Any updates? What about Sheridan in Brightwood

I would agree - that as much as I hate walmart, it can't hurt to have a business there that might actually maintain their store and not exclusively sell liquor. That part of Georgia is sketchy now at best - I don't think it will do to Brightwood what Target did to Columbia heights, no transport, not the same kind of houses and walmart vs. target...but still a plus

So would folks say a Brightwood house is worth hanging on to for the next ten years or so?

Brightwood is barely closer to downtown then downtown silver spring. With higher crime and worse schools it's no surprise home values haven't increased there while the surrounding areas have. In DC location really matters, and Brightwood isn't really situated to become a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood although it will likely continue to be more affordable then other neighborhoods. In my opinion economic development can only help and the redevelopment of walter reed has the potential to have a big positive impact.

immediate PP here. I really don't know about the impact of walmart. That stretch of GA ave has been a disaster for 20 years. I can't imagine it will hurt it. What I wish is that the metro extended from Petworth through to Silver spring with a stop at Kennedy STreet and another at Walter Reed (then Walter Reed could also have become a workable government agency site, too). Having decent public transportation that connects the 'hot' areas of col. heights/petworth and silver spring, would transform the commercial strips and also make those nearby areas very desirable middle class neighborhoods.

we live in brightwood park, on 14th st, north of Colorado. There are some beautiful, large houses in our quiet, nice,family oriented neighborhood. Ours is probably middle of the pack for our immediate neighborhood and valued at 655k. There's a house across the street that sold for +- 800k , but it is HUGE, and beautifully renovated, top to bottom.

In general, you can get a lot of house for your money, as compared to west of the park, and the overall housing stock and neighborhood where we are is much nicer and safer than petworth. Our neighbors are middle and upper middle class professionals, a few older african americans who have lived in their houses for a long time. a few multigenerational families; not far are some apartments with dominant latino population. Its very diverse. The drawbacks are not very close to metro--if you work downtown, the S9 bus on 16th gets you to macpherson in about 25 minutes, and I take the bus to columbia heights metro (or sometimes walk). If you drive, you are close to rock creek park. There is not a lot of 'nicer' commerce: Georgia avenue has little of interest, and there is very little on 14th street, although a few restaurants and other stores could turn the neighborhood. The loss of Colorado kitchen was too bad--if a few restaurants, coffee shops and useful commerce went there, it would be fantastic. There's already an upscale crossfit gym and a private art studio. Finally, schools are not particularly good, so its not drawing a ton of middle class families who plan for public- although I can definitely see moving to brightwood if you got your kid into a good charter school. Its close to a lot of the charters....Or, if you were definitely doing private, and wanted to spend 800k rather than 1.5 million for a large, beautiful house in central-ish DC and didn't care about being WOTP. Neaby Crestwood has many million dollar plus houses--attracting childless gay couples, and has traditionally been the upper class AA neighborhood. Some to die for beautiful houses nestled in the park there.

Any news on what they're planning to do with Walter reed?

Pp here. I meant quiet!

we live in Brightwood proper. (Technically its the small section between Georgia & 16th south of Wally reed & north of military.). It is a hidden gem. Single family detached homes with decent yards and large row houses. Safeway is walking distance, rock creek park/trails are a block away. we bought in 2009, the first house listed on our street in 11 years!!). Our street is older African American retirees and us. I love it. It's insanely quite. After we bought a house on 13th street was sold for 500. It was just listed again and was under contract in less than 7 days with an asking price of $599. So a 100k increase in 3 years! It was pretty updated in '09 so I think that's a sign of the neighborhood growing in interest/popularity and other variables.

I think Walmart will improve the area because it will bring in new businesses (coffee shop, maybe?) on the terrible strip of Georgia. Also I think it will make the Safeway step up its game.

Have you checked refin lately? Prices are increasing... And inventory is always low.

PP here - this is closer to the old Walter Reed - around Geranium and Georgia Ave.

I have a home in Brightwood that I bought 7 years ago, hoping the area would gentrify. not so much. I hate the neighborhood. Crappy schools and that stretch of Georgia Ave there is rife with pawn shops and liquor stores. it's probably the only part of NW that has gotten worse over time. Still I am hanging on in hopes my property value will rise eventually due to what PPs said.

depends on what you define as brightwood. I think the problem is lack of public transportation, other than 70 buses on GA Avenue or 62/64. Also lack of commercial amenities on GA Ave or Kennedy St. If streetcar comes, then that could change the picture. I think Kennedy could become a cool little commercial strip in about 5 years, with the right investment/vision -- similar to H street, 11 st, and now upshur

It is less expensive because up until about a year ago it was still very much the hood. Nownitnis block by block. But it is still a transitional neighborhood, and probably 5 years from achieving the type of gentrification seen in petworth over the past decade. If you're not from around here, no one in their right minds was buying in petworth until a few years ago. Those that did now look like geniuses of course. And those that buy in brightwood probably will too in time.

Alternatively, the sw waterfront was touted as the next tat thing in the 80s, and despite its strong location, people who bought there have consistently lost their shirts.

So go in with. Long term focus.

I think Brightwood is an undiscovered gem - beautiful leafy streets, big houses, nice amenities like the Takoma Rec Center. It is probably undervalued because it lacks good access to transit and walkability. But if you were willing to bike or drive in to work, it would be great. Also - schools? I don't think there are any really good neighborhood school options up there. So the problem is, if you're going to have to car commute anyway, would you choose Brightwood over other options?

It's sandwiched btwn petworth which has shot up and takoma park where homes are rarely less than $500,000, yet the homes there are still so inexpensive. i bought a house there 7 yrs ago and it hasn't increased in value. want to sell it but i am sure the area has got to increase in value, but dang-when???

and what are your thoughts about the wallmart?