Burleith

Burleith might be one of Washington’s best-kept secrets, but once upon a time, it caught the attention of none other than Charles Dickens. After a visit in 1842, he wrote, "The heights of this neighborhood, above the Potomac River, are very picturesque; and are free, I should conceive, from some of the insalubrities of Washington. The air…was quite cool and refreshing, when in the city it was burning hot." Today, this walkable, tree-laden neighborhood, which includes the elegant gated Hillandale community as well as the French embassy, remains a refreshing haven, tucked between humming commercial and historic districts, but in a world unto itself.

Cynthia Howar, a Realtor with Washington Fine Properties, settled in Burleith 22 years ago, choosing Hillandale as her now longtime residence. "When I came here," she says, "I felt like I'd walked into an oasis of calm in the middle of the city. It really is its own little village."

Howar, who also served nine years as the head of the Hillandale Home Owner's Association, describes the Burleith-Hillandale community as "neighborly and close-knit." While separated by the historic gatehouse at Hillandale's main entrance, camaraderie rules the day and no matter which side of the fence you live on, you'll get to know your neighbors at events like the annual Halloween party, visits with Santa, glogg parties (a beloved neighborhood ritual centered on a Scandinavian drink) and summer picnics.

Although harmonious cohabitors, these communities are also quite distinct. Hillandale began in the 1980s on the site of a former sheep farm. Maintaining its natural beauty with velvety green lawns and thick woodlands, Hillandale offers 28 detached homes and 137 town houses featuring Federal- and colonial-style architecture. Town houses average three or four bedrooms with 2,200 to 4,000 square feet and a price tag between $1.5 and $2 million. Detached homes offer up to five or six bedrooms and 6,000 square feet and can sell for as much as $4 million. Hillandale also offers exclusive amenities, including 24/7 security, a community pool, tennis courts and a state-of-the-art playground.

"Original" Burleith started in 1923 when the real estate firm of Shannon & Luchs began building rowhouses on the site of a country estate. Most of the neighborhood's Colonial-style rowhouses were built between 1923 and 1928. Some Tudor-style homes were later added, and recent rebuilds have brought about sleek, contemporary designs, giving Burleith a diverse appeal. Still tucked away in leafy tunnels and lined by wide sidewalks where neighbors stop to chat, original rowhouses will likely have three bedrooms and around 2,000 square feet. Additions or rebuilds could increase living space to 4,000 square feet with four bedrooms or more. Prices range from $750,000 to $2.5 million.

Cradled by parkland to the north and west, outdoor space is a treasured commodity. Take a morning walk, and you’ll likely pass neighbors in Whitehaven Parkway, which features a large community garden and walking trails that connect to its western counterpart, Glover Archbold Park. Covering 183 acres, Glover Archbold offers trails, trees and chance encounters with wildlife.

While you might feel miles away from the city at times, a 10 or 15-minute walk puts you in the heart of Georgetown's upscale retailers, edgy boutiques and trendy eateries. For a night on the town, Howar recommends Café Milano. Deemed "Washington's ultimate place to see and be seen" by the Washington Post, this swanky hotspot satisfies the Capitol Hill elite with authentic Italian delicacies. For a less conspicuous setting, grab breakfast at Fresh Baguette on Wisconsin Avenue. The smell of fresh-baked bread and hand-crafted pastries will send your senses spinning. To curb your retail cravings, join shoppers on M Street and Wisconsin Avenue, or find eclectic treasures each Sunday at the Georgetown Flea Market. Wisconsin Avenue is also where you can keep your pantry stocked thanks to Safeway, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

For families looking at Burleith, great schools often seal the deal. The neighborhood houses Washington International School's primary school campus and the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, a highly sought-after magnet school that offers professional arts training in a college prep setting. If you're looking to go the public route, some of the district's best schools serve Burleith, including Hyde-Addison Elementary and Hardy Middle, both of which earn an A-minus rating from Niche. High schoolers can attend MacArthur High School, a new school that offers exceptional student and community leadership opportunities.

To commute to other parts of the district and Northern Virginia, several Metro stations are about a mile away. You can brave the walk, grab a Metrobus or take advantage of bike shares. If your commute requires a car, be prepared for busy DC streets.

If anyone has ever told you that you can't have it all, Howar disagrees. "Living here is like living in a suburb, but with everything you love about the city right next door," she says. "It's truly a best of both worlds situation."

Written By

Anna Strock

Photography Contributed By

Tyson Le

Video By

Anthony Pesa