2024 Neighborhood Guide: Potomac

The Bravo TV show The Real Housewives of Potomac may have put the place on the map for some, but locals know the real deal. True, Potomac is one of the area’s most affluent communities, characterized by large homes, sprawling lots, rolling fields and the genteel, outdoorsy feel of horse country, but when it comes to nightlife hot spots and juicy drama—not so much. It is a community with top-notch schools and abundant parks and preserves, close to the C&O Canal, Potomac River and Great Falls. The Glenstone museum draws visitors to its collection of modern and contemporary art as well as its stunning grounds. The Potomac Village Shopping Center, a cluster of stores and restaurants at the intersection of Falls and River roads, has long been at the heart of the community, while mixed-use developments at Park Potomac and Cabin John Village offer a variety of shops and well-regarded restaurants.

What locals say:

“I’ve lived in Potomac for more than 30 years—it’s one of the best places to live. Raising a family, it’s an ideal location, not only from a school and safety perspective, but from a diversity perspective as well. Potomac has a lot of families coming here for the schools and for the rich after-school programs. My son goes to a school here that just opened [in 2024]; it’s a STEM school and he’s 15 months old. Also, like everything, retailers change over time, but we have very old, established mom-and-pop shops still—that’s unique.”

—Jared Russell, Realtor and team leader of DMV Living Group at Real Broker

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This story appears in Bethesda Magazine’s 2024-2025 Insider’s Guide.