Potomac

Resort-style living blends with views of the Potomac River in Carderock, a community that stretches between Bethesda and Potomac, Maryland. “The convenience of having urban access while living in the woods and along the water is really unique,” says Michael Heinen, a real estate agent with the Graciela Haim and Heinen Group who has served the area for nine years. Much of the neighborhood lies in Avenel, a prestigious golf course community where members enjoy access to swimming pools, tennis courts and an 18-hole championship course. The area maintains a peaceful atmosphere, and the central location in Montgomery County makes for convenient commutes. “It’s also a practical mid-point to a lot of areas. You might have a couple where one person works in Tyson's Corner and the other works in Bethesda, or one in McLean and one in D.C.,” says Alex Saenger, a Realtor with Keller Williams Capital Properties who has served the area for 21 years. Kids are zoned to highly-rated schools and the hiking trails by the Potomac River encourage an active lifestyle in the luxurious community of Carderock. Villages of luxurious homes branch off on the winding streets throughout Carderock. Most were built in the 1980s and 90s, though there are some newer properties from the last 10 years. Colonial-inspired brick townhouses cost between $1.2 million and $1.4 million. Single-family Colonial Revivals are priced between $1.6 million and $2.2 million, but there are also striking Georgian houses and contemporary mansions on multiple acres. These properties cost between $3.3 million and $5.3 million, though some modern mansions cost as much as $9 million. Residents become members at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, a private club with an 18-hole championship course, a clubhouse with three pools for wading or swimming laps and tennis courts. Kids play soccer or basketball at Avenel Park, which also has a playground and paved trial for walking or biking. After a long week, residents don’t need to leave the neighborhood to unwind on forested nature trails or appreciate views of the Potomac River framed by rugged cliffs. The Carderock Recreational Area has trails for biking or hiking that wind through the forests and curve alongside the river. Those craving more adventure go rock climbing up the Carderock Cliffs alongside the Potomac. Locals take more relaxed waterside walks on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, which passes through Carderock and stretches 185 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. The path was completed in 1850 for mules to travel alongside the waterway as they “towed” boats down the canal, but today, it’s a popular recreational trail for hiking and long bike rides. In fact, Graciela Haim, a real estate agent for the Graciela Haim and Heinen Group who’s served the area for 28 years, says, “We know people who go to work in D.C. and get there by bicycle going down along the canal.” With both the number of residents with college degrees and advanced degrees significantly above the national average, education is highly emphasized in Carderock. Kids can begin at Carderock Springs Elementary and progress to Thomas W. Pyle Middle. Both schools earn A ratings from Niche. Walt Whitman High, which Niche ranks as the third-best high school in Maryland, earns an A-plus rating. The high school’s career and technical education clusters encourage students to begin studying for careers in computer science, early child development, engineering, international business and more. There are no stores or restaurants in Carderock, aside from the White Oak Grille at the golf course, but the neighborhood’s central location means that residents don’t have to travel far to find them. “Pretty much everyone is heading northwest to Potomac Village, which we call The Village, for groceries and errands,” says. He notes that Tyson’s Corner Center and Montgomery Mall are popular nearby retail shopping destinations, and Bethesda has great dining options. Closer to home, the iconic Old Anglers Inn is about 4 miles west — the restaurant has been open since 1860 and serves elevated American food on its outdoor garden patio. Wild Tomato, which is in Cabin John about 3 miles southeast, offers cocktails, pizza and fish tacos in a laidback setting. In The Village shopping area, 3 miles northwest, Vie De France Bakery and Café is a popular brunch spot, serving French pastries and freshly baked croissants. For casual pub fare and beer, locals turn to Hunter’s Bar and Grill. Safeway and Giant stock groceries and essentials. “It’s right on the border of Maryland, so D.C. and Virginia are an easy drive down Clara Barton Parkway. It turns into a one-way road headed toward D.C. in the morning and headed out of D.C. in the evening,” Saenger says. Those who opt to drive have a 10-mile southeast to downtown Washington, D.C. and a 13-mile drive to Arlington, Virginia. Bethesda, Maryland, is about 7 miles east. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation runs buses along Macarthur Boulevard and Forrestal Road, but the nearest Metro rail station is in Bethesda, where commuters board the Red Line. While commuting or working from home is more common, some may find employment in the neighborhood, as the David Taylor Model Basin, a research facility that tests ship designs for the military, is in the southern section of Carderock. The CAP Index crime tracking database gives Carderock a 1 out of 10 score, with 1 indicating the lowest crime. Members of the Avenel Community Association gather for seasonal events, like the annual Independence Day bike parade, which is complete with seasonal treats and themed décor. In October, costumed kids trick-or-treat for candy at the association’s Halloween truck-or-treat event.

In the early 1960s, developer Edmund Bennet envisioned a community where the homes thoughtfully complemented their natural surroundings, and he brought on the Keyes, Lethbridge, and Condon architectural firm to realize his vision in Carderock Springs. Designed to maintain a serene, nature-filled atmosphere, the Bethesda neighborhood was placed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places in 2009 as an example of situated modernism, where neutral-toned mid-century modern homes blend into the wooded landscape. Today, a citizens’ association works to preserve the tranquil environment and organizes events like community camping trips. The Carderock Springs Swim and Tennis Club keeps residents active, kids attend top-rated schools, and the neighborhood’s central location in Montgomery County makes for a manageable commute to Bethesda or Washington, D.C. Properties from the 1960s sit under canopies of trees along meandering streets, and yards are decorated with organic landscaping and stone walkways. “Homes are pretty much all mid-century modern with lots of big windows — think Brady Bunch era,” says Alex Saenger, a Realtor with Keller Williams Capital Properties who was born and raised in Carderock Springs. He adds, “Most have been remodeled since, so they're not original, but they’ve kept the same character." To maintain the community’s beloved, cohesive feel, homeowners must submit plans for exterior renovations to Carderock Springs’ Architectural Review Committee for approval in accordance with the neighborhood’s covenants. Home prices start at around $1 million but rise to around $1.8 million. There are occasional Colonial Revivals from the 1980s, which cost between $1.9 million and $2.1 million. Golfers can join the exclusive Congressional Country Club, a private club with two 18-hole courses. Named because it was built in 1924 after a crowdfunding effort to create a club tailored to Members of Congress, the club has hosted three U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship and had numerous presidents hold lifetime memberships. Saenger mentions that most join the Carderock Springs Swim and Tennis Club to gather at the Clubhouse and enjoy access to multiple pools and tennis courts. The neighborhood’s swim team, the Carderock Springs Cudas, participates in the Montgomery County Swim League and practices in the large pool, which has six lanes and a diving well. “There’s also a medium pool and a wading pool for little kids, so it’s well adapted for families,” Saenger notes. Residents meet for pickleball or tennis matches on the courts. In the summer, kids can attend Camp Carderock, a day camp filled with team-building activities, crafts, games and swimming. For a peaceful afternoon stroll through the woods, locals can pick up the Cabin John Trail, which follows Cabin John Creek in the southeast corner of the neighborhood. “All the kids go to the elementary school in Carderock Springs, which adds to the community connection,” Saenger says. The neighborhood prioritizes education and involvement, and the percentage of residents with college and advanced degrees is significantly above the national average. Children begin at Carderock Springs Elementary, which has an A rating from Niche and offers before and after-school programs for kids to expand their skills and interests. Programs include acrylic painting, chemistry detectives, little coders and game development. Older students advance to A-rated Thomas W. Pyle Middle and A-plus-rated Walt Whitman High. The lack of restaurants or stores adds to the neighborhood’s laidback atmosphere, and locals don’t have to travel far to shop or grab dinner out. “You’re a hop, skip and a jump away from D.C. for nightlife and museums,” Saenger says. “But you’re also close to the Montgomery Mall and Tyson’s Corner for higher-end shopping, and Bethesda has great restaurants.” Fish Taco, which is about 2 miles south, is a casual spot popular for its margaritas and blackened fish tacos. Residents drive 4 miles west to Old Anglers Inn to enjoy elevated American food by a fire pit on the outdoor patio or dine by the soft light of sconces in the dining room. The Potomac Village shopping center, located 3 miles northwest, has a collection of chain restaurants and a couple of local eateries, like Tally Ho, a diner serving breakfast platters and deli sandwiches. The Village is also where locals go grocery shopping at Giant or Safeway. Tyson’s Corner Center, which is one of the largest shopping malls in Virginia, is 8 miles south. The Carderock Springs Citizens’ Association, which has a $50 annual household membership fee, has monthly events for neighbors to mingle. Locals can meet to make Valentine’s cards in February, trade herbs and fresh blooms at the Earth Day plant exchange and bring a cultural dish to share at the neighborhood’s annual International Potluck Dinner. The community cheers on the neighborhood’s swim team during meets at the Swim Club, and twice a year, the citizens’ association sponsors a neighborhood camping trip. Families head to a nearby park for an overnight campout, complete with fishing, hiking, campfires and toasted marshmallows. “It’s right on the exit for 495, so it’s super convenient for commuting,” Saenger says. Commuters can merge onto Interstate 495, or the Capital Beltway, to travel 8 miles south to McLean, Virginia or 7 miles to Bethesda, Maryland. Driving 10 miles southeast on Massachusetts Avenue takes residents to downtown Washington, D.C. Buses operated by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation run along Persimmon Tree Road and River Road, and the nearest Metro rail station is about 6 miles away in Bethesda, where residents catch the Red Line. Some will even opt to beat the traffic and bike down the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath, a recreational path by the Potomac River that routes directly to Washington, D.C. The CAP Index crime tracking database gives Carderock Springs a 1 out of 10 score, with 1 indicating the lowest crime.

Seven Locks is a spacious, grassy suburb in southwest Potomac. "Residents are attracted to the many schools in the area and nearby amenities, such as Cabin John Village and proximity to the Beltway," says Caroline Heinen, real estate agent and consultant for the Graciela Haim & Heinen Group. The main residential subdivision in Seven Locks is Burning Tree Estates, made up of sizable homes on well-landscaped lots. Cabin John Trail is within walking distance of most homes in Seven Locks, while several golf or country clubs surround the neighborhood, and residents can pick up memberships. Seven Locks also holds a 1 out of 10 score on the CAP Crime Index, the lowest possible score, while the U.S. national average stands at a 4 out of 10 for comparison. In the well-established subdivision of Burning Tree Estates, there are smaller, midcentury modern homes that start at around $1 million. In comparison, larger New Traditional styles cost $2 million or more and offer more square footage, larger lots, and upgraded finishings. While there are many single-family homes, some subdivisions include condos and townhouses, like the small, gated community of Quarry Springs. Prices vary in the area, but Heinen says prices rise the closer the home is to downtown Bethesda and DC. Townhouse options are still coming soon in the gated community of Quarry Springs in the neighborhood's south end. Most homes sit on wide, residential streets that branch off Seven Locks Road and end in cul-de-sacs or small roundabouts. Brad Rozansky, a broker with Compass, says, "Burning Tree Estates has had a fair amount of teardowns because people like the lots there." The average household income in Seven Locks is above $220,000, which is triple the national average of $71,000. Seven Locks hosts one of two homes in the state designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The famed architect designed the Robert Llewelyn Wright house for his son, who worked at the Justice Department and resided in Potomac. The home is still a private residence and doesn't take tours. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal runs along the Potomac River and is about a ten-minute drive from most homes. The Canal offers several hiking trails for varying skill levels. For a more leisurely experience, there's the C&O Canal Towpath, while a more arduous route is along the Billy Goat Trail, which features more rugged terrain. Cabin John Stream Valley Trail is within walking distance for residents as it cuts through the middle of Seven Locks. Cabin John Local Park offers a playground, softball field, and basketball and tennis courts. Seven Locks has several golf courses and country clubs on all sides. The Bethesda Country Club is a members-only center just north of Bradley Boulevard and features a massive clubhouse, an 18-hole golf course and several tennis courts. There's also the storied Congressional Country Club to the west, where members of Congress routinely tee off on one of the club's 36 holes since it opened more than a century ago. Notable visitors include former presidents like Barack Obama, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. This club has hosted the 1997 U.S. Open and several PGA Tour events since then. Finally, east of the Capitol Beltway is Burning Tree Club, an all men's golf club formed in 1922. While the neighborhood is mainly residential, residents are a few minutes' drive from several Montgomery County shopping districts. Less than 3 miles north on Seven Locks Road in Cabin John Village, a recently renovated strip mall with a Giant for groceries and fast-casual eateries like California Tortilla and Playa Bowls for smoothies and acai. Five miles east are numerous places to shop and eat in the Woodmont Triangle and Bethesda Row districts, like the Woodmont Grill, with a classic '50s diner aesthetic and a menu of ribeye steaks and salmon. They also play live jazz music nightly. Westfield Montgomery, a mall anchored by Nordstrom and Macy's, is just two miles away. The Wildwood shopping center provides options like CVS and Balducci's, a high-quality grocery store where the meat and seafood are responsibly sourced. Students in Seven Locks attend Montgomery County Public Schools, ranked second by Niche as one of the Best School Districts in Maryland. Seven Locks Elementary School and Cabin John Middle both get A-ratings overall from Niche, and Winston Churchill High has an A-plus. Winston Churchill High also earns the No. 2 spot for Niche's Best College Prep Public High Schools in Maryland list. Their career center works with students individually for post-secondary planning, providing resources such as practice standardized testing opportunities and college essay guidance. The area also offers many private school options, such as Mater Dei School, a Catholic school for boys that serves elementary and middle schoolers, and Holton-Arms School, a girls' school that serves grades K-12. Seven Locks is bordered to the east by Interstate 495, also called the Capitol Beltway. This highway loops around the greater D.C. area and allows access to Tyson's Corner Center, the largest mall in the D.C.-Baltimore area, in under 8 miles or Downtown D.C. in 15 miles. However, beltway traffic is notoriously dense during rush hour. The Medical Center metro station is the closest rail access, and the Red Line bound train is 5 miles east of the neighborhood. It is near the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Ride On, the Montgomery County bus line, has stops along Seven Locks Road, River Road to the south and Bradley Boulevard to the north.