The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Twinbrook endures, like its fellow baby boomers

By
May 6, 2016 at 7:00 a.m. EDT

Jeff Billington decided to move to Rockville’s Twinbrook neighborhood after finding that the community matched his housing checklist.

The neighborhood was quiet and convenient to Metro’s Red Line, he said. But the housing prices sealed the deal.

“If you want an affordable single-family home in Montgomery County and you want to be close to the Metro, I don’t know that there are other neighborhoods that compare,” said Billington, who works in the District for a public relations firm. “If I go out and have a drink after work, I don’t have to worry about driving,” added Billington, who bought his 1952 four-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape Cod on Atlantic Avenue 10 years ago.

Twinbrook sprang up in the housing boom that followed World War II, and even today much of the neighborhood consists of modest 1950s houses with picture windows and neat front lawns, said Harold Franklin, an agent with Weichert Realtors.

While most early residents flocked to Twinbrook to take advantage of the federal government’s G.I. Bill, many newcomers are enticed by the neighborhood’s proximity to Metro and nearby shops and restaurants along Veirs Mill Road, Franklin said.

"This neighborhood is centrally located for residents who need to run out for any little last-minute things.You can actually walk to a store without having to get in your car," he said.

Burleith is a cool spot in Georgetown’s shadow


Parks, trails and shops:
Joseph McClane, president of the Cambridge Walk II homeowners association, called Twinbrook "an overlooked gem."

About 20 years ago, McClane said, he was searching for an affordable neighborhood within walking distance of a Red Line Metro stop. The list was short.

“I really like the fact that Twinbrook is one of the few places where on the one side of us is Rock Creek Park and the Bethesda Trolley Trail and on the other side is Rockville Pike, where you can walk to dinner and other shops,” said McClane, who lives in a 2,400-square-foot three-bedroom, four-bathroom townhouse on Halpine Walk Court.

Kelly Day, who grew up on Crawford Drive and whose grandfather lives on Lewis Avenue, said her siblings have lovingly teased her over the years for not moving away from their childhood neighborhood. But Day, who purchased a three-bedroom, one-bathroom Cape Cod in 2001, said Twinbrook “holds a special place in my heart.”

“We’re a walkable community, and the schools are wonderful,” Day added. “It’s a very accepting community, and I think that’s what’s kept me here.”

Steve Dolan said that he enjoys walking his Staffordshire bull terrier through Twinbrook and imagining the neighborhood during the 1950s after service members returned home from World War II.

“The houses here kind of have a different feel to them,” said Dolan, who lives on Henry Road.

Brian Wilson said that he and his wife were living in a condo in Alexandria and commuting to their jobs in Rockville. Between their separate commutes, the couple would spend four to six hours a day in traffic, Wilson said.

“We thought the commute was crazy,” he said. “We found an agent, and they led us to Twinbrook.”


Living there:
The community is bordered by First Street to the northwest; Rock Creek Park to the northeast; Twinbrook Parkway to the southeast; and the CSX and Metro tracks, just east of Rockville Pike, to the southwest.

In the past 12 months, 32 homes have sold in Twinbrook, at prices ranging from $257,000 for a 1,200-square-foot four-bedroom, one-bathroom house to $415,000 for a 2,444-square-foot four-bedroom, four-bath house, said Annabel Burch-Murton, an agent with Washington Fine Properties.

Six houses are for sale, ranging from a 1,200-square-foot four-bedroom, one-bathroom Cape Cod priced at $285,000 to a 1,200-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape Cod for $424,900, Burch-Murton said.


Schools:
Twinbrook Elementary, Julius West Middle and Richard Montgomery High.

Cameron Station is a former Army Facility turned planned community in Alexandria


Transit:
The Twinbrook Metro station is on the southern edge of the neighborhood; the Rockville station is a closer option for residents on its north side. The area is also served by Montgomery County's Ride On bus system.


Crime:
So far this year, 10 assaults, two robberies and five burglaries have been reported in the Twinbrook neighborhood, according to the Rockville police department.