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
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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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.
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