Coming for a visit! (Baltimore, Columbia: apartments, rentals, home) - Maryland (MD) - City-Data Forum

kwhitt · 02-21-2007, 06:28 AM

I have a job interview in Annapolis in 2 weeks. I'm coming from Michigan, so I'm going to be looking around for housing, recreational activities, historic and artistic influences, shopping, moving resources, etc while I'm there in case I get the job. My husband and I would need to find a decent area to live that we can afford. We pay $800 a month for rent right now, plus most utilities. I'm a teacher - he's a network tech. We'd like an area that has a large population in our age group - 20-40 years old. A college or university town would be good too since we like the atmosphere, but we're not into the bar/party scene. He's also going to need to find a new job if we move. Any suggestions on what/where I should look into while I'm there?

ellswo33 · 02-21-2007, 09:42 AM

Hi Sis !!! I am moving out that way to continue onward for one more year in law school. I have an acceptance at the University of Baltimore right now. I would be looking for a decent place to live -- I have a handicapped child and a 9 year old that I would need to enroll in school. I also have a teenager that would need a local community college. I may get accepted into Georgetown. I am looking for something close to my sis (who is hopeful of getting that job in Annapolis) and inbetween Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Nothing too pricey though cuz I will be a student for a year. Thanks !!!

Naterpotater · 02-21-2007, 12:40 PM

I currently live just down the street from UB in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore City. For the first post, if you are working in Annapolis, but want an affordable place to live near young crowds, etc. I would suggest looking in Downtown Baltimore, including, Mt. Vernon, Bolton Hill, Canton, Fell's Point, THe Business District, The West Side, etc. Some areas are more expensive than others and some are currently experiencing gentrification (west side). Schools in Baltimore have a bad wrap, but they are currently not in teh greatest state of existence. The Counties seem to have better public school programs, but there are some very good schools in the city as well. I would suggest contacting someone at livebaltimore.com, that is an agency that promotes living in Baltimore and could really help you out with more information about it.

kwhitt · 02-21-2007, 07:55 PM

Zomg! Make your own post ya slacker! lol.

Thanks for the reply Nat

gumby111 · 02-23-2007, 09:21 AM

Hi Kwhitt. I see you're a fellow Michigander so I had to respond!

Reading your post, it seems that right in or near Annapolis itself might be a good fit for you. I'm not familiar with the rental market so its hard for me to give you specific recommendations, but I've always thought West Annapolis would be a neat place to live (the area west of Rowe Blvd--probably very pricey though), there also seems to be nice apartments/rentals on and around Bestgate Road which is near the mall and hospital. I have friends who live out toward "Arundel on the Bay" and they like it. There's lots of other areas--some better than others for sure--so you'll probably just need to drive around the town and see what you like. Be prepared for sticker shock though--I don't think $800 a month gets you much around here.

You don't have to live right in Annapolis to enjoy it. To scope out other areas, take a drive out to Edgewater and Riva. Go out College Parkway toward the Bay Bridge. Heck, while your at it, go across the Bridge (beautiful scenery) and grab some seafood on Kent Island. You might also want to head up the Rte. 2 corridor toward Baltimore and see if you like the Arnold area.

Not sure where's the best place to look for network tech work, so can't help you there--sorry.

I don't think you're going to find that "college town atmosphere" in this immediate area. At least nothing like Ann Arbor, Lansing or Mt. Pleasant if that's what you mean. Annapolis does have the Naval Acadamy, of course, and very small liberal arts school called St. John's.

Good luck with the interview and trip--hope it works out.

dpn0121 · 03-12-2007, 01:30 PM

Been good reading this since I am hoping to move their soon also. Relocating from Houston where I just moved in August from Ohio. Oh Go Buckeyes!!

kwhitt · 03-12-2007, 02:05 PM

Thanks for adding your posts guys! I just got back to MI last night. MD is beautiful. It felt like home but with less wind and snow

...it's perfect! We spent most of our time looking around Annapolis, Glen Burnie, and Columbia. Annapolis and Columbia were my favorites. Parts of Glen Burnie were nice but some of the apartments there seemed a bit questionable to a small-town girl like myself. I'm originally from northern MI...not Grand Rapids...hence the small-town part.