Housing in Washington, DC

 

Your largest expense during your internship will be housing. It is difficult to find housing when you might not have the ability to view apartments, dorms, etc. in person.  Hopefully, this page will provide you with some ideas and links on what your options are.

When you are looking for a place to live, keep in mind a few things.  First, think about what is included in the rental.  Is the residence furnished?  Does it have the appliances you need on a regular basis?  What do you need to bring with you (sheets, towels, pots & pans, a TV)?  Does it have the amenities you desire (air conditioning, cable TV, wifi)?  Will you have roommates?  What parts of the residence is considered a common area versus what parts are considered private areas?  What utilities (water, trash, electricity, etc.) are included with the rent?

Second, what about transportation?  Can you walk to work from your residence?  Is your residence within walking distance of a Metro stop (or other public transportation)?  If you bring a car to DC (which we advise against), does it have space for you to park?  If so, how much will it cost to park there?

Third, how close is it to amenities you need/desire?  Obviously,  you’ll need to make regular trips to a grocery store.  Can you walk to it?  If not, how many bus/train stops away is the store?  Do you need to be near a pharmacy to renew prescriptions regularly?  Do you want to pick up a good cup of coffee on the way to work?  How close do you need to be to a bank/ATM?

 

Housing for Washington Center internships:

 

If you are applying to The Washington Center for your internship, you may live in the TWC Residential and Academic Facility (RAF) in the NoMa neighborhood of Washington, DC.  Though you are not required to live in their facility, the RAF is a nice facility and it is where your LEAD program meetings will be held.  If you choose to live in the NoMa facility, you will pay your housing fee directly to the Washington Center, unlike the program fee.

Be sure to consult the Washington Center’s RAF website for costs as well as other FAQs about living in the NoMa neighborhood.

 

Other Housing Options:

 

If you are not completing a Washington Center internship, you are on your own in terms of finding housing.  Some past students found temporary housing in Washington, DC through Craigslist or Airbnb.  Please note that the TWP cannot vouch for the quality or safety of any of the living spaces found here.

Past students have also found housing options at many DC area universities and establishments, including:

American University
Catholic University of America
Georgetown University
George Washington University
Thompson-Markward Hall (for young women)
Trinity University
Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH)

Please note that these prices can change based upon the type of room you select (single, double, triple occupancy), as well as the amenities you require (air conditioning, cable, etc.).  Consider all the questions asked above about location, transportation, and amenities.  Please follow the links to each website to see updated rates.