Tell Me About Annapolis! (Baltimore, Severn: salon, apartment complex, renters)

[mrspink]

So my husband and I after much consideration and researching have decided that we are most likely going to be moving to Annapolis from Ohio. We plan to visit possibly in late fall or ealry spring...maybe even both to get a feel for the different weather.

A little about us...my husband is a teacher and I am finishing my last year of school to also be a teacher. We are in our early 20s and have a small dog. We enjoy being outdoors, but also like the conveniences of a city.

What is Annapolis like? What are the areas to avoid living in? What are the seasons like compared to those here in Ohio? I have researched cost of living so I am aware of that. How are opportunities for teachers?

Any info is appreciated! Thanks!

[Moth]

Annapolist proper, that is the downtown/city center is very historic and nautical- almost like a movie. There are great old houses there although I do not know what prices are like. Lots of good shops, pubs and docks and slips for boats. Sailing and fishing are huge.

The surrounding areas are a hodgepodge. There are some sketchy areas, typical new suburbs, old classic 1950s burbs and even still quite a few rural or semi rural areas, although the next housing boom will continue to develop them.

[7th Direction]

Originally Posted by mrspink

So my husband and I after much consideration and researching have decided that we are most likely going to be moving to Annapolis from Ohio. We plan to visit possibly in late fall or ealry spring...maybe even both to get a feel for the different weather.

A little about us...my husband is a teacher and I am finishing my last year of school to also be a teacher. We are in our early 20s and have a small dog. We enjoy being outdoors, but also like the conveniences of a city.

What is Annapolis like? What are the areas to avoid living in? What are the seasons like compared to those here in Ohio? I have researched cost of living so I am aware of that. How are opportunities for teachers?

Any info is appreciated! Thanks!

Annapolis is the state capital of Maryland. It has a rich history and is home to the U.S. Naval Academy. There is a lot to do downtown, along the harbor: shopping, restaurants, music clubs, etc.. In fact, suburban/urban life doesn't stop for miles around the area. Annapolis is part of the Baltimore-Washington Metroplex and the whole area has the convenience of a city.

The Atlantic Ocean is about 2 hours to the east (Ocean City, MD is a popular summer vacation spot for a lot of Marylanders), and the Appalachian Mountains are about 2 hours to the west (a popular mountain lake resort, Deep Creek Lake is also a Maryland summer vacation spot). Washington DC is only about a half hour - 45 minutes away.

There is easy access to water and beaches along the Chesapeake Bay anywhere you go in the area and there are lots of bike paths (B&A Trail, for example). If you go a little further west, there are hiking trails in the hills (Appalachian Trail, etc.) as well as some white water activities (tubing, rafting, canoeing).

There are lots of nice places to stay in the Annapolis area. The area is quite affluent, with million dollar homes along the waterfront. There some really nice rental properties in the area, however there are some not so nice too (I'm sure others can give you some ideas of where those locations are, I've never lived IN Annapolis, so I don't know them all).

Weather in Central Maryland is pretty temprate. Summers are hot and humid with occasional late afternoon thunderstorms, with temps in the upper 80's and 90's. Usually, for a few week span in late July-early August, temperatures can stay in the high 90's (the humidity can create heat indexes into the 100's). Fall-like temperatures usually last for only a few weeks, at most (we usually have really warm temperatures and then it gets chilly overnight, it seems). The first frost is usually toward the middle of October. Winters can be either dry or wet, depending on the year. We can have an entire year without snow, or get several snow storms in the season (one thing you'll notice is that Marylanders CANNOT DRIVE in snow, as soon as two snowflakes hit the ground, people go nuts on the roads). It usually doesn't get 'bitter' cold until the middle of January, when we always have a week or two where temperatures drop into the 20's for highs. Spring seems to have been coming later and later as of late, but we start thawing out in the middle of April, and by May, we are up into the 70's (or higher) again.

[mrspink]

Thank you so much for responding. In what areas are the nice rental properties located? When we move we will most likely rent for a year and become familiar with the area before we decide to purchase a home. I think anything along the bay would be ideal...but probably not in our budget...but who knows...once in a great while people get lucky! (hey, I have to hope!) I love the idea of being close to the ocean and mountains but still living in the city. I personally would love the opportunity (since we don't have it around here) to go horseback riding along the ocean or in the mountains. Could I find this nearby?

I have heard some good things about the schools in/near Annapolis. I have noticed (since we have been looking to move on the east coast with the exception of Seattle) that many of the cities/suburban areas of those cities take pride in their education systems. Does this hold true for Annapolis?

Also...here is another question. If I have my BA in education but would choose NOT to pursue that career, would I be able to find a good paying job simply by having the correct qualifications and a 4 year degree? I would be looking into something with fashion (I know...a long way from education!). I have worked in that area before (in the middle of college) and really liked it. Specifically I worked at a bridal salon and decided that I would finish out my education degree and if my husband and I ever chose to move, I would look into working at another bridal shop. Would there be this type of opportunitiy there? And if not, how long of a commute are we talking?

Another question, but this time about our dog. I know many people who rent homes/apartments are not too fond of renters with dogs. Our dog is small and very well behaved. Would most places there allow for one pet under 10 lbs.? Would it be a case where they would have to "meet" the pet first? (that may sound weird but I have seen that!) Is Annapolis genuinely pet friendly?

Thanks so much. I have found this very helpful, and hope for more good advice/suggestions or details!

[7th Direction]

Originally Posted by mrspink

Thank you so much for responding. In what areas are the nice rental properties located? When we move we will most likely rent for a year and become familiar with the area before we decide to purchase a home. I think anything along the bay would be ideal...but probably not in our budget...but who knows...once in a great while people get lucky! (hey, I have to hope!) I love the idea of being close to the ocean and mountains but still living in the city. I personally would love the opportunity (since we don't have it around here) to go horseback riding along the ocean or in the mountains. Could I find this nearby?

There are places to rent all over the place, not just Annapolis proper. Depending on where you will be working would probably narrow down where you are going to rent. I know there are nice apartments by the Annapolis Mall, er um, Westfield Shopping Center in Annapolis, I think they are called Regatta Bay Apartments (I always drooled over them when I rode by.... lol). According to a rental website, they have a 2 pet limit, but they are fairly expensive to rent. View Regatta Bay Apartments For Rent in Annapolis, Maryland - ForRent.com

You might want to check out ApartmentRatings.com to see how some other places match up.

I have heard some good things about the schools in/near Annapolis. I have noticed (since we have been looking to move on the east coast with the exception of Seattle) that many of the cities/suburban areas of those cities take pride in their education systems. Does this hold true for Annapolis?

There are lots of good schools in the area. The best schools in the area are in Montgomery County (a little too far of a drive from Annapolis to be prudent). The best local schools, IMHO can be found in the Severna Park or Broadneck area, a few miles away from Annapolis.

Also...here is another question. If I have my BA in education but would choose NOT to pursue that career, would I be able to find a good paying job simply by having the correct qualifications and a 4 year degree? I would be looking into something with fashion (I know...a long way from education!). I have worked in that area before (in the middle of college) and really liked it. Specifically I worked at a bridal salon and decided that I would finish out my education degree and if my husband and I ever chose to move, I would look into working at another bridal shop. Would there be this type of opportunitiy there? And if not, how long of a commute are we talking?

There are bridal boutiques in Annapolis. However, I don't know how much they pay. I would think teaching would be a more solid career move. You certainly could look into supplementing you income by working someplace like that part time.

Another question, but this time about our dog. I know many people who rent homes/apartments are not too fond of renters with dogs. Our dog is small and very well behaved. Would most places there allow for one pet under 10 lbs.? Would it be a case where they would have to "meet" the pet first? (that may sound weird but I have seen that!) Is Annapolis genuinely pet friendly?

Most commercial apartment complexes will say on their webpage whether or not they are pet friendly. Some are, some are not, most do have weight restrictions (my old apartment complex limited dogs greater than 50 lbs to the first floor, etc.). With private rental agreements, I think it would be up to the landlord.

[handy man88]

Annapolis is a great area to live if you like crabs, oysters, boating, sailing, and other water activities.

I'd recommend areas north of rt. 50 to look for somewhere to rent. That would include Arnold and Severna Park.

Annapolis Mall is winding down its expansion, and is supposed to rival Tysons I, while a brand new mall is being built in Parole.

The Annapolis area is mostly a yuppie town, but there are lower income areas like along Forest Drive and West Street on the outskirts of Annapolis itself. Not much diversity though.

Keep an eye out for the Blue Angels during graduation ceremonies at the USNA. Traffic is horrendous during rush hour and during beach season on rt. 50.

Make sure you check out Cantler's and Harris's Crab House (Kent Island-Eastern Shore) for crabs.

Consider also Edgewater and South River areas, which is south of Annapolis, for a more suburban feel.

[froggy925]

I teach in Annapolis and I love it. There are many good schools nearby especially in Severna Park, Arnold, etc. Some schools in Annapolis are rougher, but the school I am in there is excellent.

[mrspink]

Thank you all again for the responses.

When would be the "best" time for us to make a visit? Less crowds, easy to see the city for what it really is...etc. We would stay for about a weekend to get a feel for the area.

[7th Direction]

Originally Posted by mrspink

Thank you all again for the responses.

When would be the "best" time for us to make a visit? Less crowds, easy to see the city for what it really is...etc. We would stay for about a weekend to get a feel for the area.

Anytime is pretty much okay. There really aren't any 'crowds'. Annapolis isn't a big city. Occasionally there are events that draw crowds, but that certainly isn't constant.

I'd say the best time to come is when it starts getting a little cooler, I'd say. There are less people interested in doing touristy things then.

[handy man88]

Originally Posted by mrspink

Thank you all again for the responses.

When would be the "best" time for us to make a visit? Less crowds, easy to see the city for what it really is...etc. We would stay for about a weekend to get a feel for the area.

Schedule your visits around events held at the USNA. That includes home football games, homecoming, graduation, and/or boat shows.

On the outskirts of Annapolis right now, there's the Renaissance Festival going on that you may enjoy. Make sure you get a smoked turkey leg if you go.

http://www.rennfest.com/