AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK

The leafy tree-lined streets of American University Park offer suburban calm and small-town spirit at the edge of Washington D.C. The real estate in American University Park is composed of  charming colonial homes with well-maintained lawns invoking a true sense of community. While the neighborhood’s relaxed lifestyle gives its residents all the benefits of suburban living, it is well connected to other areas of D.C. via two stops on the Metro Red Line.

While American University Park is located near the university from which the neighborhood takes its name, AU Park contains few college buildings. AU Park is a predominantly residential area, with a selection of high quality schools that have helped make this a much sought-after location among young families.

Friendship Heights, an area with upscale shopping, lies within walking distance for much of AU Park. There is also a great selection of restaurants in AU Park itself along Wisconsin Avenue.

AU Park is a highly sought after neighborhood, especially among young families which means homes rarely stay on the market for long. American University Park homes have increased on prices over the past decade as word of AU Park’s laidback suburban lifestyle within easy access of downtown Washington has spread.

The majority of homes are elegant Colonial-style houses, situated on lots that are spaced out a little more than in nearby areas such as Chevy Chase, D.C. The proximity of AU Park’s residences makes it a very walkable community and the frequency in which residents run into each other on strolls around the neighborhood help add to its tight-knit community spirit.

AU Park homes have a median sales price of $989,000. The average price per square foot is currently $625, which is 4% higher than a year ago.

Washington insiders number heavily among the residents of AU Park, bringing a focus on hyper-local politics that contributes to this civic-minded community’s sense of togetherness. This also adds to the sensation shared by many residents that AU Park is a fantastic place to lay down roots. It’s not uncommon to find several generations of the same family living within a few blocks of each other.

Civic mindedness and community spirit make AU Park a fantastic area for families, with children playing in the streets and residents often organizing block parties, back-alley barbeques, and other communal events.

There is an excellent selection of both public and private schools to choose from, with the local public schools Janney Elementary, Deal Middle, and Wilson High all having benefited from recent heavy investment and renovation.

Wisconsin Avenue offers a great range of restaurants popular with locals, while Turtle Park provides relaxing alfresco space, a children’s play area, and basketball, tennis, and baseball facilities. Residents rarely bat an eyelid at seeing familiar faces from politics and the media enjoying these amenities, and it’s this unfussy sense of suburban normalcy that makes AU Park such an attractive neighborhood for those looking for a long-term home with convenient access to other areas of D.C.