Sitting at the confluence of the Christina and Delaware rivers, on the site of the first Swedish settlement in North America, is Wilmington, Delaware. Founded in 1638, most of the 17.1 square-mile city is laid out on a grid pattern on flat land, with a hilly west side. Its median age is 35.9 (2022), and it’s a center for banking, legal services, and insurance.

Wilmington offers lovely neighborhoods, plenty of housing options, and homes in a variety of architectural styles. There are plenty of Gothic Revival, French Gothic, and Baroque-style homes, and a few Mission-style and English Tudor homes in the city. The average price of a home is $303,981, up 9.8% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). Adding to Wilmington’s appeal are an annual bike race, jazz festival, and chrysanthemum festival.

Wilmington is served by I-95 and I-495, both running north-south. I-95 provides access to the Highlands neighborhood and its historic brick townhouses, and to Midtown Brandywine, a desirable community for young professionals. Downtown real estate includes restored brownstones and high-rise residential towers. For a less urban feel, homebuyers can consider neighborhoods in the hills, which offer country-like living.

The fact that Wilmington is the largest city and the economic center of Delaware gives it a big-city vibe and amenities (minus the sales tax!), although its size and walkability maintains a small-town charm.