Bear Trap Dunes or Bayside at Bethany Lakes?

Hi! My family and I are planning a visit for this summer to the Bethany Beach area. This will be our first visit to DE and I have been trying to do some research.

The two main communities that I am coming across are Bear Trap Dunes and Bayside at Bethany Lakes. Does anyone have any experience with either of these communities? Is one nicer than than the other, closer to the beach, etc.? It seems that the rates at Bayside are a little less but that may just be the couple of units that I happened to view.

We will be traveling with our 2 children ages 10 and 6 so the pool and recreation center will be of utmost concern!

Thank you so much for any help you can give me!

Jill

Bear Trap Dunes or Bayside at Bethany Lakes?

We have a townhome at bear trap and it is very nice. The condition of the community and the amenities are first rate and the homes are all well kept and traditonaly in design with porches and decks for relaxation and open floorplans. There are two large outdoor pools, an indoor pool, tennis courts, a golf course, a village area with shops and live theater shows during the weekend, and several children%26#39;s playgrounds. I doubt you would be disappointed with the ammenities. There are always lots of families enjoying bear trap. There is also a free shuttle to the beach, although we usually drive since it only takes 4-5 minutes via the back roads.

Bethany lakes also looks like a nice community but it is smaller, i%26#39;ve never seen the amenities so I can%26#39;t comment on them. Bethany Lakes is probably about the same distance to the beach and town of bethany as bear trap. You might also want to check out sea colony west, it was built by the same developer as bear trap and is also a very nice community. you could ride a bike to the beach from sea colony west.

If you are interested in renting our place klet me know and I%26#39;ll forward info.

Bear Trap Dunes or Bayside at Bethany Lakes?

There is No Contest - Bear Trap Dunes is head and shoulders a better place to stay on your vacation compared to Bayside at Bethany Lakes.

Bear Trap Dunes is a first class resort. The homes are spread out and are larger. The amenities are better. and there are more families.

Bayside at Bethany Lakes is an overcluttered group of small cheapily built homes. There are no single family homes at all. Instead of being built on a golf course, your views are limited for the most part at looking at your neighbors.

I could go on and on but you get the idea...

Both locations are a few miles from the beach and boardwalk and no way in the summer can you drive to the the beach in 4 to 5 minutes. The back roads are overwhelmed with traffic just like Rt. 26 the main road through the beach.

I have lived here most of my life and know the area. So I am not trying to rent a condo. Bear Trap does have the advantage above Bethany Lakes for attractions such as pools. Expensive but nice!

Go early to the beach so you can get a parking space.

Good Luck and have a nice vacation!

I am so sorry for the delay in thanking you all for responding to my post. I just read the comments and I appreciate your feedback. We are looking at Bear Trap Dunes now for a rental. Just seemed like they had a nicer pool and 2 outdoor pools instead of just the 1 I believe at Bethany Lakes. And the golf course is a plus, too!

Thanks again for your time!

Jill

Actually, I have not seen Bear Trap, but we very much Bayside at Bethany Lakes. The community has terrific amenities, (pools, fitness center, game room, tennis, etc.) and it is closer to the beach than Bear Trap. It is a smaller community, so it doesn%26#39;t have the feel of a big overwhelming place. The Salt Pond Public Golf Course is just down the street. We like having the course nearby, but prefer to not be located directly on a course. We tried that a few years ago, and couldn%26#39;t even go out back as there were constantly golf balls whizzing by. Good luck.

Actually, I have not seen Bear Trap, but we very much enjoy Bayside at Bethany Lakes. The community has terrific amenities, (pools, fitness center, game room, tennis, etc.) and it is closer to the beach than Bear Trap. It is a smaller community, so it doesn%26#39;t have the feel of a big overwhelming place. The Salt Pond Public Golf Course is just down the street. We like having the course nearby, but prefer to not be located directly on a course. We tried that a few years ago, and couldn%26#39;t even go out back as there were constantly golf balls whizzing by. Good luck.