Georgetown Law Center (Washington: condos, home, safe area)

[jelliclemoon]

hi there,
im going to be starting a law course at the georgetown law center..i was wondering though if it's located in a safe area? it's not part of the main georgetown campus, which is the problem.

it's sort of framed by Massachusetts Ave NW, F St NW and between 1st and 2nd St NW


any help at all would be greatly appreciated, thanks

[saganista]

Originally Posted by jelliclemoon

hi there,
im going to be starting a law course at the georgetown law center..i was wondering though if it's located in a safe area? it's not part of the main georgetown campus, which is the problem. it's sort of framed by Massachusetts Ave NW, F St NW and between 1st and 2nd St NW
any help at all would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Actually, E Street, not F, but yes, it's certainly a safe area. It lies between Penn Quarter and Union Station in a neighborhood known (to a few, at least) as Swampoodle. The original Washington Nationals baseball team played their home games at the Swampoodle Grounds in the 1880's. There are various options for Metro access, but they all do leave a walk of a couple of blocks to the Law Center.

The university runs a free (to students) shuttle service between the main campus and the Law Center, if that would help. You can see the schedules here...

GUTS Shuttle Routes & Schedules

[Bluefly]

Swampoodle? never heard that one before. That's cute.

Yeah - my bro went to Georgetown Law. The area is probably the furthest thing from sketchy you could imagine - so long as you haven't lived your life in a suburban cul de sac.

[jelliclemoon]

thanks a lot for the info!

and no i dont live in a suburban bubble... more like central London!

[goozer]

It wasn't that long ago, maybe 10 years, when that area was not all that great. But in that 10-year time frame, the area has changed quite a bit, as law firms, government offices, and condos have moved into this part of the city. GULC is also easily accessible via metro at Union Station (it's a short 2-3 block walk from the subway).

[SavetheChocCity]

Originally Posted by jelliclemoon

hi there,
im going to be starting a law course at the georgetown law center..i was wondering though if it's located in a safe area? it's not part of the main georgetown campus, which is the problem.

it's sort of framed by Massachusetts Ave NW, F St NW and between 1st and 2nd St NW


any help at all would be greatly appreciated, thanks

What makes a location "safe" to you? I would imagine that the Jesuit of Georgetown University would identify an area chosen for law study as
a "safe" site for students. If you're concerned about your safety and the likelihood of any "violent attacks", I personally think your risks are greater in Ward 3, particularly closer to the main campus.

[PenguinSix]

It's surrounded by office buildings, by and large, and over toward Chinatown there are more and more new condos going in then there are legitimate buyers I think. I've never really been worried about safety around there, but it does seem a bit 'dead' at night now and then (like an office building with no workers in it)

There is, however, a rather large homeless shelter nearby. Generally not a problem, but there is always the odd one or really off one who is walking around panhandling (sometimes a bit aggressively).

[saganista]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

Swampoodle? never heard that one before. That's cute.

It probably won't be around much longer as an official neighborhood. It's too small and will probably just get gobbled up by Penn Quarter or NoMa in the end. Still, it will be sad to lose such a quaint name. The ball park back in the day was actually on the east side of North Capitol. Union Station is sitting in right field. The Main Post Office building is covering up the left side of the infield.

Originally Posted by Bluefly

Yeah - my bro went to Georgetown Law. The area is probably the furthest thing from sketchy you could imagine - so long as you haven't lived your life in a suburban cul de sac.

Exactly. It's still an urban environment, but that's about the worst you can say...

[saganista]

Originally Posted by PenguinSix

There is, however, a rather large homeless shelter nearby. Generally not a problem, but there is always the odd one or really off one who is walking around panhandling (sometimes a bit aggressively).

The CCNV shelter at 2nd and D. And as you know but others might not, there are homeless and panhandlers in most areas of downtown DC where commuters and/or tourists might be found. Almost all of them are harmless unless mega-intoxicated. Then there can be issues, but the presence of homeless people in general is just a part of the whole 'this is an urban environment' thing. All in all, you're probably more at risk around here from bike messengers...