From Animal House to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, D.C. is a tough metropolitan city. The other parts of DC orientation cover the more famous discontents (crime, etc.). Nevertheless, you will need some advice on how to find an apartment and eat frugally in order to find time to enjoy the sights and sounds of D.C.
I'm Too Young to Find an Apartment Follow these steps:
- Choose the size of apartment you would like, depending on the number of people you'll be living with. Studios/Efficiencies contain a kitchen, bathroom, closet, and a living/dining area a little larger than you average dorm room (19'x12'), one and two bedroom apartments are self-explanatory. If you are comfortable with the dorm lifestyle, go with a studio (~$1000/month) and split the rent with a roommate. If you would like to live with more people or would like a room of your own, go with any other type of arrangement ($1200+/month). Decreasing space or increasing the number of people in a typical apartment is the most cost-effective approach.
- To find an apartment in Washington D.C., all you need is Apartments.com, Craig's List, and may be Apartment Showcase (see apartments near metro stops). Call some of the apartments and ask questions (microwave, fitness room, neighbourhood, utilities included, can you send a floor plan). Give them a fax number and they should be able to fax over a lease to you.
- If anybody gives you a low price, stick to it and don't budge. Students have received amazing deals by sticking to a price quote.
- Consider whether you will want to come to DC early (fall students) or stay after the program (spring) to work a summer internship. If you do, pick roommates who want the same. You can usually get a better rate on an 8 month lease than a shorter lease.
- Most CMC students have gone through Charles E. Smith Realty, primarily in Crystal City by Arlington, VA, but also around the Pentagon City area. Other students have lived in the Northwest DC area, staying in Connecticut Heights, the Albermarle, the Quebec House, or even as far as Silver Spring, MD at the Blair Apartment. Factor in concerns about how close the nearest Metro stop is, but keep in mind that there is also an extensive bus system in Washington D.C., most Metro stops are within a ten-minute walk of an apartment, and your apartment may offer a shuttle service.
- [UPDATE 2/19/2008]: Here are the rules of thumb I've picked up along the way while living in D.C. for 3 years:
- closer to DC- higher price, think of places with metro stops outside of the District, such as MD or VA
- closer to metro stop- higher price; think of walking maybe ten minutes to a metro stop. Most people do it and it'll give you much needed exercise. A walk of maybe 1/2 mile or even 1/3 mile can save you almost $400/month. Keep in mind that if you plan on hosting people, it will be tougher because you aren't paying as much.
- Don't listen to people who say you can only live in Crystal City, etc. They generally haven't been anywhere outside of their own apartment areas. Of course, NW is always good, in addition to anyplace in VA, and especially parts of MD, U Street, and NE DC. I would however, recommend trying places outside of those traditional areas, that would mean that you get a lower price.
Food Costs Money! Yes, food does cost money, much like everything else in this world. However, you can live in D.C. for less than the cost at CMC. Here's how:
- Pack your lunch (like everybody else). An average meal in D.C. will cost a minimum of $5.00, while packing your lunch can cost you less than $2.00.
- Shop sales. Yes, much like the rest of America, if you want to save money on food, you can shop the sales and coupons for each store. For example, yogurt always has a sale going on.
- If you're intrepid (like me), shop at (Costco). Bring your suitcase to the Metro and go to the Pentagon City Metro stop, turn right toward the non-mall entrance. You'll go up a set of escalators that ends in front of the entrance to a shopping area. Go through the entrance to the shopping area, and go straight (you'll see a large sign saying "To Costco"). At Costco, you will find fresh produce, milk, bread, and other basic essentials (in large quantities) that you can definitely use to feed you throughout your semester. For example, you can buy bread, peanut butter, jelly, oranges, granola bars, pretzels, and juice boxes (which could be lunch for two weeks for you). You will also find rice ($11.00 for a 50 lb. bag of rice), noodles (spaghetti, shells, etc.), and other base foods in large quantities for a low price.
Enjoy Yourself
- Everybody Wins DC- It's a good reason to take a Power Lunch and help the DC community. You'll meet a lot of staffers that are also working on the program.
- Set up a lunch each week with a friend on the Hill or in an area that you're interested in working. Informational interviews are never used enough in D.C.! Generally, all underpaid staffers are more than happy to meet you for lunch and talk about their grand lives.