McLean Gardens is known for being a world of its own in Northwest Washington, D.C – retaining its original 1940s brick Federal- and colonial-stye buildings, with lush landscaping and a secluded feel. “It’s the city’s best-kept secret. It’s almost uncalled for; it’s like a village in the city,” says Realtor and property manager Therese Fergo, who has lived in the neighborhood for 25 years. Once the summer retreat of newspaper publisher John R. McLean – whose name lives on in the town of McLean – the U.S. government bought the property and built housing for federal workers during World War II. By the 1980s, the longstanding garden apartments had been turned into condos, ushering in a new phase with a new wave of residents. “It has an international appeal,” Fergo explains. “People from many countries live here, and there are a lot of Americans who live overseas. I speak six languages, and I use all six every day.”
A beautiful fountain with playful children on Porter Street in McLean Gardens.
McLean Gardens
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Converted dorms and single-family homes
In McLean Gardens, brick buildings line the streets. Cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, and in the fall, the neighborhood is shaded in a canopy of red and orange that drops onto sidewalks. The neighborhood could be confused with a residential portion of a college campus, with its Federal- and colonial-style architecture, well-maintained shrubbery and easy walkability. Fergo explains, “They were dorms built in 1942 to accommodate soldiers. There weren’t any kitchens – they used to go to what is now the main ballroom to have meals.” Most properties are apartments, and a little more than half of residents rent. Those looking to buy can find a two-bedroom condo in the $300,000 to $700,000 range, depending on the property’s size, condition and age. Single-family homes in McLean Gardens run in the millions, from $1 to $8 million, and no two homes look the same – historic properties line the streets with unique features like balconies or turrets. Styles range from Colonial Revivals with brick or stone facades to prairie-style homes in muted tones to mission-style homes with tile roofs.
Federal style condo buildings lining Porter St NW in McLean Gardens.
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Trails taking locals into their own backyard
Newark Park spans about one city block, with playgrounds and tennis courts. For over 30 years, the park’s community garden has offered plots for residents to grow produce and plants alongside their neighbors. While their parents grow flowers, kids dig in the worm bed in the children’s garden. Pups play at Newark Street Dog Park, which has play areas for large and small breeds. Glover Archbold Park borders the neighborhood and sits on nearly 200 acres. Bikes aren’t allowed here, but walkers can traverse nearly 2.5 miles of trail. “Being directly next to a national park, there’s interaction with deer, foxes, owls, raccoons and snakes,” Fergo says. “The trails come right up to McLean Gardens. We really feel like we’re in the wilderness in the middle of the city.” The nearby McLean Gardens pool keeps residents busy in the summer, while the Hearst Recreation Center offers activities year-round.
McLean Gardens
McLean Gardens
McLean Gardens
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Walkable neighborhood
“Everywhere is reachable, yet when I come home, I see three or four deer grazing on the grass, even though you’re so close to the city,” Fergo says. “We’re not far from major transportation. The Metro is less than a mile away, and some busses run through.” When it’s time to fly, the Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport is about 8 miles south.
McLean Gardens
McLean Gardens
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A's for McLean Gardens Schools
Students are zoned for District of Columbia Public Schools. They can attend Hearst Elementary School and Hardy Middle School, which both earn A-minus scores from Niche. Students can finish their public education at Jackson-Reed High School, which gets an A. Jackson-Reed’s College and Career Center helps students prepare for the future, offering career fairs, college application assistance, trade and apprenticeship programs and more. McLean Gardens is also near two high-ranking universities: American and Georgetown.
Hearst Elementary School in Washington, DC.
Hardy Middle School is one of many options open to McLean Gardens residents.
Hardy Middle School is one of many options open to McLean Gardens residents.
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Amenities at City Ridge and more
Near the top of the neighborhood sits City Ridge, which has a Wegmans grocery store, as well as an open-air front lawn where films and local concerts are occasionally held. In the morning, locals can grab coffee from Tatte Bakery & Café or, for dinner, head to Taco Bamba, a Mexican spot. There’s another commercial cluster along Wisconsin Avenue, where locals can find a Giant Food grocery store, CVS pharmacy and a few dining options.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michele Barrera,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bryce Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Hearst Recreation Center
Basketball
Football
Pool
Rosedale Conservancy
Trails
Events
Multi-Purpose Field
Macomb Recreation Center
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Newark Park
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Tennis
McLean Gardens Community Playground
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl
17 min drive
Bus
Massachusetts Ave NW & Idaho Ave NW
Bus
Wisconsin Ave NW & Woodley Rd NW
Reviews
Niche Reviews
3.73 Reviews
2.0Nearby Resident
9/4/2022Niche Review
I am house hunting and was considering McLean Gardens, mostly because it is a safe and clean area of town. At the same time, I find it just so very dull and boring. I love to walk and there's no way I could walk to other NW neighborhoods from here, except to the National Cathedral. Overall it's cute but really not functional, poorly connected and intrinsically uninteresting, in my opinion.
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Two-level townhouse-style condo located in the desirable Vaughan Place community, with pool, parking, gym, concierge, secure package drop off and pickup, Metro shuttle all in tucked in a serene, park-like setting with unbeatable proximity to Wegmans, Equinox and many restaurants! This move-in ready home offers a modern kitchen featuring maple cabinetry, granite countertops, and
Located in the heart of Cleveland Park at 3401 38th St NW, this beautifully furnished 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience. Nestled in a charming mid-rise brick building surrounded by manicured landscaping, this home welcomes you with a bright and spacious layout, featuring hardwood flooring throughout and a sun-filled living room that opens onto
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Nestled in the heart of Washington, D.C., Vaughan Place offers a luxurious living experience just minutes away from historical landmarks such as the National Cathedral. This pet-friendly community boasts a collection of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, as well as townhomes, designed to cater to various lifestyle needs.The apartments at Vaughan Place feature modern kitchens
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Michele Barrera,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,744
Median Age
39
Population Density
24 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.4%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$141,063
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$158,217
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
92.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
64.4%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
77.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
31°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
13''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
65/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
66/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
60/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
