North Bethesda

On a casual day in Parkwood, you'll find locals out and about riding their bikes and strolling the sidewalks in this neighborly suburb nine miles north of Washington D.C. It's the kind of community where neighbors are happy to greet each other and count on one another to make Parkwood a peaceful place to call home. Kira Lueders, President of the Parkwood Residents Association, has lived in the neighborhood since 1967. "It's a very caring neighborhood," says Lueders. "We have a Facebook page and a Listserve where people will ask for advice. If someone loses a dog, they post it, and the whole neighborhood is mobilized looking for the dog. And we always find it." With about 900 homes in Parkwood, Lueders says 300 residents are members of the Parkwood Residents Association. She says, "It's not a homeowners association. We're a collection of residents who care about the neighborhood. We don't make any rules other than be kind to each other."<br><br>Most homes in Parkwood were built in the 1950s, including three-to-four-bedroom Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style houses, ranging from $700,000 to $900,000. You'll find them situated on leafy quarter-acre lots along winding streets with sidewalks, where you'll frequently see neighbors walking by. If you want a newer home, there's a growing number of options as well. "The neighborhood is undergoing a very large change," says Lueders, "Developers are buying a lot of the homes, tearing them down and building brand new houses." These newer Craftsman-style houses are much larger, featuring five to six bedrooms, selling for $1.5 million to $2 million.<br><br>Two miles of the 14-mile Rock Creek Trail wrap the entire west side of Parkwood, taking bikers, walkers and joggers on a journey through the woods by the water. Beach Drive runs right by it, offering drivers a scenic route to get around town during the weekday. But on weekends, the section of Beach Drive between Knowles and Connecticut Avenues is reserved for pedestrians only. "It started during COVID," says Lueders, "People were so eager to walk outdoors, but it was hard to keep their distance on Rock Creek Trail because it got so crowded. We asked to close down the road on the weekends, and it just remained that way because it was so well used." While exploring the trail or Beach Drive, you can stop at Puller Playground for the kids. Locals can also go for a dip in the pool or hit the courts at the Cedarbrook Swim and Tennis Club. <br><br>Kids in Parkwood receive excellent education through Montgomery County Public Schools. Students start at Kensington Parkwood Elementary, rated an A by Niche. They'll go on to A-rated North Bethesda Middle before finishing up at A-plus-rated Walter Johnson High, ranked the seventh-best high school in Maryland, offering dual enrollment through Montgomery College. <br><br>Most of your shopping and dining options can be found on and around Howard Avenue on the north side of Parkwood. Start your morning at Java Nation with coffee and pancakes while talking with friends or working on your laptop. While you can come back for lunch or dinner, there are several other restaurants to choose from, whether you're in the mood for sushi at Hibachi Express, Chinese takeout from Red Ginger or a healthy açaí bowl from Playa Bowls. For everyday groceries, head to Safeway. But if you prefer to shop locally, you can get fresh produce at Kensington Market and find unique Sri Lankan products at Grocerylanka. A small strip of Howard Avenue is designated as Antique Row, known for its many antique stores, art galleries and bookshops selling collectibles from all over the world. Meanwhile, kids can read and play through a magical experience offered at Noyes Children's Library, which makes you feel like you're in a storybook.<br><br>For some, Parkwood is it's own storybook where they never want to leave. "I just can't imagine living anywhere else," says Lueders, "I know many people who have lived here their whole lives. I know a 101-year-old gentleman who moved here in 1950, and he's been here ever since." With longtime residents welcoming of new homeowners, Parkwood is a neighborly community with a great appreciation for the outdoors and each other.

North Bethesda’s Pike District immerses you in an urban live-work-play atmosphere that’s booming with shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. This high-energy lifestyle is infused in the neighborhood’s many apartments and condominiums that come with their own unique attractions, such as business spaces, high-end movie theaters, concert venues, pools and more. It’s the luxury of having everything in one place that has kept Nurit Coombe, Manager Partner of The Agency, living in Pike District for 30 years. “I literally live, work and play all right here,” says Coombe, “I can walk to my office, walk to unique restaurants, walk my dog, take the family out for fun events. I absolutely love it here.”<br><br>Pike District is home to several low, mid and high-rise condominiums, with more currently being built, eventually adding thousands of additional units to the neighborhood. Prices vary depending on the condominium, but generally, you can get a one-bedroom unit for around $250,000 to $350,000. For two to three bedrooms with 1,500 square feet of living space, you can expect to spend around $400,000 to $650,000. Most of these communities come with outdoor pool facilities, so you can enjoy walking down from your condo during the warm summer months to go for a swim. And when you need to drive somewhere, you can get to your car in the parking garage. Several apartments are also available, including one at Pike & Rose, where locals flock to shop, socialize and have fun.<br><br>Pike & Rose is home to several popular brands like Gap, H&M and L.L. Bean, along with hip dining and entertainment experiences. Hit up the ramen bar at JINYA, enjoy seafood and live music at Hello Betty or cheer on your favorite teams at Sports & Social. Catch the latest films at IPIC on a reclining chair while being served artisan cuisine. Meanwhile, AMP entertains locals right above the movie theater with live jazz and global music. You can also have fun playing bowling or bocce with friends at Pinstripes. Neighbors and dogs come together at Bark Social, which has a craft beer bar, dog treats, a dog boutique and a dog washing station. “Even people without dogs come to hang out at Bark Social,” says Coombe, “It’s a great place to have a drink, socialize and enjoy a fun afternoon.” The Pike District Pop-Up Park is just down the street. Some days, it’s simply a small, grassy space. Other days, it’s full of people having yoga sessions and gathering for events like Thursday in the Park Concert Series.<br><br>Every Saturday, vendors set up at the Pike Central Farm Market right next to Bark Social, where locals come to shop for fresh produce while enjoying live music. Down Rockville Pike, the neighborhood’s main road, you can drive to dozens of big box stores for more everyday shopping needs. The road is also full of more restaurants, including a variety of local establishments, along with national and regional chains.<br><br>Students receive high-quality education starting at Luxmanor Elementary School, rated an A by Niche. They’ll go on to A-rated North Bethesda Middle School, ranked the sixth-best in the state with the second-best middle school teachers. Students then finish their degrees at Walter Johnson High School, which boasts an A-plus rating and is ranked as Maryland’s seventh-best high school. Walter Johnson ranks 10 out of 10 by GreatSchools regarding college readiness, with more than half the students participating in AP courses. The high school prides itself in its APEX-Reach Scholars Program, a rigorous four-year program for gifted learners. Students can also partake in the dual enrollment program by earning up to 60 college credits from Montgomery College.<br><br>Commuters can drive to the nation’s capital about 12 miles south, with access to Interstate 495 just two miles from the neighborhood. If you prefer to avoid the traffic, you can take a 30-minute subway ride on the D.C. Metro from the North Bethesda Station before coming back home to the vibrant lifestyle of Pike District.

Wildwood Manor is a flourishing neighborhood in North Bethesda, lined with trees and stately homes, where no fences set the borders between backyards, as it's normal for neighbors to socialize and lounge in the open space. This community spirit is also supported by the annual events organized by the Wildwood Estates Homeowners’ Association. Residents here may prefer the spacious, suburban atmosphere but are still well within reach of Bethesda’s retail and transit options; as Realtor Cheryl Leahy with Compass Real Estate says, “The neighborhood’s walkability is a huge draw. You can walk to the metro, to shops and to grab an ice cream cone.” Locals can take a 10-minute walk west along Grosvenor Avenue to hit Wildwood Shopping Center, a collection of trendy shops and restaurants, like Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market for a selection of gourmet groceries, from locally sourced produce to fresh fish. Leahy recommends Bethesda Bagels, saying that for residents, “You’ll know half of the people in line,” there’s also Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream and Treats, serving classic or seasonal flavors made from natural, locally sourced ingredients. “It is the place to go for ice cream,” Leahy says. Wildwood Shopping Center also offers Chopt, a fast-casual salad bar. Less than 4 miles south along Old Georgetown Road is Downtown Bethesda’s shopping center, Bethesda Row. Residents can browse through brand-name retailers like Williams Sonoma, lululemon and an Apple Store, among many others. And 2 miles west is Montgomery Mall with an AMC movie theater, Macy’s and Nordstrom for further options. Wildwood Manor was established in the 1950s, with wide sidewalks, pocket parks and large, well-landscaped lawns. “The lots here are between 8,000 and 12,000 square feet, which is pretty big for Bethesda,” Leahy says. She also notes that the community’s single-family homes, in styles such as colonial-revival, split-level and ranch, typically start around $800,000 for late 1950s four-bedroom brick ramblers and 1960s split-levels, and anything from $1.5 million to $2.2 million for Contemporary and Craftsman styles built in the last ten years. The open-plan layout of the neighborhood places two houses next to one another on each street, and the lack of backyard fences has brought neighbors closer together. It is common for residents to set up lawn chairs and chat in the evenings or to watch kids run and play between houses. Wildwood Manor is connected to the Bethesda Trolley Trail, a 4-mile paved rail trail that links Bethesda to North Bethesda. Kids can run around the playground at Stratton Local Park, which offers several baseball and soccer fields and basketball and tennis courts. Fleming Local Park is smaller but also features tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground and a picnic shelter. “In the summer months, the community pool is the epicenter of fun,” Leahy says. “Memberships are available, and the pool offers a competitive swim team.” The Wildwood Estates Homeowners’ Association manages neighborhood needs like tree management and planning out remodels. They also put on annual events to bolster community engagement. It’s normal to watch the kids waving their flags in the annual Fourth of July parade and pass out candy on Halloween night. “There’s such a big turnout for trick-or-treating that people run out of candy bars,” Leahy says. Montgomery County Public Schools serve the neighborhood, and students here will attend Ashburton Elementary School and North Bethesda High, both holding overall A-ratings from Niche, and Walter Johnson High, with an A-plus. Walter Johnson High is also ranked the No. 7 best public high school in Maryland by Niche and offers the APEX-Reach Scholars Program, a four-year rigorous program comprised of honors and Advanced Placement coursework. Certain government employers are near Wildwood Manor for quick commutes. “People even bike to work at the National Institutes of Health,” Leahy says. “It’s only about a mile away.” There’s also the esteemed Walter Reed Army Medical Center located next to the NIH headquarters, for military medical professionals. A drive from home to Downtown is about 10 miles along Connecticut Avenue NW, but traffic can get dense in the early mornings and evenings. Commuters can also head to the Medical Center metro station, 3 miles south for Red Line access through the greater D.C. area.