Greenbelt

On the surface, Goddard is a quaint, quiet neighborhood, but it goes beyond with superb amenities and an affinity for space exploration. “It’s very diverse,” says Paul College, Realtor at Long & Foster and longtime resident. “There are some nice parks, and Greenbelt Lake is just outside the neighborhood, but a really cool spot.” An out-of-this-world Maryland suburb, Goddard blends a peaceful lifestyle and gorgeous homes right next to a bustling hub of scientific research and outer space discoveries. Named after physicist Robert H. Goddard, credited with creating the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket, the neighborhood is home to NASA’s esteemed research laboratory, the Goddard Space Flight Center. The center is known for its critical role in space missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the Mars rovers and The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. It’s also one of the area’s largest employers - with over 10,000 civil servants and contractors, most of whom live in Goddard to easily get to work. Goddard is filled with single-family colonials, brick rambler-style houses, split-levels and a few contemporaries, condos and town houses. Most homes were built in the 1970s and range from $400,000 to $650,00 — a perk of living in the neighborhood, according to College. “Price is another reason people move here,” he says. “Prince George County is the most affordable area in the Washington metropolitan area.” Higher-end homes are in the Greenbelt Woods and Green Spring subdivisions, and the Chelsea Wood subdivision offers one and two-bedroom condos. An energy-conscious neighborhood, many homes have solar-paneled roofs and energy-efficient windows. And while outer space is miles away, down here in Goddard, residents enjoy spacious multi-car garages, large decks for spotting constellations and expansive lots for entertaining. These lots are pristinely manicured and adorned with shrubs, ornate topiaries and flower-filled garden beds. Whether they step aboard the New Carrollton metro station, just 3 miles away, or hop on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, residents can easily embark on any mission. With downtown Bowie a 4-mile drive and the capital city just 20 miles away, it's ideal for commuters or explorers. “They’re a lot of government workers, and having that convenient access to Washington, D.C. is a huge benefit,” College says. Served by Prince George County Public Schools, local students attend Catherine T. Reed Elementary, Thomas Johnson Middle School and DuVal High School. Both the elementary and middle schools earned a C-minus on Niche. Catherine T. Reed offers Head Start, an early learning program for students and before and after-school enrichment programs. A science and technology magnet school, DuVal High earned an overall C on Niche and offers an aerospace and aviation program, art club, football and track. And for students who wish to launch their space careers early, there’s Howard B. Owens Science Center, which provides STEM education and activity-based instruction for prekindergarten through 12th grade. Space and science enthusiasts will love exploring NASA’s Goddard Visitor Center. Climb inside a Gemini capsule model, stroll the Goddard Rocket Garden and see what you look like in infrared light in the 3-D James Webb Space Telescope exhibit. Or venture outside to the 23-acre Presley Manor Park to stroll along the paved trails, shoot hoops or practice your tennis swing. And at Seabrook Park, let the kids play on the vibrant playground, pack a picnic to enjoy under the pavilion or bring your furry friend to play fetch in the open green space. Goddard is also home to many temples and mosques, including the stately 15-acre Diyanet Center of America, a mosque serving the Muslim community, as well as providing a community pool, sports center, restaurant and events like festivals, computer classes, school supply drives and more. “It’s a beautiful artistic piece of work,” says College. “They’ve done a lot over the years.” At the nearby Cipriano Square Retail Center along Maryland Route 193, grab a quick burger and fries at Five Guys or a slice from Ledo’s Pizza. The shopping center also provides a barbershop, Safeway, Starbucks, PetSmart and CVS. And satisfy that sweet tooth at Weakness for Sweetness, where you can get butter rum cake, bread pudding and Caribbean classics like jerk chicken and oxtails. Make Goddard the center of your universe.