Dover Air Force Base

Off-Base Neighborhoods

There are many townhomes and new construction communities near the base. There are not a lot of apartment options in the area. Downtown Dover features historical areas near the capitol buildings.

About 10 to 20 minutes from the main gate are some of the sought-after neighborhoods of Magnolia and Frederica. Magnolia has new builds in well-developed areas.

Dover and the surrounding county have lower costs than Delaware's northern-most county. The cost of living is lower than many major cities in the nation but is rising, Listings go very quickly as our inventory is extremely low. The rental market prices are rising tremendously and there is usually a shortage of rentals.

On Base Housing

The housing on Dover AFB is managed by Hunt Military Housing. The Eagle Heights community has three neighborhoods, a three-foot wading pool with beach entry, and a community center -- where the housing office is. The three neighborhoods have homes with covered patios and porches. The surrounding community on base has almost 20,000 feet of walking, biking, and jogging paths, as well as a regulation soccer field.

Schools

The schools on base are part of the Caesar Rodney School District, which is ranked second-best in the state. On base, there is an elementary school and middle school. There is no high school on base, but Caesar Rodney High school in nearby Camden is where students who live on base are zoned to attend. However, another option is Polytech High School -- a small, prestigious vocational school to which students can apply through a lottery system.

Cost of Living and BAH

Dover and the surrounding area, including Dover AFB, have a lower cost of living than the northern part of the state. The cost of living is rising in the area but doesn't come close to other major cities. Dover AFB BAH is reasonable for the area and while it may be lower than bigger cities, it's also higher than some more remote duty stations.

Dover AFB BAH varies depending on rank and whether or not you have dependents. To determine your BAH at Dover AFB, use our BAH calculator.

Housing Costs

The median sales price home in Dover is $268,000, at about $161 per square foot. Magnolia is slightly more expensive, and Frederica is slightly less expensive. Housing inventory in the area is low and listings go very quickly. There is a shortage of rentals and the prices for the rental market are rising quickly.

Weather

As part of the mid-Atlantic region, the Dover AFB area has four distinct seasons. Each year, usually somewhere from February to April, there is a good snowstorm or two which by East Coast standards means about 6 inches. Delaware may get some of the wind or rain from hurricanes later in the summer, which may result in some flooding, but it's not as severe as the Carolina coast. 

Base Amenities

Dover AFB has the regular MWR amenities, including a bowling alley, movie theater, and pool. Additionally, there is a tackle shop, 18 holes of golf, and an arts and crafts center. They also have an Airman's Attic and a USO in the Passenger Terminal. The Air Mobility Command Museum is a great place to take family and friends when they visit. The commissary is open six days a week and the Exchange has a Tim Hortons.

Area Attractions

Delaware is conveniently located between New York City and Washington, D.C. giving families who live here lots of big-city options. With a quick drive, you can be in Philadelphia and Baltimore as well. Whether you like history, art museums, kid-friendly attractions, world-class food, or Broadway shows, you can find all these things within a daytrip from Dover.

Delaware has some great options that are closer, including natural parks and historical sites. The beaches--Rehoboth, Dewey, or Bethany--are about a half-hour to an hour drive away. The Brandywine zoo in Wilmington is just over an hour north. You can also easily take a day trip to the historic area of New Castle County.

Dover may feel remote, but for some it is a tourist destination. Every year, big events like the two NASCAR races at the Dover Speedway, and the Firefly Music Festival bring thousands of tourists to the area. The Dover Downs Hotel and Casino (which recently changed its name to Bally's Dover Casino Resort) is a popular vacation site.

Food and Drink

Locals would recommend trying the "Bobbie" sandwich from Capriottis Sandwich Shop while living here. The sandwich was voted "The Greatest Sandwich in America" and has slow-roasted turkey topped with cranberry sauce, handmade stuffing, and mayo. Capriottis has two locations in Dover and more throughout the state.

Throughout Delaware, but especially closer to the shore, you can enjoy steamed blue crabs. This is a fun, casual meal, with piles of whole crabs covered in Old Bay seasoning and served on a paper-covered table. Have a local show you how to pick them open and extract tiny morsels of crab meat. They are usually served with sides like steamed corn and hushpuppies, since it's impossible to get full from crabs alone.

The state of Delaware is famous for several foods, especially Tyson's chicken, farm-fresh peaches, and homemade ice cream from the local dairy farms. But if you visit the Boardwalk near the Delaware Beaches, you have to try Thrasher's Boardwalk Fries (covered in vinegar, NOT ketchup!), Nicola's Pizza, Dolles saltwater taffy, or Kohr Bros dipped ice cream cones. That's the taste of summer!