Sell me on Davidsonville or Annapolis area

[Anonymous]

My DH is really pushing to leave our home in the beltway and head out to Davidsonville or somewhere near Annapolis. He grew up in a small town on the water and wants our kids to have the same experience of growing up with boats/etc. near the water. He also likes that we can get A LOT more for our money around there. Although I like the idea of water access, I'm not thrilled at the thought of moving so far out. I grew up in the DC area and like being near the hustle and bustle. I like all the things there are to do, being close to DC, etc. I understand that some schools around Davidsonville are good, which is important as we have young children that haven't started school yet. HAve the schools historically been good and are they likely to stay that way? I grew up thinking that Annapolis is a little touristy and cute by day but not much going on by night or during the winter. Maybe that's not true. What is there to do in places like Davidson and Annapolis? Is it family friendly? Is buying a house there a good investment or as safe as McLean/Bethesda/Chevy Chase type areas? How's the commute to DC? Please convince me that my DH is right and this is an awesome opportunity and not a gamble that is likely to backfire.

[Anonymous]

Questionable schools, long commute.

[Anonymous]

Not sure what your budget is, but the part of Davidsonville I am familiar with is not cheap.

I don't know anything about Annapolis public schools, but I know people who like the Key School.

Beautiful scenery in both places!

[Anonymous]

A VP in my DC office commutes from there. He's in by 7 and leaves by 4:30. I'm sure the commute is pushing 3 hours round trip maybe more. I'd only do it with the intent of looking for a job elsewhere.

I grew up in a different part of AA county. I think the high schools near Davidsonville are South River (ok school), and possibly Broadneck (one of the best in AA county). I dont think the reputations of the county's schools have changed much over 20 years since I graduated. Most DCUMs wouldn't even consider Annapolis High but I think it's one of those schools where motivated, driven students can do really well.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the feedback! Please keep it coming!
My DH's coworkers do a similar commute to work and assure him it will be under an hr. We were really interested in Severna Park and Broadneck HS areas, but they are out past Annapolis and would be too far of a commute. Broadneck and South River are ranked the same by Greatschools, although Broadneck does get 4 stars vs 3 on Schooldigger. The places we see online (and yes, we need t ogo in person this weekend and also talk w/ a realtor) look very reasonably priced. (Yes, growing up in this area that concerns me because I'm used to ridiculous prices for tiny houses.) What is there to do out there? Are we going to feel isolated? More thoughts please!

[Anonymous]

What's your budget? You might look at Crownsville. Schools are better than in Davidsonville and Annapolis city. PP is right about the Broadneck pyramid -- probably one of the best in AA County.

The commute is long. Do you WOH? Can your DH work from home a couple of days a week? That said, he's willing to make the drive, so that's on him.

What do you do in your spare time now that you think you can't do in another location?

[Anonymous]

Hmm, Crownsville looks even further out than Davidsonville. Wouldn't OP's DH have a worse commute from there?

[Anonymous]

The commute will kill you if he works in DC.

[Anonymous]

8:36 again, not sure if it's a priority to you, but you might experience some culture shock in Severns Park. I know diversity in the city vs suburbs is a sensitive topic on DCUM, but African American, Latino, Asian, non-Christian people etc seem to be rare in that part of the county. That may not bother you, just something to consider.

[Anonymous]

Assume you SAHM? B/c with his long commute you will be on your own most of day.
But it is a lovely area, we have looked at Davidsonville and schools seem fine and super family friendly.

[Anonymous]

I'm currently an AHM. I'm typically on my own, so to speak, all day as it stands so that wouldn't necessarily be an issue. It does concern me that we (me and kids) would be isolated with few options for things to do. Kids and I go to the Nat'l zoo, museums, parks/playgrounds, farms, and do lots of playdates. Aside from the zoo, I would hope those things would be available. Entertaining them would likely be easier in the warmer weather when we could play near/in the water but what about the winter time? (My kids are not school age yet so I need activities for a couple more yrs) Kid friendly musuems and in-door play areas?

[Anonymous]

OP again. As for other things I would like to do... what about a variety of places to go out to eat, professional sports (our current quick drive or easy Metro ride is hard to beat), places that stay open later, going to the Kennedy ctr to catch a play or something, etc. I worry that homes w/ more land and further apart would have less of a community feel, make it hard to meet people, and have fewer community/neighborhood events. As for being an AHM, I currently plan on returning to work outside of the home when the youngest goes to school. That also concerns me as I think I could more easily find work near DC and liked my previous employer, which would be too long of a commute. To the PP who mentioned diversity, that does concern me as well. I liked growing up with the diversity of closer to DC. To the PP who said they looked at Davidsonville: Did you decide on somewhere else? If so, why and where? Thanks everyone for the input! Please keep it coming.

[Anonymous]

My close friend, and then my tennis teammates through her (all moms of elementary school kids) live in Davidsonville and they absolutely love it. Never heard them say anything negative about the schools or express concerns. They view it as idyllic, but I don't believe it is water'y or there is any water access. It's more like a farm area that has some developments. Pretty area and many people do have a bit more land than the typical 1/4 or 1/2 acre. I think of Davidsonville as being a bit more upscale and less old school AA county than Severna Park or the other areas you mentioned. Those don't seem appealing to me at all. I have friends who want water access, but without a huge budget, it means you are paying for a dumper or amongst dumpers and in a less than ideal place like Pasadena.

This commute though is going to SUCK. Unless you are working off hours, that seems like a big issue to me. But I guess the friend that does it would know better than me. It is not easy access into DC for a quick dinner. Restaurants aren't too many or good in my experience. I think Annapolis is the only option other than the chains and to me Annapolis has blah restaurants barring 1 or 2. One thing that I miss about living in HoCo, and AA is the same way, is the paucity of cheap ethnic joints or ethnic joints in general.

Home values do not hold or rise like Bethesda.

My friend's kids are mixed race but I think there's not much diversity in Davidsonville. In their group pics, I never see any black kids or kids from the Middle East or, well, anything but white kids.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Meant miss the ethnic restaurants from when I lived in MoCo. Now live in HoCo and wish we had way more. AA is the same lame way. Peruvian chicken - come to us!

[Anonymous]

I don't think Davidsonville and Annapolis are really that much less expensive, but I think there are a few decent restaurants in Annapolis. And I have seen Middle Eastern people at the mall there, along with a lot of African Americans. But the AA people could just be shopping refugees from PG county.