Melwood

Melwood is the sort of place Goldilocks might have liked if she were in the market for a home. Just 16 miles from the president’s doorstep, this community isn’t too much of one thing or too little of the other. For a certain homebuyer, it’s just right. “It’s kind of like half and half,” says Kirk Chatman, a Realtor with Fairfax Realty who sells homes here. “It’s neither too urban nor too suburban. You’re close to the city, but you're not that close either. You’re just a mile away from Andrews Air Force Base.” That means occasionally, things can get a wee bit noisy. But, generally, out here, it’s quiet.

Melwood is an older community that’s finding new life as the migratory patterns from nearby Washington, D.C. evolve. “There used to be a lot of farmland out here. Then, many farmers sold their land. And now, there are a lot of new communities popping up all over,” Chatman explains. New homes are springing up around here, partly thanks to Melwood’s convenient location along Washington-bound highways and its proximity to three major Maryland counties. “You have Calvert, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties all meeting not too far from here,” Chatman says. “You’re in the center of it all. You pretty much can go anywhere from here.”

In Melwood, you have a mix of older and newer homes, from townhomes to colonials to ramblers, split levels, and split foyers. Increased demand is making this a bit of a seller’s market. The median home price here is $510,000, with sales ranging from $300,000 to $800,000 at the upper end. The occasional home will sell in the $1 million dollar range. “That’s going to get you one of those older homes like a split foyer, or split level or rambler. If you have more to spend, that may get you a newer colonial,” Chatman says.

Melwood is in Prince George’s County Public Schools district, which Niche rates C. Students attend Melwood Elementary School, which Niche also rates C, C-minus rated James Madison Middle School, and Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, which Niche rates C, but ranks number one in the county for high school athletics and seventh in the state.

It makes sense that a community known for its athletic prowess would value having places available to stay active. The community park opposite Andrews has a baseball diamond, basketball and tennis courts, a playground and vast open spaces. If fishing is more your kind of activity, Melwood Community Pond makes for a peaceful outing and has been known to be stocked with bluegill.

Not in the mood to catch your own, Ritchie Station Marketplace is just a few miles north and west and has an Aldi supermarket, plus a host of retail shops, like TJ Maxx, Big Lots and DSW, where you can track down your favorite items and eateries. Speaking of eateries, Ledo Pizza has been serving patrons since 1955. Their specialty is the flaky, rectangular crust. If your sights are set on fancier foods, you might just want to head into the city. A wealth of travel options makes getting there and elsewhere relatively effortless. “You’re close to I-495, you’re near Suitland Pkwy, also known as Presidential Parkway and there’s state Route 4, Pennsylvania Avenue, which takes you right up to the White House,” Chatman says.

Of course, while in the city, there’s no shortage of other non-food activities to occupy your time. Access to lots of happenings is one of the advantages of living close to the capital. You’re always in or near the mix, Chatman says. “There’s just stuff going on around the whole area. My wife and I may go to a winery. Or I may even go down to Old Town Alexandria. You have the MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino. You have Montgomery County, which always is an active place,” Chatman explains. If you simply prefer peace and quiet, there’s nothing wrong with keeping close to home and managing the occasional passing military jet. “You may hear jets during the day, but not at night,” Chatman says. And whenever the base hosts an airshow, you get to see it from your backyard, free of charge. How’s that for a one-of-a-kind Melwood benefit?

Written By

Jonathan Clarke

Photography Contributed By

Jesse Snyder

Video By

TJ Wengert