Housing Options and Area Information The George Washington University is located in Foggy Bottom, a neighborhood in the heart of the DC Metropolitan area. For students relocating to the Washington area, this document is intended to provide you with information on Foggy Bottom and surrounding areas. Many exchange students prefer to live at International Student House because of its great location in Dupont Circle, which is known for its nightlife and restaurants, and its proximity to campus. There are also some meals and activities provided to residents. Please visit http://www.ishdc.org for more details, including rates, and to fill out an application. Many of your classmates will be living either in Washington, DC proper (also known as “DC” or “The District”), Northern Virginia (mostly in Arlington and Alexandria), or Maryland (likely Montgomery County). Brief descriptions of these areas are below. Washington, DC The District is divided into four quadrants—Northwest (NW), Northeast (NE), Southwest (SW), and Southeast (SE). Foggy Bottom is in the NW quadrant, on the Orange and Blue Lines of the Metro. (For more information on the Metro, visit www.wmata.com.) Northwest (NW): The largest area of the District, it is composed of several contrasting neighborhoods, including older areas and those being modernized and renovated. It is generally considered the safest area of Washington. Both Metro buses and the Metrorail system accommodate most neighborhoods within Northwest DC. As neighborhoods do vary within the city, students are well advised to visit the prospective home and investigate the neighborhood on order to assess the safety of the area. Commutes range from 10-30 minutes. Northeast (NE): This is the area around Howard, Catholic, and Gallaudet Universities and Union Station. Now an active urban hub, Northeast was originally farmland and the location of forts during the Civil War. Parts of Northeast can be unsafe after dark, so students are advised to use caution, and to visit the area before renting to assess their comfort level. As many residents of this area are students, housing options are less expensive and less luxurious. Metro buses travel regularly through all major arteries within Northeast and both the Yellow and Green lines of the Metrorail system service neighborhoods of this area. Commuting time to campus is approximately 20-40 minutes. Southwest (SW): This is the downtown area near Washington's waterfront. Southwest includes a wide range of economic and ethnic groups and is the location of many Federal buildings. New apartment complexes are being built in this area at very reasonable rates. Public transportation exists in the way of Metro buses and the Metrorail system. Commuting time to campus is approximately 20-30 minutes. Students should examine this area carefully before renting here as safety levels vary a great deal. Southeast (SE): The neighborhood most famous in this area is "Capitol Hill", location of the Library of Congress and most major government offices. Southeast is a very historic area, consisting of important Federal buildings and residences representing diverse 1 architectural styles. Members of the political set, many Federal employees, and young professionals make their home in Southeast. Due to the diversity of the residents, housing options and prices in Southeast vary greatly. It is recommended that students examine this area very carefully before renting here. Public transportation via Metrobus and the Metrorail system are available on a frequent basis. Commuting time ranges from 30-40 minutes in rush hour. Northern Virginia Northern Virginia (or “NOVA”) is served by Metro’s Blue and Orange lines, which stop at the Foggy Bottom/GWU station, and the Yellow line. Virginia is generally a more inexpensive alternative to most NW neighborhoods in DC, but living near a metro stop will always result in more expensive rent. The neighborhoods in Arlington are generally nice, safe, and offer several opportunities for group housing. Alexandria, where the well-known Old Town neighborhood is located, is south of Arlington and the District. Students interested in living in this area should plan on a longer commute. Overall, Northern Virginia is generally very accessible by Metro and/or bus. Maryland Neighborhoods in Maryland run along the Red Line. Though generally very nice, these neighborhoods tend to be more expensive than Northern Virginia rentals, a longer commute to GW, or both. The Bethesda area is rapidly being developed and has a quaint downtown area with many places to live, eat, and shop. Silver Spring and Takoma Park are slightly less expensive than Bethesda with a roughly 30-minute metro commute to GW. Average Rent Rent will vary based on neighborhood and proximity to the Metro or major bus routes. Apartment Type Efficiency 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom 3 Bedroom Apt. to Share Entire House Washington DC $ 900 -1,100 $950 - 1,500 $1,200 - 2,000 $1,500 - 4,000 $450 - 750 $1,500 - 4,000 Maryland/Virginia $700 – 900 $800 - 1,300 $1,000 - 1,800 $1,200 - 3,500 $300 – 700 $1,000 - 2,500 Sample List of Apartment Complexes* Nearest Metro station listed below apartment name DC 2400 M Apartments* Foggy Bottom The Circle Arms Foggy Bottom Claridge House Foggy Bottom 2400 M Street, NW www.2400mapts.com 2416 K Street, NW (202) 296-0090 950 25th Street, NW http://claridgehousecooperative.com 2 The Dakota Foggy Bottom The Elise* Foggy Bottom The Empire Foggy Bottom The Flats at Dupont* Dupont Circle The Jefferson House Foggy Bottom The Letterman House* Foggy Bottom The Monroe House Foggy Bottom Nine Twenty Five Foggy Bottom Polk Court* Eastern Market Quebec House* Cleveland Park The Savoy Foggy Bottom Statesman Foggy Bottom West End Foggy Bottom 2100 F Street, NW (202) 223-9299 825 New Hampshire Ave., NW (202) 333-7711 2000 F Street, NW (202) 785-2622 2000 N Street, NW www.archstoneapartments.com 922 24th Street, NW (202) 337-3900 2030 F Street, NW www.lettermanhouse.com 522 21st Street, NW (202) 887-0697 925 25th Street, NW (202) 342-7800 525 G Street, SE http://scallan.prospectportal.com 2800 Quebec Street, NW www.quebechouseapts.com 1101 New Hampshire Ave, NW (202) 296-8424 2020 F Street, NW www.archstoneapartments.com 2124 I Street, NW (202) 293-2463 Virginia Arlington Courthouse Plaza* Court House The Bennington* Pentagon City Courtland Towers* Court House Crystal Plaza* Crystal City Merrifield at Dunn Loring* Dunn Loring Metropolitan* Pentagon City Regent’s Park* Vienna River House* Pentagon City River Place South* Rosslyn 2250 Clarendon Boulevard Arlington, VA 22201 1201 South Eads Street Arlington, VA 22202 1200 N Veitch Street, Arlington, VA 22201 2111 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, VA 22202 8130 Prescott Drive Vienna, VA 22180 901 15th Street South Arlington VA, 22202 9333 Clocktower Place Fairfax, VA 22031 1400 South Joyce Street Arlington, VA 22202 1011 Arlington Boulevard Arlington, VA 22209 3 www.archstoneapartments.com www.livethebennington.com www.dittmarcompany.com www.archstoneapartments.com www.wmproperties.com www.kettler.com www.regentsparkapartments.com www.riverhouseapts.com www.riverplace.com, and www.riverplacenorth.org *Suggested by GW MBA students/current residents. Helpful Web Sites Craigslist: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org (good for finding roommates, group housing, and apartments) GW GradLife – Off Campus Living and Housing: http://gradlife.gwu.edu/OffCampus GW Med School – Off Campus Housing (lists more apartment options) http://www.gwumc.edu/EDU/ADMIS/html/student/housing.html Rent.com: www.rent.com Roommates.com: www.roommates.com Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/real-estate/dc-apartments-rentals.html Washington City Paper Classifieds: http://classifieds.washingtoncitypaper.com/ Apartment Guide: www.apartmentguide.com The Apartment Connection: www.theapartmentconnection.com Easy Roommate: www.easyroommate.com Metropolitan Neighborhood Descriptions Adams Morgan: This is an urban area near Dupont Circle and Kalorama, centered around Columbia Roads & 18th St. NW. Adams Morgan has a diverse population, both ethnic & economic - foreign and domestic students, young families, diplomatic officials, recent immigrants & longtime residents of the District. The neighborhood is richly diverse with many international restaurants & markets, including Latin Market on Sunday, plus many inexpensive shops & free festivals. Also referred to as Washington Heights and Dupont Circle North. Housing options and prices vary enormously. Alexandria, Virginia: Alexandria, an historic city, offers a wide price range in housing and a wide variety in types of housing, although many landlords may not advertise in newspapers. Many students, young adults, and established families live in Alexandria. The main thoroughfare, Shirley Highway (I-395) is very crowded during rush hour. A key attraction of Alexandria is Old Town, a restored colonial area with a wide array of shops and other attractions. The Yellow Line on the Metrorail makes several stops in the Alexandria area. Commuting time from Alexandria is 30-60 minutes. Cleveland Park/Woodley Park: Located on Connecticut Avenue, these neighborhoods are within walking distance of the National Zoo, a variety of restaurants, shops and nightspots. Cleveland Park and Woodley Park are elegant neighborhoods with a variety of housing opportunities, including apartments, group houses, and basement apartments in private homes. Approximately a 40-minute walk straight up Connecticut Avenue from GW, this area is situated on a busy Metrobus route, and there are two Metrorail stations on the Red Line. With public transportation, commuting time is approximately 15-25 minutes. Dupont Circle: The Circle is actually the entire area around lower Connecticut Avenue, surrounded by Foggy Bottom to the south, and Adams Morgan/Washington Heights to the north. Dupont Circle is a busy office and luxury shopping area, as well as an urban cultural center populated by young people, artists, and musicians. The streets and avenues that radiate from Dupont Circle offer many types of accommodations at various prices, from older high-rises to 4 smaller apartment buildings and basement apartments or private rooms in homes. Dupont Circle is within walking distance of the University, is a main thoroughfare for metro buses, and is located on the Red Line of the Metrorail. Commuting time to GW ranges from 10-20 minutes. Embassy Row: The area around Massachusetts Avenue is dubbed so, due to the profusion of foreign embassies surrounding this grand avenue. Tree-lined streets, elegant homes, upscale hotels, foreign embassies and chanceries, and art galleries constitute this neighborhood just blocks from Dupont Circle. Rental properties in this area are expensive. Within walking distance of campus, metro buses travel along Massachusetts Avenue as alternative transportation. Commuting time is approximately 15 minutes. Foggy Bottom: Foggy Bottom is GW's campus and surrounding neighborhood. Housing is convenient but very expensive and limited. Advantages to living in this area include a close proximity to campus, The White House, Kennedy Center, Watergate Hotel, Pennsylvania Avenue, museums, government agencies, and national associations. Housing options include high-rise apartments and townhouses. Dupont Circle West and the West End may also be considered part of the Foggy Bottom, "GW" neighborhood. Foxhall: This exclusive neighborhood is an area of upper Georgetown along Foxhall Road, above the Georgetown University campus. Available student housing is minimal in this area as housing is composed mainly of costly townhouses and mansions. Foxhall may also be referred to as Arizona Place, Wisconsin, and Upper Georgetown. This may not be a convenient neighborhood for those who rely on public transportation. The closest Metrorail station, Tenleytown, is a good walk, while metro buses travel only along busier streets within this neighborhood. Friendship Heights: The area located around upper Wisconsin Avenue, this neighborhood is located on the DC/Maryland border. This posh area contains luxury high-rises, elegant boutiques, lots of restaurants, and two large shopping malls. Some 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. Friendship Heights surrounds Wisconsin Avenue, with regular bus service and a Red Line Metrorail station. Commuting time to campus will range from 20-45 minutes. Georgetown: The Georgetown shopping area caters to students and young adults, but housing in this area is expensive and at a premium. Many apartments do not rent to students, but rather to government and diplomatic employees. Occasionally townhouses are available and are rented to several students who share the cost. Families sometimes rent individual rooms, or basement apartments in their private homes. This area is within 10-15 minutes walking distance of campus or can be reached by any bus on Pennsylvania Avenue. There is no Metrorail station in Georgetown. Glover Park: This neighborhood is a quiet, secluded area located just above Georgetown within walking distance of American University and the National Cathedral. The population of Glover Park consists of students, young professionals, and families. Group houses abound in this area, along with smaller garden apartments, which rent at reasonable rates. Lots of restaurants, shops, and metrobus transportation are available here. Glover Park may also be referred to as Burleith, 5 Cathedral, Observatory, and Upper Georgetown. Commuting time to GW from Glover Park is approximately 15-25 minutes. Logan Circle: This Circle once contained Victorian mansions that are currently being renovated and revitalized. Due to its proximity to downtown DC, this area has a mixture of accommodations, some considered safer than others. Prices are affordable, but students are advised to visit this neighborhood to decide upon their comfort level. Commuting time to campus is approximately 15-25 minutes. North Arlington, Virginia: North Arlington's main streets are Lee Highway (Key Bridge), Route 50 (Theodore Roosevelt Bridge,) and Wilson Blvd (Theodore Roosevelt Bridge). All are accessible from GW by Metro on the Orange Line at the Rossyln, Courthouse, Clarendon, and Ballston stations. There are many types of housing in the North Arlington area including townhouses, garden apartments, large high-rises, luxury apartments, duplexes, and individual homes. Rent is typically lower in Virginia, though Arlington has seen an increase in both prices and new construction in the past couple of years. Almost any location in North Arlington can be reached within 15-45 minutes during rush hour. South Arlington, Virginia: There are many moderately priced accommodations in South Arlington. As in North Arlington, there are varied types of housing. Crystal City is a section of high-rises off of U.S. Route 1 overlooking the Potomac River and is accessible by Metrorail on the Blue Line. Large populations of students, especially graduate students, live here. A new development of apartment complexes has been built at Pentagon City, adjacent to the Fashion Center shopping mall and also accessible on the Blue Line. Commuting time from South Arlington is approximately 30-60 minutes, Spring Valley: This is a high-income area, populated by many students of American University. It is also referred to as Tenley, Tenleytown, Tenley Circle, or Ward Circle, is situated on both the Red line of the Metrorail system and close to many metrobus routes. Commuting time to campus is approximately 20-40 minutes. 6