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I have searched the forums for housing in the DC area but I haven't seen anyone with my circumstances. I am probably going to American in the Fall and I am a bit concerned about finding an apartment/living in DC. I know a lot of areas are rough. I'm obviously going to be forced to get an apartment and what worries me is that I have never lived alone and have spent the last four years of my life living in a safe college dorm. I feel like at least for my first year I wouldn't be prepared to commute in or live in a rough neighborhood especially since it will be my first time on my own.

Do any of you have any recommendations for housing close to American in a reasonably good neighborhood? I know it will be ridiculously expensive, but at least for my first year I'd rather fork over the money and get accustomed to living alone than live somewhere cheap and fear for my life. I also know that this is really early to be concerned about this kind of thing, but I would like to have some idea before I make my final decision.

I am an undergrad at GW and while I cant tell you what the best streets are to live on while attending American, I know there are plenty of good neighborhoods.

Most of the DC neighborhoods are not bad and the ones that are rough are slowly getting better. American is way up in the NW in Tenleytown by the Maryland border and at the top end of embassay row so anything in the general vicinity will be nice. Most AU undergrads that live off campus live in Cleveland Park but Friendship Heights, AU Park and even Adams Morgan/ Woodley Park are all great.

American has a shuttle that runs from the Red Line Tenleytown/AU stop to campus (every 15 minutes 8am-12pm and 4pm-8pm, otherwise every 30 minutes), so you should be able to consider many safe but relatively less expensive neighborhoods in the metro area.

im_blue wrote:American has a shuttle that runs from the Red Line Tenleytown/AU stop to campus (every 15 minutes 8am-12pm and 4pm-8pm, otherwise every 30 minutes), so you should be able to consider many safe but relatively less expensive neighborhoods in the metro area.

That's really helpful. I am really worried about living alone as I have been pretty sheltered for most of my life. I'm also from a really small town so it will be a completely new experience for me.

AU is in the most suburban section of DC imaginable. Your issues will be less about crime and more about getting around without a car.