Georgetown Law Class of 2011 Forum

[scoutfinch80]

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[YoungFogey]

i am extremely afraid of crime, as i am a little girl who will be living by herself. i'm hoping to live someplace nice and kind of yuppie (can't deny who i really am!). was going to look into adams morgan and dupont- do the DCers agree?

Me, too! I am female living alone, so safety is a huge priority. I'm willing to pay a little extra for the peace of mind. I am focusing on Woodley Park. I'm also considering Arlington, VA.

I thought I wouldn't be shocked by the prices in D.C. because I'm from Boston, but wow...D.C. is actually significantly more expensive!

Check Cleveland Park too. There are several big buildings on Connecticut Ave that are very convenient to the metro. There are a few in the VanNess area too, though that is (or at least used to be) a little more sleepy, which would make me a bit more aware as a female walking home late at night. (Not that is a scary area, just not as many people out after dark.)

[the rza]

on capitol hill, I wouldn't go past 17th street or so. it gets a little rougher as you get closer to RFK. I also would stay south of H street, although that area has improved. the lincoln and stanton park areas are generally pretty nice. i'm probably going to be looking for somewhere close to stanton for easy access to union station and a quicker walk to gulc.

[danko]

I've been looking in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, but people told me that it gets sketchier as you get closer to the new stadium. I don't mind dirty sketch, but don't want to be mugged or live next door to a crack house. Does anyone know what sections of that area to avoid?

For instance, does it get bad by Lincoln Park? How about by the Stadium/Armory Metro stop? What about by Tennessee and H? Or up along Florida Ave where it meets New York Ave?

I'm really just trying to get a feel for the neighborhood....

Capitol Hill is way too broadly defined by real estate types. Of the places you mentioned, only Lincoln Park is in Capitol Hill. That is the nicest area of the places you mentioned, though you don't want to be too far north or east of the park.

The new stadium is close to Capitol Hill but not really in the neighborhood. It's a mixed area, but there aren't very good housing choices anywhere within a five or six blocks of the stadium.

Near the Stadium/Armory stop is a pretty stable working class neighborhood called Kingman Park, but there are few neighborhood amenities other than a few corner stores or liquor stores.

As for Tennessee near H Street: there is a new row of bars on H St NE and it's certainly a changing neighborhood, but I'd say the ratio of crack houses to law students would still be pretty high.

Same goes for Florida and New York Avenues. There is a neighborhood called Bloomingdale in Northwest which is getting fixed up, but the neighborhood of Trinidad (in Northeast) is rough around the edges in some parts and dangerous in others.

When I lived in Capitol Hill some years back, you generally wanted to look for areas where the street numbers were 12 and below and the letters were G and below. With the neighborhood's revival, those numbers have expanded a bit but it's still a good general guide. This goes for both the NE and SE sections of the Hill. Plus the closer you are to the Capitol, the closer you are to school.

[danko]

i am extremely afraid of crime, as i am a little girl who will be living by herself. i'm hoping to live someplace nice and kind of yuppie (can't deny who i really am!). was going to look into adams morgan and dupont- do the DCers agree?

Me, too! I am female living alone, so safety is a huge priority. I'm willing to pay a little extra for the peace of mind. I am focusing on Woodley Park. I'm also considering Arlington, VA.

I thought I wouldn't be shocked by the prices in D.C. because I'm from Boston, but wow...D.C. is actually significantly more expensive!

Check Cleveland Park too. There are several big buildings on Connecticut Ave that are very convenient to the metro. There are a few in the VanNess area too, though that is (or at least used to be) a little more sleepy, which would make me a bit more aware as a female walking home late at night. (Not that is a scary area, just not as many people out after dark.)

You should always be careful as a lone woman, of course, but anyplace on or close to Connecticut Avenue will be among the safest neighborhoods in the city. Woodley Park is possibly the most expensive neighborhood in the city, thus the sticker shock. It's not cheap anywhere, but it will still be less than Woodley Park.

[YoungFogey]

You should always be careful as a lone woman, of course, but anyplace on or close to Connecticut Avenue will be among the safest neighborhoods in the city. Woodley Park is possibly the most expensive neighborhood in the city, thus the sticker shock. It's not cheap anywhere, but it will still be less than Woodley Park.

True -- when I said "more aware" I meant more aware than I would already be, not that I wouldn't still be aware at other times. Living right on Connecticut Ave in either Woodley or Cleveland Park would mean more people walking around late at night than VanNess (more bars/restaurants) and things are better lit. It's always good to keep your guard up, though, of course.

[the rza]

I would say Dupont is more expensive than Woodley, no?

[luffy4pres]

Hi folks,

I figured I'd add my name to the list of people attending next year. Happy to be in with you all.

On that subject, is there some sort of email or mailing confirming that they got your enrollment papers and that you are, in fact, in the class? I sent in my stuff last week and I am starting to get antsy that something horrible happened and somehow I'm not actually enrolled.

[scoutfinch80]

What's the difference between Cleveland Park and Woodley Park? I always see them grouped together (i.e., Cleveland Park/Woodley Park), so I've been assuming they are the same thing...?

Also, does anyone know of any moderately-priced hotels in that area? My friend is coming with me in July to help me check out apartments, and I was thinking it would make sense to stay in a hotel in the Cleveland or Woodley or Whatever Park area, to give me an idea of what it's like to live there. However, everything I'm finding is crazy five-star $400 per night madness.

Edit: By the way, I'm glad to see this thread hopping! Who says G-town is not well-represented on TLS?

[scoutfinch80]

Hi folks,

I figured I'd add my name to the list of people attending next year. Happy to be in with you all.

On that subject, is there some sort of email or mailing confirming that they got your enrollment papers and that you are, in fact, in the class? I sent in my stuff last week and I am starting to get antsy that something horrible happened and somehow I'm not actually enrolled.

I received an email with the subject "Confirmation of Georgetown Law Deposit" two days after I mailed the check. Maybe you should call?

[scoutfinch80]

...

[Chem_PhD]

On that subject, is there some sort of email or mailing confirming that they got your enrollment papers and that you are, in fact, in the class? I sent in my stuff last week and I am starting to get antsy that something horrible happened and somehow I'm not actually enrolled.

I got an email about a week after I sent my deposit. I later called to confirm they had my final transcript and dean's cert. If you're worried, you can always call

Thanks Rza, gmail and Danko! My husband and I have been finding some nice rowhouses on Craig's List that look perfect for us, so it's nice to know that not all of them are in the slums. It looks like some of the cheaper places are perhaps too sketchy, but there are many reasonable options within the blocks you guys quoted. It looks like we'll have to fly out some time in late June and drive around ourselves.

[danko]

I would say Dupont is more expensive than Woodley, no?

It very well could be. Dupont covers a wider area with a broader range of housing options so I'd think there would be a better chance to find a good deal. For example, you are more likely to find condo buildings in the Dupont Circle/Logan Circle area where owners are looking to rent out their places because they can't sell them. Overall, I think Dupont is a more interesting place to live and more worth the big $$. But if safety is your ultimate concern, Woodley Park and Cleveland Park should be right at the top of the list.

What's the difference between Cleveland Park and Woodley Park? I always see them grouped together (i.e., Cleveland Park/Woodley Park), so I've been assuming they are the same thing...?

Also, does anyone know of any moderately-priced hotels in that area? My friend is coming with me in July to help me check out apartments, and I was thinking it would make sense to stay in a hotel in the Cleveland or Woodley or Whatever Park area, to give me an idea of what it's like to live there.

These are adjacent neighborhoods with separate stops on the Red Line. They both border Connecticut Ave. Cleveland Park has some pretty good bars and restaurants that cater to locals. Woodley Park is dominated by the huge Marriott Wardman Park hotel (which host lots of conferences), and the National Zoo, so it is much more populated by tourists. But it's within walking distance of the nightlife in Adams Morgan, which appeals to many people.

You will find much better hotel options in Dupont Circle. Try the hotels in the Kimpton group, which are very nice but often offer good deals. I found some good prices once at the Hotel Madera, which is just a few blocks from the Dupont Circle metro. From there, you can walk or metro to Woodley Park and Cleveland Park.

[scoutfinch80]

You rock, Danko! I just booked another Kimpton hotel, the Topaz, also in Dupont. It looks amazing and was super cheap!

[YoungFogey]

You rock, Danko! I just booked another Kimpton hotel, the Topaz, also in Dupont. It looks amazing and was super cheap!

Sounds like you found something, but just in case, also check out the Embassy Suites. They often have great rates, and having the suite (plus free cooked to order breakfast and drinks weeknights) can make it an extra value. (Warning, their rates vary wildly -- sometimes you'll find them for $118/night, sometimes they jump into $400 -- for the same hotel on the same day, they have very fluid pricing models.)

[danko]

You rock, Danko! I just booked another Kimpton hotel, the Topaz, also in Dupont. It looks amazing and was super cheap!

Glad to help! Kimpton hotels are too small to attract the big corporate/conference groups, so they often offer nice deals for individuals and small groups.

That's a good location. Lots of places to eat and drink within walking distance and easy metro access for apartment shopping. Good luck!

[spree234]

I think it was called Mass Court-- it had enough law students to maintain a bit of community but it's not some 1L shitshow like Gewirz (as described to me by a Gewirz resident).

What did the student have to say against Gewirz specifically? When I visited, the students living in Gewirz said it was really convenient and good for meeting people. None of them seemed sorry that they wouldn't be living there next year, but they didn't seem to regret the experience either. I just figured the convenience of being able to roll out of bed and show up to class would be unbeatable (or roll out of bed and work out, or roll out of bed and go to the library, etc).

[scoutfinch80]

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[the rza]

^ TITCR

[iwasgoingtobeasenator]

What did the student have to say against Gewirz specifically? When I visited, the students living in Gewirz said it was really convenient and good for meeting people. None of them seemed sorry that they wouldn't be living there next year, but they didn't seem to regret the experience either. I just figured the convenience of being able to roll out of bed and show up to class would be unbeatable (or roll out of bed and work out, or roll out of bed and go to the library, etc).

I think it's all about personal preference. For me, Gewirz was just not an option. I've been out of school for six years and I want to try to replicate the "commute to work and then return to my sanctuary of an apartment away from it all" lifestyle. Without even researching or looking for stories, I presumed that Gewirz would be somewhat of a glorified dorm situation...and that has proven true now that I've heard some folks talk about it.

For me personally, I would feel suffocated to live right on top of the place where I work/study. I also want diversity in my neighbors...I don't necessarily want to be surrounded by law students, just like I wouldn't want to live in a building filled with my co-workers right now.

But, for someone straight out of undergrad, or someone who maybe is not used to a big city and wants a cush transition, or someone who hates commutes of any kind, Gewirz seems fab.

Wow you just put me into one sentence. That is definitely how I feel, commuting blows. I've been commuting every single day for the last 5 years, and it's such a PITA. Hence, me liking Gewirz. I'm kind of glad to see that there is a fair amount of people who aren't interested in the student housing. Mostly because getting what I want in the lottery is more likely

[spree234]

I don't hate commutes of ANY kind, but I think that an hour less of commuting per day could be useful time as a 1L. Also, after a long day I sometimes need a moment away from it all before I'm ready to work out or start studying, so I feel that if I could 'escape' to my 'dorm room' for a quick break, I'd be more effective in the library or more likely to work out at that awesome gym.

[the rza]

--ImageRemoved--

[scoutfinch80]

Pretty! Thanks for posting!

[Ludo]

rza, those are great! I fall in love with it more every day!

[iwasgoingtobeasenator]

About 2 weeks ago, I put that as my wallpaper