## Housing Opportunities in Washington, DC

Interns live in a wide variety of areas depending on needs such as cost,
public transportation systems, and safety. As a general rule, it is
cheaper to live farther from the downtown area, but interns often make
use of the city's Metro system, which extends to points in Virginia and
Maryland. Cars are generally discouraged as parking is difficult to find
and is rather expensive.

Washington, DC is arranged in quadrants - NE, SE, SW and NW - with the
Capitol building at the center of the quadrants. Like any city, it has
its share of crime. In looking for housing, you should keep in mind that
certain areas are safer than others within the DC area. In general,
avoid housing within Northeast and Southeast DC past 11th street. If you
decide to live in Northeast or Southeast DC, keep in mind that it is
usually safer in areas nearer to the Capitol.

**Southeast/Capital Hill** - This historic area is well known for its
many federal and governmental offices as well as the Library of Congress
and the Capitol. Many federal employees as well as students live in the
Southeast area. Due to the diversity of its residents, rental rates vary
widely in the area. Affordable and safe housing is available but rent
out very quickly. It is located on the Blue and Orange lines at the
Capitol South and Eastern Market stations.

**Adams Morgan -** This diverse and exciting neighborhood is located
near Dupont Circle and Kalorama, centered near Columbia Road & 18th St.
NW. It is located on the Red Line at "Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan" and
"Dupont Circle" stations. Adams Morgan is an urban area home to many
students, families, and diplomatic officials, as well as many ethnic
restaurants and markets. Moderately priced apartments are common to this
location, making the demand also high.

**Dupont Circle -** This area, know for it s lively urban and cultural
life, as well as luxurious office and retail space, offers a variety of
housing opportunities, including older high rises, apartment buildings,
as well as rooms within private homes. Dupont Circle is located along
Connecticut Avenue, surrounded by Foggy Bottom to the south, and Adams
Morgan to the north. The Metro rail (Red Line) and Metro buses run
directly through the area as well.

**Foggy Bottom -** This area is located along the DC/Virginia border on
the Blue and Orange Lines. There are housing opportunities within group
housing or basement apartments in private homes. Foggy Bottom is
surrounded by the State Department and the George Washington University.
The rent is high and opportunities somewhat few in this area.

**Georgetown -** Home to one of the city's most popular shopping and
nightlife meccas, Georgetown offers some of DC's highest real estate
rates. Many apartments do not rent to students, but instead to
government and diplomatic officials. However, townhouses are available
to several students willing to share the cost. Also, families
occasionally rent rooms or basement apartments out in their private
homes. Georgetown is not immediately near a metro rail stop, but there
are regularly running city buses. This area, because of its proximity to
Georgetown University, has a large student population.

**Glover Park -** This quiet neighborhood, sometimes referred to as
Upper Georgetown is located near the National Cathedral around Wisconsin
Avenue. There are plenty of group housing situations in this area, as
well as smaller apartments with rent at reasonable rates. Glover Park is
not located near a metro rail stop, but there is metro bus
transportation nearby. This area tends to be particularly popular with
graduate students.

**Cleveland Park/Woodley Park -** Located conveniently on the Red Line
just 15-30 minutes from downtown DC, these are elegant neighborhoods
situated near attractions such as the National Zoo, and many shops,
restaurants, and bars. They have a variety of housing options, including
apartments, group housing, and apartments in private homes.

**Spring Valley -** This affluent area is also know as Tenleytown,
Tenley Circle, or Ward Circle and is home to many American University
students. It is located conveniently on the Red Line approximately 20-40
minutes from downtown DC, and is near many stores and restaurants.

**Friendship Heights/Bethesda -** These neighborhoods are conveniently
situated on the Red Line approximately 25-45 minutes from downtown DC,
at the DC/Maryland border. This posh area contains luxury high-rises,
elegant boutiques, lots of restaurants, and two large shopping malls.
Housing opportunities may exist for renting a room in a group house or a
basement apartment in a private home, but rental rates on the average
are high.

**Alexandria, Virginia -** This historic city is home to many students,
young adults, and families who chose to live outside, yet near downtown
Washington DC. It is located 30-50 minutes outside DC on the Yellow Line
at "Braddock Street" and "King Street" stations. A key attraction to
Alexandria is Old Town, a restored colonial area with a wide array of
shops, restaurants, and bars.

**Arlington, Virginia -** This area offers relatively low rent housing
options including townhouses, high-rise apartments, duplexes, and
individual homes, and is home to many undergraduate as well as graduate
students. It is located near an abundance of restaurants, and shops, as
well as the large Fashion Center shopping center. Arlington is located
on the Blue, Yellow and Orange Lines with a commute ranging from 20-45
minutes and including stations such as "Rosslyn", "Ballston-MU", and
"Pentagon City". This area offers reasonable rental rates in older
apartment buildings.

**Takoma Park -** This diverse, artsy Maryland town is right over the DC
line. It is located on the Red Line and offers Metro-Bus and Ride-On bus
services. Many group houses are available in this area that are
especially popular among young people.

\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....

**Off-Campus Subletting**

One of the most convenient housing options is subletting from students
who attend area universities. The down sides of sub-letting are that you
may not have an official contract with a landlord and you will have to
deal with issues such as separating phone bills. The positives are that
you will have an automatic short-term lease, sub-lets are usually
partial, if not fully furnished, and most are located in areas with
other students or interns. The universities and their web sites listed
below contain apartment listings and some have helpful search engines.

\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....

**Here are some links you may find useful:**

**American University**\
[Summer Housing On-Campus/Off Campus
Housing](http://www.dcinternhousing.com/)

**Catholic University of America**\
[Summer Housing On-Campus](http://conferences.cua.edu/)

**George Washington University**\
[Summer Housing On-Campus/Off Campus Housing Resource
Center](http://gwired.gwu.edu/cllc/summer)

**Georgetown University**\
[Summer Housing On-Campus/Off-Campus Housing
Office](http://www.georgetown.edu/housing/OHCS)

**Trinity College**\
[Summer Housing On-Campus/Conference
Office](http://www.trinitydc.edu/visit/conference.php)

**The Washington Center** (Gallaudet University)\
[Director of Student Life](http://www.gallaudet.edu/)

**Howard University**\
[Office of Residential Life](http://www.howard.edu/)

\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....

**Try these links for more housing options in the District:**

[The Washington
Post](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/realestate/rent/) - This
paper gives lists of a variety of housing opportunities in the
classified section

[Craig\'s List - Washington DC](http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/)

[DC Registry](http://dcregistry.com/)

[Washingtonorg.com](http://www.washingtonorg.com/)

[Sublet.com](http://www.sublet.com/)

[American University
Eagle](http://www.eagle.american.edu/section.cfm/61/11)

[Georgetown Hoya](http://www.thehoya.com/ads.cfm)

[George Washington University Hatchet](http://www.gwhatchet.com/)