Got into grad school and need an apartment.

[ScottyB]

So, I got into the Film and Video MA program at American University and accepted. I will be moving out to Washington D.C. sometime Before August 22. I need to know of areas to look for apartments. I need my own bedroom, but I don't mind sharing an apartment with one other person. The apartment list they sent me is outrageous though. Like $1000+ for 2br apts.

My friend's sister lives near DC, and she said that the Southwest corner was ghetto.
However, The school is in the Northwest Corner of DC near Bethesda, so I would like to live around that area.

What should other resources should I be looking at? I tried to use Craigslist, but I don't know the areas in which to rent.

I will be going off of loans (and FAFSA only covers $20,500 per year which is just about the tuition cost of American University). I would like to get something around $500 or less.

 

[glutenberg]

Congrats! I'm actually heading to American University for Law School (unless Minnesota sends me an acceptance).

Did the school setup a page for other incoming students to meet up for rooms? For the Law School, they had an orientation and they setup a message board for students to talk to each other about rooming. The area around the school is a bit expensive and limited since you're basically going to be living in basements of the houses in the area. I've been looking at the Dupont Circle area because a friend of mine is heading out and I can probably take over the lease there. Seems like a nice area but you'd have to take the red line to get to school.

When I visited the school for orientation, there were alot of students walking in from an area near the bus stop that takes you from the Tenleytown/AU stop to the school campus. I assume there are some areas to live in there. I have a list of the areas they suggested at home and I'll post it up for you when I get off work.

 

[EvilYoda]

Congrats and good luck! From what I've heard and my experience (my friend had an internship in DC a few summers ago), $500 will get you a box on the street. sucks.

 

[Wreckem]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Congrats and good luck! From what I've heard and my experience (my friend had an internship in DC a few summers ago), $500 will get you a box on the street. sucks.

These days it probably wont even get you that.

Any two bedroom apartment in a decent area of DC is going to cost more than the OP is probably willing to pay/can afford to pay.

 

[KaChow]

If you want to live in the city, stay NW. Unless you're a lottery winner you'll need to have at least one roommate. When using Craigslist, stick with NW and Bethesda listings.

 

[ScottyB]

Originally posted by: glutenberg
Congrats! I'm actually heading to American University for Law School (unless Minnesota sends me an acceptance).

Did the school setup a page for other incoming students to meet up for rooms? For the Law School, they had an orientation and they setup a message board for students to talk to each other about rooming. The area around the school is a bit expensive and limited since you're basically going to be living in basements of the houses in the area. I've been looking at the Dupont Circle area because a friend of mine is heading out and I can probably take over the lease there. Seems like a nice area but you'd have to take the red line to get to school.

When I visited the school for orientation, there were alot of students walking in from an area near the bus stop that takes you from the Tenleytown/AU stop to the school campus. I assume there are some areas to live in there. I have a list of the areas they suggested at home and I'll post it up for you when I get off work.

Yeah, public transportation was pretty good when I visited my friend out there last May. I want to be close enough to have a 20min or less commute on the subway with easy access to it without a car. If I am not driving, I could put that money toward fun or rent.

I might drive out there sometime this month to check out the areas. I just don't want to be in a "bad" area.

 

[glutenberg]

Originally posted by: ScottyB

Originally posted by: glutenberg
Congrats! I'm actually heading to American University for Law School (unless Minnesota sends me an acceptance).

Did the school setup a page for other incoming students to meet up for rooms? For the Law School, they had an orientation and they setup a message board for students to talk to each other about rooming. The area around the school is a bit expensive and limited since you're basically going to be living in basements of the houses in the area. I've been looking at the Dupont Circle area because a friend of mine is heading out and I can probably take over the lease there. Seems like a nice area but you'd have to take the red line to get to school.

When I visited the school for orientation, there were alot of students walking in from an area near the bus stop that takes you from the Tenleytown/AU stop to the school campus. I assume there are some areas to live in there. I have a list of the areas they suggested at home and I'll post it up for you when I get off work.

Yeah, public transportation was pretty good when I visited my friend out there last May. I want to be close enough to have a 20min or less commute on the subway with easy access to it without a car. If I am not driving, I could put that money toward fun or rent.

I might drive out there sometime this month to check out the areas. I just don't want to be in a "bad" area.

Even the bad areas aren't that "bad." It's obviously not somewhere you'd want to wander around late at night. I was there a few months ago and wandered around the city to get a feel for it and never felt in danger. It's like New York; use common sense and if you are going to a poorer area, go as a group.

The students at the Law School told us that they were all basically paying about $1,200 a month or more depending on whether they lived in a studio, basement, or shared an apartment.

 

[ScottyB]

Originally posted by: glutenberg

Originally posted by: ScottyB

Originally posted by: glutenberg
Congrats! I'm actually heading to American University for Law School (unless Minnesota sends me an acceptance).

Did the school setup a page for other incoming students to meet up for rooms? For the Law School, they had an orientation and they setup a message board for students to talk to each other about rooming. The area around the school is a bit expensive and limited since you're basically going to be living in basements of the houses in the area. I've been looking at the Dupont Circle area because a friend of mine is heading out and I can probably take over the lease there. Seems like a nice area but you'd have to take the red line to get to school.

When I visited the school for orientation, there were alot of students walking in from an area near the bus stop that takes you from the Tenleytown/AU stop to the school campus. I assume there are some areas to live in there. I have a list of the areas they suggested at home and I'll post it up for you when I get off work.

Yeah, public transportation was pretty good when I visited my friend out there last May. I want to be close enough to have a 20min or less commute on the subway with easy access to it without a car. If I am not driving, I could put that money toward fun or rent.

I might drive out there sometime this month to check out the areas. I just don't want to be in a "bad" area.

Even the bad areas aren't that "bad." It's obviously not somewhere you'd want to wander around late at night. I was there a few months ago and wandered around the city to get a feel for it and never felt in danger. It's like New York; use common sense and if you are going to a poorer area, go as a group.

The students at the Law School told us that they were all basically paying about $1,200 a month or more depending on whether they lived in a studio, basement, or shared an apartment.

Well, the list they sent me has some better deals. I am finding stuff around $800 or so, and some rooms as low as $500 on Craigslist in decent areas. So I guess I will keep looking. I
also might drive out there this month and check things out.