College Park: More than just a university

“Many visitors to UM, students as well, believe College Park is a ‘college town'” where, typically, the school is the focus of the area’s civic life, said Larry Bleau, president of the North College Park Citizens Association. In this, he said, College Park “just happens to have a college in it. Residents, for the most part, work and have their livelihood elsewhere, then come home to rest, eat and sleep.”

That does not mean College Park does not benefit from its proximity to a world-class university.

“We’re less than one mile from campus and all the advantages it provides, the arts and the sports,” said Kevin Young, 46, a lifelong resident. “There are adult education possibilities.”

Though sometimes a large, youthful, transient population can be a challenge, Young said he has had few problems. “All in all it’s a great place to live.”

College Park is not particularly old, incorporated in 1945, but it has its own historic calling card. The College Park Airport is the oldest, continuously operated airport in the nation. On its grounds is the College Park Aviation Museum. The airport is located on land selected by the Wright brothers for early military flight training.

Chris Aubry, who works for the university, loves the access to Metro and urban amenities combined with a beautiful neighborhood offering a canopy of well-established trees.

“There are a good amount of restaurants and an energized atmosphere that prevails,” Aubry said.

Berwyn Caf? has been a mainstay in the neighborhood for years, serving vegetarian breakfast and lunch. Its owners, Kathy and Tal Brosh, met when they were both just employees.

“I like being around a college,” Kathy said. “There are always new people coming in, people who are open-minded to educating themselves about the food.”

The caf? is a gathering spot for both students and residents.

“I went to college here,” Tal Brosh said. “After I graduated I stayed because I worked at the university and enjoyed the career and the short commute. When it came time for me to buy a home, I chose College Park because of its proximity to my work and the nearness of Greenbelt Metro. I left that job in 2006, but by then I had married and this was home for us. So now I stay because we are used to the neighborhood, we like living within easy access of Washington and I am involved with my city’s civic life.”

College Park has some new condo developments and older, established neighborhoods. Prices generally run from the mid-$100,000 to mid-$300,000 range.

Bleau has lived in College Park for 35 years.

“The homes are more affordable than surrounding communities for their size, and there is a wide variety of housing styles from which to choose, he said. “The civic associations are quite active, the small parks are convenient and well maintained, there are bicycle trails nearby, there are many trees and other natural foliage and the neighborhoods are mostly quiet and safe.”

Top Reasons to live in College Park University of Maryland

The University of Maryland’s flagship campus is located in College Park. That means high-level collegiate athletics — basketball in particular — as well as arts, concerts, lecturers and the opportunity for adult and continuing education.

Location

The College Park Metro station is on the Green Line, as is the nearby Greenbelt station. The Beltway is accessed easily via Route 1, and Rhode Island Avenue, among other streets, leads directly into Washington.

Affordable housing

With average home prices in the mid-$200,000s, College Park is one of the Washington area’s most affordable areas to live.