Ask 100 people what the capital of Maryland is and 75% will answer Baltimore. No surprise. Charm City is home to more than 600,000 people, stacks of high-rises, and radiates of the big city feels like any other state capital.
If you’re among the 25% who didn’t answer Baltimore, congrats! Maryland’s capital is the city of Annapolis. Unfamiliar? Can’t blame you. With only 40,000 residents, the city feels more like a small town than a metropolis. But you know what? Once you get to live there, you’ll realize why it deserves to be called the state capital.
Seated on Chesapeake Bay’s western shores, Annapolis boasts a robust port community and plenty of scenic waterfronts. What the city lacks in lofty infrastructures, it makes up for with distinct neighborhoods, lovely parks, festivals, low crime, amazing seafood, and a pleasant homely atmosphere that’s rare in big cities.
Getting on point, Annapolis is definitely a unique place that you can call home. So if you want to leap from Baltimore to the ‘Athens of America,’ brace yourself as it’s way more expensive. Make sure you have the best Annapolis movers to back you up. That said, here are some of the popular neighborhoods you should explore.
Eastport
The ocean loves Eastport. Eastport adores its waterfront. The attraction is mutual. Situated on the inlet facing Chesapeake, there’s nothing more refreshing than the sea breeze blowing on your face on a sunny afternoon. Less than one mile south of Downtown via 6th St and Compromise St, this neighborhood spans everything to the right of Bay Ridge Avenue and Adam St.
Populated with domes and classical towers, the view of Annapolis harbor from this side of town is priceless. Enjoy a food scene like no other as you dine in the nautical halls of Blackwall Hitch. Feast on the friend shrimp and delicious scallops served at Wild Country Seafood. You can also hop on a boat and experience the beauty of sea travel guided by the Severn Sailing Association. If you’re not a fan of seafaring, you could always go on a picnic in the shaded grounds of Turner Park.
As for its 7,000 residents, young professionals and college students comprise a considerable lot. In addition to institutions Downtown, the Eastport Elementary School is a solid choice for your kids. Nearby apartments and single-family townhouses render the school within walking distance. And since the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:11, you can ensure that their learning needs will be met.
- Median home sales price: $800,706
- Home values: $700K – $1.9M+
- Avg Rent: $2,105
As for its 7,000 residents, young professionals and college students comprise a considerable lot. Photo courtesy of The Washington Post.
Forest Villa
Occupying the massive space between Forest Dr and West St, Forest Villa provides a minimalistic urban life approach. From its center, you’ll reach Downtown in about five minutes if you follow Spa Road. That is, of course, if traffic is favorable.
Luckily, Forest Villa happens to be one of the more affordable regions in good old Annapolis. This is why it greatly appeals to families and retirees. But just because houses are cheaper doesn’t mean the quality of life degrades. In fact, you’ll be amazed at the abundance of high-end apartments, lavish condos, and state-of-the-art homes within its vicinity.
Educational options near the area include Annapolis Middle School, Walter S. Mills-Parole Elementary School, and Maven Academy. Maryland Hall is also worth mentioning as it offers courses in arts for all ages and different skill levels.
For its 10,000 residents, Forest Villa is as good as it gets. Living here, you’ll have access to retail chains, modest cafes, and graciously cheap bistros. Collect your thoughts as you stroll along the beautifully mowed paths of Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Also, you don’t need to head Downtown to see water. Take pleasure in hiking down the boardwalks tracing Spa Creeks, feed the seagulls, or catch some white perch.
- Median home sales price: $542,056,
- Home values: $340K – $1.5M+
- Avg Rent: $2,259
Luckily, Forest Villa happens to be one of the more affordable regions in good old Annapolis. Photo courtesy of Zillow.
Downtown
Welcome to the heart of Annapolis! Sauntering around, you’ll notice this neighborhood’s dazzling appeal with its modern-day facilities mixed with a tinge of architectural past. Bounded by water to the east, Taylor Avenue in the north, and a bridge that separates it from Eastport in the south, Downtown Annapolis features a collection of historic buildings and streets filled with commercial businesses.
As the center of operations, Downtown exhibits diversity when it comes to home choices. You can easily find a humble studio apartment or bargain for a decent single-family home. However, if you’ve got a fat bank account, there’s always a manor or two in the real estate listings.
Since St. John’s College lies at the center, there’s no shortage of young people that brighten up the nightlife. Unlike other areas in the city, Downtown never runs out of things to do. With more than 15,000 residents, you’ll find yourself caught in the buzz of energy that can be contagious. There’s a waterfront for you to traverse, museums to visit, dozens of restaurants, bars, galleries, and droves of shops to explore.
- Median home sales price: $549,000,
- Home values: $300K – $1.2M+
- Avg Rent: $1,757
Welcome to the heart of Annapolis! Sauntering around, you’ll notice this neighborhood’s dazzling appeal with its modern-day facilities mixed with a tinge of architectural past. Photo courtesy of Anna-Katherine Gaspard on Pinterest.
Saint Margarets
An upscale district in Eastern Annapolis, Saint Margarets blends elegance and quietude. It is enclosed by College Pkwy and Bay Dale Dr in the north and occupies most of the area surrounding St. Margarets Rd in the south. Although Downtown is an hour’s drive to the west, you can still find many amenities nearby.
Said to be the most expensive neighborhood in the city, Saint Margarets is not for the faint of heart. However, there is a good reason for its outrageous real estate values. Most homes feature 4-6 bedrooms and sit on massive lots complemented by gorgeous lawns, grand pools, and nicely trimmed trees. You can choose from various designs, from classic Victorian houses to duplexes that rock a modernized look.
The majority of its 13,000 residents work white-collar jobs. You can expect to see luxury cars, top-class restaurants, and fashion brand shops lining up the streets. Locals would personally recommend Red Hot & Blue Annapolis’s BBQ and relaxing live music. As for education, Windsor Farm Elementary School and Saint Margarets Day School are among the best institutions in the area. If you want to make weekends worth it, White Hall Bay is easily a 6-minute drive away. Enjoy quality family bonding through a variety of fun activities, including swimming, waterskiing, boating, and fishing.
- Median home sales price: $817,706
- Home values: $600K – $2.5M+
- Avg Rent: $2,785
An upscale district in Eastern Annapolis, Saint Margarets blends elegance and quietude. Photo courtesy of Zillow.
Admiral Heights
If you prefer modest countryside living with plenty of amenities, Admiral Heights happily exists for that purpose. Perched two miles northeast of Downtown, getting to work shouldn’t be a problem since many roads lead to the city center. This community is fringed by John Hanson Hwy to the north, Taylor Avenue to the east, and West St in the south.
As you explore its grid-like streets, you’ll notice that colonial homes, ranch-style townhouses, and cape cods dot the area. The apartment complexes in Admiral Heights are among the comfiest in the city. Most of the houses stand on spacious lots, providing uncontested freedom that’s hard to find in big cities. Phoenix Academy caters to a majority of the children around the neighborhood. The presence of Mary Land State Archives also attracts curious professionals.
Want action-packed evenings? No worries. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, which hosted the 1984 Summer Olympics soccer games, is within walking distance. If you wish to enjoy a waterfront, Weems Creek has got you covered in the north. It offers the same activities you’d enjoy near Chesapeake Bay. Additionally, shopping becomes a great pastime thanks to the rows of stores queued up along West St.
- Median home sales price: $650,000
- Home values: $410K – $900,000
- Avg Rent: $1,900
If you prefer modest countryside living with plenty of amenities, Admiral Heights happily exists for that purpose. Photo courtesy of Zillow.