Housing

Washington, DC has been called the most livable city on the East Coast. GW Law's surrounding neighbor­hood, Foggy Bottom, is home to many of the government institutions that will not only inform your classroom education but also provide opportunities for research and outside placement. Nearby resources include the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of State, World Bank, Office of Personnel Management, American Red Cross headquarters, Federal Reserve Board, Pan American Health Organization, Interna­tional Monetary Fund, and Organization of American States. Students are also close to Metrorail stations and Metrobus routes which will take you almost anywhere in the Greater Washington, DC region.

Housing options vary throughout neighborhoods in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. By surveying GW Law students about where they live, VeryApt has created a housing guide that may be a great resource for you.  The guide describes neighborhoods and specific buildings throughout the DC area:

GW Law Off-Campus Housing Guide

 

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

 

Know the Area and What You’re Looking For

The DC 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.


Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs

The Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs (OCSA) extends community building and learning beyond the campus of the George Washington University by providing resources, services, and programs designed to assist and guide students in navigating the process of moving from residential living on campus to independent living in the surrounding community. Our office is committed to educating students on how to become active and responsible members in their surrounding communities.

Off-Campus Student Affairs