Welcome to American University
The District’s best-kept secret.
American University Park is a unique neighborhood for housing a major university and its cultural perks, but little of the associated noise. Groups of students head to nearby Spring Valley, Tenleytown, and Georgetown for outings while AU Park’s small but steadfast crop of beloved restaurants has a reliable draw. That’s the AU Park vibe: plenty of highlights and harmony without the hubbub.
American University Park sits right next door to its eponymous university and has a self-contained campus feel of its own. It attracts Washington residents from a variety of disciplines who appreciate its shady tree-lined streets, tight neighborhood bonds, and easy access to the arts, culture, and commerce of the city.
What to Expect
Urban tranquility and familiar faces.
AU Park’s streets are residential, lined with tree-shaded sidewalks, picket fences, and back-alley spaces. The neighborhood’s stock of Colonials and bungalows is built close together with front porches and interconnected front yards, so you’ll often find neighbors socializing or out strolling the neighborhood. AU Park is within walking distance to a cluster of restaurants, shops, and Whole Foods, and is convenient to Tenleytown Metro for commuting to work.
The Lifestyle:
Knowing and liking your neighbors.
The neighborly bonds are as close-knit as the houses here, fostered by the stability of a neighborhood where multiple generations live within blocks of each other. Residents tend to be welcoming and civic-minded, from organizing alley block parties to taking an active part in neighborhood issues.
Unexpected Appeal
Tiny footprints and a big sense of community.
The homes in AU Park can be rather small and traditional, but many residents have found creative ways to expand and update them.
There are no driveways or large yards, but street parking is relatively easy, and the whole residential neighborhood is one big playground for children.
The Market
Small homes were built close together.
The housing stock is mostly uniform in AU Park, consisting of brick two-story Colonials and bungalows built during roughly the same time period.
You'll Fall in Love With
The friendliness and lack of pretension.
AU Park residents embrace the neighborhood’s simplicity and lack of ostentation. Back-alley barbecues, neighborhood get-togethers, and chance encounters on the sidewalk are part of the social fabric. With easy access to the rest of DC, AU Park is a convenient and welcoming place to call home.
