Help...Advice on move to Annapolis... (to rent, custom home, buying)

[Lorelee]

Hello everyone, I've been reading these posts for over a month now and wanted to finally send out my own info request.

We are considering moving to the Annapolis area next summer and I am probably flying out to check out the area soon. We will more than likely be looking to rent a home until we decide on where we want to live. My husband is an airline pilot and would be flying out of Regan airport.
we actually looked at Boston...New Hampshire first...toooooo cooled for me. I don't mind seasons and I love humid summers but long, drawn out cold winters are not my thing at all.

We have a 6 year old so schools super important to us.

~ Great public schools (nearby). and would prefer to be able to walk or ride bikes to school and have a school where parents are very involved.

Ideally, I'd like to find:
~ A great community, with some property on or near water. We love our home in the bay area of Cali but properties..land very small. Plus community events like festivals, etc.

~ A nice walking area with restaurants, shops close to the beach and nice shady parks with play equipment for little ones.

~ Culture - as in theatre, art, dance, music...anything really.

~ Safe community (as in, I can come home at night by myself with my daughter and not be in fear that someone is going to mug me before I get into my house) -


~ Healthy natural food shopping nearby…I love Whole Foods, Trader Joes and buying local produce.

We are currently living in our custom home and will probably rent it out until we figure out exactly where we want to live. We are hoping for $3500-4000 / month in rent or 2500 sf cottage that is new or we can renovate for around $800-850k.

We love water activities, Cafes, eateries, bakeries...really love a walk able town with a real sense of a town centre. I don't mind living in the burbs but don't want to drive more than 10 minutes to be in my town centre.


Am I asking too much?

Wife of JetBlue pilot
Thank you in advance.

[smitity]

Price wise, culture wise, and school wise, Annapolis area sounds like a good fit. The only thing you may not find is the walkability you are looking for. If you want something on or near water, you will probably have to drive/bus the kids to school. Unless you get lucky and find a nice home in Annapolis itself, you'll be definitely more than 10 minutes from the town center. In general the area (Annapolis and most of central MD) is not very walkable unless you're in the middle of the town itself. Most things you need/want are not far away, but usually too far to walk regularly.

But don't let me or anyone else dissuade you. Its a great area to live. Look around yourself and see what you can find, you may find the prefect fit.

[gggjfg]

Here you go! A reminder of symbiosis between Chesapeake Bay and Annapolis. How about a 28" snowfall? Sorry, I couldn't resist. But it is a reminder that Mother Nature can go to the extreme in the area. Your list seems to be a good match for Annapolis itself. You are not asking too much. I lived there for over a decade. A fairly long commute to Reagan though.

[MrRational]

Annapolis is great with a downtown area similar to what you have there
but... Commuting to Reagan won't be very convenient.