Friendship Village

When a neighborhood is called Friendship Village, it would seem natural to have a life-sized bronze statue of a friendly policeman welcoming you to the community. The statue called “Oh, it’s you, welcome!” has been a popular attraction for neighbors and tourists since its installation in Hubert Humphrey Park in 2020. It pays tribute to local resident Colonel James S. McAuliffe, Sr who served as a Montgomery County police officer for 55 years. He also was Montgomery County’s Chief of Police for 16 years. The eye-catching landmark and its accompanying bronze plaque not only honor a local icon, but they also remind drivers and pedestrians to watch out for each other. Friendship Village is a rare neighborhood that seamlessly blends urban and suburban elements into a muti-use and highly-livable community. As Realtor Trip Holbrook, with RE/MAX Realty Services says, “While there are several notable condominiums in Friendship Heights, this still is a very residential neighborhood. And, because its location is so convenient to Metro, it’s an ideal neighborhood for those who work in DC but want suburban conveniences.”

Friendship Village is a one-mile square, suburban neighborhood in Montgomery County. Its proximity to the southern border of Maryland -- Friendship Village abuts the D.C. neighborhood of Friendship Heights -- makes the three-mile commute to D.C. easy. And getting to downtown is equally easy, with the Friendship Heights Metro station at the corner of Wisconsin and Western Avenues, where you can take advantage of the nearby park-and-ride. An assortment of well-built, traditional mid-century homes populate the area, as well as condominiums of all sizes along Wisconsin Avenue. The neighborhood aspect is unique with many turn-of-the-20th-century homes as well as midcentury traditional and modern houses. You will find quiet, leafy streets with sidewalks, large yards, massive trees and neighborhood parks. Many homes are within walking distance of the busy corridor of Wisconsin Ave with its abundant shopping, restaurants and commercial buildings. Traditional houses boast features like circular driveways, three-car garages, professional landscaping and notable additions to their original footprint. Flowering trees adorn the lawns of Colonial-Revival and Tudor-style homes, while tailored boxwood allees accent the front yards of midcentury ranch-style and playful post-modern homes. Buyers should expect to pay around $1,700,000 for midcentury modern homes with about 3,000 square feet. New homes with about 6,500 square feet can be found for around $3,500,000. Condominiums with about 2,300 square feet range from $1,700,000 to well over $3,000,000. Two-level penthouse condominiums with about 9,000 square feet are offered for around $10,000,000.

While there are several private schools in the NW D.C. and Bethesda-Chevy Chase area, neighborhood public schools are well-regarded and highly ranked. Westbrook Elementary has an A rating from Niche and offers Kindergarten through fifth grade. They promote a Community of Caring with a focus on five core values: caring, respect, trust, responsibility and family. Alice Deal Middle has an A rating from Niche, offers sixth through eighth grade, and is known for its rigorous academic programs. Bethesda Chevy Chase High also has an A rating from Niche and is ranked one of the best college prep public high schools in Maryland. It also offers International Baccalaureate courses.

Residents enjoy living within walking distance of several nearby parks. Brookdale Neighborhood Park offers three acres of green space with a border of mature trees that provides shade and privacy. Kids will enjoy a playground, basketball court and a hard surface volleyball court. Families strolling with children, and neighbors walking their dogs enjoy Willoughby Park’s massive sculptures, flowering trees and paved walkways. You’ll find the “Oh, it’s you, welcome!” statue at Hubert Humphrey Park.

Abundant upscale shopping venues welcome neighbors and die-hard shoppers from all over the metro area. The Shops at Wisconsin Place include Bloomingdales, Eileen Fisher, Talbots and Sephora. Several popular restaurants and Whole Foods Market round out the offerings. The Collection hosts iconic Clyde's restaurant, Chevy Chase Florist, Merritt Gallery and standout retailers Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co. Hungry diners will relish the steaks and flavorful sides at The Capital Grille, one of the most popular and long-standing Chevy Chase steakhouses. If you need to grab something good on the go, try Roti Mediterranean, for their fresh salads, bowls and pita sandwiches.

If you work in DC or outside of Bethesda/Chevy Chase, Friendship Village offers the nearly perfect location for those who want suburban conveniences. Distinctive homes and modern condominiums are ideally located. But as Realtor Trip Holbrook says, “Buyers need to be ready when the right home comes along. They sell really quickly and these days there may be only one or two on the market at one time.”

Written By

Sarah Albiston

Photography Contributed By

Jack Adams

Video By

Jacob Cardwell