A Step-by-Step Guide 

Finding a place to live off-campus in Washington may seem like an overwhelming process. Consult the following step-by-step guide created to help you find an apartment in the nation’s capital.  

1. Know the area and know what you’re looking for

The D.C. Metro area is made up of three distinct regions, all of which offer a wide range of housing options for students: the District of Columbia, northern Virginia, and the Maryland suburbs. Within these regions, there are dozens of neighborhoods, each with its own unique flavor and characteristics. Choosing the type of housing you want (a studio, one- or two-bedroom, townhouse, or single-family house) as well as outlining a housing budget may go hand-in-hand with deciding which neighborhood best suits your needs.

2. Plan ahead

Finding the right place to live in a major metropolitan area can be a time-consuming process. Plan to start your search at least a month and a half to two months before you plan to move. This ensures that you will have time to find a place that is a good match for your budget and housing needs.  

3. Consider roommates

There are, of course, pros and cons to sharing your space, so consider factors such as your budget and your personality when making this decision. If you are looking for roommates, the Housing Discussion Board on the GW Law Admitted Students Portal is a great place to start. Students attending Preview Weekend will have the opportunity to meet potential roommates in person. You also may want to consult craigslist.org or roommates.com as well for roommates unaffiliated with the law school. 

4. Make an apartment-finding visit

Unless you’re comfortable with the concept of renting a place sight unseen, it is imperative that you take a short apartment-finding trip to Washington. Most people budget two days to a week for this housing trip. Before you arrive, you’ll want to set up appointments to view apartment buildings and other places you’ve found on apartment-finding web sites such as craigslist.org and through newspaper classifieds. You may want to take a checklist with you to make sure that you get all the necessary information before moving on to the next place.  Apartment-finding visits are most effective during the week, as most apartment complexes, brokers, and agents do not show apartments on weekends. 

5. Be prepared to act quickly

Washington, like many big cities, has a competitive housing market. During peak moving season (such as summertime), there may be many applicants for a single housing unit. Therefore, it’s important to act quickly when you see something you like. When you take your apartment-finding visit, be prepared to fill out an application on a moment’s notice. To do so, make sure to bring a checkbook, job history and income information, past rental history information, official identification, and a list of references when you go to look at apartments.

Because most law students will not have a regular source of income outside of their student loans, it is particularly important to present yourself as a reliable tenant. To assist landlords and property managers, bring along any documentation of your loans as proof of income and consider having a parent serve as a co-signer for your lease.