The town of Delaware is on the bank of its namesake river
Delaware is tucked against the Pennsylvania border in southwestern New York, on the bank of the river that shares its name. Several highways run through the rural town, connecting its fields and forests to jobs and commerce. The town of Delaware should not be confused with Delaware County, which, though nearby, is not the same place. And while it’s not a major metropolitan area—aside from being home to one of the last privately owned toll bridges in the United States—there’s more to Delaware than just rural forest.
Small hamlets like Callicoon make up the town
Delaware is made up of several hamlets and census-designated places. Here are a few notable ones:
- Callicoon, the town’s shopping and dining hub on the Delaware River and State Route 97
- Hortonville, a small residential pocket with a gas station, post office and Gardner & Co. General Store
- Kenoza Lake, which has access to State Route 52 and homes with water views
Callicoon is a good choice if you want to be near the town’s restaurants and seasonal festivals. Route 97 follows the path of the river and connects to nearby towns like Cochecton and Hancock. If you’re looking for privacy, you’ll probably prefer one of the more rural areas.
The cost of living and owning a home in Delaware
Delaware offers a diverse housing market, with styles and price points that appeal to various tastes and budgets. Some ranch-style homes and cabins sell from the mid-$100,000s to the mid-$300,000s, but prices can climb to over a million for contemporary homes and luxury chalets. Most properties include plenty of land. Build dates range from the mid-1800s to the 2020s. Since older homes might have maintenance issues, it’s important to get a thorough inspection so you’ll know in advance whether the place needs any repairs.
Most homes have wells and septic systems, so while you’ll be responsible for the cost of upkeep on those, you won’t have monthly water and sewer bills. As for property taxes, rates are a little higher than the national average, but not too high by Sullivan County standards.
Winter weather can affect daily life, but flood risk is low
You’ll experience all four seasons in Delaware. Summer temperatures usually stay in the 70s, but winters start early and end late, bringing lots of snow. Commuting can be a challenge when major storms hit, and unless you have a garage, you’ll spend a lot of time clearing ice and snow off your car.
While flooding sometimes happens along the river, homeowners aren’t usually affected because there just aren’t that many houses along the banks. “Where the river is, there aren’t a ton of dwellings,” says Elizabeth Bernitt, a licensed associate real estate broker with Century 21 Geba Realty who’s been selling in the area for 22 years. “The Delaware River is in a valley compared to where most of the houses are.”
You’ll find dining spots and groceries in Callicoon
Callicoon has a small but thriving Main Street with shops, restaurants, a movie theater and Peck’s Market for groceries. The Callicoon Farmers’ Market is open on Sundays year-round. “People travel from all over the county to go to it, and from Pennsylvania as well,” Bernitt says. Here are a few other hot spots:
- The Kitchen Table Cafe, where you can grab pastries, coffee and sandwiches
- Callicoon Brewing Company, a brewpub in an 1880s-era hotel that overlooks the Delaware River
- The Western Hotel, a Victorian mansion with a cozy dining room, fireside lounge and two-story covered porch
- Black Walnut, a restaurant and cocktail lounge with a mercantile that sells artisan goods
For major retailers like Walmart and Home Depot, most people head to Monticello, about half an hour away.
The job market in Callicoon and the surrounding towns
A lot of people commute to Monticello for work, too, but Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills provides health care jobs right in Callicoon. Tourism, recreation, agriculture and retail are Delaware’s other top industries. If you work remotely, cell service can be spotty, but you should be able to get a reliable internet connection.
Outdoor activities and social gatherings in Delaware
Stone Arch Bridge Park is a year-round destination, with fishing on Callicoon Creek, walks on the Worthington Trail, a playground, picnic areas and sledding hills. There’s a public access point on the Delaware River over on the Pennsylvania side of the border; you can reach it by crossing the Callicoon Bridge.
This might be a rural community, but people still find ways to get out and socialize. “Callicoon has a lot of really cool things, including Dickens on the Delaware in December,” says Bernitt. “It was a railroad town originally, and throughout the summer there are festivals . . . They have PorchFest, where there’s music on the different porches. One hour, you’ll be at the Western, and then you’ll go to the Callicoon Brewing Company, and then you’ll go to the old train depot and listen to music.”
Students can attend Sullivan West Central School District schools
The Sullivan West Central School District serves the area. The elementary school is just outside the town boundaries in Jeffersonville, and Sullivan West High is about 15 minutes away in Lake Huntington. The high school is known for its strong athletic programs, and you can stream sporting events via a link on the district website.
