<p>I would be grateful for any pointers re obtaining summer housing for students working on Capitol Hill over the summer months. Of course, my S's college offers some leads and I located the usual suspects for housing management easily online. But if you have a son or daughter who has lived and worked in downtown DC in a summer, I would love to hear about living arrangements you obtained, lessons learned and will listen to any "tips and advice."</p>
<p>D & her roommate found a fairly good deal on Craigslist for six months last year. Craigslist also has lots of "odd time" sublets that may or may not work.</p>
<p>For this summer, D grabbed a spot at the George Washington U. dorms...go to the GWU website and look for Summer Housing. I don't know if they still have singles...they'll fix you up with roommates pot luck if you have a double.</p>
<p>I like the GWU area (Foggy Bottom). Close to Trader Joe's, more social opportunities, including Dupont Circle and Georgetown, than if you're on Capitol Hill...and I wouldn't be wild about having to walk any distance on CH coming/going late at night...when D went to parties there, they called for a cab home rather than walking to the Metro.</p>
<p>Getting to the Hill from the Metro is pretty easy. You get off at Union Station and it's a ten minute walk to the Senate office buildings, another few to the House side. (Trying to think if a different Metro line gets you closer to the House side...blanking.)</p>
<p>thanks TheDad. We were eying th GWU dorms. Does that leave your D with zero food prep opportunities? Hoping S would be doing at least b/f in his room to cut expenses. Any great food expense tips?</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>There are some apt. buildings near GWU as well that may have sublets. DH sublet a studio for a summer while in grad school when he was interning in DC and it worked out great. He was at 24th & M. Nice location, safe, within two blocks of Metro, walking distance to the fun of Georgetown. I drove down from Phila. every weekend to see him. We had a commuter marriage for that summer and had a blast!</p>
<p>Another thing folks do is rent a room in Georgetown -- some of those big old houses rent out to groups of kids, and your student might be able to find a place to stay through that. Check with RE managment folks, Georgetown, craigslist.</p>
<p>I agree with the GWU recommendation. It's a great area and convenient.</p>
<p>Another option for young women is Thompson-Markward Hall on Capitol Hill. I stayed here for a summer and enjoyed it. They serve meals there, too.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.ywch.org/about.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.ywch.org/about.htm</a></p>
<p>TheDad -- You're right, Capitol South gets you closer to the House buildings. It's a Blue or Orange Line train, which is actually pretty convenient if one is living near the GWU station -- no transfers!</p>
<p>My S seems to have located a sublet with a friend in a close in location and may be in Capitol Hill area and not getting on Metro to get to office. So still interested in ways your students handled living expenses wisely in such an expensive place. At this point, we are not loaning a car to him and think he can manage without one. Comments re zero cars? (We are close enough to get to him in four to five hours if needed.)</p>
<p>A car is far more trouble than it's worth if one is living in DC. It's hard to find parking, many residential neighborhoods around Capitol Hill require permits to park on the street, etc. When DH was interning, he left the car at home with me.</p>
<p>DC is expensive. Eat at home whenever possible. Take Metro.</p>
<p>My son has spent the last two summers in DC and will be back again this summer. He has never taken a car and has had no problems with that. Last summer he lived at George Washington, but this summer he has housing with The Heritage Foundation.</p>
<p>thanks much re the comments on zero car.</p>
<p>I know people who've used Washington Intern Student Housing. <a href="http://www.internsdc.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.internsdc.com/</a> It's pricey, but it's a known commodity in a way that Craigslist just isn't, and you'll save on commuting (which could easily add over $100 a month to living in DC). </p>
<p>that said, I lived in the GW dorms one summer (in a triple--tiny and the kitchen was totally unequipped...no dishes and stuff) and it was convenient and I liked my roommates. My job was paying my rent though, and the other times I've lived in DC I've just sublet. </p>
<p>I really like the Rosslyn/Clarendon/Courthouse areas...a little further out, but still a direct trip to Capitol South. And Rosslyn's an easy walk to Georgetown, which is fun!</p>
<p>thanks, stacy from a voice of experience. Son has to stay longer than GWU or other dorms permit for interns to complete his contract. My son will be near the Hill area and I think is using this service..is it expensive to pick up lunch items there in the big institutional buildings on the Hill? Where do young 20ish somethings go in the evenings for meals that won't break the bank and allow for fun together? Georgetown sounds expensive. We are trying to come up with a budget goal of say "live in DC on Blank dollars a day" to help son budget his income and plan on what he can put back in savings. He has a good job.</p>
<p>I would recommend they start out at the GWU dorms and switch to a sublet. My son went into a quad last year and met some great guys--all doing fantastic jobs all over the hill. He then went into an apartment with a couple of other gusy when his internship turned into a paid staff position. </p>
<p>Also, buy a bike off of craigslist. It's a great biking city and the riding along the Potomac is a fun weekend activity.</p>
<p>bike does sound like a fun DC asset--wouldn't have thought of it. thanks!. glad to hear your son's random new roommates were good ones, I think my S has a roommate lined up now...</p>