English Basements in DC (hardwood floors, apartment, rental)

[messier11]

Does anyone have any input on what typical monthly rent is for a run of the mill English Basement in the Capitol HIll or East Hill area?

Thanks

[PenguinSix]

Craiglist is your best resource, once all the Inauguration ads start to fade away this week.

I lived in one once. Very noisy. Old houses, generally with hardwood floors, aren't exactly the quietest places. I also felt kind of disconnected from the world being underground with a view of the street, etc. Still you can save some money.

[JimGriffith]

1200 bucks or so.

[Moth]

Why are they called English Basements? I do not believe they have basements in England save for the occassional moss-covered storage area or historic dungeon.

[JimGriffith]

There was an article in the Post a couple years ago explaining the whole thing and why they are so prevalent in DC as opposed to other cities. Can't for the life of me remember the gist of it though.

[messier11]

1200 isnt bad, is the upper end around 1500 or so?

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

And what is an English basement?

[messier11]

a duplex, where the rental unit is in the basement and usually in a row style house and typically a one bed one bath

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by messier11

a duplex, where the rental unit is in the basement and usually in a row style house and typically a one bed one bath

Good info. Thanks for posting that. Learn something new every day.

HGTV just as a matter of fact started a new show called "Income Properties" where the guy typically takes a basement (in a row house or close standalone) and turns it into a rental - so there's a show about these types of places, too! I think they did one in DC recently as well and said the rent would go for around $1000 a month, but they didn't indicate the specific area, and it was a very small unit.

[MI-Roger]

My niece pays almost $1200 for an English Basement Apt a 15 minute walk from Georgetown area. I haven't seen it, but my son says it is more like an Efficiency with Sleeping Alcove rather than a true One Bedroom apartment.

He will be paying $1400/month for a just renovated fourth floor 1BR apt with dining room, fireplace, and laundry in Alexandria; w/ free shuttle to the Metro Station located a half-mile away.