Palisades

Where else are you going to hear someone say "you've *got* to see the CVS, it's so fancy"? The one in the Palisades has been worked out of an old movie theater, the MacArthur, and the marquee is still up. This gives you a bit of an insight into what the rest of the area is going to be like. That is, out of this world.

While not without its price (the housing is some of the more expensive you may find in the city), the neighborhood is still a fun one to visit, and if it is within your means, I highly recommend trying to find a place over there. It is a very self contained area, and has enough greenery and community buildings to keep country lovers and families happy for a long time to come. The small town feel reaches further with several community events, and if you make it to the 4th of July parade, you'll think you took a wrong turn and landed in Virginia. While this can be of great appeal to families or retirees, restless youngsters trying to prove themselves may want to take a look at another neighborhood before making their final decision (if they can even afford this one).

The Palisades is an older neighborhood in DC, and a nice one. Built before the days of high rise condos and cramped apartment buildings, it was laid out as a beautiful subdivision during the Victorian era. Originally a primarily residential area, it has now taken on the character of an entire suburb. There are plenty of restaurants and retail space, so purchasing what you need on the way home is possible. Unfortunately there aren’t any Metro stops, so you will have to use the busses or private automobile to live here. Not that that is a big drawback: once you get home, you can expect peace and quiet.
In addition to the usual neighborhood amenities, there is even a museum to visit if you like that sort of thing. After school, your children can play outside and not worry about being in danger except perhaps for passing cars. Once rush hour is over though, this isn’t a problem. Perhaps the only drawback of living here is that it is susceptible to the problems with DC traffic. But with such scenic surroundings, who cares. The crime rate is almost nonexistent, and people love to jog and walk their dogs. Nice place to live.

This is an amazing neighborhood of approximately 3,631 residents located in the northeast section of the city along the Potomac River and adjacent historical C&O Canal. The terrain rises steeply from the river but starts to level out as you head towards Loughboro Road N.E., which forms the northern boundary of Palisades. To the east Battery Kembie Park marks the border, while the Maryland state line forms the border to the west. In 2010 the median house price was $853,602.

There is only one school in Palisades and that is Key Elementary. The neighborhood features 4 churches and numerous restaurants and stores. Sibley Memorial Hospital is nearby offering easy access to heath care. "Art in Fiber" is a local museum. Recreational activities are mainly focused on Battery Kembie Park, Palisades Playground and the nearby C&O Canal Park, which is a part of the National Park System. Crime appears to fairly low and focused on property type of crimes. Since the neighborhood is heavily wooded, wildlife is abundant, including deer and foxes. The views from the bluff overlooking the River are fantastic. Hard to believe that you are in the city.

The biggest drawback to living there can be the traffic as commuters will cut thru the neighborhood in an attempt to get into and out of the downtown area. When there are issues on the 495 bridge going into Virginia, many commuters will cut thru the neighborhood to try to cross into Virginia via the Chain Bridge.

One of the lesser-known neighborhoods, the Palisades is about as far from downtown as you can get while still remaining in the District. For this reason, it has more of a suburban rather than urban feel. This feeling is enhanced by it's location along the Potomac River to the West and the campus of Georgetown University to the East. The combination of detached homes, townhouses, and apartment complexes give the Palisades a nice quiet atmosphere that seems quite distant from the hustle-and-bustle just a few miles to the southeast. Residents along the bluff bordering Potomac Avenue enjoy a panoramic view of the river and the Virginia Riverfront, with often impressive sunsets. The neighborhood has the benefit of several notable landmarks, chief of which is Fletcher's Boat House which offers boating and fishing opportunities. Families with school age children enjoy the recently renovated Francis Scott Key Elementary School. The area is host to several notable restaurants, including Figs, Mokatu, and Bambu. A neighborhood tradition is the annual Fourth of July Parade, which includes Palisade's youngest residents on their red, white, and blue festooned tricycles and bicycles. The one drawback to living in the Palisades is the absence of a stop on the Metro System.