Forestville

Forestville is one of those Washington, D.C. suburbs that’s been directly affected by the reshaping of that city’s residential market. As people in the city have shuffled where they live, some have left the confines of urban living altogether and opted for the suburban lifestyle a place like Forestville offers. “A lot of people who are leaving D.C. for an affordable suburban life might choose Forestville,” says Tiffany Stone, a Realtor with RE/Max. “It’s very close to Washington. I would say most of the people who are choosing to leave Washington and move to the suburbs want to be in a place that’s convenient. Forestville literally feels like an extension of DC.”

Not far from Upper Marlboro and District Heights, Forestville is a mix of garden apartments and single-family homes. “It has small Cape Cods and ranch-style houses and ramblers. There are a lot of town house communities there too,” Stone says. The homes sit on smaller, neat, well-maintained lots with moderate space between them. 65% of people who reside in Forestville own their homes, while 35% rent.

The median home value in Forestville is around $275,000, with houses generally ranging from the low $200,000s to mid-$300,000s. “Most starter homes, smaller homes and town homes are in the $300,000s,” Stone says.

Forestville students attend school in the Prince George’s County School District, one of the nation’s largest school districts, which Niche rates C. Students enroll in North Forestville Elementary School, Drew Freeman Middle School and Suitland High School. As well, Forestville is home to Bishop McNamara High School, a nationally regarded private Catholic School known for its top-shelf curriculum, championship athletic program and stellar alumni list, which includes industry-leading professionals, creators, professional athletes and even an astronaut.

While Forestville doesn’t have any parks of its own, its residents frequent a couple that aren’t so far away. Watkins Regional Park has an abundance of recreational amenities, including a miniature train, two playgrounds, playing fields and a walking trail. Walker Mill Regional Park is south of there and a tad closer to Forestville and has barbecue grills, playing fields and courts, picnic tables and a skateboarding area. If those sound like your sort of activities, the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex might tickle your fancy even better. “You can do everything there. There are exercise facilities, football fields, picnic tables, an indoor track and swimming,” Stone says. “It’s in Landover but very close to Forestville.”

You’ll work up an appetite for sure. And when you do, you’ll want to make your way over to Ledo’s Pizza, which is well known and has been around a long time. Or there’s always Heavens Bakery if your sweet tooth is leading the way. The Bakery is located at Penn Mar Shopping Center, which has the full complement of retail and grocery outlets you’ve come to know and love. The ones you can’t find there, you’ll likely find not so far away at Ritchie Station Marketplace, which is well-stocked with shopping store favorites.

Getting around these parts is relatively uncomplicated with road systems and transportation all about. “It is very close to the Beltway and Maryland Route 4. It’s also served by the Green Line Metro,” Stone says.

One thing suburbs do well is fostering a sense of community and engagement. Here, much of that takes place at the North Forestville Community Center, which sponsors a variety of events that bring together the people who live here and who may have come from elsewhere, places like Washington, D.C., to make Forestville their new home.

Written By

Jonathan Clarke

Photography Contributed By

Jesse Snyder

Video By

Curtis Newkirk