University Heights

On the up and up. This is a phrase that is tossed around so frequently (in this town in particular), that sometimes an area's bristling hard work can get lost in the shuffle of so many before it that go farther than it, or fail. University Heights is a neighborhood that has made some incredible strides, thanks in part to its neighboring Brookland, but whose hiccups are still rather surprising, also not unlike Brookland. Traffic is to be expected anywhere in the city, but the sporadic waves of crime, while also not uncommon to the city, are still a cause for concern in a neighborhood with a lot of promise such as this one.

Here you will find an even combination of affordable housing, and also local business. And with Catholic University so close, the neighborhood is aptly named, and a great spot for students seeking a reasonable (and close) place to stay. But it is always best to leave your place in a state of caution and minimize time spent alone outside at night. You simply can never be too careful.

University Heights derives its name from Catholic University, a very large Christian school which borders the neighborhood. Due it its location, University Heights has a very large catholic population, along with its related commercial concerns. There are several parish churches here, and even a large Franciscan monastery. To say that this neighborhood has diversity in the walks of life of its residents is an understatement. Of course, if you aren’t Roman Catholic you might feel a bit out of place here. Potential residents will need to understand the very homogenous atmosphere here.
In addition to the monks, University Heights does have a large student population. These students will often rent a house and cram in several room mates. Although you might expect there to be a lot of noise as a result, it is actually not too bad. Many of the students are studying to be priests, and this keeps a lot of the chaos of students at bay. After all, if seminarians get into too much trouble, they’ll be kicked out. One sad thing though is that, due to the high percentage of Catholic religious, there are few children here per capita. This really is a shame in my opinion, because University Heights would be a great place to raise your kids.

University Heights is a neighborhood in the northeast section of the city with approximately 7,000 depending upon how you define the neighborhood. Many consider University Heights to be a much larger neighborhood than is shown on StreetAdvisor. Anyway the neighborhood is located to the east of The Catholic University and i generally defined as falling within the boundaries of Taylor Street N.E., 14th Street N.E. Otis Street N.E. and John McCormack Drive N.E.. The price of homes within the expanded neighborhood sold for an average price of $281,230 in 2010. 35% of the homes are owner occupied. One of the great things about the neighborhood is the mixture of commercial, educational, residential and religious uses into one relatively small neighborhood.

Many will find the facilities at Turkey Thicket appealing with the numerous sports and recreational facilities available including tennis courts, ball fields and basketball courts. Green space can be found in Fort Bunker Hill Park and many will find the large number of trees within the neighborhood appealing as well. One of the great things here is the integration of many businesses into the neighborhood including restaurants, banks and retail shopping stores. The nearby Brookland Cua Metro station as well as numerous Metro Bus stations are appealing as well. Schools including the Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS will be appealing to those with children.

The only thing that detracts from the neighborhood is the recent crime statistics indicating crimes against people as well as property. As always check the most recent crime statistics and make an informed decision as to the crime risk before moving into any neighborhood. I like it here because it has a lot to offer, but I would need to understand what is happening on the crime front first.

University Heights takes its names from The Catholic University of America, which is located right next door in the northeastern part of Washington D.C. While one might expect an increased amount of noise and mischief from a neighborhood next to a college campus, you should also be aware that University Heights has a Franciscan Monastery on another of its border. These two institutions seem to balance each other out and make the community pretty peaceful.

The two main sources of entertainment for those not interested in study or prayer are the Fort Bunker Hill Park and the Turkey Thicket Park and Recreation Center. While both parks have the typically running paths and playground equipment you’d expect, Turkey Thicket has more. For instance, the recreation center has a large gym, a nice weight room and several meeting spaces that offer classes. These spaces are also used from time to time for public and community club meetings.

The one major problem with University Heights is the traffic. While most local students bike to campus, there are still enough commuters to snarl traffic, especially around the time when classes are changing. Also, the Franciscan Monastery is a favorite stop for tourists, many of who come to see its recreation of the Holy Land. They, along with groups of parochial school kids, can easily increase the congestion in the area, especially during the school year.