Goddard - Greenbelt, MD

Much of Prince George's County was once made up of tobacco farms, and its location is adjacent to the nation's capital where a lot of historical events have occurred. In fact, part of the county was even ceded to the District in 1791 upon its formation. British troops marched through the county by way of Bladensburg, midway between Goddard and D.C., to burn down the White House during the War of 1812. This was also where John Wilkes Booth fled after shooting President Abraham Lincoln in April 1865. Today, however, the area revolves around the research and space-flight testing conducted at the Goddard Space Flight Center. It hosts many events open to the public, such as talks, demonstrations, and seminars. The neighborhood does not play host to local museums or art, though these are all available nearby in College Park. The flight center promotes regular annual and ongoing events and programs.

Greenbelt Road cuts the neighborhood in half and serves as the main thoroughfare. Goddard Space Flight Center occupies the entire north half of the neighborhood. On Greenbelt Road proper, a handful of local restaurants whip up tasty dishes. Though the local nightlife is practically nonexistent, a short drive takes locals to top party destinations.

For great brunch and lunch options, pick something up from Orion Gourmet Take Away. For breakfast, try the egg sandwich with onions, mushrooms, and bell peppers. If you stop by for lunch, you can't go wrong with the steak and cheese. All the meat here comes from Boar's Head so you know it will be fresh.

To put a little Caribbean flare in your diet, head to Weakness For Sweetness, where the cooks serve up very affordable Jamaican lunch specials for $7. Although not on the lunch special menu, the curried goat is arguably the most succulent dish here.

Many Goddard residents head 10 miles west to Cornerstone Grill & Loft or the neighboring Cafe Hookah Lounge for a night out. As is expected for a popular bar, Cornerstone Grill & Loft has drinking specials with gimmicky names or traditions. Sundays, for example, it offers giant mugs of beer for around $3.

Washington-based Metro buses serve the southern edge of the neighborhood, providing transport through much of western Prince George's County and into D.C. The commuter MARC train also stops just south of the neighborhood, providing weekday access between Baltimore and D.C. Metered parking is available in some areas at fairly high rates.

If you're looking for a cab, give Uber a try. For just about the same rates as regular metered taxis, Uber will pick you up at your doorstep after only a couple clicks on your phone. Uber serves the greater DMV area, so you can get to most places within an hour's drive. The southern residential area remains quiet — parking almost never becomes an issue as free curbside parking is often available — and it is likewise for the shopping center on Greenbelt Road where the restaurants lie. With the Baltimore Washington Parkway and I-95 located along the neighborhood's western border, transportation in and out of the area proves very easy.

Goddard residents have access to the neighborhood park, Presley Park. This wooded park is ideal for walking or jogging the trails. Greenbelt Lake Park, located on the other side of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, provides more jogging trails as well as a large lake and picnic areas. If you enjoy camping, this park offers a campground for both tents and RVs.

The Patuxent Research Refuge is adjacent to Goddard and provides more than 12,800 acres of protected forest. Established in 1936, this is the only national wildlife refuge established to support wildlife research. Activities in the park include hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and a variety of events and interpretive programs.

At $1,255 per month, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Goddard sits just 5 percent higher than the Maryland average. Locals also pay slightly more at the pump, with neighborhood gas prices around eight percent above the national average. When using the Metro buses, residents can get into the city center for $1.75 each way. If you're looking to enjoy a night out, expect meals to start at around $12 and to pay about $4 for a beer.

Greenbelt, Maryland, just a five- to 10-minute drive away, is where the locals head for their shopping needs. Major retailers such as Marshalls, Target, REI, and IKEA can all be found here. In College Park, two small boutique shops provide more local shopping opportunities. Peg Leg Vintage has great antique home furnishings such as night tables, lamps, and couches. If you're looking for an alternative to IKEA, head here. Rugged Wearhouse carries a bunch of discounted brand names such as Anthropologie, Express, and Nike.

After moving to your Goddard apartment, you'll be visiting the grocery stores along Greenbelt Road. Safeway to the west and Giant to the east can be reached in under five minutes. Alternatively, the Greenbelt Farmers Market carries fresh food, both raw and cooked (try the crepes), as well as fresh coffee. Locals will often head here on Sunday mornings to pick up farm-fresh produce.