Comp and Circumstance: Woodley Park Versus Arlington

February 2, 2011
5 Comments

by Rebecca Ortega

Comp and Circumstance presents two “for-sale” homes of roughly similar prices in the DC area and compares the pros and cons of each. This week, we examine two properties on the market for around $1.2 million, one in DC and one just across the Potomac River in Arlington.

See all our past Comp and Circumstance features here.

Four-Bedroom Wardman Next to National Cathedral

3307 Cleveland Avenue NW is a four-bedroom, four-bath home located in Woodley Park just to the east of the Washington National Cathedral. Like many other properties in the area, the house has a fairly traditional interior with crown molding and custom built-ins throughout much of its 2,518 square feet. The main level includes a living and dining room and a galley-style kitchen which opens into a breakfast room.

Dining Room

On the second floor there are three bedrooms, including a master suite with limited storage and a bathroom that was renovated five years ago. The third floor serves as a fourth bedroom with its own full bathroom. The house is on a corner lot and has a large, gated yard and a raised patio, which all provide a feeling of privacy. The listing price does not include parking like similar houses in the area, but the location is not too far from public transportation and offers good access to the rest of the city.

Mark McInturff-Remodeled Arlington Four-Bedroom

Sandwiched between the Washington Golf and Country Club and the Potomac Overlook Regional Park, this modern four-bedroom stands out in the suburban setting where it is located. The home was remodeled in 2000 by local architect Mark McInturff, and now has soaring ceilings, large windows that let in abundant natural light, and exposed wood beams framing the modern kitchen.

Living Room

Three of the four fireplaces in the home are wood burning, allowing for warmth in what could feel like a cold aesthetic. There are two bedrooms (including a very spacious master bedroom) and one full bathroom on the upper level. Two more bedrooms and one-and-a-half bathrooms are on the main level, and the fourth bedroom and full bathroom are on the lower level. Other stand-out features of the home include an elevator, a winter-friendly attached garage and a large backyard with a number of trees.

Photos courtesy of Real Tour, Inc.

Tell us in the comments which of these two properties you feel is the better buy at over $1M.

	3307 Cleveland Avenue NW	4330 26th Street, Arlington, VA
Bedrooms	Four	Four
Bathrooms	Four	3.5
Pros	Few improvements to be made, charming wood features throughout, four full bathrooms	Sleek and chic modern design, lots of natural light in spacious rooms, sense of privacy in wooded, suburban area close to DC
Cons	Street parking, small master suite	The modern design may not appeal to many buyers
Price	$1,195,000	$1,199,000
Neighborhood	Woodley Park	Broyhill Forest
Links	3307 Cleveland Avenue NW	4330 26th Street

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/comp_and_circumstance_woodley_park_versus_arlington/2937

5 Comments

Mike said at 11:19 am on Wednesday February 2, 2011:
I was prepared to say “oh the modern one!”, but the place by the Cathedral is much more warm and homey. I tend to like modern style, but find the Arlington place plain. It’s a really nice neighborhood though and I’d be frustrated to pay over a million for anything without parking. Still, I give the edge to the DC place.

LLP said at 11:26 am on Wednesday February 2, 2011:
I think that a family, that wants to live in DC and has the $$$ to send their kids to private school once they reach high school age would choose Cleveland Park. Otherwise, the modern one in Arlington would be the way to go.

Guy said at 2:19 pm on Wednesday February 2, 2011:
Kind of silly comment regarding DC and private school. The public schools available to Woodley park residents Oyster, Deal, Wilson High are all as good (and in many cases better) than those in Arlington. greatschools.org… check it out.

K said at 6:30 pm on Wednesday February 2, 2011:
Woodley! No question about it. “Close to DC” doesn’t justify “being in DC!”

Rob said at 7:50 pm on Wednesday February 2, 2011:
I wouldn’t buy either one. For that much money, there are a lot of other similarly sized houses you could buy that are more conveniently located. The Woodley Park house is a fifteen-minute walk to a Metro stop or a restaurant. I want to be closer than that.

Of course, the Arlington house is even farther from anything. So if I had to pick, I’d take Woodley Park.