Seat Pleasant

Having grown up around the expansion of the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis railway through Seat Pleasant, Maryland in the early 1900s, Carmody Hills retains a nostalgic ambiance. You won’t find master-planned rows of lookalike houses here; rather, homes built in Carmody Hills have a generational character, each with its own unique structure and stories. Established trees and well-worn streets echo the heart of a hard-working hometown that continues to renovate. Harvey Dorsey, Facility Director for Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, says, “Carmody Hills is a family-oriented community, right next to Peppermill. So, we often call it Carmody Hills/Peppermill. Neighbors in both communities formed a civic association to help build our new community center. These families saw how much their children enjoyed being outside on what used to be a playground, so they proposed a civic center and attended all the budget hearings. They were really the backbone of representation to see it through.” This somewhat old-fashioned suburb is also well-supported by its faith institutions such as Carmody Hills Baptist and Victory Temple. You’ll find the HOPE Center of Carmody Hills here, which stands for Holistic Opportunities Propelling Everyone. HOPE serves as a government mediator to foster inspiration; and its counselors, social workers and psychologists collaborate with local churches to offer family seminars, parenting workshops and youth mentoring. And while some roads may need repaving, sidewalks on both sides make it easy to walk or bike to schools and stores. Convenient Metrobus stops connect to the Addison Station for public transportation in and around the area. Midcentury cottages and four-square homes prevail, many updated with additions and new shingle roofs. You can find a recently renovated three-bedroom 1950s cottage for around $335,000 or a 1960s four-bedroom brick rambler for around $390,000. Modest single-level homes with either siding or brick exteriors often have screened porches and window grates, which adds to Carmody’s down-home essence. Some of the side yards on smaller houses are roomy enough for a play area and swing set. You’ll also see two-story duplexes with flat fronts, small porticos and small yards. Three-story town houses built in the late ‘90s in Heritage Knolls are priced around $350,000. Carmody Hills’ public schools are within the Prince George County Public School System, which Niche gives an overall B grade. Kids start out at Carmody Hills Elementary, a community centerpiece since the late 1950s, before heading to G. James Gholson Middle. Teens move on to either Fairmont Heights or Central high schools, given a C and C-minus grade respectively, by Niche. The new Fairmont Heights High facility opened in 2017, providing a state-of-the-art facility for nearly 1,000 students. In celebration of its strong community spirit, the nearby Peppermill Community Center features a vibrant outdoor sculpture of local children’s artwork. Says Dorsey, “The mosaic was installed when we tore down the old facility and put in our new facility in 2019. It was put together because people in the community suggested it, and our kids made the blocks with their own creative minds. It’s all glass and it lights up at night, so it’s quite a remarkable sight.” The new Peppermill Community Center is a hub for the Boys and Girls Club’s home football games, and offers several sports courts and a walking track. Inside, says Dorsey, “We have teen programs on Friday and Saturday nights, a gym, meeting rooms, and activities for all ages from youth basketball leagues to adult sewing classes to older seniors’ programs.” Holidays always bring a special glow to the center, including a walk-through trick-or-treat event with kid-centric stations. Locals also enjoy recreation at the J. Franklyn Bourne Memorial Swimming Pool and playground in Peppermill. You’ll need to drive approximately 6 miles to reach a Walmart, but you can grocery shop in the neighborhood at Save A Lot next to Family Dollar. You can also grab a quick bite, convenience groceries and essentials at Friendly Market. At the end of a strip mall, within a short walk from the Addison Road Metro, Satterfield Café is a popular spot for decadent ribs and barbecue chicken. An up-and-coming community with strong connections, Carmody Hills could be where you feel right at home.