Annapolis Apartments and Rentals

Annapolis is the capital of Maryland, a port of call for sailors from around the world and a hub of culture and intellect that helped it earn the nickname "Athens of America." People in the market for Annapolis apartments for rent will likely be pleasantly surprised by all the city has to offer.

One of Annapolis' biggest claims to fame is that it was the nation's capital at the time the Revolutionary War drew to a close. In fact, the Treaty of Paris - which officially ended the war - was signed in the city. Originally called "Providence" by Puritan settlers, Annapolis was later dubbed "Anne Arundel's Towne" before Sir Francis Nicholson christened it by its present name in honor of then-heir to the British throne, Princess Anne. In fact, it was Anne, as Queen, who incorporated the settlement as a city in 1708.

In designing the city, Nicholson shunned the customary grid format in favor of a layout that hearkened back to the capitals in his home of Europe. As a result, the streets of Annapolis radiate outward, "framing" important structures such as the State House and St. Anne's Episcopal Church. Many of the buildings constructed in the 18th century still stand today, including mansions that were once home to wealthy colonists eager to duplicate the splendor they enjoyed in England. Today, some are operated as museums, including the Hammond-Harwood House and the Charles Carroll House.

Given that Annapolis is a port city, it's unsurprising that shipping was responsible for much of the municipality's growth and is still a major part of the area's economy. Today, nearly 39,000 people call the city home.

Two famous educational institutions are based in Annapolis - the United States Naval Academy and St. John's College. Since 1845, more than 60,000 Naval Academy students have successfully graduated and gone on to serve their country. St. John's may be less well-known than USNA, but it has a place in Maryland's - and indeed the nation's - history in its own right, as it is the third oldest college in the United States. The Annapolis campus is attended by approximately 475 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 8 to 1.

Annapolis is served by the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district, which employs a staff of more than 5,662 teachers, making it one of the area's largest employers. Other major employers include the state and city governments, the Naval Academy, St. John's College and Verizon Communications Maryland.

The median gross rent for Annapolis apartments is $1,237, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The city ranked at 109.6 on City-Data.com's cost of living index - higher than the national average of 100.

In keeping with Annapolis' maritime emphasis, Chesapeake Bay is a central attraction. The 200-mile waterway offers sailing, boating, kayaking, fishing and windsurfing opportunities. In the fall, the city hosts two of the largest water boat shows in the world on successive weekends.

If you'd rather stay on dry land, there's a long list of things to do in the city itself. The 800-seat auditorium at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts hosts a variety of ballet, opera, chorale and symphony performances, while the 500-capacity Rams Head On Stage nightclub is the top live music venue in Annapolis. Meanwhile, history buffs can choose from a range of historic sites and museums, including the Old Treasury Building, the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial and the Chesapeake Children's Museum.

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