Affordable NW Apartments (real estate market, rental, neighborhoods)

[tyates]

A friend on mine stumbled upon a 1br apartment in the NW area. He told me the units were rent controlled and only pays around $1,000 w/ utilities included. I checked the paper and Craigslist and found a few other ads around the $1,000 - $1,300 price range. Most of them seem to be basement apartments but some are not. What can I expect for something in this price range? I'm not expecting an updated modernized apartment but something with a decent size and clean (no roaches or pest of any kind) is a must.

[CaseyMac]

I'd try Arlington--lower taxes and a little more for your money. Look at the Wood Lee Arms or Waverly Arms (sp?) both in the 4400/4300 block of Lee Hwy zip 22207. 10 minute bus ride to Rosslyn Metro from doorstep!

[tyates]

NoVA wouldn't work for me despite the positives you mentioned. I need to stay in the DC area, prefer the NW area.

[JimGriffith]

The "NW area" is huge and can mean a lot of different areas.

I'd say in Glover Park, Cathedral Heights and Tenleytown you could get a decent small 1-br in that range.

[mikeyo321]

Wow, $1000/$1300 a month is tough for a one bedroom in a decent neighborhood in D.C. Most studios start in that range, though that may be softening a little with the real estate market not exploding now like it did a few years ago. I would look around Capitol Hill, Navy Yard (new and up and coming neighborhood by the new Nationals ballpark that's near downtown where you could probably find a newer, cleaner apartment), as well as NoMa. Some of the older complexes in neighborhoods like Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, Shaw and even Dupont Circle MIGHT have one bedrooms near that range. If you can find a one bedroom in Glover Park, Cathedral Heights or Tenleytown go for that. Personally, I wouldn't be too optimistic about finding anything there at that price, though (maybe a basement apartment or studio).

Good luck and tell us what you find!

[tyates]

Originally Posted by JimGriffith

The "NW area" is huge and can mean a lot of different areas.

I'd say in Glover Park, Cathedral Heights and Tenleytown you could get a decent small 1-br in that range.

Those areas are about what I had in mind. Any thoughts on what the best way to find an apartment in this area? So far, I've been using the newspaper and Craigslist. I have about a couple months to decide. I thought about driving around and just looking for for rent signs.

Does anyone know how tight the rental market is these days? Will I be having to compete with alot of other prospective renters?

Thanks for the feedback.

[JimGriffith]

Yeah it's pretty tight. And unfortunately, a lot of Georgetown and AU students live around there, and they move in around August 1.

Definitely drive through Glover Park. There's for rent signs up all the time around 40th street, 40th place, 41st street etc.

[chrisherbert]

If you're going to have a car, make sure that parking is realistic in the area that you like. It's okay in Glover Park but not in a lot of NW DC.

[tyates]

Does anyone know if the older apartments tend to carry sound easily through the walls? Most of the apartments that I checked out were of the brick type probably built around 1930 or so. Some of them had only single pane glass but I think the walls were solid masonry or concrete?

I'm a little concerned since most of the tenants are probably going to be Georgetown or AU students. I'm a light sleeper and I don't want to have to deal with any noise disturbances.