Lewisdale

The quiet, Takoma Park-adjacent community of Lewisdale is a mostly residential neighborhood surrounded by bustling commercial districts and an extensive trail system perfect for hiking and biking. “It’s not a remarkable neighborhood, but that’s sort of the point,” says local Realtor Penny Chrissomallis of Samson Properties, who has been working in the area for over 20 years. “It’s a low-key bedroom neighborhood with an easy commute to North DC and the Maryland suburbs.”

Most of the homes in the neighborhood were built during the expansion of DC’s suburbs in the mid-20th century, and generally reflect the styles of the period: Cape Cods, ranch-style homes and Colonial Revivals can all be found in the neighborhood, many featuring red brick exteriors. There are a number of newer developments as well, mostly condos and town houses. A modern, 2,000-square-foot town house in Lewisdale typically sells for around $500,000, while a heavily renovated 1,800-square-foot mid-century ranch-style home can sell for upwards of $650,000. Throughout the neighborhood, you’ll find wide streets with plenty of space for parking and small but well-maintained lawns fronted with shade trees.

While it might not be obvious at first glance, Lewisdale is something of a paradise for runners, walkers and cyclists. “A lot of people don’t realize how many trails there are in the area,” says Chrissomallis. “They’re great for exercise, and a lot of bikers are actually using them to get to work these days.” The Sligo Creek Trail, for example, is over 10 miles long and runs through a number of parks in and around the neighborhood, while also connecting to an ever-expanding network of bike trails that extend throughout the DMV area.

There are a number of quality local parks in the area as well. Sitting beside a local forest, Lewisdale Neighborhood Park’s playground is the perfect spot for a shady play date, while University Hills Duck Pond Park is a favorite with local birders and wildlife watchers.

When Lewisdale residents need to do a bit of shopping, they’re at most a few blocks away from either the Mall at Prince George’s or the shopping plazas of Langley Park, which all feature an assortment of major department stores like the Home Depot and Staples, as well as supermarkets ranging from Safeway to Patel Brothers grocery to Red Apple Farmers Market.

The restaurant scene in the neighborhood offers a plethora of diverse culinary options. Local foodies love the assortment of restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world, from the savory Jamaican of Kingston, Arbor known for their extremely generous portions, to the authentic Vietnamese flavors at unassuming noodle shop Pho 75. Lewisdale residents looking to unwind after work will appreciate the bevy of bars and breweries in and around the neighborhood. Whether they feel like having a craft IPA at Miller’s Ale House while catching the game, or living it up at Latin American nightclub Coco Cabana, it’s all right here in Lewisdale.

Schools in the area are overseen by Prince George’s County Public Schools. Many younger students in the neighborhood attend Carole Highlands Elementary and Buck Lodge Middle School. Nearby Northwestern High School, which has a C grade on Niche, is the alma mater of Jim Henson and, appropriately, is well-known for its top-notch Visual and Performing Arts Program, which for many students functions as a sort of magnet school within the school.

Commuting from the neighborhood to the Maryland suburbs and northern DC is fairly easy, with a number of highways passing through the neighborhood — though traffic congestion can significantly impact travel times. It’s 5 miles from the neighborhood to North DC, and 8 miles to Chevy Chase and Bethesda. Those looking to avoid traffic can head to Lewisdale’s Green Line metro station, Hyatsville Crossing, which gets riders downtown in about 25 minutes.

Lewisdale offers those who live here a hard-to-find combination of convenient location, recreational opportunities and ample creature comforts — for many, it’s exactly what they’re looking for in a DC suburb.

Written By

Andrew Moreno

Photography Contributed By

Jessica Livoni

Video By

Michael Voyack