Off-Campus Housing

Finding a place to live off-campus in Washington may seem like a challenging process. The following points may be considered in order to make the process easier:

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.

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.  

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. Apartment-finding visits are most effective during the week, as most apartment complexes, brokers, and agents do not show apartments on weekends.