Aspen Hill - Silver Spring, MD

Aspen Hill got its name from the beautiful aspen trees once gathered at the original post office of the area. The post office opened in 1864 at the intersection of Georgia and Connecticut Avenues. The biggest growth in population occurred between the 1970s and 1980s, also bringing greater diversity to the community. The AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center in nearby Silver Spring, Maryland provides different foreign and independent film programs throughout the year, such as the European film festival. Locals head to the Strathmore Mansion in North Bethesda for musical performances as well as national and international art exhibitions.

Aspen Hill hosts many chain restaurants, a few locally-owned establishments, and some laid-back bars for evening activities. Diners go along Connecticut Avenue or Aspen Hill Road where Aspen Hill Shopping Center and Northgate Plaza give locals an array of cuisine from Chinese to Mexican. Though area dining options mostly consist of chain restaurants such as Boston Market and Chipotle, Aspen Hill has some independently owned hidden gems. Residents recommend stopping by QQ China on Aspen Hill Road for quick carryout and friendly service. Customers rave about the vegetable lo mein noodles and Hunan shrimp. Head over to Sole D'Italia Restaurant for made-from-scratch Italian cuisine. Locals love this long-established eatery not only for its selection of artisan pizza but also for its lively, friendly atmosphere. For a sweet-and-sour flavor combo, try the bacon and pineapple pizza. Alternatively, order the hearty lasagna and enjoy a generous portion of authentic Mediterranean fare with hand-cut fries on the side. For a fun, neighborhood pub with hearty food, well-priced drinks and a relaxed atmosphere, The Limerick Pub in the Wheaton part of Aspen Hill fills the bill. Patrons highly recommend the meatball sandwich and the fish and chips. Head here to play a game in the dart room, enjoy trivia on Tuesdays and attend selected literary nights with traditional Celtic story-telling. Regulars appreciate the live traditional Irish music every week and folksong sing-along the third Thursday of every month.

Since only some streets have bike lanes and traffic can be heavy on the bigger roads, residents of Aspen Hill consider walking and biking recreational activities rather than modes of transportation. Most residents run their errands by car, Metrobus or Metrorail. Drivers hop on I-370 and I-495 to access other parts of Montgomery County and Washington, D.C.. Commuters have the option of taking the red line Metrorail from the Glenmont stop into the heart of D.C. or other parts of the County. Some busier parts of town require a moderate fee for street parking while more residential areas remain free. Car-share programs such as Uber and RelayRides serve the area. If you need a taxi, call one of many taxi companies to schedule your trip as you won't find many taxis to flag down on the streets.

Aspen Hill not only provides tree-lined residential streets, but an array of parks that are both kid- and pet-friendly. Along Bel Pre Creek lies an uncrowded, small park, Bel Pre Neighborhood Park, which touches Matthew Henson State Park and connects to a trail for bikers and walkers. Locals take in scenic views and fresh air while strolling or picnicking at Wheaton Regional Park on Shorefield Road. Take your kids to the splash park to cool off in summer, to the playground anytime or get a ticket for the train and carousel. Walking and playing in athletic fields is free, though reserving a pavilion costs a moderate price. If you're up for a longer walk, go all the way to the beautiful Brookside Gardens and Nature Center on a connecting path. The Aspen Hill Library sponsors an annual Jazz Festival on library grounds, and Silver Springs holds an annual street festival with live music and plenty of food.

Aspen Hill residents pay roughly 3 percent less than the average cost of living of Washington, D.C. The median price for a one-bedroom apartment unit is about $1,188 per month. Getting from Glenmont station to Metro Center in downtown Washington, D.C. by Metrorail costs $5 during peak hours and $3.60 during non-peak hours. Getting around on the Metrobus runs $1.75 for the regular and $4 for an express bus. Grabbing a quick beer at the local dive bar costs about $5.50 per pint. When drivers fill up their tanks, they budget about 8 percent above the national average cost of gas.

The commercial stores of Aspen Hill are mostly in the Aspen Hill Shopping Center, the Northgate Plaza Shopping Center, or along Connecticut Avenue. Residents flock to the neighborhood Kohl's for clothing bargains and the Home Depot for household needs. The shopping experience in Aspen Hill focuses on larger chain stores, but a few local specialty shops can also be found. Bargain hunters sift through the racks at Unique Thrift Store on Veirs Mill Road for used, yet well-kept apparel and accessories. For more high-end, boutique fashion, locals head into Silver Spring's Rostas Collections to find the perfect party or event gown. For the cheapest books around, head to Friends of the Library Bookstore in Rockville and grab an interesting read for the week. For weekly grocery needs, residents stock up at Costco and Safeway in Wheaton. For residents who live in Rockville, visit Trader Joe's or Whole Foods for grocery needs. Get the freshest fruits and vegetables on Randolph Road at Country Boy Market, where the prices and quality can't be beat. For farm-grown, local produce and meats, browse through the Heyser Farm's grocery store on New Hampshire in Silver Spring.