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Reply to "What do you know about the Hillcrest Neighborhood in SE DC?"
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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What are the borders of Hillcrest? Suitland, Branch, and Southern?[/quote] Here's the 'cheat-sheet' to the borders of 'Hillcrest'. First, it needs to be clarified that ambitious real estate agents have been using the better-known 'Hillcrest' name to market everything south of Fort Dupont National Park along Massachusetts Av SE; east of 28th St. SE; and west of Southern Ave as being in 'Hillcrest'. The reason they can do it successfully is that there are actually four comparably quiet, attractive neighborhoods bordering Pennsylvania and Branch Aves. Starting from that intersection, the boundaries are roughly as follows: HILLCREST (20020) - Generally speaking, 'Hillcrest' is on the south side of Pennsylvania Ave, with Southern Ave being its south-eastern border. The original borders of 'Hillcrest' are set back from Pennsylvania Avenue by a stretch of the 'Fort Circle Park' system. As such, Hillcrest's north-eastern border begins south of the 'greensward' at 28th Street where (upon entering 'Hillcrest') it turns into Hillcrest Drive. Traditionally, the curving residential streets of Fort Baker Drive and Park Drive constitute the 'edge' of Hillcrest, but practically speaking the neighborhood now extends all the way to Naylor Road, encompassing the Skyland Town Center Mall (now under construction). PENN BRANCH - The north side of Pennsylvania Ave fanning north and east to 38th Place on the west, and Pope Branch Park on the north. Many real estate agents 'pass off' Penn Branch as better known 'Hillcrest'. It's so easy to do because it not only shares a zip code, but is of almost identical character (quiet, lovely homes from the 30's-60's). Many homes in Penn Branch also retain better views of downtown DC/The Mall (where the tree-canopy has obscured some of these views in Hillcrest). DUPONT PARK (20019) - bordering 387 acre 'Fort Dupont National Park' south of Massachusetts Ave between Alabama Ave and Randle Circle, this enclave is very quiet, if the homes are decidedly more modest than Hillcrest and Penn Branch. Most of the mid-century modern ramblers and split levels date from the late 1950's to mid-60's. But there are also a number of colonials and capes that date from the 1930's when the park contained a golf course (now the still enjoyed Ft. Dupont Amphitheater). Surrounded by Fort Dupont Park on the north, and Pope Branch Park (a 'ravine' really, only navigable by wildlife), deer are a daily sight in this quiet section. Several homes also have sweeping views of DC. RANDLE HIGHLANDS - Bordered on the north by Minnesota Ave and Pennsylvania Ave; on the west by Naylor Rd, on the south by Texas Ave; and on the east by Branch Ave. Originally (1900-1928) all of the above mentioned neighborhoods were considered part of Randle Highlands, with the new developments (Hillcrest, Penn Branch, Dupont Park...) gradually taking on new names and starting their own neighborhood associations. Closest to the main thoroughfares (Pennsylvania/Branch Aves) Randle Highlands took on the most 'urban' character, once having many restaurants, an A&P, a cinema, etc. During the housing shortage of WWII, many owners of older edwardian, bungalows and other homes built small apartment buildings, etc. Unfortunately making for a less cohesive streetscape on side streets. However, there remain some beautiful properties on White Place, Park Place, Q St, Naylor Road, some with great views of DC. It does tend to have significantly higher crime than the above three areas. That said, vaunted Westover Drive (while considered part of 'Hillcrest') is officially part of Randle Highlands.[/quote]
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