Nice neighborhood w/ Hispanic character???? (Washington: sublet, apartments, rentals)

[nomad74]

My wife and I are moving to DC where she is set to begin a PhD program at Georgetown University in the fall. She is originally from Spain and, since her father passed-away in May, we are anticipating that my mother-in-law will be visiting us quite often and staying for weeks or months at a time. I would like to find an apartment that is convenient to Georgetown (or the Dupont/Rosslyn metro stations), and located in a safe area with a large Hispanic community. I want my mother-in-law (who is relatively young and does not speak English) to feel as comfortable as possible during her stays with us and maybe even make a few new friends.

I'm also concerned about the cost of rent since we are suddenly looking for a 2-bedroom apartment. Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[JimGriffith]

How much $$$$ exactly?

I'd recommend downtown silver spring but it's not convenient to the georgetown campus.

I think the area around the Ballston metro might be a good choice.

Bear in mind, the georgetown main campus is a real hike from either Rosslyn or Dupont metro.

[nomad74]

Well, we had hoped to stay around $1400-1600 but that was when we we're looking for a 1 bedroom place and hoped to be in the Dupont area. Now that we will need 2 bedrooms, we will probably have to look further outside of the city. The NOVA area seems most convenient to Georgetown but I don't know how far out you need to go before rents become cheaper. Do any of these areas have a notable Hispanic influence?

Georgetown offers a free shuttle from both the Dupont and Rosslyn metro stations. Thanks for the reply.

[Fissure226]

The major Hispanic neighborhoods in the DC area are Langley Park, Wheaton, and Seven Corners. Seven Corners (in VA) is closest to Georgetown, and I don't believe it's overly expensive, meaning $1400-1600 should get you a one bedroom apartment.

[smithy77]

Originally Posted by Fissure226

The major Hispanic neighborhoods in the DC area are Langley Park, Wheaton, and Seven Corners. Seven Corners (in VA) is closest to Georgetown, and I don't believe it's overly expensive, meaning $1400-1600 should get you a one bedroom apartment.

He's right. Check out the apartments in the 7-Corners/Baileys Crossroads area---especially Skyline Villiage/Towers, a very nice complex with condos and rentals. I think you'll find something in your price range.

[nomad74]

Thanks for your replies. I will check out all of the areas that have been recommended.

[Dredre]

This might be off as far as all the criteria is concerned but I seem to think that Columbia Heights has a large Hispanic population.

I'm suggesting that maybe you should find out more about it than actually just plain out suggesting it.

[nomad74]

Thanks. I'll look into the Columbia Height area.

[NWDC]

Below are links to some Spanish-language DC newspapers. Not meant for apartment-shopping (although who knows?), but to give you some sense of neighborhoods.
Columbia Heights, Adams-Morgan and Mount Pleasant are adjoining neighborhoods inside NWDC with large Latino populations, primarily (but not exclusively) from Central America -- as is most of the region's Spanish-speaking population. They have lots of things to do and places to go to eat, shop, etc. But they also tend to have more crime and noise than less-populated and less-popular neighborhoods, and because of the profusion of restaurants and other attractions, and because all are pretty much "hip" neighborhoods, the rents may be higher there than in other parts.
Here are 3 links -- you'll have to copy-and-paste:
El Tiempo Latino
[http://www.elpreg.org/
Washington Hispanic; Washington, Maryland, Virginia

[nomad74]

I really appreciate your comments and I'll check out these links. It looks like it's going to be quite difficult to find a two bedroom place in our price range. Oh well, I hope to sublet a place in July so I can spend some time scoping out different areas.