stay in DC during summer (Washington: sublets, apartments, rent)

[ivy47469]

Hello everybody,

I'll be intern in DC during summer. I'll be working in GAO. Does anybody can give some suggestions about where I can find safe place to stay? (I am from a small town, moving to DC is a littel scary).
The agency gave me a list of schools where the dorms are available during summer, but I don't know which school would be closer to where I am going to work.

[NOVAmtneer82]

I'm not exactly sure where GAO is in DC but I would recommend the dorms at American University in the NW area of the city, I know a lot of summer interns use those. Even if you are on the other side of town your office can't be that far from a metro station, and with American you can hop on at the Tenleytown/AU metro and head right to work. I know several people who lived at American when I was in college and they loved it.

[claremarie]

If you don't want to stay in a dorm, you may also consider subletting an off-campus apartment from one of the many DC-area students who will be spending the summer elsewhere. Back in the dark pre-Internet ages, we did that and got a great "English basement" apartment near Dupont Circle -- it must be much easier now to make such arrangements. Try Craigslist.
If you don't mind a dorm, American University is in a very safe suburban-type residential neighborhood. George Washington University is closer to the GAO, near the Foggy Bottom metro.

[Carrot2000]

If you're female, check out this place. It's safe and clean and near the Capitol South and Union Station Metro stations:


The Official Website of Thompson Markward Hall

[ivy47469]

Thank you guys.

[ivy47469]

How about a hostel, is it going to be a little cheaper? can I stay there for 10 weeks?

I have one more thing to say, but please please promise me you won't laugh. I live in a tiny town in midwest, the place doesn't even show on the map. I do NOT even know how to ride a bus.

[NOVAmtneer82]

lol this is DC chances are you will either be taking the metro (our fancy name for the subway system) or a taxi, unless you decide to bring your own car and in that case you'll have to factor in parking which is quite expensive. I'm glad clairemarie brought up GW, I didn't even think of that, I also agree to look on craigslist, there are always TONS of apartment sublets listed. When you contact the schools also ask if they have suite style apartments, I think this is what they usually rent out to interns, several of my friends lived in one, had their own bedroom but shared a living area and bathroom.

[gichicago]

GAO as the Govt Account Office?

GW is a great option, though you may have a roommate. You'll be in the middle of the city, walking distance to public transit (Both Foggy Bottom, and Farragut west),

I was a GW student, and roomed with interns for two different summers.

[ivy47469]

Thanks for the info. I am so excited about going to DC

[talktobrent]

I would stay west of Rock Creek Park, It's the nicest part of the city and where most the action is. Not that NE or other areas are THAT BAD, but if you're coming from a small town NW will offer a comfortable and convenient place to get used to living in a big city.