Why not Annapolis?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Culture is different, too. Could be a plus, could be a negative, but definitely take stock of what life there is a like.

It's more middle class than this area. We don't really have a middle class so I'm not used to interacting with people who are.

Plus, it's pretty rural.

Some places may be, but there is also a lot of money. People are more low key about it. Sailing and waterfront properties are not inexpensive.

It is more rural. People live here because they prefer a less urban atmosphere than DC or Baltimore; or are from here. Finally, Annapolis is culturally aligned to Maryland and not DC. Places like Rockville, are DC suburbs. It's a very different mindset.

OP here: Appreciate all of the feedback and insight.

Lots of comments about the culture of Annapolis. Can anyone elaborate on difference between MoCo and Annapolis culturally? What does it mean to say it's "culturally aligned to MD and not DC"?

[Anonymous]

If you can do private then Annapolis is fine. The privates are much less expensive but in the major privates, drugs are rampant.

If you are going to commute into DC for work, then do not move east of the Severn River Bridge, too much traffic and it will take too long.

If you still want services (book stores, variety in restaurants, shopping, etc.), then don't move to Davidsonville or anywhere that Rt. 214 is going to be your normal/main thoroughfare.

You could consider, Annapolis proper (just know where the public housing units are located and know that many streets in Eastport experience a lot of petty crime), or the close in suburbs. There are some nice communities, off of 178 towards Crownsville and off of 450 and into Crofton. Also, if you want to go a little north, then Severna Park and Millersville area.

Depending on where you work in DC, you could do the commuter bus or MARC from Bowie or Odenton station.

I lived in Annapolis for the last 12 years, although we recently moved to Crofton for better public middle and high schools. Other than traffic, it was fine and hope to go back after kids finish school. You just have to know what communities to look at and know what you really want in a home and its surrounding environment. Pick a good realtor, drive around and keep your eyes open, go at different times to figure out traffic, get out and talk to folks, go to some open houses or just tour the privates (most are not locked into acceptance dates, like DC privates are, meaning even in late summer they will work with you). Look at Key, Severn, St. Anne's, St. Mary's and Annapolis Area Christian to start and then look at the others (St. Andrews, St. Martins, Indian Creek, the Montessori one, etc.) to get a feel for the school communities and what neighborhoods strongly feed into them.

[Anonymous]

We considered it as for he 1.5 we spent in close in bethesda we could have bought a stately estate on the water in the mix of it all and done private. We rented a room in the historic inn (treaty of Paris) for a week and did the commute to Farragut and NoVa. We crossed it off our list as we couldn't picture doing that for the next 30 years. We bought a more modest home near the river close in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Culture is different, too. Could be a plus, could be a negative, but definitely take stock of what life there is a like.

It's more middle class than this area. We don't really have a middle class so I'm not used to interacting with people who are.

Plus, it's pretty rural.

Some places may be, but there is also a lot of money. People are more low key about it. Sailing and waterfront properties are not inexpensive.

It is more rural. People live here because they prefer a less urban atmosphere than DC or Baltimore; or are from here. Finally, Annapolis is culturally aligned to Maryland and not DC. Places like Rockville, are DC suburbs. It's a very different mindset.

OP here: Appreciate all of the feedback and insight.

Lots of comments about the culture of Annapolis. Can anyone elaborate on difference between MoCo and Annapolis culturally? What does it mean to say it's "culturally aligned to MD and not DC"?

Once you get beyond the rich preppy boating people, it reminds me a lot of the part of Pennsylvania where I grew up. People are mostly white, have lived in the same place a long time, aren't that well educated or well off, are politically conservative, and are kind of provincial. Go hang out at the Annapolis mall and compare to Bethesda or Rockville.

[Anonymous]

Too depressing, homogeneous, and conservative. Public schools are unacceptable. The commute to DC would suck the life out of you--even if it's only two days a week (2 - 2 1/2 hours each way).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Too depressing, homogeneous, and conservative. Public schools are unacceptable. The commute to DC would suck the life out of you--even if it's only two days a week (2 - 2 1/2 hours each way).

Commute time of 2 - 2.5 each way? Waze shows roughly an hour.

Am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too depressing, homogeneous, and conservative. Public schools are unacceptable. The commute to DC would suck the life out of you--even if it's only two days a week (2 - 2 1/2 hours each way).

Commute time of 2 - 2.5 each way? Waze shows roughly an hour.

Am I missing something?

Depends on the time of day and traffic conditions. Couldn't be an hour if you're leaving, say, between 7 and 9 am.

[Anonymous]

We live in Arnold (right outside Annapolis - and yes we have to cross the Severn River Bridge) and my husband has the same schedule - he teleworks M, W, F and goes into the office in DC on Tues/Thurs. His commute is not 2 or 2.5 hours long, unless there is a major accident. More like 1.5 on the way home (leaving his office around 4:30 and having to deal with Severn River Bridge, which you wouldn't have to if you moved to Davidsonville or other places in Annapolis) and sometimes can make it in 1 hour on the way in. It's a mixed bag here, just like anywhere else - some people have tons of money, some people don't. It's a nice community with water access, and a lot less hectic than DC or MoCo. Def wouldn't do public in Annapolis but surrounding areas (Severna Park, Arnold) have great public schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can do private then Annapolis is fine. The privates are much less expensive but in the major privates, drugs are rampant.

If you are going to commute into DC for work, then do not move east of the Severn River Bridge, too much traffic and it will take too long.

If you still want services (book stores, variety in restaurants, shopping, etc.), then don't move to Davidsonville or anywhere that Rt. 214 is going to be your normal/main thoroughfare.

You could consider, Annapolis proper (just know where the public housing units are located and know that many streets in Eastport experience a lot of petty crime), or the close in suburbs. There are some nice communities, off of 178 towards Crownsville and off of 450 and into Crofton. Also, if you want to go a little north, then Severna Park and Millersville area.

Depending on where you work in DC, you could do the commuter bus or MARC from Bowie or Odenton station.

I lived in Annapolis for the last 12 years, although we recently moved to Crofton for better public middle and high schools. Other than traffic, it was fine and hope to go back after kids finish school. You just have to know what communities to look at and know what you really want in a home and its surrounding environment. Pick a good realtor, drive around and keep your eyes open, go at different times to figure out traffic, get out and talk to folks, go to some open houses or just tour the privates (most are not locked into acceptance dates, like DC privates are, meaning even in late summer they will work with you). Look at Key, Severn, St. Anne's, St. Mary's and Annapolis Area Christian to start and then look at the others (St. Andrews, St. Martins, Indian Creek, the Montessori one, etc.) to get a feel for the school communities and what neighborhoods strongly feed into them.

This is incredibly helpful--thank you.

We're looking at some "water access" communities: Davidsonville communities on the South River (Harbor Hills, Eagles Passages) as well as some homes off of Solomon's Island Rd (on Annapolis side, not Edgewater side). These seem to give access to Annapolis Town Center area shopping and dining, but would keep commute to DC reasonable.

Any insight on these areas?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Culture is different, too. Could be a plus, could be a negative, but definitely take stock of what life there is a like.

It's more middle class than this area. We don't really have a middle class so I'm not used to interacting with people who are.

Plus, it's pretty rural.

Some places may be, but there is also a lot of money. People are more low key about it. Sailing and waterfront properties are not inexpensive.

It is more rural. People live here because they prefer a less urban atmosphere than DC or Baltimore; or are from here. Finally, Annapolis is culturally aligned to Maryland and not DC. Places like Rockville, are DC suburbs. It's a very different mindset.

OP here: Appreciate all of the feedback and insight.

Lots of comments about the culture of Annapolis. Can anyone elaborate on difference between MoCo and Annapolis culturally? What does it mean to say it's "culturally aligned to MD and not DC"?

Once you get beyond the rich preppy boating people, it reminds me a lot of the part of Pennsylvania where I grew up. People are mostly white, have lived in the same place a long time, aren't that well educated or well off, are politically conservative, and are kind of provincial. Go hang out at the Annapolis mall and compare to Bethesda or Rockville.

Annapolis Mall is not even technically in Annapolis (it has an Annapolis address but not within city limits).

Most people in Annapolis are actually pretty well off and well educated. The provincial people you are thinking about are actually from places like Glen Burnie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Culture is different, too. Could be a plus, could be a negative, but definitely take stock of what life there is a like.

It's more middle class than this area. We don't really have a middle class so I'm not used to interacting with people who are.

Plus, it's pretty rural.

Some places may be, but there is also a lot of money. People are more low key about it. Sailing and waterfront properties are not inexpensive.

It is more rural. People live here because they prefer a less urban atmosphere than DC or Baltimore; or are from here. Finally, Annapolis is culturally aligned to Maryland and not DC. Places like Rockville, are DC suburbs. It's a very different mindset.

OP here: Appreciate all of the feedback and insight.

Lots of comments about the culture of Annapolis. Can anyone elaborate on difference between MoCo and Annapolis culturally? What does it mean to say it's "culturally aligned to MD and not DC"?

PP who first mentioned culture.

I think MoCo is the quintessential professional class county. Lots of graduate degrees from elite schools, 'knowledge' industries/workers, obsession with public school quality, a bit aggressive, self-assured, very high median incomes, less of a sense of tradition, etc. There are of course, fairly large immigrant populations and while many of them are very highly educated professionals, there are also meaningful concentrations of working class immigrants, especially in eastern and to a less degree northern MoCo.

Annapolis (and AA county, especially south of 'Naptown) feels more traditionally southern and MD-ish. The culture of the Cheasapeake Bay and watermen, the military and intelligence, sailing, and rural patronage politicians all figure there. That being said, COL is lower, so in many ways all that 'traditional' stuff coexists with some funky folks/stuff that would be priced out of MoCo. The pace of life is much slower, and at least in the historic district and close-in Eastport, there is something of a small-town culture of familiarity. There is also a weekend tourism and party culture around the docks. Weekend nights feature lots of noise, but the town gets quiet quickly once you get away from the docks. Like others have said, the major social dynamic is more middle-class, but there are large numbers of folks with big $$$ who live there because they like it, you'll find them both in the historic district and out on any piece of water front property: on the Severn and it's tributaries, South River, Spa Creek, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in Arnold (right outside Annapolis - and yes we have to cross the Severn River Bridge) and my husband has the same schedule - he teleworks M, W, F and goes into the office in DC on Tues/Thurs. His commute is not 2 or 2.5 hours long, unless there is a major accident. More like 1.5 on the way home (leaving his office around 4:30 and having to deal with Severn River Bridge, which you wouldn't have to if you moved to Davidsonville or other places in Annapolis) and sometimes can make it in 1 hour on the way in. It's a mixed bag here, just like anywhere else - some people have tons of money, some people don't. It's a nice community with water access, and a lot less hectic than DC or MoCo. Def wouldn't do public in Annapolis but surrounding areas (Severna Park, Arnold) have great public schools.

+1 we live in Arnold and moved here for the schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Culture is different, too. Could be a plus, could be a negative, but definitely take stock of what life there is a like.

It's more middle class than this area. We don't really have a middle class so I'm not used to interacting with people who are.

Plus, it's pretty rural.

Some places may be, but there is also a lot of money. People are more low key about it. Sailing and waterfront properties are not inexpensive.

It is more rural. People live here because they prefer a less urban atmosphere than DC or Baltimore; or are from here. Finally, Annapolis is culturally aligned to Maryland and not DC. Places like Rockville, are DC suburbs. It's a very different mindset.

OP here: Appreciate all of the feedback and insight.

Lots of comments about the culture of Annapolis. Can anyone elaborate on difference between MoCo and Annapolis culturally? What does it mean to say it's "culturally aligned to MD and not DC"?

Once you get beyond the rich preppy boating people, it reminds me a lot of the part of Pennsylvania where I grew up. People are mostly white, have lived in the same place a long time, aren't that well educated or well off, are politically conservative, and are kind of provincial. Go hang out at the Annapolis mall and compare to Bethesda or Rockville.

I love their mall. It has a ZGallerie so I don't have to go to Tysons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The commute downtown sucks. Maybe for 1 day every 2 weeks I would consider it. And as PP noted outside of the cute downtown it's very much like the Rockville Pike...cheesy 70's and 80's vintage crap. And it's not like schools are any better than MoCo, so you're still doing private.

For your situation I'd consider Fredrick and MARC in those days.

You haven't been there in awhile. The t shirts shops are largely getting replaced by upper middle class outfitters like Sperry and Helly Hansen, as well as expensive restaurants.

But it's true that public schools in Annapolis suck. People with means who live in Annapolis send their kids to Severn or St Mary's.

Annapolis is a dump. The down town is ugly and you can't even see the bay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The commute downtown sucks. Maybe for 1 day every 2 weeks I would consider it. And as PP noted outside of the cute downtown it's very much like the Rockville Pike...cheesy 70's and 80's vintage crap. And it's not like schools are any better than MoCo, so you're still doing private.

For your situation I'd consider Fredrick and MARC in those days.

You haven't been there in awhile. The t shirts shops are largely getting replaced by upper middle class outfitters like Sperry and Helly Hansen, as well as expensive restaurants.

But it's true that public schools in Annapolis suck. People with means who live in Annapolis send their kids to Severn or St Mary's.

Annapolis is a dump. The down town is ugly and you can't even see the bay.

Troll.