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Anyone Live On The Water? (1 Viewer)

J

James Daulton

Footballguy
Been in the burbs of Baltimore my entire adult life.  My kids are either graduated or in college.  My new gig includes about a 45 minute commute to Annapolis that I'd like to shorten if possible.  While I really like where I live now, I'm going to be 50 in a few months and I wouldn't mind a new "adventure."  I've always liked the water and love to fish, crab, boat whenever possible (not often) so I thought to myself, why not move near Annapolis where's there's plenty of water and the commute would be minimal.  Well, I don't have Otis or Chet bucks so the most I could afford is about $900k.  While that may seem like a lot, that gets you a house on water but something about it isn't quite perfect.  Take this one for example, pretty nice house, great water frontage, nice yard, but it's next to a freeway that you can hear from the yard.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Annapolis/35-Acorn-Dr-21401/home/9919843

So aside from having to accept some flaws from the house and property, is there anything else I need to know about living on the water that would dissuade me?

 
eoMMan said:
:lmao:

This board is becoming all about humble brags.

Nice job, JD.
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Seriously didn't mean to come across like that.  The wife and I spent the day looking at houses and if I have to not get a "perfect" property I don't want to find something about living near water that sucks too.

Plus I've been in my current house for 20 years so I got that house appreciation working for me. 

 
Do you really need 6 bedrooms with all your kids being older. Why not look for a townhouse or something smaller

 
avoiding injuries said:
For 900k you could live like a king in middle river/essex on the water. 

Open to going over the bridge?
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This. Get an awesome place just across the bridge. Always hear great things about St Michaels. Sure you could find an awesome place and still cut your commute in half or less. 

 
James Daulton said:
Been in the burbs of Baltimore my entire adult life.  My kids are either graduated or in college.  My new gig includes about a 45 minute commute to Annapolis that I'd like to shorten if possible.  While I really like where I live now, I'm going to be 50 in a few months and I wouldn't mind a new "adventure."  I've always liked the water and love to fish, crab, boat whenever possible (not often) so I thought to myself, why not move near Annapolis where's there's plenty of water and the commute would be minimal.  Well, I don't have Otis or Chet bucks so the most I could afford is about $900k.  While that may seem like a lot, that gets you a house on water but something about it isn't quite perfect.  Take this one for example, pretty nice house, great water frontage, nice yard, but it's next to a freeway that you can hear from the yard.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Annapolis/35-Acorn-Dr-21401/home/9919843

So aside from having to accept some flaws from the house and property, is there anything else I need to know about living on the water that would dissuade me?
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I am almost 50 and have no kids. So I am down sizing to this.  :lmao:

 
If you're a water person, and you're going to save enough to buy a boat and ski equipment and jet ski, and use them often, then sure. 
 

If not, it's a lot of money for a nice view.

 
I'm from southern AA Co. Hit me up for info if you'd consider going south of town. I also know Annapolis itself pretty well (my mother still lives there).

 
That house is kinda terrible. The 1980 updates to the kitchen and every bathroom have their charms I suppose, but I would have to drop bombs in every one of those rooms and start over. $$$$

 
Live in AACo up the lane from the Severn.  Waterfront people in my hood seem happy. 

With kids out of school you can avoid the $ that comes with the areas aligned with better/best public schools.  Never go towardd Baltimore for food/fun anymore, Annapolis is sweet. 

 
Homeowners insurance on that has to be a ton, right? After all the flooding the past few years, anything on the water has to have crazy flood insurance numbers I would think.

 
Plan higher maintenance costs due to the salt air.  A/C units last 5-10 years max.  Any painted parts fo the house will need re-painting every 5 years.  Any mild or galvanized steel outside like on light fixtures, ceiling fans, etc. will rust in months. Don't even think about using anything other than SS on your dock for fasteners.  Most docks are not covered under homeowner's for storm surge which can wreck them if the pilings aren't super-deep.  Jet-Ski's aren't as much fun as you think after the novelty wears off.  They are a blast occasionally but are high maintenance.  You don't just jump on them at the dock for a quick ride.  They've got to be cleaned and flushed after saltwater use or their life will be very short. They are great for guests, but most guests will tear them up (not knowingly, they just don't know all the sandbars, etc.).

But, overall, living on the water is great.  Very peaceful, nice to watch the big boats go by, and the fishing and variety of marine life is amazing. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 
That house was just an example!   :wall:

Ideally we'd find a small rancher away from a highway with a beautiful view for less than that.  Reality is that unless that you're bring another $500k, you have to accept flaws in either the house or location.  Anyway, I was just more curious if anyone had lived on the water (sounds like a great idea) but then found it wasn't all it was cracked up to be.  Things like bugs are bad, maintenance of the water frontage, that kind of thing. 

Here's actually one that I like, but like all waterfront real estate in my price, it has a flaw, you need to walk down 2 flights of stairs to get to the front door.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Crownsville/739-N-Riverside-Dr-21032/home/17362892

Here's the one the wife likes.  No real flaws other than it needs a little updating.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Annapolis/149-E-Bay-View-Dr-21403/home/10018979

 
Uruk-Hai said:
I'm from southern AA Co. Hit me up for info if you'd consider going south of town. I also know Annapolis itself pretty well (my mother still lives there).
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I don't want to go to far south of Annapolis that I still have a 30+ minute commute.  I'm looking at Edgewater anywhere else I should look?  Deale is too far South, no?

 
James Daulton said:
I don't want to go to far south of Annapolis that I still have a 30+ minute commute.  I'm looking at Edgewater anywhere else I should look?  Deale is too far South, no?
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Deale is about 20-30 minutes, depending on what part of  the Annapolis area you are commuting to. In between, you have Shady Side, Galesville, Mayo, Edgewater, and Riva

 
Uruk-Hai said:
Deale is about 20-30 minutes, depending on what part of  the Annapolis area you are commuting to. In between, you have Shady Side, Galesville, Mayo, Edgewater, and Riva
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I'm right by the mall.  Do you like any of the communities you listed better than others?  Schools aren't an issue. 

 
eoMMan said:
Does it have to be right on the water?

Does it have to be near Annapolis? Can you work remotely?

That area seems way overpriced. You don't get much for your money. For example, check out this "beach" house (close to beach but not right on beach) in NC for $599k....

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/909-Corolla-Dr-Corolla-NC-27927/2099476383_zpid/
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I'd like it to be but if I can't find anything that works than no.

Yes near Annapolis.

No, can't work remotely.

Yes area is very overpriced.  Lots of money and good schools near Annapolis.  Plus the whole area is just really nice in general. 

 
James Daulton said:
That house was just an example!   :wall:

Ideally we'd find a small rancher away from a highway with a beautiful view for less than that.  Reality is that unless that you're bring another $500k, you have to accept flaws in either the house or location.  Anyway, I was just more curious if anyone had lived on the water (sounds like a great idea) but then found it wasn't all it was cracked up to be.  Things like bugs are bad, maintenance of the water frontage, that kind of thing. 

Here's actually one that I like, but like all waterfront real estate in my price, it has a flaw, you need to walk down 2 flights of stairs to get to the front door.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Crownsville/739-N-Riverside-Dr-21032/home/17362892

Here's the one the wife likes.  No real flaws other than it needs a little updating.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Annapolis/149-E-Bay-View-Dr-21403/home/10018979
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The first thing you have to learn is that when you have a waterfront house, the "front" of your house is the side facing the water.  No one cares about the side facing inland.

 
James Daulton said:
I'm right by the mall.  Do you like any of the communities you listed better than others?  Schools aren't an issue. 
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Yeah, that home you posted off of Bestgate would be pretty damned convenient if you're working near the mall  :D

I think if I were going to buy on the water, I'd go to Galesville. It's the smallest and quietest community (though it can get pretty busy in the summer with the boaters around, but you'd have that issue in many of those places). Most of the waterfront lots are high enough that you'd only get some yard flooding in any but the most extreme storms. Galesville only has one little market, though, so you'd have to go to Edgewater or Annapolis to do much shopping.

If you're worried about flooding, I'd stay away from the penninsula part of Shady side - high tide and a couple of inches of rain, and you own land IN the Bay.

I'm from Deale, so know it best. There are some low areas, but many that are not, too.

Edgewater will be the closest for your commute. It's really just a suburb of Annapolis any more, as is Riva (without the shopping options Edgewater has). 

Mayo has a lot of waterfront propertis in some varying geographies. Like Shady Side, though - one way in and one way out of the penninsula. 

 
Yes, I would VERY much like to live on the water and am about 4 years away from being in your shoes (empty nest / debt-free house). Waterfront property is just so expensive though. I can't see myself doubling-down on a newer/bigger/more expensive house at that point. If anything, I'd see myself downsizing and taking more vacations to water-front places (carrib for a month or so every winter and maybe a place in OBX for a couple weeks/months throughout the year). 

 
James Daulton said:
Been in the burbs of Baltimore my entire adult life.  My kids are either graduated or in college.  My new gig includes about a 45 minute commute to Annapolis that I'd like to shorten if possible.  While I really like where I live now, I'm going to be 50 in a few months and I wouldn't mind a new "adventure."  I've always liked the water and love to fish, crab, boat whenever possible (not often) so I thought to myself, why not move near Annapolis where's there's plenty of water and the commute would be minimal.  Well, I don't have Otis or Chet bucks so the most I could afford is about $900k.  While that may seem like a lot, that gets you a house on water but something about it isn't quite perfect.  Take this one for example, pretty nice house, great water frontage, nice yard, but it's next to a freeway that you can hear from the yard.

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Annapolis/35-Acorn-Dr-21401/home/9919843

So aside from having to accept some flaws from the house and property, is there anything else I need to know about living on the water that would dissuade me?
Click to expand...
Would you mind if i and my film crew took you on a search for new digs, bringing you out to go over price points and dealbreakers over mojitos and then to several homes where i discussed curb appeal & backsplashes in a sexually ambiguous manner for a new "FFAbulous Homes" show i'm trying to pitch?

 
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wikkidpissah said:
Would you mind if i and my film crew took you on a search for new digs, bringing you out to go over price points and dealbreakers over mojitos and then to several homes where i discussed curb appeal & backsplashes in a sexually ambiguous manner for a new "FFAbulous Homes" show i'm trying to pitch?
Click to expand...
Tempting...

 
E-Z Glider said:
Yes, I would VERY much like to live on the water and am about 4 years away from being in your shoes (empty nest / debt-free house). Waterfront property is just so expensive though. I can't see myself doubling-down on a newer/bigger/more expensive house at that point. If anything, I'd see myself downsizing and taking more vacations to water-front places (carrib for a month or so every winter and maybe a place in OBX for a couple weeks/months throughout the year). 
Click to expand...
This is where the wife is at.  My reality though is that I want to work for another 10 years at least so I won't be able to take a lot of vacation throughout those years.  This place would kind of be a vacation at home (in my mind anyway) and the commute relief would be nice.

I also want to live in Baltimore City when I'm old so if I go it probably wouldn't be my last place.

The wife is the big hurdle in all of this.  In most everything as a matter of fact...

 
Wife and I are considering this as well, but we are looking to completely relocate to Minnesota.

My kids are still in school, but I am an older dad. So my youngest will won't get out of college until I'm 63. We have the same philosophy as the OP - we can buy some lakefront property now and enjoy that lifestyle while the kids are young enough to hang at the lake.

We are looking at this as a total lifestyle change. I can sell my house right now, pay off all my debt, and have a sizable down payment on a nice place in Minnesota. Which would include an acre or two. Part of the plan is I want to be in a place where I have some natural resources available to me if the #### hits the fan. Fresh water, fish to eat, land to grow my own stuff...etc.

I know, I know...it's Minnesota. But we've vacationed there for years and my family loves it there. Plus we are really into hiking, fishing, camping etc. So ice fishing would be fun, and I also have a son in hockey, so there would be options for him as well.

We may pull the trigger as soon as this next spring. 

 
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msudaisy26 said:
I am almost 50 and have no kids. So I am down sizing to this.  :lmao:
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I am 41 with no kids.  Downsized from a 3200 sq ft home to a 1680 sf townhome.  Could not be happier.  Much better space, in a much better area etc.  I miss the garage but nothing else.  You really should think about it. 

 
sbonomo said:
I am 41 with no kids.  Downsized from a 3200 sq ft home to a 1680 sf townhome.  Could not be happier.  Much better space, in a much better area etc.  I miss the garage but nothing else.  You really should think about it. 
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I was commenting on the OP, how dare you call me 50!!!

 
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