College Park

The city of College Park, established in 1845, is perhaps best known as home to the University of Maryland College Park, a public institution with an undergraduate enrollment of over 30,000 students. A part of this bustling college town, the community of North College Park which encompasses the area north of Greenbelt Road, west of Paint Branch Creek and south of Beltsville. Comprised of six neighborhoods—Cherry Hill, Hollywood, Daniels Park, Sunnyside, Branchville and Autoville, North College Park is an expansive residential community. “Anecdotally, it’s a good place for starter homes,” explains David Alecia, president of the North College Park Community Association. “They’re affordable, small—two to four bedrooms, built in the ‘50s. They’re old but cute. And it’s some of the most affordable real estate in the beltway area.” Prospective buyers can choose from minimalist designs like ramblers, split-levels and colonial styles. The average sales price here is $430,000, with price points varying depending on the age, size and condition of the property. Another big draw to this area is its proximity to Washington DC. “A lot of our permanent residents commute to DC for work,” says Alecia. “The Green Line runs right through town, you’re close to the beltway, and we’ve got a pedestrian entrance to the Greenbelt Metro station too.” Students here attend Prince George’s County Public Schools like Hollywood Elementary, Greenbelt Middle and the College Park Academy (a high school serving grades 9 through 12). The College Park Academy serves over 650 students and was received a ‘B-’ ranking from Niche.com. For higher learning opportunities, the University of Maryland College Park offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in a wide range of topics. While North College Park is primarily residential, it’s located within two miles of seemingly endless retail and restaurant options. A few minutes north, and you’ll find one of Maryland’s two coveted Ikea stores. Baltimore Avenue—which bisects the area—features a wide array of casual eateries, hotels and commercial retailers. The College Park Marketplace offers a Shoppers Food grocery store, a Home Depot and a Starbucks coffee. While to the west, Hollywood Plaza, features a MOMS Organic Market and some popular hang out spots, like The Board and Brew. “Proteus Brews [The Board and Brew]–is a bike shop and coffee spot. It’s a local gathering place. We have our Sunday coffee socials there, and whenever our county or state reps come into the area for open town halls we normally gather there too.” Another perk of living in North College Park? Your proximity to an abundance of employers. Not only do you have the University of Maryland, but you also have the US National Archives and Records Administration the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the FDA, among others. And of course, for some time outdoors, residents have their pick of parks. Local pocket parks like the Cherry Hill Neighborhood Park features a playground and open green spaces, while further south, establishments like the Paint Branch Golf Complex offer a 9-hole course, a pro shop, and a driving range. And when it's time for a change of pace, remember this community offers direct access to the Capital Beltway, and US Route 1, as well as the Greenbelt Metro and MARC stations, to get you where you need to go fast. Welcome to North College Park, a suburban community with proximity to Washington DC.

The city of College Park, established in 1845, is perhaps best known as home to the University of Maryland College Park, a public institution with an undergraduate enrollment of over 30,000 students. At the heart of this bustling college town, you’ll find the community of historic Old Town College Park. Located just south of the University of Maryland College Park campus and bordered to the west by US Route 1 and to the east by the B&O railroad, Old Town College Park encompasses the 25-block area north of Calvert Hills. Comprised of nearly 300 buildings, Old Town College Park offers prospective buyers a diverse assortment of home styles dating from the early 19th century to the present day. Here you’ll find Victorian and Queen Anne styles complete with spires, turrets and wrap-around porches; as well as Colonial revivals and even Arts and Craftsman-influenced bungalows. The average sales price here is $530,000 but price points can vary depending on the age, size and condition of the property. It is also important to note that the community of Old Town College Park abides by a robust set of design guidelines, intended to preserve the original character and historic nature of this community. Students here attend Prince George’s County Public Schools like Riverdale Elementary, Hyattsville Middle and the College Park Academy (a high school serving grades 9 through 12). The College Park Academy serves over 650 students and was received a ‘B-’ ranking from Niche.com. For higher learning opportunities, the University of Maryland College Park campus spans 1340 acres and offers an expansive assortment of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs across a wide range of topics. For some time outdoors, Paint Branch Stream Valley Park offers residents over 1,200 acres of trails, wetlands and wildlife. While the nearby, Lake Artemesia Natural Area offers a 38-acre lake complete with fishing piers and trails perfect for hiking or biking. Or for a unique outing, check out the College Park Aviation Museum, which details the history of College Park’s Airport, the world's oldest continuously operated airport. Active since 1909, this airport was founded by the Wright Brothers and was used to instruct military personnel on how to fly aircraft. Another perk of living in Old Town College Park? Your proximity to an abundance of employers. Not only do you have the University of Maryland, but you also have the US National Archives and Records Administration the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the FDA, among others. And of course, another big draw to this area is its proximity to Washington DC. Commuters will enjoy their direct access to the Capital Beltway and US Route 1, as well as the Metro and MARC train stations, to get them to and from the District, and surrounding areas fast. Welcome to Old Town College Park, a historic community with proximity to Washington DC.

The historic community of Calvert Hills in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is a small neighborhood in the southern quadrant of College Park. Tracing its roots back to the early 20th century, Calvert Hills was once comprised of land owned by the Calvert Family — the very same who founded the University of Maryland in College Park. “This is by far the nicest part of the city, where university professors live, we used to joke — a jewel among the communities that surround it,” says Dixie Meadows, a Realtor with RE/MAX Professionals, who lives in University Park, a rival to Calvert Hills only in the number of historic homes it offers. Meadows has lived nearby and sold real estate locally for most of her professional life. Within walking distance of the university, Calvert Hills offers prospective buyers well-built traditional homes, many with slate roofs, professionally landscaped yards and roads named after well-known universities, such as Harvard, Fordham, Drexel and Clemson. Along its tree-shaded streets, walkers and bikers encounter ranch-style homes, Cape Cods and colonials that range in price from $585,000 to $885,000. Many feature red-brick facades, hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplaces, screened back porches, unfinished spaces such as attics or basements that could yield more living space, and off-street parking, which leaves the neighborhood’s narrow residential avenues relatively free of parked cars. “While you find college students renting here, most homes are owner-occupied,” Meadows says. “They attract homebuyers wanting to move out of D.C. and raise kids in a safe environment. The College Park Metro station is one of the safest in the city.” Students here attend Prince George’s County public schools, which include University Park Elementary. This elementary received a B from Niche and features special departments for the talented and gifted and students interested in learning instrumental music. At Greenbelt Middle, a C-plus school, students can choose from several clubs and activities, such as S.M.A.R.T. Girls Club, which looks at advanced concepts in science, math, the arts, reading and technology. Northwestern High, another C school, offers several career academies, most notable is the Jim Henson Academy of Visual & Performing Arts, designed to prepare students artistically for college and careers in the arts with a curriculum that focuses on creativity and personal expression. The nearby University of Maryland College Park campus, about 1 mile away, spans over 1,300 acres and offers more than 100 undergraduate degree majors and master’s programs and has nearly that amount of doctoral programs. Calvert Park, a local park that runs the length of the neighborhood, is mostly tree-covered, yet residents have access to an open greenspace for baseball games, a playground, and two half-basketball courts. Nature lovers can stroll along the Trolley Trail or plan a visit to the nearby 38-acre Lake Artemesia Natural Area, a reservoir offering fishing piers, a butterfly garden and trails, perfect for hiking or biking. For everyday needs, residents can shop at Whole Foods at the Riverdale Park Station shopping center, which also has a Gold’s Gym and features a few quality restaurants, such as Burtons Grill & Bar, a casual eatery with an upscale menu and wine list. Trader Joe’s, too, is off Calvert Road and Baltimore Avenue. A little further up the street, Ritchie’s Columbian Restaurant offers quick service, authentic dishes and generous portions. Metro and MARC trains stop at the College Park station. Metrobuses leave from there, too, and run along Baltimore Avenue into the district. Residents driving can get to the Beltway by taking Baltimore Avenue north 2 miles. The Calvert Hills Citizens Association sponsors local holiday events, such as a Halloween parade and a holiday tree lighting with hot chocolate, live music, crafts and pictures with Santa. The University of Maryland also hosts a farmers market at Tawes Plaza on Wednesdays during the spring and fall. For a unique outing, check out the College Park Aviation Museum, which details the history of College Park’s Airport, the world's oldest continuously operated airport. Active since 1909, this airport was founded by the Wright Brothers and was used to instruct military personnel on how to fly aircraft.