Housing in D.C? Also any GWU Students live in the Aston? Forum

[regatsrj]

I lived in the Aston back when it was undergrad housing. It's fine, nothing special. Pretty far removed from the main campus, but that might be a plus if you don't want to be surrounded by undergrads. However, GW housing rates are pretty much on par with rents in Foggy Bottom, so you should look off-campus especially if you're with your SO.

Georgetown is a terrible idea. It's inaccessible and far from campus. Also a much older scene, unless you're a country club wannabe GOP douche, in which case you should be going to Duke. Dupont is probably your ideal location if you can afford it. It's close to campus, has a great 20-30-something scene, and has far more amenities and activity than Foggy Bottom or West End, which tend to clear out on nights and weekends when the worker bees leave their offices.

[js87]

I lived in the Aston back when it was undergrad housing. It's fine, nothing special. Pretty far removed from the main campus, but that might be a plus if you don't want to be surrounded by undergrads. However, GW housing rates are pretty much on par with rents in Foggy Bottom, so you should look off-campus especially if you're with your SO.

Georgetown is a terrible idea. It's inaccessible and far from campus. Also a much older scene, unless you're a country club wannabe GOP douche, in which case you should be going to Duke. Dupont is probably your ideal location if you can afford it. It's close to campus, has a great 20-30-something scene, and has far more amenities and activity than Foggy Bottom or West End, which tend to clear out on nights and weekends when the worker bees leave their offices.

Do you know of any relatively affordable apartment buildings in the Dupont Circle area?

[Sauer Grapes]

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[flowylime]

my two cents:

i agree with west end/dupont circle. it's close to the grocery stores, restaurants, bars, parks, and shopping. you can walk to gwu. i currently live in an admittedly tiny one bedroom apartment in a rowhouse in west end for $1400/month. i split it with my significant other, though, so i only pay $700 (sweet!). i wouldn't live in georgetown because there isn't metro access. you must be pretty vigilant about looking for an apartment though. my so and i stalked craigslist forever before we found a clean place in a good neighborhood.

as a tiny young woman, neighborhood was pretty important to me because there are lots of street harassers and hobos around town and i wanted to feel comfortable walking to the metro and such.

[madootz]

Hi,

I am a current GW student. I live about a 10 minute walk from the law school and pay $1325 for a studio. I like living close, especially for the first year, but as other posters have said, it is definitely more expensive in Foggy Bottom.

My favorite neighborhoods are Eastern Market (which is on the correct metro line) and U Street area (which I think is connected to Foggy Bottom by bus).

The people I know who live in the Aston say it's fine, but no one seems to love it. I haven't actually been inside, but the general consensus is that it's over-priced but convenient. I would encourage you to find a roommate or share a house. With GW's tuition, living alone is not sustainable. I would also encourage you to live in the District, but I may be a bit biased.

Good luck!

[ryguy]

Hi everyone. Just was admitted to GW. My question on housing is once you secure a place do you have to move out every year? Like undergrad.

[dee0910]

Hi everyone. Just was admitted to GW. My question on housing is once you secure a place do you have to move out every year? Like undergrad.

ryguy, as I understand it, the Aston is for 1Ls only. So, to answer your question, you'd have to move out once you complete your 1L finals and find housing elsewhere.

[dee0910]

I have a rather random, but seemingly important, question about the bed provided to us at the Aston. Anyone that has lived there have anything comments on comfort, or discomfort at that? I'd like to think I can enjoy the few hours I have to sleep, and I am trying to make a decision before move-in on what to do about it. I believe you can disassemble it, right? Any thoughts?

[umichgrad]

I've lived in DC for a while and rented a couple apartments. Lived in different neighborhoods, always in DC (not in MD/VA). Feel free to PM me with specific questions about neighborhoods, pricing, management companies, etc.

[regatsrj]

I have a rather random, but seemingly important, question about the bed provided to us at the Aston. Anyone that has lived there have anything comments on comfort, or discomfort at that? I'd like to think I can enjoy the few hours I have to sleep, and I am trying to make a decision before move-in on what to do about it. I believe you can disassemble it, right? Any thoughts?

If it's the same beds they used when the Aston was undergrad housing, then it's just the typical extra-long twin mattress that is standard in dorm housing. To me, a twin is ridiculous for anyone beyond high school. You might just want to bring your own full/queen mattress and use the twin as a couch. However, if comfort is your only concern, you can buy a really nice eggshell crate to put on top of the twin mattress if it isn't soft enough for you.

[nallku]

I posted this elsewhere:

My wife and I live in Arlington and it is really nice. If your SO is NOT a student I recommend looking into subsidized housing. If there is one person on the lease who is not a student, then you will be able to qualify (You can't make over ~$56K). I was able to get a 3 bedroom at a GREAT apartment for less than the aston. Rosslyn isn't that far and is easy enough to use a bike.


Also for those looking at Orange line west of Rosslyn, it is a PAIN to get on at Courthouse (many people miss multiple trains). Many people get off at Rosslyn so I almost always get a train and having the Blue line as an option is really nice. When it is late at night, waiting 12 minutes beats having to wait 25+.