DC resident taking questions on QOL, Apartment hunting, etc Forum

[umichgrad]

Not sure the right forum for this, but I thought it would be good to have threads like this for different cities. I've lived in DC for a while now, have rented apartments, and know the public transportation and neighborhoods well. Between GW, GULC, WCL, Catholic, etc I figured there might be a lot of people headed to DC. So, ask away!

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Hey thanks for the help! I'm planning on moving to DC at the beginning of August. Would looking for an Aug. 1 lease in July be enough time, or should I go up there sooner? Is it possible to get a decent place only 2-3 weeks ahead of time?

[acadec]

I'm more curious about how it is working in DC. What kind of work are you doing?

[beef wellington]

Thanks for doing this. Thoughts on Adams Morgan for a GULC student? Also just general tips on the renting process or stuff about the neighborhoods we might not get from the schools' literature would be appreciated.

[umichgrad]

Hey thanks for the help! I'm planning on moving to DC at the beginning of August. Would looking for an Aug. 1 lease in July be enough time, or should I go up there sooner? Is it possible to get a decent place only 2-3 weeks ahead of time?

Most buildings in DC require 30 days notice for when their residents are planning to move out, so actually looking more than a month in advance isn't totally recommended. I would say to narrow your focus to a price range, neighborhood or three, and a type of apartment and start your search about 3-6 weeks before moving in. Two weeks might be cutting it a little close if you're picky (need a specific neighborhood, for example) but it would be fine if you just need a standard apartment in a clean, safe area.

[umichgrad]

I'm more curious about how it is working in DC. What kind of work are you doing?

I'd prefer to not divulge too much, but I was working at a law firm. Work is good in DC, but it really depends on what you're looking for. Can you be more specific with your question?

[umichgrad]

Thanks for doing this. Thoughts on Adams Morgan for a GULC student? Also just general tips on the renting process or stuff about the neighborhoods , we might not get from the schools' literature would be appreciated.

Adams Morgan is a great area, but I'm going to say it's not a good idea for a GULC student for two reasons and you can take them with a grain of salt. While it has a stellar nightlife and is a really funky and fun place to live, it really has no metro (the Woodley Park/Adams Morgan metro stop is actually in Woodley Park and can be far from AdMo, and Dupont is a bit of a walk as well). The buses can be good, so that's something to consider if you're willing to ride a bus. I would guess the ride would be 20-25 minutes, because AdMo is pretty far north/west of GULC. Secondly, the area is really quite loud at night if you live near 18th St, and people party there until 2 or 3, so if you're like me and you need quiet to sleep you won't be thrilled. Areas such as 16th St Heights are much cheaper and quieter but really far from public transportation and not as safe.

For GULC I would recommend Chinatown/Penn Quarter if you like nightlife and want to be able to walk/metro to school, or the other side of the Hill (Capitol South, Eastern Market) if you want a cute neighborhood thats a little quieter and more self-contained. You can still walk from Captiol to Judiciary--the distance it looks on the metro maps is misleading. If you really want a super nice neighborhood with lots to do and you'd rather just hop on the metro and go to school, consider living very close to the Dupont or Woodley Park metros (though these areas will be pricey). Hope this helps!

[umichgrad]

Edit for Beef Welly- you also might want to ask a current GULC student about Adams Morgan, because DC has a wealth of hidden little bus lines that you'd never know about if you don't use them. For reference you can go to http://www.wmata.com and type in your starting point and ending point and select bus/rail, and it will tell you exactly how you get between the two and how much it will cost and how long it will take. If you find an area of AdMo that you like you should do this to see if it's comfortable for you.

[terpette]

What about living close to GW? I've been searching Foggy Bottom, Dupont, West End, etc. If I want to be close to the school (walking distance) in a safe area, are there any neighborhoods I'm missing?

[Jackie O]

hey thanks for starting this thread

I'm looking for an apartment/condo to rent in the Ballston area - I've been looking at a lot of the larger complexes online but was wondering if you thought it would be worthwhile to get a realtor to possibly find a better deal? Also, if you have any recommendations for that area it would be greatly appreciated .

[mb88]

Oh wow, this is exactly the kind of thread I needed. Thanks so much, umichgrad!

I'm going to be moving to DC (for GULC) in the fall with my fiance, and right now I'm planning to go looking for a place in mid June. Neither of us are big party people, so what I'm looking for is somewhere relatively quiet that's either within walking distance of GULC or has easy metro access. I really know next to nothing about the DC area, and as of right now I'm kind of lost as to where to look (and even what to look for). Any help is greatly appreciated.

[umichgrad]

What about living close to GW? I've been searching Foggy Bottom, Dupont, West End, etc. If I want to be close to the school (walking distance) in a safe area, are there any neighborhoods I'm missing?

Some parts of Georgetown (lower, not upper) are affordable and within walking distance. Other than that I'd say maybe Penn Quarter and McPherson Square. Everything else will be metro distance.

[umichgrad]

hey thanks for starting this thread

I'm looking for an apartment/condo to rent in the Ballston area - I've been looking at a lot of the larger complexes online but was wondering if you thought it would be worthwhile to get a realtor to possibly find a better deal? Also, if you have any recommendations for that area it would be greatly appreciated .

Are you heading to George Mason? If not I would say Ballston is far for any of the schools in DC. Other than that I don't know much about it, sorry!

[umichgrad]

Oh wow, this is exactly the kind of thread I needed. Thanks so much, umichgrad!

I'm going to be moving to DC (for GULC) in the fall with my fiance, and right now I'm planning to go looking for a place in mid June. Neither of us are big party people, so what I'm looking for is somewhere relatively quiet that's either within walking distance of GULC or has easy metro access. I really know next to nothing about the DC area, and as of right now I'm kind of lost as to where to look (and even what to look for). Any help is greatly appreciated.

Chinatown and Penn Quarter are walking distance but they're not entirely quiet neighborhoods. Honestly GULC really isnt in the best neighborhood so if you're looking for a nice, quiet, safe area I'd recommend Dupont, Woodley Park, or Cleveland Park and Metro-ing to school. Either that or living on the other side of the Hill (Capitol South and Eastern Market). Depending on where you live it can be walking distance to GULC and it's cute and homey there. In Captiol South and Eastern Market you'd probably have more housing options, like living in a small rowhouse for the price of a large 1-BR apartment in Dupont.

June is a good time to start looking. Since you have time you might want to start with craigslist, as you can ususally find some pretty good deals (caveat: be careful of scammers and ALWAYS see the place in person). If you aren't successful there you can check out some of DC's good management companies- Keener, William C Smith, Bernstein, Borger, etc. In most of the nicer neighborhoods in central DC you can expect to pay roughly $900-1200 for a studio, $1500-$2000 for a 1-BR, and $2200-$3000 for a two-bedroom.

[umichgrad]

For Everyone: If you want to check the commuting options, times, and prices between the address of an apartment and your school, go to http://www.wmata.com and on the upper left hand corner type in the two addresses, the time of day and day of the week, and check "bus/rail". It will give you all the available bus and metro options, how long it takes, and how much it will cost.

[Anastasia Dee Dualla]

hey thanks for starting this thread

I'm looking for an apartment/condo to rent in the Ballston area - I've been looking at a lot of the larger complexes online but was wondering if you thought it would be worthwhile to get a realtor to possibly find a better deal? Also, if you have any recommendations for that area it would be greatly appreciated .

Jackie,

I live in that area and would largely recommend either the apartments right by Virginia square (there are supposed to be about seven openings in the fall), 850 Randolph Street has really nice apartments and there are some great places in Clarendon. You can call a realtor, but really its best to just walk around and see what the heck is there.

The area is far away from Georgetown though. From Clarendon, look for a 21 minute metro ride and six minute walk. For a total of 27 minutes of commute. (that would be during rush hour, if you are leaving late at night, it takes even longer. Ballston is about 30 minutes total.

[hubtubrub]

how much would it be if you wanted to by an apartment around dupont circle?

[98234872348]

Oh wow, this is exactly the kind of thread I needed. Thanks so much, umichgrad!

I'm going to be moving to DC (for GULC) in the fall with my fiance, and right now I'm planning to go looking for a place in mid June. Neither of us are big party people, so what I'm looking for is somewhere relatively quiet that's either within walking distance of GULC or has easy metro access. I really know next to nothing about the DC area, and as of right now I'm kind of lost as to where to look (and even what to look for). Any help is greatly appreciated.

Oh my god your tar is amazing.

[umichgrad]

how much would it be if you wanted to by an apartment around dupont circle?

To buy an apartment right on the circle I would guess would run you from $250K for a basement studio to $600K for a nice large one bedroom + den, 1 million for a two bed. Just a guess though.

[Jackie O]

hey thanks for starting this thread

I'm looking for an apartment/condo to rent in the Ballston area - I've been looking at a lot of the larger complexes online but was wondering if you thought it would be worthwhile to get a realtor to possibly find a better deal? Also, if you have any recommendations for that area it would be greatly appreciated .

Jackie,

I live in that area and would largely recommend either the apartments right by Virginia square (there are supposed to be about seven openings in the fall), 850 Randolph Street has really nice apartments and there are some great places in Clarendon. You can call a realtor, but really its best to just walk around and see what the heck is there.

The area is far away from Georgetown though. From Clarendon, look for a 21 minute metro ride and six minute walk. For a total of 27 minutes of commute. (that would be during rush hour, if you are leaving late at night, it takes even longer. Ballston is about 30 minutes total.

Thank you Dee - looking for a place between work and GULC so I think Ballston is a good location though not super close to Gtown. I'll definitely take a walk around!

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Just booked my plane tickets; I'm flying up June 20 for 3-4 days of apartment hunting, using craigslist and probably a few of the management companies umichgrad listed. I need to find something then, because I really won't be able to afford another trip before moving for good. Already on craigslist there are a few Aug 1 availabilities, hopefully there will be a lot more by the time I get there.

[umichgrad]

Just booked my plane tickets; I'm flying up June 20 for 3-4 days of apartment hunting, using craigslist and probably a few of the management companies umichgrad listed. I need to find something then, because I really won't be able to afford another trip before moving for good. Already on craigslist there are a few Aug 1 availabilities, hopefully there will be a lot more by the time I get there.

You should be able to find stuff. After you've checked out the management companies and craigslist, if you're really stuck, I'd suggest picking one or two neighborhoods you like and just walking around looking for "For Rent" signs. That's actually how I found my first apt in DC. Good luck!

[YCrevolution]

..

[Norlan]

Not sure the right forum for this, but I thought it would be good to have threads like this for different cities. I've lived in DC for a while now, have rented apartments, and know the public transportation and neighborhoods well. Between GW, GULC, WCL, Catholic, etc I figured there might be a lot of people headed to DC. So, ask away!

Hello, I appreciate that you started a thread like this cuz' this is exactly what I was looking for and hopefully I'm not too late to join the conversation.

I'm planning to go to GW and wanted to do biglaw, do you have any idea what the actual employment situation is in terms of getting into biglaw? I read the stats and it says around 30% for GW

I was also looking to apply to Hamilton Fellowship with the US Treasury in Spring 2011. According to the flyer, housing will be provided. Do you have any idea how distant is that away from the GW campus?

[Sauer Grapes]

hey thanks for starting this thread

I'm looking for an apartment/condo to rent in the Ballston area - I've been looking at a lot of the larger complexes online but was wondering if you thought it would be worthwhile to get a realtor to possibly find a better deal? Also, if you have any recommendations for that area it would be greatly appreciated .

Are you heading to George Mason? If not I would say Ballston is far for any of the schools in DC. Other than that I don't know much about it, sorry!

Actually, Ballston would be fine for GW. It would be a really quick commute on the orange line.

Don't count out south Arlington for GW or even Georgetown if they don't mind a 20 minute commute to Georgetown. South Arlington, Crystal and Pentagon Cities, is actually better for GW than it is for GMU.