Considering Moving to Chesapeake Beach, MD- Need Help (Frederick, Annapolis: 2015, homes)

[watchmetravel]

Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry

Not sure where this post came from. Unless you are living in south Florida or coastal Maine the entire Atlantic seaboard has this color water.

Back on topic what about the numbered streets in North Beach on the other side of Glenwood Ave? I have a friend that lives in that neighborhood, lots of fairly new, smaller, economical single family homes there.

Regarding the heat question we live in Mt Airy (duh) and it's way colder up here than on the water where you are considering. When we bought this old farmhouse it has baseboard electric (not a heat pump). I put in an oil burner and it's been way less expensive. It's too cold here for a heat pump, the auxiliary heat element would kick on all the time and would be very expensive. But our annual heating bill, in a very cold area, is about $2,000. Where you are moving don't be deterred by oil heat IMO but others may have a different opinion.

Hi Dave,

My question is also for you regarding the oil heating and radon. Please search in my latest post regarding my concerns. Thanks so much for any help in advance.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by watchmetravel

Hi North Beach Person,

So, recently a home came on the market in north beach. However, as I went from north beach to Chesapeake beach, I noticed that the road we crossed does not have walking paths that connect north to CB. Is that correct? If I move to north beach, it would be nice to walk to CB. Your thoughts?

People walk back and forth all the time. If you're walking RTE 261 (goes by the fire house) there are sidewalks on both sides. On the east side of that road are residential streets with no walks but also little traffic. On the west is a marsh so you wouldn't be walking there anyway.

Most oil tanks are outside. I notice zero smell from either that or my furnace.

Were you by chance going from North Beach to Holland Cliffs (has a North Beach address and used to be called North Beach Park although it's in Anne Arundel County and not incorporated as part of the Town)? There are no sidewalks there.

[watchmetravel]

Hi North Beach Person,

Is having oil furnace in tge basement bad? I believe it's buried.

Thanks for answering my other questions too.

Best!

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by watchmetravel

Hi North Beach Person,

Is having oil furnace in tge basement bad? I believe it's buried.

Thanks for answering my other questions too.

Best!

If you have a basement that's usually where both oil and gas furnaces are located, the main thing is that it's vented properly (a chimney usually although newer gas furnaces don't typically have a traditional chimney).

As I've mentioned I have oil heat. The house is so old though, that an attached room had to be built adjoining it with a regular chimney. No big deal for me.

Some older houses also have the oil tank in the basement which isn't done much anymore. Having it there does help with gelling issues fuel oil has when it gets really cold.

The furnace won't be buried although some of the older houses down here had the fuel oil tank buried. That can be a whole pile of issues if the tank develops a leak and you have soil contamination. That gets MD Department of the Environment involved if the contamination is bad enough. Again, they haven't buried the fuel tanks for a couple decades at least.

[watchmetravel]

Thank you! Very good information.

[North Beach Person]

If you have an oil, or even propane gas furnace, to get a service contract with the oil vendor. I have Southern MD Oil and the contract is $289/year which is rolled into your balanced monthly billing. If renting find out from your landlord about who's responsible for HVAC maintenance (no matter if it's oil, gas or a heat pump).

To give you an example, for that $289 last year I ended up with about $1500 worth of service calls and parts (a couple strange things broke) that the contract covered. I was out of pocket $0 for those calls.

[watchmetravel]

Hi North Beach Person,

Thanks for the information. I just found out from the seller that their oil tank is buried under the home, which as you mentioned can cause a slew of future problems. I checked southern MD's page and I'll have to contact them tomorrow morning because I think it's best if we get it dug up and placed outside. Usually, how is it stored? In a shed or normally is it okay to have it outside exposed to the ailments of nature?

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by watchmetravel

Hi North Beach Person,

Thanks for the information. I just found out from the seller that their oil tank is buried under the home, which as you mentioned can cause a slew of future problems. I checked southern MD's page and I'll have to contact them tomorrow morning because I think it's best if we get it dug up and placed outside. Usually, how is it stored? In a shed or normally is it okay to have it outside exposed to the ailments of nature?

The oil tank now is usually just outside alongside the house. You may have to get an additive to reduce gelling (get at Home Depot) Oatey 32 oz. Fuel Oil Sludge Treatment-35310 - The Home Depot when it gets really cold.

I had that issue for the first time in 27 years this past winter. The only change was a new tank (that will be @$1500).

Ask SMO what they recommend. Many time an underground tank can be decommissioned by emptying it and then a slag material is put in.

[watchmetravel]

Not so bad North Beach Person in terms of the $1500 cost. I hope I get to own in CB. By the way, I looked at a home in north beach which is in walking distance to that prestigious pier--harrington.. I think that's the name of it. Those homes over there are older, which i do not mind an older home with character but the price would need to be right and many are overpriced for the work that you would need to do in order to update the kitchen, bathroom, closet doors, flooring etc. and it just seems pretty far from CB.

I think I like the closeness of being right along bayside road as there are many things to do. I did notice on the way into NB from CB that there's a jazz restaurant. Have you ever attended?

Since I'll soon be moving down there are there any of the following:
-Jazz restaurants
-Indoor pools (during winter months)
-Dog friendly places
-Tennis leagues (tennis courts)
-Bowling places
-hows the one casino? Any unsavory people or is is mostly pleasant?

I did notice that there's a movie theatre not too far away I believe it's near the Walmart correct? I believe about a 12 min. ride from CB correct?
-how much is the beach and the water park for residents and resident's family/friends (do they get a discount?)

[watchmetravel]

Finally, you have been beyond amazing in terms of providing vital and pivotal information/intel as it pertains to NB and CB. Thank you so much!