Is Annapolis expensive? It depends on where you're coming from. My clients from the New York City area or say, San Franciso Bay area, are like kids in the candy store when the see the homes here. "You mean I can buy this beautiful home with a nice view that's 5 minutes from the Chesapeake Bay for less than $500,000?" they exclaim. "This house would be double that where we live now," they tell me. So they're thrilled with how far the dollar goes in our area.

On the other hand, I get calls from Texas, or Florida. "Well, we have about 3,000 square feet now, it's an all-brick house on an acre of land, and fully fenced. Oh, that doesn't include the full basement. We're going to sell here for around $180,000 and we plan to move to the water in Annapolis. We're prepared to pay up to $220,000 for it."   I know I have to educate these folks; it won't be easy. And, once given the information, they probably won't move here because their expectations are too far out of line with this area's pricing reality.

Now depending on where you're coming from, moving to Annapolis can be moving into a better pricing situation, like our New York City or San Franciso Bay area folks.  Or, it can be stepping down, like our Texas and Florida folks.  If you're coming from a less expensive area, you will have to make a mental adjustment to step down in home expectation in order to do it.  Or, be prepared to spend more for your 'wish list' than you originally planned to.  Some people cannot accept this and choose not to move here.

Let's say you come from an area where homes are $200,000, but you've worked your way up and live in a grand $300,000 home. It's impressive, it's upscale, and you're proud of what you've achieved. Now when you arrive in Annapolis, you find that a $300,000 home is quite an ordinary, average home. In fact, there are plenty of homes that cost much, much more, and you suddenly feel small. Where you live now you're the "big fish", but in moving to Annapolis, you would become the "little fish". Can you live with that?

This is a key question if you're coming from a less expensive area. You have to have a compelling reason to move here. Perhaps you desire the climate, or you have a job opportunity that you can't refuse, or family needs arise. These positives have to be stronger in your mind than the negative feeling of moving down in stature. I've seen many people who can't make it over this mental hurdle.

Look at it this way, you'll be living with the brightest minds, the most successful entrepreneurs, the best of the best. This area attracts these kinds of people from all over the world. Will that stimulate you to become better yourself? Is it better to be the big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond? Your answer may be a good indication of your readiness to make the move here. And if you do decide to come, it would be my pleasure to help you become Annapolitans!