Waterfront neighborhoods in Annapolis (Severn, Severna Park: condos, houses, buy)

[normie]

My friends are considering retiring to Annapolis. They want to live near the water. They love to walk (2-5 miles daily) so a neighborhood that's got walking trails or sidewalks is a definite plus. It would be great to be within 5 miles of downtown so they could walk there.

They also love kayaking, and if there's a community with a beach that would be great (even a tiny little artificial beach would be ok, they just like to feel the sand on their toes).

They can spend up to $450,000 but would rather spend $350,000 or less (they know Annapolis is pricey, though). Condos are ok, if it's fairly big and if the neighborhood is nice.

Any opinions on the following neighborhoods?
West Annapolis
Shady Lake
Wardour Bluffs
Cove of Corn
Severn Grove
Eastport
Truxton Heights
Quiet Waters Park
Others????

[mbieber1029]

I live in west annapolis and it is a fantastic place. It is very close to downtown (1-2 miles) and it a quiet little neighborhood. There is even a small place behind the west annapolis elementary where they could easily launch a kayak. However I think it is much too expensive for that price range.

[normie]

Thanks! Would you happen to know the going price range for a small condo with a waterview (less than 1500 sf, not necessarily waterfront). Any chance they could find a good buy if they put in some serious search time (due to the housing market right now)? Or is that not really a factor?

Also, are there any other towns up and down the Chesapeake that might be a better choice for them? They're retired so they can live anywhere.

[mbieber1029]

A condo is definitely doable in that price range, especially if they take their time. I have seen several houses coming down in price with the market so I would say searching in places like Annapolis, Severna Park, Pasadena, Arnold, Cape St. Clair (technically part of Annapolis), or even farther south around Deale would provide some great options.

[PenguinSix]

Are they moving to Annapolis for the night life or for the water view? You can get a condo on the water for $450k in places like North Beach and Chesapeake Beach (maybe) but the nightlife is not quite the same as it is in Annapolis.

[normie]

LOL--good point. They're retirees, I doubt they've done much clubbing since the disco days. I think it depends on the personalities of the towns (not too "rednecky") and if it's easy to do lots of walking. Country roads can be dangerous if pick up trucks are speeding along them and there's not much of a shoulder or sidewalk.

Isn't Chesapeake Beach a suburb for DC? I'm surprised it would be cheaper than Annapolis, but if so that might work out.

What's Mayo/Beverly Beach like?

[normie]

Still hoping to get opinions on Annapolis suburbs, also Chesapeake Beach and Beverly Beach.

[beilart]

Best buy on the market and great for retired people. You are welcome to email me for more details on it beilart@yahoo.com

[checking out]

Try $700 as a benchmark for a reasonably nice place on the water. A friend of mine sold their town house last year for $1.8 million.

For $400K there's small condos, not on the water but water view, and maybe some out of the way places (can you say redneck....yeee haaa) that need alot of work...maybe

It ain't cheap by any stretch.

[prodie]

I lived in Cape St. Claire (15 minutes from downtown Annapolis) for 20 years. I lived about 1/2 mile from the Little Magothy River, which is just an extension of the Magothy. There are older homes off the water for a reasonable price, but on the water? As realtors say, "location, location, location."

Prices for homes in Anne Arundel County aren't going to fall that much, even in this terrible economy. People are willing to have a home squished on a tiny lot just to be on the water - and pay for it.

As far as condos go, there is a building on Spa Creek in downtown, but it's mostly homes. Same with the South River; I recall one condo development being built there in the late 90's. Annapolis is not a condo haven-type place.

Getting down in the south county area is, well, yeah .... it's always been rednecky. I don't recall a condo boom in that area either. Chesapeake Beach is in Calvert County, just over the line from Anne Arundel. It has quite a few quaint homes that have been fixed up nicely. There may be a condo building there, but my biggest memory is going to the "Rod & Reel Restaurant" right on the Bay.

The best route to go would be to spend a week in the area with a good realtor to find out if there is something out there that would suit them. I think $350K for a regular home in the Annapolis area is on the low end; I honestly doubt they would find anything other than a shack on the water at that price.