He’s finally out. After fifty years in the belly of the beast—Washington, D.C.—Joe Biden has officially handed over the keys to the White House. But for a guy who spent decades riding the Amtrak back to Delaware every single night, the question of where is Joe Biden going to live isn’t just a matter of real estate. It’s about where he finally finds some peace.
If you were watching the news on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, you saw the departure. It wasn't just a flight to a vacation spot. It was a massive logistical shift for a man who has owned, rented, and flipped more houses than most people realize.
The immediate move: A West Coast breather?
Right after the ceremony, the Bidens didn't just head back to their familiar stomping grounds in the Northeast. Instead, they boarded a flight for Santa Ynez, California. It caught a few people off guard. Why the West Coast?
Honestly, it makes sense. They’ve been staying at the Kiani Preserve, a massive 8,000-acre estate owned by billionaire Joe Kiani. It’s wine country. It’s quiet. If you’ve just spent four years with the weight of the world on your shoulders, a vineyard in Santa Barbara County sounds a lot better than a damp winter in Wilmington.
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There are even whispers—though nothing's on paper yet—that the Bidens might be looking to buy something permanent out there. Shelby Sim, a local tourism CEO, mentioned the rumors are flying. But for now, think of California as their "decompression chamber."
The Delaware anchors: Wilmington and Rehoboth
Despite the allure of California, Joe Biden is a Delaware man to his core. He still owns two significant properties there, and they are the most likely spots for his long-term retirement.
The Lakehouse in Wilmington
This is the "main" house. It’s a custom-built home in the Greenville area of Wilmington, finished back in 1998. It’s nestled against a lake and has been his sanctuary for decades.
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- The Vibe: It’s where he keeps his 1967 Corvette.
- The History: This is the house where he hosted Sunday dinners and even filmed campaign spots during the pandemic.
- The Security: Even though he's a former president now, the Secret Service footprint stays. Neighbors in Greenville are already used to the black SUVs and checkpoints, but the "bubble" will be slightly smaller than it was during his presidency.
The Beach House in Rehoboth
If Wilmington is for "work" and legacy, Rehoboth is for family. He bought this place in 2017 for about $2.7 million. It sits in the North Shores community, right near Gordon’s Pond.
- The "Beau's Gift" Sign: One of the most touching details about the Rehoboth house is the sign out front that reads "Beau's Gift." It’s a constant reminder of his late son.
- Summer Capital: For the last four years, Rehoboth became the "Summer White House." Now, it goes back to being a private retreat where he can ride his bike without a twenty-car motorcade (well, mostly).
What about Washington?
Some people wonder if he'll keep a "pied-à-terre" in D.C. like the Obamas did. When he left the Vice Presidency in 2017, he and Jill rented a massive 12,000-square-foot Georgian mansion in McLean, Virginia. They were paying something like $20,000 a month for it.
But things are different now. He’s 83. The desire to stay in the D.C. orbit seems lower. Plus, the health news that broke recently—his diagnosis with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in May 2025—suggests he’ll likely prioritize being near his doctors at the University of Pennsylvania or staying close to his family in Delaware.
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The reality of a post-presidential lifestyle
Living as a former president isn't exactly "normal" life. Here’s what his daily reality looks like now that he’s settled:
- The Secret Service: They never go away. They will have a permanent station at whichever house he chooses.
- The Office: He gets a federally funded office and staff. Most likely, this will be based in Wilmington, keeping him close to his home base.
- The Memoir: He's already working on it. Publishers are pushing for a fast turnaround, and that usually requires a quiet library or a home office where he can grind through the chapters.
Where will he spend the most time?
If I had to bet, the Bidens will split their time 70/30. Seventy percent will be in Wilmington. It’s where his church is—St. Joseph on the Brandywine—and where his family roots are deepest. The other thirty percent will be the beach in the summer and maybe those California trips in the dead of winter.
It’s a slower pace. He’s swapping the Situation Room for the sunroom.
Next Steps for You:
If you're interested in the logistics of how former presidents transition, you should look into the Former Presidents Act. It explains exactly how much taxpayers pay for things like Joe Biden's new office space and his security detail. You can also check out local Delaware news outlets like the Cape Gazette for updates on how the "Secret Service zones" are being scaled back in Rehoboth Beach now that he's no longer the sitting Commander in Chief.