A Southeast Spot Blossoming With Charm

The fact that Hillcrest is a front-porch-sitting, dog-walking, back-fence-chatting, heavily voting community is not that unusual in this area.

Nonetheless, residents say first-time visitors are quite surprised to find such a neighborhood is east of the Anacostia River in the District.

"This is the Southeast you never hear about," said Michelle Phipps-Evans, whose family moved from Northwest Washington to Hillcrest four years ago.

Well-tended yards surrounding stately Colonials, cozy Cape Cods, striking Tudors, and cute restored Sears bungalows line rolling hills.

Arches, porches and hardwood floors are common throughout the community, developed in the 1920s, '30s and '40s.

"The architectural diversity is a real asset," said Karen Williams, president of Hillcrest's civic association. So is the ample on-street parking.

Phipps-Evans said their 1937 brick Colonial reminded her husband, Antonio, of a fashionable bed-and-breakfast when he first stepped inside.

Their son, Nicholas, 14, describes the neighborhood as very quiet. "It's easy to go to sleep or to study here," he said.

Chuck Riley moved to Hillcrest three decades ago because his three boys "needed a place they could throw a football." Now a real estate agent, Riley said his customers are often relocating from Olney, Fairfax and Arlington as they seek shorter commutes and closer proximity to the District's museums and culture.

At 300 feet above sea level, Hillcrest is not the highest point in the District -- that honor goes to Fort Reno Park in Tenleytown at 409 feet -- but residents say that during the summer the community seems 10 degrees cooler than much of the city.

When the leaves are off the mature oaks, many residents enjoy views of the Capitol and the Washington National Cathedral. And, when the leaves are out, "It's like living in a treehouse," said Aimee Syms Carney, a four-year resident.

Carney, a daily jogger, notes that Hillcrest is 1.6 miles from Eastern Market and 2.3 miles from the Capitol.