. You'll hear people say they know three ways to get to any place in the state, and that's true! Learn before the beach traffic gets bad, or you'll be sitting in bumper to bumper traffic every friday afternoon.
Slippery dumplings are the way to go! Those round dumplings that you might now are just plain wrong. Try this classic Delmarva dish and your life will be changed forever.
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4. Adjust to life in Slower Lower Delaware - it's worth it.
Let yourself unwind from the busy Northeast hustle and bustle and take the time to enjoy slower lower Delaware. You'll notice that it starts at the canal - life slows down, people are kinder, and everything feels a little more 'country'. It's one of the nicest things about living in Delaware, and we love our rural lives.
Maybe you can get away with calling them hoagies in the very northermost part of Delaware, but everywhere else, they're subs. Not heros, not grinders - just subs (and Ioannoni’s Bullroasters makes the best roast pork sub you'll ever have in your life).
As a Delaware newbie, its important that you get yourself down to the beaches and experience the excitement of Dewey Beach, the charm of the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk, and the quiet calm of Bethany Beach. However, you do not always have to head to the ocean when you want a beach day. Check out our bayshore towns - they're less crowded and just perfect for a day trip. In fact, if you've got a free weekend, take our Delaware Hidden Beaches Road Trip and enjoy them all.
The DuPont family had a tremendous influcence on Delaware's history, as any Delaware newbies quickly find out. Lucky for us, they left behind breathtaking estates like Winterthur, Nemours, and Hagley for our exploration and enjoyment. Check them all out along the historic DuPont Corridor.
You'll fall more in love with this state the longer you're here, and you'll quickly learn there is more to the First State than everyone thinks. Explore each county and get to know the back roads, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and gorgeous parks, and you'll soon know that there's no place like home.
