Living in Washington DC

Washington, D.C. is one of the best cities in the world to be a student. With a mass of scholars research agencies, think tanks, international government organizations, and museums, D.C. is home to a vibrant academic culture. The international population allows residents to meet people from across the world and experience elements of a variety of cultures. As a hub for students and young professionals, there is always something to do. Washington, D.C. boasts active music, art, food, sports, and theater scenes. Georgetown students take advantage of all that the D.C. area has to offer, as well as the many cultural, academic, and social events hosted by the University.
HOUSING

Georgetown has two offices primarily dedicated to housing for graduate and off-campus students. The Office of Student Living maintains resources for off-campus students and expects to offer University housing for graduate students next year. The Office of Neighborhood Life tries to make living off-campus more manageable and serves as a liaision between the city and students.

Georgetown students often live in the neighborhoods listed in the chart and shown on the map below. Students also live in other neighborhoods, typically along Metro lines, including the Red Line in the NW quadrant of Washington and the Blue and Yellow Lines in Arlington, VA and Alexandria, VA. Virginia (VA) is located just across the Potomac River from campus.

Rent typically ranges between $800 to $1,500 per month, depending on many factors such as location and living arrangements. Some students share group houses, some rent a room in a house, some share apartments, and some live on their own in a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Utilities vary widely, but generally cost between $80 and $150 per month.

The Office of Neighborhood Life operates the Summer Housing Opportunities Program each June that includes a housing fair and gives you the opportunity to stay free on campus for one weekend to conduct a housing search. The Student Living Office  manages the Off-Campus Housing Listings to help find rental units and to help match potential roommates. The Corp, Georgetown’s undergraduate student run non-profit corporation, provides access to Roomr, a landlord review website for the Georgetown and Burleith neighborhoods.

Georgetown is working to offer University-approved off-campus housing graduate students. We will make announcements to all admitted students as we get more information.

Students have successfully found places to live on Georgetown’s Off-Campus Housing tool,craigslist.com, PadMapper, ApartmentList.com, Zillow, and Trulia. Except for Georgetown’s Off-Campus Housing tool, these sites are suggestions and are not endorsed by Georgetown. Students will also advertise for roommates and rooms for rent on their program’s e-mail list.

TRANSPORTATION

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates the region’s transportation network and helps students travel around the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. While there is no metro station in Georgetown, the University operates free shuttles to the Rosslyn and Dupont Circlemetro stations, the Law Center, and the Arlington Loop route. Many WMATA bus lines also service Georgetown. Notable bus lines include the G2, 30N, 30S, 31, 33, 38B, the Dupont-Rosslyn Circulator, and the Georgetown-Union Station Circulator.

Washington, D.C. is often rated one of the best cities in the country for people who do not own a car, and the area around the University has a WalkScore of 91. The University is a short walk from close to 100 restaurants and eateries, more than 100 retail stores, several parks including a waterfront on the Potomac River, and entertainment. Most other neighborhoods are walkable and accessible by metro or bus. This is a bicycle-friendly city, each year laying miles of new bicycle lanes and expanding its successful bikeshare program, Capital Bikeshare.

Parking can be a challenge in the Georgetown area. The University has a paid parking garage for commuting students, staff, and visitors. While some students choose to drive, most will come to campus using some form of public transportation or walking/bicycling. Most apartment complexes have parking garages or lots and street parking passes are available to local residents.

 

Extensive information and resources for graduate students living in the Washington, DC area can be found on the Graduate Life pages of the Graduate School website.  An equally important resource for all graduate students is the Graduate Student Life Guide.