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Moving to Maryland in May

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nate
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240 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/08/2003 : 22:02:32

We found out Friday that my wife was chosen for a masters program in Bethesda starting next June. She is in the Air Force and will be doing a nurse practitioner program.
So obviously I have a few questions to bounce off you folks...
1) Where should we live? We won't be buying a house because of the short time frame we will be there, but would like to find a nice/safe area not too far from Bethesda. Our kids are not school age yet so schools aren't an issue.
2) We will be towing our C25 out there with us and hope to find a marina not too far from where we will live. Are there slips available, or are we looking at waiting lists? A recent magazine piece showed Annapolis as having a 5 year waiting list for moorage...Yikes!!
3) Is it better to be on the Chesapeake vs. a marina on the Potomoc or other rivers?
4) What is considered the best chart book for the area?

Well, I guess that is enough for now. As always, I appreciate the help and look forward to hearing from you guys.

Nate Adams
C25 #5695
"Heeling Properties"
Lake Mead, NV

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2003 : 22:45:28

Nate: Welcome to the Old Line State. I was born and raised in Baltimore, but have lived in Virginia for a long time now.

Suburban DC is incredibly expensive. Annapolis is a sailor's paradise, but also incredibly expensive. Other folks on the forum will tell you about rivers to the north and south of Annapolis.

You might want to look out in the Frederick area or north in the Howard County area. Nice, and less expensive. On the other hand, maybe you have lots of bucks. I'd definitely try to keep the boat closer to the Chesapeake rather than on the upper Potomac.

The Washington Metro (subway) is a terrific system, and you can easily commute almost anywhere in the area using it. There's also light rail that comes down from Baltimore and up from Virginia, and connects with the Metro.

It all depends hugely on your financial resources. If you'd like an extended conversation with me, feel free to email me at jbrookewillson@yahoo.com.

There's a huge chart book sold at West Marine that covers the entire bay and tributaries. It costs about $ 100, but it's wortth it. There are also three folding charts that cover the north, middle, and south bay.

Good luck!

Brooke

Edited by - brooke willson on 09/08/2003 22:49:31

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sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2003 : 08:34:19

Nate,

Looks like you'll be right in the neighborhood. I keep a 250 on the West River (when you get here, you'll find out where that is). I've been trying to get owners together in the middle bay area for flotillas and crewing (your boat or mine). Hope you stay in touch and would care to join us.

This site is a GREAT resource full of VERY helpful folks.

250 WB 1996 Hull #205

Thank you all.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2003 : 10:03:51

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
1) Where should we live? ...would like to find a nice/safe area not too far from Bethesda.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
How about Bethesda? Nice area, good neighborhoods, lots of apartments, probably rental houses... Another option is getting closer to your boat's home, but commuting around DC is, to be charitable, a hassle. "Inside the Beltway" is more expensive--it comes down to your priorities, starting with time versus money. As a grad student, your wife may not be doing that much rush-hour driving, so going North and/or East (toward the Bay) may be reasonable.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
2) ...hope to find a marina not too far from where we will live. Are there slips available, or are we looking at waiting lists? A recent magazine piece showed Annapolis as having a 5 year waiting list for moorage...Yikes!!
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Annapolis and the South River is Mecca, but the West River (south) and the Magothy (north) should be more approachable, both for cost and availability. The West has more marinas... Herring Bay south of there is another possibility, but the Eastern Shore is closer (except on Friday and Sunday nights).
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
3) Is it better to be on the Chesapeake vs. a marina on the Potomoc or other rivers?
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
It's been said that you can visit a new bay, creek, or river off the Chesapeake every day for the rest of your life. That may be stretching it for folks your age, but The Bay has a worldwide reputation as one of the world's greatest sailing venues. From the Annapolis area, you have short shots across to St. Michaels, Oxford, Rock Hall, and many other great spots and uncountable anchorages on the Eastern Shore. We've been scouting the Annapolis and Eastern Shore areas for a "pre-retirement" move for some time. Flying into DCA, however, I see way too much river bottom on the upper Potomac... I've seen some small boat races there, but from the air, it doesn't look to me like very good sailing for a C-25.

All the best in your new adventure! Keep up the chatter here as you progress in your explorations.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Kirk McKay
Navigator

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USA
111 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2003 : 10:07:57

Hi Nate,
Welcome to the neighborhood! Fisrt let me start off by saying that I work in Bethesda, so I can give you some info on the area. I would assume that there are homes for rent for short term due to the nature of the area, (Gov, Mil...) I moved down from the NYC area 4 years ago and moved into an apartment that offers short term leases, so I know that there are a lot of those. We stayed in the aprartment until we found the house and area we wanted to buy. The biggest thing about picking where to live is the transport issue. I live in northern Silver Spring (Colesville-Burtonsville area) which is about 12-15 miles from Bethesda and depending on when you try to go to Behtesda, can take between 20 minutes to almost 2 hours! Traffic in the DC metro area is very bad to say the least, so you would want to be either close to work or close to the Metro system. It also depends on when you need to commute/travel.
As to the boat, slips can be had in Annapolis, but they are very pricey. If you're only here for a short time and can afford it, it might be an experience that you want to try. There are many other smaller areas (and not as Zoo like) in the area that are more reasonably priced and some can be more quiet or whatever you're looking for. I'm in Herring bay, which is south of Annapolis-but a little shorter drive and much cheaper. There are many marinas in that area with different services to offer and such with different priices as well. There are many destinations from any of the areas of the Bay that you can sail to. I'll put a link here to a map of the area.
http://www.thebayguide.com/images/chart_n_bay.gif

http://www.thebayguide.com/home1.html

http://38degreesnorth.com/

I can't offer any advice on the Potomac River, but I can say that there wouldn't be as many "destinations" from there, but I sure there are a couple of people on the board who sail there, maybe they will chime in.

Well, I've rambled enough for now, feel free to email if you want any further info(opinions...)

Kirk

Edited by - Kirk McKay on 09/09/2003 10:19:07

Edited by - on

mqp
1st Mate

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USA
46 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2003 : 16:27:35

Nate,

Welcome to the neighborhood. I live in Bethesda, and keep my boat in Annapolis. Bethesda is one of the better area in the Washington Metro. area, but the rent can be expesive. Plan on paying around $1400 for a 2BR/1B appartment. There are lots of them though, so I don't think availability should be an issue.
As for Annapolis, it is about a 45 minutes drive from Bethesda. Slips there are also expensive. I keep my boat at the Severn Sailing Association and it costs $1400/year plus membership dues which total about $2000/year. This is relatively cheap for the area. Plan on spending at least $2500/year for a slip in Annapolis otherwise. Other areas such as West, Magothy, and Patapsco Rivers are less expensive, but I don't know what the exact rates are.
Also, you may want to check out the Washington Sailing Marina which is just south of Reagan National Airport in D.C. Their website is http://www.guestservices.com/wsm/.
If you have any question, feel free to e-mail me.

--Minh

Edited by - on

arlingva
Navigator

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USA
116 Posts

Response Posted - 09/15/2003 : 20:21:07

Nate,

I'm your man! Please feel free to e-mail.

bill.swanson@verizon.net

Live in McLean. Work in Arlington. Keep my boat at Bolling AFB and FYI Washington Sailing Marina has a multiple year waiting list. I've been on it for two years.

Bill

Bill Swanson
C250WK #614

Edited by - on

teamwike
1st Mate

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82 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2003 : 13:51:47

Nate,
My Wife is an officer with the USCG. We live in Columbia MD and keep our boat at the Annapolis Navy base across the river from the Naval Academy. We keep the boat on a trailer in long term storage.

Max Wike
C25 SR-FK

Carr Creek Marina - For boat hauling, rentals or sailing lesson reservations - 410-293-2058 or 3731
Located at the east end of Naval Station Annapolis on the mouth of the Severn River, the Marina offers a wide variety of recreational boating options at affordable prices. Moorings are available for boats up to 38 feet and slips for boats up to 30 feet. Dry storage facilities can accommodate boats up to 40 feet. Haul-outs and launching for boats up to 40 feet and 32,000 pounds are available by appointment. The rate for hauling, power washing and launch is $6.75 per foot. Short distance, over-the-road hauling for privately-owned boats can be done for boats up to 30 feet (also by appointment)

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