With plenty of people visiting family in Delaware throughout the year, you might notice that outsiders have started to enjoy our tiny state, and they may point out how full of secrets the First State really is. Well, when they begin to talk about moving to Delaware, you can send them away from our already-crowded slice of paradise by sharing the list below, which highlights all of the bad things about living in Delaware.

1. Everything is in the middle of nowhere.

wyliepoon / Flickr
Being in the northeast, Delaware is just a bunch of chicken farms and tiny towns. It's not well connected to the rest of the northeast at all. In fact, it might as well be an entire world away from Philly, Baltimore, and DC, right? So, is Delaware a good place to live? Nah...

2. Actually, forget that. It's way too urban.

University of Delaware / Flickr
Come on - Wilmington, New Castle, Newark? I can see them all from the highway - too much city life here for me.

3. Plus, Wilmington is too dangerous.

TC Davis / Flickr
All of it. Every part of Wilmington is dangerous, don't go there. No matter what cool speakeasy or park you read about - it's all a trap. Don't move to Delaware, you'll end up in a bad part of Wilmington. After all, the state is so tiny that it's impossible to avoid.

4. Delaware seafood just can't hold up to Maryland's.

Jeremy Cherfas / Flickr
Sure, it's cheaper and often fresher, and gets shipped around the country to some of the best restaurants, but Maryland's got the market cornered on "Too Much Old Bay."

5. The beaches? Forget it - they're WAY too crowded.

Rob Pongsajapan / Flickr
All the time - after all, millions of New Yorkers, New Jersians, and Pennsylvanians make their way to Delaware's beaches every year, and what do they know? The crowded beaches are among other reasons not to move to Delaware.

6. Especially Rehoboth Beach - it's touristy and corporate.

Jason Mews in DC / Flickr
If you're a summer sellout, I guess you might like Rehoboth. Otherwise, steer clear. The Downtown will suck you in!

7. You're not missing much - the entire state is a highway, anyway.

Pontla / Flickr
That 14 miles from The Delaware Memorial Bridge until you pay the toll into Easton, well, there's nothing really more to the state than that stretch of I-95.

Related Stories

With An Arcade And A Bowling Alley, This Incredible Restaurant In Delaware Is Perfect For Families

With An Arcade And A Bowling Alley, This Incredible Restaurant In Delaware Is Perfect For Families

 Escape To The Countryside When You Stay At This Rural Airbnb In Delaware

Escape To The Countryside When You Stay At This Rural Airbnb In Delaware

 You'll Never Look At Doughnuts The Same Way After Trying Sleeping Bird Doughnuts In Delaware

You'll Never Look At Doughnuts The Same Way After Trying Sleeping Bird Doughnuts In Delaware

8. There's really nothing to do here - the whole state's flat.

Jenni C. / Flickr
No hills, no canyons, nothing at all to see or do. Maybe you'd like Delaware if you only like watching TV or sleeping.

9. Oh, and fine dining? Good luck finding anything other than a chain restaurant here.

Striper Bites / Facebook
There are hardly any mom-and-pop or hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the entire state! I'll tell you one thing — you certainly won't stumble upon amazing seafood in the middle of a cornfield in this weird, boring state.

10. You won't even find a nice spot to hike in Delaware, no matter how hard you look.

Likeaduck / Flickr
Delaware's state parks are boring - you might as well fall asleep as you trek through them. There aren't amazing historic landmarks, old farms, and gorgeous trails to check out. It's really just, well, flat roads. There's certainly no reason to move to Delaware if you're a nature-lover.

11. Dover's really only good for NASCAR races, anyway.

Firefly Music Festival / Facebook
Sure, people love their NASCAR races, but beyond race weekends, there's nothing cool going on in the capital city. Firefly? That's just a little local concert.

12. Delaware's government makes everything difficult - even surf fishing.

Lee Cannon / Flickr
You'll have to go through all sorts of trouble to get a surf fishing permit, which totally isn't worth it. It's not like the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean have some of the most amazing surf fishing spots on the eastern seaboard - you won't regret missing these unbelievable surf fishing spots. The one-page application is just a lot, and I get that.

13. Plus, everything in the state is REALLY old.

Flickr / Jeffrey
I guess that comes with being the First State, but who would want to move to Delaware if all the historic ruins from World War II and American Colonialism are still there, taking up valuable space?

14. And everything's not just old, it's all haunted.

Simon / Flickr
The Ghosts of Fort Delaware in particular scare me - former Confederate soldiers, seeking to haunt those who imprisoned them? I'll stay away, thanks.

Take a look at this video of reasons to live in Delaware by @WorldAccordingToBriggs:

So there you have it – the reasons not to live in Delaware, which you can share with everyone you meet, ensuring they stay far away from the First State, and certainly convince them not to move to Delaware. Some people are stubborn, though, and they’ve fallen for the charm that the diamond state showed them, so if you can’t convince your friends and family to stay away by highlighting the bad things about living in Delaware, you might as well acquaint them with the struggles of living in Delaware, which are sure to convince them that moving to Delaware just isn’t for them.

Well, what do you think? Overall, is Delaware a good place to live? Tell us some of the reasons why you enjoy living in Delaware. What would you say are the reasons not to move to Delaware? Tell us! One of our favorite places in Delaware to enjoy is Rehoboth Bay – take a look at a few fun excursions and tours you can enjoy, too.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Bad Things About Living In Delaware

Daniella DiRienzo | July 27, 2022

What are the best things about living in Delaware?

Some of the best things about living in Delaware include the following:

  • There’s no sales tax! Delaware is one of just a handful of states that imposes zero sales tax. An absence of sales tax isn’t the only financial perk afforded to residents of the First State.
  • There are actually a few other tax advantages for those residing in the First State. Not only does Delaware boast one of the nation’s lowest real estate tax rates, but residents enjoy relatively low income tax rates.

 

What unique words and phrases do people in Delaware say?

Here are some unique words and phrases people in Delaware say:

  • Delunaware is an adjective used to describe someone unaware of the existence of Delaware.
  • Toad choker and frog strangler are two more phrases unique to Delaware. Both mean a heavy downpour or a bad rainstorm.

 

What are the most beautiful places in Delaware?

Some of the most beautiful places in Delaware include the First State National Historical Park. This Delaware gem boasts the following:

  • A plethora of historically significant structures, including many colonial landmarks.
  • The grounds, which are situated near the Brandywine River, are brimming with natural beauty.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Delaware, USA