Bethesda

In Woodhaven, the streets are wide and winding, ending in cul-de-sacs and named after famous American poets. The neighborhood is known for its 1930s and 1940s Tudor-style houses, with gable roofs and stone-and-wood exteriors that resemble an old English village. Due to the area’s inside-the-beltway location, residential development has continued, and Woodhaven’s streets are now lined with tasteful Colonial Revival, ranch-style and New Traditional properties. Sidewalks are few and far between, but the well-maintained streets get little traffic, and residents can comfortably walk along the side of the road. Woodhaven’s towering trees create a kaleidoscope of auburn and gold in autumn and an overhead blanket of leafy green in the spring and summer. “The original Tudor homes – there are about 50 of them – were developed by Philip Dean in the 1930s and 1940s,” says Kevin Koitz, Vice President of Compass, Friendship Heights, who specializes in luxury sales in Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County. “It’s obvious the minute you drive onto Woodhaven Boulevard that Dean modeled the neighborhood after an English Village.” Additions and renovations are met with scrutiny by residents and are typically confined to the back side of the house, out of view from the street. “Woodhaven used to have a strong civic association, but now has a more informal – but active and involved – citizens association,” Koitz explains. “In the past, they have successfully challenged builders who want to tear down some of the original properties.” One of the esteemed 1930s Tudor-style houses with brick-and-wood façade and turret windows lists for around $3 million. A Colonial Revival, ranch-style, Cape Cod, split-level or New Traditional property costs between $1.5 and $2 million, while a few luxury estates with amenities like pools and tennis reach higher into the multi-millions. Students are zoned for Montgomery County Public Schools. They can attend Burning Tree Elementary School and Thomas W. Pyle Middle School, which get A’s from Niche. They can finish their public education at Walt Whitman High School, which boasts an A-plus from Niche. Walt Whitman offers six Career and Technical Education Clusters, including programs in international business and early child development. Prestigious private schools, all-girls Holton-Arms School and all-boys Landon School, are also in Woodhaven and are walkable from some homes in the neighborhood. The Burning Tree Club, an exclusive and all-male membership golf club, covers a portion of the neighborhood close to the Capital Beltway. Thanks to Woodhaven’s proximity to D.C., politicians and power brokers – including President John F. Kennedy and 20th-century publishing titan William Randolph Hearst – have reportedly favored the 18-hole course over the decades. Open from dawn to dusk, nearby Burning Tree Park has soccer fields, a tennis court and a playground for public use. There’s also a community garden, welcoming residents to grow vegetables and flowers in 200-square-foot plots or garden tables. “There are a ton of informal events in Woodhaven,” Koitz says. “Like block parties.” Since 1948, Woodhaven’s children have acted out the story of Christmas every December in the neighborhood Christmas pageant. Koitz says, “It culminates in Santa delivering gifts from a local fire truck.” Woodhaven is almost entirely residential, so there aren’t any shops or restaurants in the neighborhood. However, residents are just 2 miles from Downtown Bethesda and the Bethesda Row shopping mall. Off Wisconsin Avenue, there’s a Trader Joe’s where residents can pick up groceries. Old Georgetown Road leads to the Bethesda Metro Station on Wisconsin Avenue, and residents can quickly get to the Capital Beltway, which borders Woodhaven to the north. And when it’s time to fly, the Ronald Regan Washington National Airport is about 17 miles south.

Brookmont, a Bethesda neighborhood located along the Potomac River, offers a range of vintage and newer homes with enough hiking and biking trails to fill an outdoor guide. “In Brookmont, you’re surrounded by nature," says Realtor Vincent Hurteau, who’s been doing business in D.C. since 1986. The population is small here, mostly single-family detached homes, so you see the same people walking their dogs, on the playground or at the farmers market. And people live here a long time, often for decades, because they love it.” About 6 miles from Downtown Bethesda, Brookmont’s lush green spaces and nature sites make it a haven for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and suburban living. Housing styles range from cottage to colonial and everything in between. “You’ll find vintage homes here built in the 1930s,” Hurteau says. “Sometimes older homes are torn down, and new creations spring up in their place. Sometimes, new builds have large windows to take in the view of the Potomac River, especially in winter.” Curated landscaping designs also add character to the neighborhood, calling to mind the asymmetry of a Japanese garden or suburbia's sprawling, well-manicured lawns. Homebuyers can expect to pay a minimum of $ 1 million for a house in Brookmont when one comes on the market. A renovated colonial could list for as much as $2 million, while a bungalow that needs work might be had for $850,000 — a bargain. Because the community is small, the neighborhood doesn’t always have many homes for sale, so buyers need to move quickly. Parents will be pleased to learn that all schools that serve the Brookmont community received an A from Niche. Bannockburn Elementary's curriculum includes a character education program emphasizing values like respect and responsibility. Thomas W. Pyle Middle School students are among the highest achievers in the state on standardized tests. Over 60% are enrolled in enriched or accelerated subjects, and 94% of parents are involved in the PTAS. At Walt Whitman High, which notably scored an A-plus, students can get a head start on their careers by choosing courses in business, computer science, early childhood development and engineering. Locals can hike the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail to the Little Falls Overlook, which looks out over a human-made dam built to divert fish migration on the Potomac. Roughly 5 acres of untamed woodlands are preserved in Potomac Palisades Conservation Park, which provides views of the Potomac and nearby Glen Echo. Residents can also access a softball field, tennis courts and a community playground at Sangamore Local Park. Brookmont Farm Market at Broad and Maryland hosts local vendors, chefs and food trucks on Wednesdays. Residents can also shop for groceries at the Safeway that’s located in the Shops at Sumner Place mall. The Irish Inn at Glenn Echo, a biker bar turned neighborhood restaurant, serves Irish and American food and is nearby, too, up Macarthur Boulevard in Glenn Echo Park. RideOn Montgomery County Transit buses run along Macarthur Boulevard and takes passengers to the closest Metro station at Friendship Heights. Otherwise, it’s a 7-mile drive into Washington. For a Fourth of July celebration with a small-town feel, Brookmont residents head to neighboring Palisades for its parade and picnic. Past events have featured live music, free ice cream, kid-friendly activities, and free food and drinks. The 30-acre National Intelligence University in Brookmont is a reminder of the neighborhood's proximity to the Nation’s capital and U.S. intelligence community. Also nearby is Sibley Memorial Hospital, a Johns Hopkins medical facility that offers surgical, intensive care, obstetric, orthopedic and a range of other services, including a 24-hour emergency department.

If you want to live the American dream right near the heart of the capital, look no further than Sumner — the community that brings you the best of both city and suburb. It is rare to find spacious homes with suburban amenities so close to the dense, exciting metro area that is D.C. “Sumner is the kind of place where you can have it all, you’re right on the D.C. line and you get all the benefit, but still technically live in Maryland,” says Cheryl Leahy, realtor and local expert. “Many homes in this area have space for a pool or a three-car garage.” The homes around this scenic suburb are mostly multi-floored colonial homes, some have shutters and others with tall, decorative columns. Every home has large front yards with lush gardens and the bonus of front-row seats to the pink cherry blossoms in spring. When asked makes what Sumner so special, Leahy continued, “You just don’t get this kind of lifestyle anywhere else.” A short walk in this neighborhood grants you an abundance of options, like Little Falls Stream Valley Park. This scenic 160-acre woodlands is the perfect spot to get waterfall views on a brisk weekend hike. Sumner has proximity to suburban comforts like Safeway and CVS, but the excitement and opportunity of metropolitan DC is just a metro ride away. Take the red line train from Tenley Town station into the city for a straightforward commute to Union Station or hop off at the L’Enfant Plaza to spend your weekends in the best art galleries and museums. For dining, you always have the option of sticking close by and picking up Starbucks or takeout from Japanese Fin, or taking the 11-minute drive into Bethesda Row, a shopping center with a downtown feel that has even more to do. This area is known for its strong education options, making it a desirable place to live. There is the option of Montgomery County public schools, or an abundance of charter or private options right nearby. Schools like Little Flower Middle School, Sumner Elementary and L’Enfant International Montessori School are all within walking distance. After picking your children up from school, bring them to Glen Mark Neighborhood Park and use the courts for pick-up games, or a playground complete with baby swings. Living in Sumner means grilling out in your backyard, spending a Saturday morning hiking the nearby trails and living on quiet residential streets, all while staying within a 7-mile commute to downtown, Washington DC. If you want the DMV’s most spacious homes with access to the river and all that D.C. has to offer, an investment in the Sumner lifestyle is a worthy choice.

A suburban neighborhood at Maryland’s edge One of five neighborhoods radiating out from Westmoreland Circle, which lies directly on the boundary of Maryland and Washington, D.C., Westmoreland itself lies in a triangular area of Maryland with D.C. to its southwest and the Virginia border just across the Potomac River to the west. Its central location to the nation’s capital and classic Colonial architecture have made it a draw for residents. “People are drawn to Westmoreland because it’s the first neighborhood over the state line,” says Dana Rice, an executive vice president with Compass Realty and the founder of the Dana Rice Group. “If they’re oriented towards Washington, D.C. and the downtown, and they’re concerned about getting to the commuter routes, getting to northern Virginia from that area is very convenient. It’s the first suburban neighborhood over the border.” Colonial homes throughout Westmoreland Stately homes line thoroughfares like Albemarle Street and Elliott Road within Westmoreland, standing above spacious yards replete with flora and fauna. “There’s suburban family homes, brick center-hall colonials and Cape Cods,” Rice says. “A lot of houses are set up on hills, and usually sell for between $1.2 million to over $5 million. There aren’t many new homes going up because the value of the property remains.” Colonials constructed from brick or with classic white siding can be found in Westmoreland, many built in the 1930s and 1950s. Tree-lined streets provide shade for walks or bike rides, while colorful foliage and cherry blossoms make for a vibrant landscape. Highly-rated schools around Bethesda Despite no schools falling within Westmoreland’s boundaries, there are a number of educational institutions nearby. At Westbrook Elementary School, enrollment goes up through fifth grade and the school scores an A grade on Niche while employing the service’s second-highest-ranked teaching staff in the state. Westland Middle School also receives an A, listed as the 15th-best such educational institution in Maryland, while Bethesda Chevy Chase High School completes the schooling arc for Westmoreland. At the school, given an A-plus by Niche, grades nine through 12 have a teaching staff ranked in the top five in the state. The high school also ranks highly in college preparation, and the home of the Barons offers sports like field hockey, handball and gymnastics at different times during the school year. Parks central to the neighborhood “The neighborhood is centered around Westmoreland Park,” Rice says. “The park serves as the center of the community, so people gather there for recreation, it has an active garden club and the Westmoreland Citizens Association holds Fourth of July, Halloween and other events there.” The park also offers tennis and basketball courts, a baseball field, a playground and access to two trails. The Little Falls Stream Hiking Trail permits walking and biking, while the Capital Crescent Trail runs from Georgetown to downtown Bethesda. Overall, green spaces make up more than half of Westmoreland’s borders, including part of the Dalecarlia Reservoir Grounds. The reservoir itself takes up most of Westmoreland’s southern region, crossing over into the nation’s capital as well. Head into Washington, D.C. for shopping and dining Residents of Westmoreland have to venture across the state line for shopping and restaurants. The Sumner Place shopping center is geographically close, but is only accessible by going all the way around the park; a trip down MacArthur Boulevard will bring motorists closer to restaurants. A few others are located around Westmoreland, including Millie’s Spring Valley just down Massachusetts Avenue. Offering its patrons Baja food with inspiration from across the country, it offers indoor and outdoor dining along with takeout and delivery. “What you don’t see yet is that Bethesday’s Westbard Square is going through a huge overhaul,” Rice says. “The shopping district hasn’t been updated since the 1950s, but it’s close by and it’s being overhauled.” Nearby hospitals, shopping centers and thoroughfares Just across the state line, in the Palisades, Sibley Memorial Hospital operates under Johns Hopkins Medicine’s supervision. A non-profit, Sibley’s primary services include orthopedics, surgery and oncology. The nearby Tenleytown, with other outlets for shopping and dining, can be reached via the line 34 bus. No highways are close to Westmoreland, but Massachusetts Avenue makes up the northern boundary and links the neighborhood further into Maryland and across the state line into the nation’s capital.

Located in desirable Bethesda, Maryland, at the northwest edge of Washington, D.C., Westwood sits in the sweet spot for suburban home buyers. Steps from the Nation’s Capital but home to Montgomery County public schools, it’s no surprise that sales are robust. Robert Jenets, a broker with Stuart & Maury Realtors and a real estate agent in Bethesda for more than 30 years explains, “It’s still very much a sellers’ market in Westwood. Buyers are willing to pay what it takes to live this close to D.C., and to be in a top Montgomery County school system.” Colonial Revival and split-level homes range from about 2,500 to well over 5,000 square feet. Streetscapes feature sidewalks, large grassy yards, mature trees and neighborhood parks. Award-winning schools and country clubs are found along well-appointed River Road. This 15-mile state highway winds from Potomac, south through Bethesda, ending in the District at Wisconsin Avenue. Realtor Jenets says, “Land is built out in Westwood, so infill homes – those completely knocked down and rebuilt – are not uncommon. A builder recently paid $1.3 million for a property in Westwood and sold the new home for $3.5 million. What has amazed many of us in Bethesda is that higher interest rates have not hurt sales of higher-priced homes. The market is still very solid.” Mid-20th -century traditional homes show off renovations and additions, while newer contemporary homes, townhouses and condominiums entice buyers with stylish features including elevators, large privacy windows and multi-level covered decks. Recent sales range from $1,550,000 for renovated split-level homes to around $1,600,000 for three-story townhouses. A significant asset of Westwood is its location just steps from the Capital Crescent Trail. This 7-mile, shared-use trail runs from Georgetown in Washington, D.C., to Westwood in Bethesda and offers views of eagles, wildlife and the Potomac River. Woodacres Local Park offers sports fields and a modern playground. Historic Glen Echo Park, a Maryland landmark, welcomes locals to its award-winning arts and cultural center. Kids can’t wait to ride on the famed Dentzel Carousel, a classic, hand-carved, early 1900s marvel. The Irish Inn at Glen Echo offers pub fare, live music and Guinness outside under the green umbrella tables. Residents head to both Giant Food and Whole Foods Market for groceries. For dinner out, residents frequent Woodmont Grille in downtown Bethesda for French Dip Au Jus. Lia’s Restaurant on Willard Avenue has award-winning Italian food and a welcoming vibe. “There’s a new restaurant almost every other week!” says Robert Jenets. Retail shopping abounds on Bethesda Row, near Wisconsin Avenue. The Bethesda Row Arts Festival, held each September, is one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most well-attended art festivals. Bethesda Urban Partnership publishes an online calendar of events that encompass endless forms of artistic endeavor. Students in Westwood can attend Montgomery County Public Schools, which Niche ranks as the No. 2 best district in Maryland. Wood Acres Elementary and Thomas W. Pyle Middle both have A ratings from Niche. A-rated Walt Whitman High, is ranked a top 10 Best Public High School in Maryland by Niche. Most residents will drive to get where they’re going in Westwood. Those who choose to commute can take Metrobuses or the Metrorail. Nearby Friendship Heights Metro station at the corner of Wisconsin and Western Avenues offers park-and-ride and covering that will keep riders dry in wet weather. Westbard Square, a multi-year, mixed-use redevelopment project, opened its first phase in January 2024. Says Realtor Jenets, “Neighbors are excited about having the opportunity to walk to restaurants truly in their neighborhood.” nearby. In addition to retail and professional services, Westbard Square will offer condominiums, a retirement community and shared green space. According to Jessica S. Hayes, a Leasing Agent with Regency Centers, the developer of Westbard Square, excitement is high for the new development. “While the full project won’t be complete until about 2027, we’re already seeing Westwood residents embrace the new Giant Foods and Tatte Bakery & Café. With each new opening the excitements builds and that’s fun for everyone to see. We can’t wait until Silver & Sons BBQ and District DableLab art studio opens.”

Just 5 miles from downtown Bethesda and 4 miles from the Washington, D.C., border, Bannockburn is a quiet residential Maryland neighborhood that offers peaceful suburban streets and a close-knit community. Homeowners enjoy top-rated schools, proximity to some of the area’s most popular recreation amenities, and a lower CAP Index crime score than the national average. According to long-time resident and Bannockburn Civic Association President Mike Zangwill, the residents themselves are a somewhat bohemian group that embraces art, music, and inclusivity. “We have a feeling of tolerance here,” Zangwill says. “It was born into the neighborhood’s fabric from its founding in the 1940s.” Homes in Bannockburn are situated on winding, suburban streets with sidewalks and a lot of mature tree cover. The original homes built in the neighborhood, which go as far back as the late 1930s, were modest sizes, usually about three bedrooms and two bathrooms, in a variety of styles including ramblers, mid-century moderns, Colonial Revivals, and Cape Cods. Prices for an unrenovated home may start at just under $1 million. Over time, several of the original homes have been added on to or completely renovated, creating the eclectic mix house hunters will see today, and many have been completely demolished and rebuilt. Homes like this can fetch $2 million to $3 million or more. Students in the neighborhood attend highly-rated Montgomery County Public Schools like Bannockburn Elementary School, a 2018 National Blue Ribbon recipient that is walkable to many homes in the neighborhood; Niche gives the school an overall A grade. Students may go to attend Thomas W. Pyle Middle School, which earned an overall A grade and Niche’s No. 9 spot for their Best Public Middle Schools in Maryland list, followed by Walt Whitman High School, which earned an overall A-plus grade. The youngest Bannockburn residents can attend preschool right in the neighborhood, at the Bannockburn Community Clubhouse. Bannockburn has two community pools that residents can choose to join. Also within walking distance is Glen Echo Park, a hub of arts and culture that was created from a historic amusement park. Residents come here to bring the little ones to go for a ride on the iconic Dentzel Carousel, take art classes, and attend performances at one of the studios or galleries. There’s also a popular restaurant on-site, The Irish Inn, that stays busy on the weekends and often has live music. Those looking to work up a sweat can head to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath, which runs for more than 180 miles along the historic canal. “The towpath is a national treasure,” Zangwill says. “We’re so fortunate to have it so close by.” Also a few minutes away by car is the Capital Crescent Trail, which leads hikers and bikers right into Georgetown. The neighborhood itself is strictly residential, but by car, residents have easy access to plenty nearby. Whole Foods, Safeway, and Giant are all just 3 miles away within different shopping centers, so grocery shopping is a matter of preference. In downtown Bethesda, about 4 miles away, residents can shop at Bethesda Row, which has more than 30 trendy retail stores like Madewell and Lululemon. Downtown is also where the bulk of the great dining options are, from breakfast at Bethesda Bagels to dessert at Georgetown Cupcake. Friendship Heights Village is another nearby hub for shopping and dining, with retail options like Bloomingdales, Tiffany & Co., and Saks Fifth Avenue. Bannockburn is a car-dependent neighborhood convenient to Interstate 495, which is convenient for getting around Maryland as well as commuting to Northern Virginia’s major employment centers, like Tysons Corner. River Road, the neighborhood’s northern boundary, leads straight into Washington, D.C. The area is convenient to both Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, about 15 miles away, and Dulles International Airport, about 20 miles away. Events are big in Bannockburn; maybe a little bigger than in most neighborhoods. The Bannockburn Community Club organizes cultural events and activities at the clubhouse, like the annual Spring Show, a variety show that neighbors have been putting on since 1957. The annual Bannockburn Music Festival, which showcases local artists and musicians, is another popular occasion for folks to gather. Newcomers Dinners are routinely held, an invitation for Bannockburn’s newest residents to meet some of their neighbors.