In 1994, Dave Savercool and his family needed a change. “We were a young family who had outgrown our starter home in Silver Spring, closer to D.C.,” says Savercool, an agent with the Savercool Team at Long & Foster Greater Silver Spring Realty. “We were looking for more space inside and out.” Savercool’s brother lived in Colesville, so the family joined him in the unincorporated Maryland community 6 miles north of Washington. Thirty years later, many of the homebuyers moving to Colesville fit a similar profile, Savercool says. “They’re coming out of a starter home, coming out of the city and starting a family.” New residents often head to Colesville for homes with more generous lot sizes and square footage that are still within commuting distance of Washington. Many of Colesville's 15,000 residents stay because of the social cohesion created by the shared parks, community pools and elementary schools throughout Colesville’s subdivisions, Savercool says. “Our son was married a few years ago, and most of his wedding party were guys he knew from elementary school and hanging out at the local pool. Two of my kids have settled back into Colesville as parents themselves.”
Cozy row of split-level homes with quaint landscaping on Cannon Road in Colesville.
This beautiful row of colonial homes nestled on well-kept lawns is very common to Colesville.
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A collection of subdivisions beneath a thick tree canopy
Subdivisions of Colonial Revivals, split-levels and ranch-style homes make up most of Colesville. A thick tree canopy hangs over streets and yards, giving the area a more wooded appearance than communities closer to Washington. The median price is about $640,000, higher than the national median. Savercool says Colesville is often a landing spot for buyers upsizing from their starter home but adds that there are a few townhouses. They typically cost between $425,000 and $540,000. Streams throughout Colesville create flood risks, so some properties may need flood insurance.
Massive colonial home for sale in Colesville, featuring brick facades and a two car garage.
Charming split-level homes are some of the most common housing styles in Colesville.
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A community between two streams, with MLK Jr. Recreational Park
Two streams flow on either side of Colesville, creating the community’s two major spots for outdoor recreation. On the west side, about 13 miles of trails cut through woods alongside the Northwest Branch Anacostia River. On the east end, a 3-mile trail follows Paint Branch stream before connecting to Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Park. The 95-acre park is one of the largest in the area, equipped with tennis courts, soccer fields and a pool surrounded by a lazy river. Pocket parks are scattered around Colesville, and some subdivisions have pools for residents. Directly southwest of Colesville, Wheaton Regional Park covers more than 500 acres of woods, lakes and ball fields. Parkgoers can spend the day strolling through Brookside Gardens, playing with their dogs or even riding a miniature train through the trees.
Brookside Gardens is an oasis of peace located just outside of Colesville.
MLK Jr. Park is a great spot for a pick up basketball game.
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Outdoor exploration at highly ranked Montgomery County Public Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools earns an A grade from Niche, which ranks it as the second-best school district in Maryland. Three of the district’s elementary schools are in Colesville, each embedded among houses in different subdivisions. Students occasionally leave their classrooms for nearby forests and streams thanks to the district-wide Outdoor Environmental Education Programs. These initiatives include an annual three-day trip for sixth graders to a local environmental center, where they engage in hands-on lessons.
White Oak Middle School front entrance and building signage.
Entrance to James Hubert Blake High School in Colesville.
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Route 200 used for commuting to Washington, Baltimore
New Hampshire Avenue runs north to south through Colesville, intersecting with U.S. Route 29 south of the community and Maryland Route 200 on the north side. Drivers can use either to get to Washington, a trip that can take 30 to 90 minutes depending on traffic; Savercool says access to Route 200 makes Colesville “a destination for spouses headed in different directions for their jobs. One could be headed to D.C. and the other to Baltimore.” Montgomery County’s Ride On buses connect Colesville and Silver Spring, while the Glenmont Metro station 2 miles west of Colesville offers train rides to Washington along the Red Line. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is 25 miles south of Colesville, offering nonstop flights to more than 100 domestic and six international destinations.
The Glenmont Metro Station is only a 10 minute drive from Colesville, perfect for commuting.
The National Capital Trolley Museum in Colesville is a great place to spend a Saturday.
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Groceries and restaurants at Colesville Center
Stores and restaurants are clustered in Colesville Center, a shopping plaza in the middle of the community. A supermarket and chain restaurants stand alongside locally owned joints serving Greek, Tex-Mex and Polish food. Downtown Silver Spring’s shops and restaurants are only 6 miles away, but Savercool says locals are more likely to drive less-congested roads for about 10 miles to Olney or Rockville when they want to expand their shopping and dining options. “We don’t judge distance by miles but by time, because of the traffic,” Savercool says.
The Giant in Colesville Center is the neighborhood one stop shop for groceries and home goods.
Colesville's El Aguila is a great place for lunch or your next happy hour.
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Montgomery County crime rates
The Montgomery County Department of Police serves Colesville. The county’s property- and violent-crime rates were lower than state averages in 2023, according to the most recent data available from the state of Maryland. However, rates for the most common violent and property crimes were higher in the county than nationwide, according to 2023 FBI data.
An award-winning Realtor®, Franco is one of Long & Foster’s top real estate agents and ranks among the top 1% of Realtors® nationwide. Well known for his expertise and exceptional service, Franco was featured on HGTV and was named one of the Washington, D.C. area’s best Realtors® in Bethesda and Washingtonian magazines. Franco attributes his success to his extensive market knowledge and his love for teaching. A 39-year resident of the D.C. Metro area, he is a graduate of the University of Maryland and a former teacher for the Montgomery County Public Schools. He approaches his clients as his students, keeping them informed, guiding them, and most important equipping them with strategies for success.
Franco understands that buying or selling a home is one of the most important tasks of a lifetime. Helping clients make the best decisions is his top priority, and he strives to make their transactions as smooth and worry-free as possible. Franco’s clients see him as much more than a realtor, he is their trusted advisor. Licensed in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, Franco serves all parts of the Washington, D.C. metro area. Whether clients are buying their first home or selling their luxury estate, he is committed to their successful move and to giving them 100%. Franco looks forward to providing them with the highest level of service when they are ready to sell or buy their next home.
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