Welcome to Kalorama
Welcome to Kalorama, the leafy enclave tucked just north of Dupont Circle and bordering Adams Morgan on the east side of Connecticut Avenue.
Set on a series of gentle hills overlooking Rock Creek Park, the neighborhood feels a world away from downtown bustle, yet it sits barely a mile from the National Mall and metro area hubs like Metro Center.
Grand embassies, tree‑lined sidewalks, and a who’s‑who roster of notable residents give Kalorama its understated glamour, while everyday life still hums with dog‑walkers, neighbors out for a morning stroll, and diplomats grabbing a morning coffee.
History of Kalorama & Notable Residents
Kalorama, Greek for “beautiful view”, sprang up in the late 19th century when Washington expanded beyond its original grid. Early planners carved gracious circles, broad avenues, and pockets of parkland, then filled them with Beaux Arts mansions, Georgian‑Revival townhouses, and distinguished estates that still set the tone today.
Six presidents have called the neighborhood home in their post‑presidency years, from Woodrow Wilson and William Howard Taft to Barack Obama.
Add in high‑ranking cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and modern tech titans like Jeff Bezos, and you start to understand Kalorama’s enduring cachet.
What It’s Like to Live in Kalorama, D.C.
Living here feels equal parts stately and relaxed. Most streets are one‑way, traffic is light, and massive oaks canopy brick sidewalks where neighbors exchange quick hellos while walking the dog.
Kalorama Triangle, on the east side of Connecticut Avenue, buzzes a little more thanks to its proximity to Adams Morgan nightlife, while Sheridan‑Kalorama, closer to Embassy Row on Massachusetts Avenue, leans quiet and diplomatic.
Whichever pocket you choose, the vibe is decidedly walkable and residential, with Rock Creek Park literally in the backyard and the Red Line a short stroll away.
Housing and Real Estate in Kalorama
Kalorama is home to an eclectic mix of single‑family mansions, historic rowhouses, and early‑20th‑century apartment buildings now converted into luxury condos. Architectural styles run the gamut from Georgian‑Revival townhomes on Street NW to limestone Beaux Arts palaces lining Massachusetts Avenue, each telling its own slice of neighborhood history.
In June 2025, the median sale price sat around $3.4 million, while list prices ranged from high‑six‑figure condos to eight‑figure estates.
Rocket Homes counted roughly sixty homes and apartments on the market this summer, with a median list price just under $1.8 million, underscoring how wide the inventory band can be.
For renters, average monthly leases hover near $2,600 for a one‑bedroom and crest past $4,600 for a roomy two‑bedroom, well above the Washington , DC average of $2,531.
Cost of Living and Affordability
There’s no sugar‑coating it: life here is pricey.
Housing commands a premium, dining skews upscale, and even simple conveniences, think yoga studios or boutique markets, tend to cost more than in neighboring Woodley Park or Georgetown.
That said, residents save on car expenses thanks to excellent walkability; Walk Score regularly crowns blocks along Kalorama Road with ratings in the mid‑90s, labeling them a Walker’s Paradise.
Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment
Notable Restaurants and Cafes
Locals swear by Afghan‑inspired Lapis on Columbia Road, seafood‑forward Tail Up Goat on 1827 Adams Mill, and the Parisian‑style Le Diplomate just across the circle.
Down the hill, Open City near the zoo fuels weekend brunch cravings, and Tryst’s worn‑in couches remain a Kalorama Triangle living room for laptop warriors and night‑owl latte drinkers.
Where to Shop in and Around Kalorama
Daily errands are easy: grab produce at Yes! Organic Market on Columbia Road, swing by Dupont’s Sunday farmers market for farm‑fresh finds, then browse 14th Street’s boutique fashion before heading back up Connecticut Avenue with a new book from Kramerbooks tucked under your arm.
Major grocery runs happen at the Safeway on 20th Street or Whole Foods on P Street, both walkable, or a quick bus hop, away.
Parks, Trails, and Outdoor Spaces
Rock Creek Park
Covering 1,754 acres, Rock Creek Park unspools miles of shady trails for jogging, biking, or simply escaping the city without leaving the District.
Trailheads begin right at the neighborhood edge, making an early‑morning run through towering oaks an everyday luxury.
Mitchell Park
Tucked along S Street, eight‑acre Mitchell Park feels like a communal front yard.
Residents picnic on the grass, frisbees arc across the open field, and neighbors gather for outdoor movies and concerts when the weather cooperates.
The land traces its roots back to a 17th‑century estate, adding a layer of history beneath your picnic blanket.
Kalorama Park
On the east side near Columbia Road, pocket‑sized Kalorama Park offers a fenced playground, shady benches, and just enough open space for toddlers learning to kick a soccer ball, or for a quiet afternoon with a paperback.
Weekend mornings see a steady parade of pups before their humans head to nearby coffee shops.
Schools and Education
Public‑school in Kalorama are zoned for the bilingual Oyster‑Adams campus (PK‑8), ranked 8/10 by GreatSchools, while high‑schoolers often test into selective School Without Walls, ranked among the top public magnet programs nationwide.
Several respected private options, including Maret, Edmund Burke, and St. Albans , sit within a two‑mile radius. American University, George Washington University, and Georgetown University all lie within an easy Red Line ride.
Transportation and Accessibility
Dupont Circle and Woodley Park–Zoo/Adams Morgan stations bookend the neighborhood, each about a 15‑minute stroll depending on your exact block.
From Dupont, you’re two stops to Metro Center and three to Union Station, while buses along Connecticut Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue criss‑cross the area. Car traffic is light, but street parking can tighten whenever high‑profile embassy events or Georgetown game days coincide.
Still, many residents happily remain car‑free, relying on reliable Metro, bikeshare docks, and a walkable grid to navigate daily life.
Who Should Consider Moving to Kalorama?
If you crave a quiet, tree‑lined oasis yet want to be sipping espresso downtown in ten minutes, Kalorama might click.
Diplomats and ambassador appreciate the proximity to Embassy Row; high‑ranking professionals prize the privacy and quick commute; residents enjoy access to parks and nearby schools; history buffs fawn over Georgian mansions and the Woodrow Wilson House museum.
Nightlife seekers find Adams Morgan mere blocks away, while runners and cyclists enjoy living literally overlooking Rock Creek Park.
In short, anyone looking to live in Kalorama should be comfortable with the area’s higher price point and the corresponding price tag, but will gain a walkable, cultured neighborhood that still feels like an urban oasis.
Final Thoughts on Kalorama, DC
From the Spanish Steps’ romantic terrace to the diplomatic bustle of Embassy Row, Kalorama blends grandeur with genuine neighborhood charm. Stately homes and apartments sit side‑by‑side with corner bistros; toddlers chase dogs across Mitchell Park while former presidents eye Georgetown cupcakes in relative anonymity.
It’s a place where walking the dog might mean passing a cabinet secretary or spotting Barack Obama slipping into his Georgian‑Revival mansion after morning workouts.
Live here, and you’re minutes from the metro, moments from Rock Creek’s greenery, and utterly steeped in Washington , DC, history.
Thinking about those homes for sale in Kalorama? Take a stroll under the leafy canopy, listen for birdsong over city bustle, and see why so many notable residents have chosen this distinguished enclave as their Washington , DC, address.
FAQ’s About Kalorama
How do you pronounce Kalorama, and what does the name mean?
It rolls off the tongue as “kah‑luh‑ROH‑mah.” The word comes from Greek and loosely translates to “beautiful view,” a nod to the neighborhood’s perch overlooking Rock Creek Park and its sweep of stately, tree‑lined streets.
How close is Kalorama to the metro and downtown DC?
Most blocks sit about a 10‑ to 15‑minute stroll from the Red Line stops at Dupont Circle or Woodley Park, so rides into Metro Center or Union Station are quick and car‑free. If you’re heading to the National Mall or Georgetown, a bike or rideshare usually gets you there in under fifteen minutes.
What kinds of homes and apartments are available, and how much do they cost?
You’ll find everything from Georgian mansions and single‑family revival estates to low‑rise condo buildings carved out of 1920s apartment houses. Prices stretch from high‑six‑figure one‑bedroom condos to eight‑figure distinguished estates, so buyers hunting for homes for sale in Kalorama should expect a broad but consistently premium range.
Does Kalorama have its own restaurants and nightlife?
Inside the enclave itself, dining skews toward quiet neighborhood bistros and corner cafes—perfect for a laid‑back espresso or date night. For louder nightlife, you’ll wander a few blocks east into Adams Morgan or south into Dupont Circle, where live‑music venues, cocktail lounges, and late‑night eateries buzz well past midnight.
