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Neighborhood Index > Upper Caucasia

Chevy Chase, Hawthorne, Barnaby Woods, Pinehurst Circle

They’re not a city so much, and certainly not the suburbs, in spite of the nicely manicured lawns. More of a well-heeled village, with ample stock of well-built houses, a smattering of apartment buildings, and enough combined disposable income to support the upper Connecticut Avenue commercial strip with all the hallmarks of upper-crusty consumerism.

Arbitrary Rankings

Kid-Friendliness: 10

Backyards, sidewalks, and playgrounds galore make the area a great place for kids. Lafayette Elementary School is one of the better D.C. schools. And if you want private schools, some of the very best are within a quick drive of Upper Caucasia.

Housing: 4

Let’s face it, this is not a “starter house” neighborhood. The market’s sweet spot has steadied around $800,000 to $900,000 even in this down real estate market, with condos demanding an average of about $500,000. One charmer, a 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath Craftsman on the edge of Lafayette Park, is on the market for $2.15 million, about twice as much as it sold for three years and one major addition ago.

Eats: 7

American City Diner provides an experience, if not the best fare; Arugula is a perfectly good Italian spot; Pumpernickel’s Deli does pizza with savvy and a smile.

Consumer Goods: 7

This is your classic retail Mayberry. From the diner to the salon to the amazing toy store to the kids’ shoe store to the grocery, this strip meets your family’s everyday shopping needs.

Nightlife and Culture: 3

Upper Caucasia has few options for a raucous night on the town. The Chevy Chase Lounge is the one watering hole; the rest of the options is in the family way. In summer there are outdoor concerts at the community center and kiddie flicks at the Avalon. Sounds like a real party.

Intangibles: 4

The proximity to Rock Creek Park plus streets lined with trees so old and tall they form canopies make this nabe a sea of tranquility. Children growing up in Upper Caucasia take away a cool legacy—the “street cred” of city kids with all the middle-class coddling of those over the border.

Upper Caucasia in the City Paper Archives

Chevy Chase