Riverdale Park is a diverse little town of about 6,000 residents near Hyattsville, Md. Though known for its historic roots in a 208-year-old estate, Riverdale has been recently been experiencing a revival.
Freydoun and Susan Salimi, longtime owners of the Calvert House Inn restaurant, are witnesses. “The past 27 years, I have seen a lot of improvement,” Freydoun Salimi said. “A lot of people move from Washington, D.C., because the prices are affordable. They buy houses and fix them up … everything looks neat and clean.”
Salimi says the residents are friendly, never failing to support his restaurant. The Calvert House Inn specializes in modern and traditional seafood inspired by the tradition of hospitality of the historic Calvert mansion. “We are proud being part of [the town’s] history,” he said.
The Calvert mansion and estate, established in 1801 by Henri Joseph Stier of Belgium, also is called Riversdale.
Ed Day, director of the Riversdale Historic House Museum, said, “We have a very close relationship with the community.” The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission restored the house thanks to grass-roots efforts of local citizens, along with former Mayor Ann Ferguson.
“The town of Riverdale grew up around the historic house,” Day said. The museum now hosts a variety of programs and events that range from pickling classes, live outdoor blues and jazz performances by local musicians, and lectures and tours on local history.
But the Calvert mansion isn’t the only historic home in the neighborhood. The Preservation Association of Riverdale Park watches out for the hundreds of Victorian and Craftsman homes built since 1890.
The community also looks to its future with the Master Peace Community Gardens, an urban farm with a greenhouse and youth garden run by the University of Maryland Center for Educational Partnership, high school students and community volunteers. The produce is sold at the Riverdale Park farmers market on Thursdays, with proceeds going back into the garden program.
An extremely affordable neighborhood, Riversdale is near the College Park-University of Maryland Metro station on the Green Line and has easy access to Maryland Rail Commuter that runs between Union Station in D.C. and Camden Yard in Baltimore.
As you might guess from the name of the Metro station, the University of Maryland, with its competitive basketball team and library resources, is close. Riverdale is also surrounded by a network of parks, including Magruder Park, Riverside Drive Park, Riverdale Recreation Area, Anacostia River Park and the sizeable Greenbelt Park to the northeast.
Top reasons to live in Riverdale Park
Affordability
A glance at real estate listings in the 20737 ZIP code reveals a general price range of $115,000 to $380,000. For example, a very cute renovated Cape Cod home was recently available for $225,000. Try matching those prices elsewhere within the Beltway.
Location
Riverdale Park is a mere 15- to 20-minute drive from downtown D.C. on Rhode Island Avenue. For alternative transportation, the Prince George’s Plaza and College Park Metro stations are on both sides of the town. Baltimore is about 20 minutes away. Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay are only a half-hour drive away.
Community
The neighborhood bonds over a sense of history thanks to Riverdale’s interesting past as a family plantation. Community members can join the Riversdale Historical Society and volunteer with the Riversdale House Museum. Other community activities include an annual holiday market and festival of lights in December with locally made crafts and food, live music, and trolley rides.
At a glance
July 2009
Average list price July 2009: $176,662
Average sale price July 2009: $133,906
Average days on market 2009: 158
July 2008
Average list price July 2008: $255,700
Average sale price July 2008: $239,348
Average days on market 2008: 51
