Living in DC - suggestions?

[Stompa]

I'm gonna be living in the DC area very soon for school. This will be my first time living somewhere this expensive. I have no fucking idea what I'm doing--I'm basically freaking out because I feel like I need to secure housing ASAP.

While in Atlanta I have lived:
- on-campus
- in an apartment w/ a room mate
- in a 3br rented house w/ 2 room mates
- in a 4br rented house w/ 3 room mates
- a basement apartment (lol)

Does anyone have any experience living in DC (both in the city or in the metro area off of one of the subway lines)? Or any general advice living in an area where real estate is this expensive? I will be going to GWU (which is in a very expensive part of the city) + working in the city. But I will be living off loans mostly so I'm somewhat flexible on cost. On-campus housing will not be an option.

I really am that desperate. Help!

EDIT: I will be a little more specific. Looking for advice/those w/ experience living in this situation. Pros/cons of living right in town? Rooming with others? Live in more residential parts withing walking/biking/badass mopeding distance?

[D1st0rt]

How long are you staying for? I know a lot of people have a deal where they live on campus at George Mason University in Fairfax for the summer and there's a free shuttle to the Vienna metro station.

If you are trying to live in DC proper, you are either going to be paying out the ass or watching your back all the time after dark.

[Stompa]

I'll be there for at least 2 years, unless I drop out...

[paradise!]

I'll be there for at least 2 years, unless I drop out...

qq

[Bioture]

Depending on whether or not you could get to where you're going via public transportation, I'd say live in virginia.

[PaulOakenfold]

just follow your heart

[paradise!]

just follow your heart

hahahaa

stompa:

I hope you get a roommate like your last one. :wub:

[ÆNIMA]

How long are you staying for? I know a lot of people have a deal where they live on campus at George Mason University in Fairfax for the summer and there's a free shuttle to the Vienna metro station.

If you are trying to live in DC proper, you are either going to be paying out the ass or watching your back all the time after dark.

As it turns out, that's basically the case. DC proper isn't all that safe. My brother just got a studio (small) apartment in the city that's costing him roughly $1200 a month, he hasn't mentioned the neighborhood. If you can find affordable housing within a cheap (bike, scooter..) commuting distance, that would probably be your best option.

Not only is real estate inflated in and around DC, people who are looking to rent out rooms will be asking for a lot more than what's reasonable (ie, the cost of their mortgage for a single room).

On top of that, the metro isn't all that cheap if you ride it everyday. I've only done a few day trips to DC on the metro, so I couldn't really give an estimate on cost. I can say that when my brother was living in Alexandria and commuting to Walter Reed, he got a $100 monthly stipend for the metro. So take that into consideration as well. Also, one of the furthest metro points from the city in Virginia is Vienna. It takes between 45 minutes to an hour to get inside the city (Oh yeah, and on top of that, there's also parking to pay for). So for convenience, you might want to look closer.

So these suggestions don't really add up to much, sorry. Here is something that might help: If you do wind up living on a metro line and that's your main source of transportation to the city, see what you can do about getting a extra stipend, either from financial aid or your employer. Also, room with others...split the cost.

Also, check Craigslist (of course) and maybe even try a Penny Saver!
Try contacting GWU and see if they have any resources regarding affordable housing for students.

For me, I think you helped me understand why it is important to research not only universities when deciding where to go, it's also important to research the town.

[Stompa]

I appreciate the input. My car is about done for ('95 stang with ~200,000) and I assume I won't be able to bring it.

I've got a giant excel spreadsheet of my current housing options, craigslist it just a giant waste of time sometimes but I found a few options. I plan to fly up there in the very near future to meet with people I've been talking to, as well as scout out some apartments, etc.

I visited GWU before I decided of course, and was sold on the city really. I visited Hopkins as well, and uh, Baltimore sucks, especially that area.

As it turns out, that's basically the case. DC proper isn't all that safe. My brother just got a studio (small) apartment in the city that's costing him roughly $1200 a month, he hasn't mentioned the neighborhood. If you can find affordable housing within a cheap (bike, scooter..) commuting distance, that would probably be your best option.

Not only is real estate inflated in and around DC, people who are looking to rent out rooms will be asking for a lot more than what's reasonable (ie, the cost of their mortgage for a single room).

On top of that, the metro isn't all that cheap if you ride it everyday. I've only done a few day trips to DC on the metro, so I couldn't really give an estimate on cost. I can say that when my brother was living in Alexandria and commuting to Walter Reed, he got a $100 monthly stipend for the metro. So take that into consideration as well. Also, one of the furthest metro points from the city in Virginia is Vienna. It takes between 45 minutes to an hour to get inside the city (Oh yeah, and on top of that, there's also parking to pay for). So for convenience, you might want to look closer.

So these suggestions don't really add up to much, sorry. Here is something that might help: If you do wind up living on a metro line and that's your main source of transportation to the city, see what you can do about getting a extra stipend, either from financial aid or your employer. Also, room with others...split the cost.

Also, check Craigslist (of course) and maybe even try a Penny Saver!
Try contacting GWU and see if they have any resources regarding affordable housing for students.

For me, I think you helped me understand why it is important to research not only universities when deciding where to go, it's also important to research the town.