Hillcrest Heights

Just over Washington, D.C.’s southern boundary is Hillcrest Heights, a quaint neighborhood beloved for its diversity and unmatched convenience to amenities, all with the Potomac River as its backdrop.

The aptly named Prince George County suburb winds around hilly terrain, and it’s close to parks, shopping, schools and the capital city. It’s ideal for those seeking a comfortable, community-oriented lifestyle while being close to the action without the hefty D.C. price tag. “The people, the atmosphere and the location are the best parts of living here,” says Earle Gumbs, past president of the Hillcrest Heights Civic Association and longtime resident. “People are friendly, and everyone watches out for each other.” The quiet neighborhood offers single-family, brick, rambler-style houses, Colonial Revival-style homes, split-levels and town houses. Most were built in the 1950s and ‘60s, ranging from $250,000 to $600,000, perfect for first-time homebuyers or those needing to scale down. Good Hope Hills and Hillcrest Estates subdivisions offer single-family options on the low end, while higher-end homes are predominantly in the Oxon Run Hills and Hillcrest Terrace subdivisions. Lawns are well-kept, and most are fenced-in, great for exercising your green thumb. Most have spacious decks and patios for entertaining, and homes on the higher end boast garages, large basements and open-concept floorplans. And while residents are treated to ultimate privacy with towering evergreens that line the streets, bustling city life is minutes away. Hillcrest Heights is under 2 miles from Interstate 495 and the Naylor Road Metro Station, making for an easy commute to the capital city, National Harbor or Northern Virginia.

Served by Prince George County Public Schools, local students attend Hillcrest Heights Elementary, Benjamin Stoddert Middle and Potomac High School. Hillcrest Heights, which earned a C-minus on Niche, offers a science bowl competition for students, an annual beautification day and regular family fun nights. Benjamin Stoddert and Potomac High both received an overall C-plus from Niche. The high school boasts football and softball teams and gaming and anime clubs.

The neighborhood offers plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors. At Oxon Run Neighborhood Park, enjoy a picnic under the canopy of evergreens, let the kids play, or host a barbecue at the pavilion. Or hike the forested trails at Barnaby Run Park through the scenic meadows and admire the historic landmark Stratford Hall Plantation.

Residents have Hillcrest Heights Shopping Center along Iverson Street, the main road running through the neighborhood, for day-to-day shopping. Anchored by Family Dollar and Save A Lot, there’s also a pharmacy, Pizza Hut, barbershop and salon. Or drive a mile down the road to The Shops at Iverson, which offers a movie theater, Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar, Roses, Kids For Less, Shopper’s World and Pro Cakes Bakery, where you can enjoy decorated cupcakes, pies by the slice and cream cheese pound cake, a local favorite. The neighborhood is also home to Southern Peach BBQ, which serves up pulled pork, sweet chili wings and southern sides like candied yams and fried okra.

A tight-knit community, residents will feel at home at the Hillcrest Heights Community Center, which offers a dance room, gym, playground and basketball court. The center also provides programs for seniors and teens and events for the whole neighborhood. And the Hillcrest-Marlow Heights Civic Association has played a pivotal role in shaping the community since the 1970s by advocating for revitalizing Iverson Mall and renovating area schools. “We as a civic association strive to keep the neighborhood up,” Gumbs says. The organization offers a “Clean Up Green Up” initiative, youth scholarships through its “Dollars for Scholars” program. “We’ve given over $1 million in scholarships for young people to go to college,” Gumbs says. “We have fundraisers for the program, and they come back and help us out, and that’s been very fruitful.” The biggest and most popular event is the annual Community Day Festival, uniting residents with food, live music, games and local vendors. “We invite the army band and have a parade and entertainment in the summer,” he says. “It’s a day of celebration.”

Come for the convenience, stay for the community in Hillcrest Heights.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Jesse Snyder

Video By

Damien Kincannon