People return to this Montgomery County enclave to raise a family
Two major roads meet a few miles north of downtown Silver Spring, forming the community known as Four Corners. This Washington, D.C. suburb, home to about 7,800 people, is known for its family-run businesses and well-established neighborhoods. “A lot of people have been around here for years,” says Spencer Smith, who co-owns the 4 Corners Pub, a bar and restaurant with a nearly 60-year history. “Even though people move away, they still come back through. Many people my age try to buy their parents' house.”
Mirroring many of the communities outside the nation’s capital, Four Corners has grown significantly. Colesville Road, one of the main routes through the area, started as two lanes. Today, it’s eight. “There’s a nice influx of younger families moving in from everywhere. It’s diversifying more and more,” says Smith, whose father owned the pub before he and his wife took over in 2012. This community’s economy is equally diverse, spread across multiple industries, including education and public administration. However, many residents commute to D.C. and Baltimore for work.
A juggler entertains little ice skaters at the Veterans Plaza Ice Rink in Silver Spring.
Peruse the food vendors at the Caribbean Festival in Silver Spring.
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Single-family homes close to Montgomery Blair High School
Colonial and Tudor Revivals, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes fill Four Corners' dense, tree-shaded blocks. Smith says the neighborhoods here offer slightly different vibes. “Woodmoor is very much your cliché neighborhood. You’ll know your neighbor, and it’s a big walking neighborhood. South Four Corners is not as campy but still has that neighborhood feel.” The median price for a single-family home is roughly $670,000, well above the national median. Townhouses are also available, with a median price of about $530,000. Properties move quickly, selling after an average of 14 days, significantly faster than the national average. Crime data specific to Four Corners is not readily available. However, all three of its neighborhoods receive a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, half the national average.
Elegant, Colonial style homes are prominent in the Silver Spring Park neighborhood.
Rows of mid-century Cape Cod homes are great for small families living in Silver Spring Park.
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Family businesses are the beating heart of Four Corners
Four Corners’ namesake intersection is a bustling retail center with a mix of longtime businesses and national chains. “You have your CVS, your bank, your beer store and a local bakery that’s been there since before the 1950s,” Smith says. His family-friendly pub, which he notes leans more American than Irish as it draws in customers for its square, Maryland-style pizza, is a staple. “A lot of people who go to the pub now went to high school here and came to the pub as kids.” Downtown Silver Spring offers boutique shopping, trendy restaurants and the towering Ellsworth Place, an indoor mall with five levels of name-brand stores.
Local businesses thrive in the Silver Spring area.
For an authentic traditional Ethiopian meal, stop by Beteseb located in Downtown Silver Spring.
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The Silver Spring Stage highlights local talent
Four Corners' art scene is community-focused, from a children’s art school to a dance studio that empowers girls through mentorship. The Silver Spring Stage is a pillar of the arts community here. Thespians from around the region perform at the small community theater on Colesville Road. It puts on a packed season of shows, including a one-act festival where audiences enjoy 12 plays by 12 directors. Community events like WOODMOORstock and South Four Corners Porch Music Fest put a spotlight on local bands.
The Fillmore in Silver Spring has hosted tons of famous musicians.
Catch a local film at the Silver Spring Blackbox Theater is located in Downtown Silver Spring.
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Community parks and one of Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite hiking spots
Several parks dot Four Corners, offering places to play and exercise in nature. North Four Corners Park is one of the community’s largest green spaces. Its winding walking path is often used for dog walks, and its two playgrounds are popular with young families. The Northwest Branch Trail hugs the banks of the Northwest Branch, an Anacostia River tributary, providing hikers and bikers more than 20 miles of forested trail. Four Corners’ portion offers views of waterfalls flowing through a rocky gorge, a sight beloved by President Theodore Roosevelt. More recreation is nearby, including the public Sligo Creek Golf Course, the Silver Spring YMCA and the nearly 1,800-acre Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C.
The walking paths in Belle Ziegler Park is a great place for a peaceful afternoon walk.
Basketball is popular at Belle Ziegler Park.
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Montgomery County Public Schools is one of the best districts in the state
Montgomery County Public Schools earns an A overall rating from Niche, which ranks it the second-best school district in Maryland. MCPS is very diverse; over 35% of its nearly 160,000 students identify as Hispanic/Latino. Four Corners is home to the A-plus-rated Montgomery Blair High School, which hosts several career-focused pathways, including the district’s Communication Arts Program. Saint Bernadette School, a private A-rated Catholic school, sits adjacent to Montgomery Blair High.
Welcome to Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring Park, MD.
Eastern Middle School has lots of extracurricular activities.
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Silver Spring Station is less than 5 miles away
Two busy thoroughfares and the Capital Beltway pass through Four Corners for the roughly 10-mile commute into Downtown D.C., which can take about 40 minutes. Baltimore’s city center, a little over 30 miles away, is about an hour’s drive. “On a perfect day it’s only 30 minutes,” Smith says. Montgomery County and Metro buses provide transit around the region and stop at Silver Spring Station nearby. This bustling transit depot in downtown Silver Spring offers access to the Metro’s Red Line and the Maryland Area Rail Commuter’s Orange Line, as well as the Capital Bikeshare. When completed by 2027, the MARC’s new Purple Line will run between Bethesda and New Carrollton. Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport are about 30 miles away. Five hospitals are within a 6-mile radius of Four Corners.
Downtown Silver Spring is always buzzing with people.
Silver Spring Station connects Downtown Silver Spring to the rest of greater Washington.
Alonna Davis is a licensed Realtor based in Maryland and co-owner of Realty One Group Universal. She brings 6+ years of real estate expertise. Alonna is able to provide stellar service to all clients using her background in sales customer service marketing and management. Alonna gives constant energy hard work and creative service to every transaction. Ensuring each client has a pleasant and seamless experience. Alonna specializes in working with first time home buyers providing a hands-on step by step approach to the home buying process. With her extensive background and education Alonna has the experience to not only successfully complete a transaction but to create a customized experience for each person involved in the transaction.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
