The US Naval Academy is in Annapolis, Maryland, the capital of the state. Annapolis is in Anne Arundel County, one of the first counties of the state. Annapolis has a population of about 39,000, and Anne Arundel County has a population of about 538,000 people. Other nearby communities within about a 30 minute commute include Arnold (24,000), Cape St. Clair (9,000), Stevensville (6,000), Severna Park (38,000), and Edgewater (10,000).

The Academy is also about half an hour from Baltimore City, Maryland, and about three-quarters of an hour from Washington DC, depending on traffic.

The average commute in Anne Arundel County is about 27 minutes, which is fairly typical for the area in good traffic. This is a highly populated area with constant traffic and regular slowdowns and blockages, and local travel times can vary a great deal.

Local Housing Rental Prices: A fair apartment rent in the Annapolis area ranges from $1000 for a one bedroom to $1600 per month for a three bedroom, with a median of about $1300 per month, depending on amenities.

Local Housing Purchase Prices: The average price for a house in the Annapolis area ranges from $340,000 to $518,000, depending on location and type.

Short Description of the Area: Annapolis is the state capital of Maryland, on the peninsula by the shore of the Severn River, where the river opens to Chesapeake Bay. Anne Arundel County is one of the oldest European settlements in North America, a few going back to the early 1600s, and many of the local towns and counties. Many local towns and villages have a great deal of American history from Colonial, Revolutionary, Civil War, and later periods; practically any drive on an older road should turn up some historical marker. Today this area has a varied economy, and a high percentage of highly educated professionals in many economic sectors. Physically, northeast Maryland has low rolling hills dividing shallow valleys cut by small rivers and streams.

Climate and Weather: The area has a humid climate, winter temperatures in the low 40s to mid-20s and summer temperatures of the high 80s to high 60s. The area has muggy summers, with some thunderstorms, but little in the way of heavy storms and only rare tornadoes. Winters are cool to cold, typically with light snow, usually in deep winter, but some winters can see a nor'easter roar in and drop a lot of snow, although Annapolis' location on the coast tends to moderate the snowfall. Rainfall is usually even through the year, about 3"-4" per month.