Affordable housing for DC student (sublets, apartment, for rent)

[emurphy017]

I'm planning on attending the Corcoran art & design school next fall and am trying to research relatively affordable places to live. Ideally I would like a place near metro stops, and I would like to find a place that is clean and updated (currently in an apartment with a kitchen from the 60's )... Any affordable areas that are young and artsy and not desolate and dilapidated? I have a feeling it will be impossible but I am looking for a one bedroom with a nice kitchen for around $1,000... Any ideas?

[Jduchart]

I am in the same boat! I am looking for something in the area affordable for around the same price!
I have done a lot of research on this area, It looks like the affordable places are the close cities
in Northern V.A. All though it looks like some of those area's are even pricey! Maybe Arlington
or Alexandria or some where in Fairfax county!

[Mrs. 14th & You]

I think you may have some options. Sublets and condos for rent by owner on Craigslist are sometimes advertised below market rates. The trouble is that one of the biggest drivers of price in DC is close proximity to Metro. Within DC, try looking near the Georgia Avenue/Petworth stop, which is within relatively easy biking, bus, or Metro distance of your school.

In terms of young and artsy areas, the 14th St and U Street corridor seems to be where things are at right now. There are several theaters, a non-profit gallery sponsored by the Warhol Foud'n., and some larger commercial galleries. The trouble is, it's one of the most popular areas for young folks to live, driving rents sky high. The next young and artsy area is H Street/Atlas. It has some of the same ingredients on a smaller scale. The trouble is that this neighborhood just started to turn around this decade after being absolutely destroyed in the '68 race riots. Depending on what you're used to, the neighborhood may be a little too much in the transitioning stage.

Your best bet for cost savings might be to try to live near either one of these neighborhoods rather than in them. You might also want to consider sharing a group house. It's really common for students (undergrad and grad) to share single family and rowhomes in DC. The search and interview process can be arduous, but it gets you a much nicer living situation for less money.

If you absolutely must have a newly-rennovated one-bedroom all to yourself for under $1000/mo., you are looking at living 20-30 miles from DC in MD or VA, which amounts to an hour+ commute. In those 'burbs, you'd also want a car, which further increases your cost of living.

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by Mrs. 14th & You

I think you may have some options. Sublets and condos for rent by owner on Craigslist are sometimes advertised below market rates. The trouble is that one of the biggest drivers of price in DC is close proximity to Metro. Within DC, try looking near the Georgia Avenue/Petworth stop, which is within relatively easy biking, bus, or Metro distance of your school.

In terms of young and artsy areas, the 14th St and U Street corridor seems to be where things are at right now. There are several theaters, a non-profit gallery sponsored by the Warhol Foud'n., and some larger commercial galleries. The trouble is, it's one of the most popular areas for young folks to live, driving rents sky high. The next young and artsy area is H Street/Atlas. It has some of the same ingredients on a smaller scale. The trouble is that this neighborhood just started to turn around this decade after being absolutely destroyed in the '68 race riots. Depending on what you're used to, the neighborhood may be a little too much in the transitioning stage.

Your best bet for cost savings might be to try to live near either one of these neighborhoods rather than in them. You might also want to consider sharing a group house. It's really common for students (undergrad and grad) to share single family and rowhomes in DC. The search and interview process can be arduous, but it gets you a much nicer living situation for less money.

If you absolutely must have a newly-rennovated one-bedroom all to yourself for under $1000/mo., you are looking at living 20-30 miles from DC in MD or VA, which amounts to an hour+ commute. In those 'burbs, you'd also want a car, which further increases your cost of living.

I definitely agree, DC housing is expensive, you may have to have roommates if you want to live near the metro, does your educational institution have any housing options, or off campus housing, although living the burbs means your will need a car, it may not further your cost of living, since rents near the metro are almost as equivalent as a car maintenance.

Maybe, you could get a large apartment with roommates in the burbs, that is large enough to have privacy, depending on the layout, I am not sure, although they would have to have cars, or if you live near the metro you could do the same thing, however I would not be sure you will get as large as an apartment.

[jm67]

Petworth would probably fit the bill. It's a transitional neighborhood, but has some retail life, and you can be close to a metro for $1000/month. There's also an attempt to create an "artists colony" around Hyattsville/Mt Rainier in Maryland. Rents will certainly be affordable there, although it's not too close to the metro, and a recent newspaper article noted how development had stalled around there.