Living in D.C.

Washington, D.C. isn't always suits and briefcases. This city boasts unlimited leisure activities, from running and biking to volleyball and softball leagues. With world-renowned institutions, such as the Smithsonian, and world-class events, like the annual Cherry Blossom Parade, living in D.C. means there is never a dull moment. Located just a day trip from ski slopes or sandy beaches, there are plenty of ways to take a study break.

Welcome to AUWCL’s Virtual Housing Information Site!

Check out our Housing Guide with information about transportation, DC neighborhoods, individual apartment buildings, and more to help incoming students decide where to live while in law school. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of neighborhoods in the areas surrounding our law school.

 JD Office of Admissions polled current students and recent alums for housing tips and the subsequent information is provided below. Plus, we've done a deeper dive into five of the most popular neighborhoods for incoming students.

Timeline Navigation

(click the top five neighborhoods below for a map and more information):

  1. Van Ness (DC)
  2. Tenleytown & AU Park (DC)
  3. Cleveland Park & Woodley Park (DC)
  4. Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant (DC)
  5. Bethesda (MD)
  6. Friendship Heights & Chevy Chase (DC/MD)
  7. Glover Park/Cathedral Heights (DC)
  8. Dupont Circle (DC)

(listed starting with most cited)

  • Real Estate Website
  • Recommended by a Friend
  • Craigslist
  • Social Media
  • Google
  • While Looking for Other Apartments
  • Specific Building Website
  • Through AU/AUWCL

(listed starting with most cited)

  • Metro
  • None, I walk
  • Bus
  • Car
  • Rideshare Services
  • Bike
  • Electric Scooter
  • Train (Marc/AMTRAK/VRE)
  • <15mins – 34.28%
  • 15-30mins – 51.42%
  • 30-45mins – 2.86%
  • 45-60mins
  • >60mins – 2.86%
  • 80% - yes
  • 20% - no
  • 5+ - 2.86%
  • 3-5 – 2.86%
  • 1-2 – 54.28%
  • None, I live alone – 40%

(listed starting with most cited)

  • Giant
  • Whole Foods
  • Trader Joe’s
  • Harris Teeter
  • Safeway
  • Target
  • Walmart
  • Costco

(listed starting with most cited)

  • Gym (in Building)
  • The Great Outdoors
  • Gym (Membership)
  • Workout Classes
  • AU Fitness Center/Pool
  • At Home
  • Navy Yard
  • Adams Morgan
  • Tenleytown
  • Central DC
  • On MD Border
  • NoMa/Shaw
  • Along the Red Line
  • Columbia Heights

(The following information has been compiled from the responses provided by the current students/recent alums):

  • Start looking for housing early, well before the first day of classes, to give you time to do the appropriate amount of research and to acclimate to your new city and/or apartment.
  • When looking, try to find apartments that have cheaper rent, but expect to spend around $1,300/month – some students suggest finding a rent-controlled apartment.
  • Live with a roommate to not only cut down on costs, but to provide you with a social outlet. This person doesn’t need to be a fellow law student; in fact, some students/alumni recommend living with a non-law student.
  • Some say that living close to campus your 1L year is better, like: in Van Ness, where most students live; along the metro’s Red Line; and on or around Connecticut Avenue. Others suggest living farther away from campus to experience DC as a whole.
  • Knowing yourself and thinking honestly about what you want is the most-emphasized piece of advice our students provided.

Neighborhood Profiles

Van Ness (DC)

vann ness
 

Closest Metro Stop: Van Ness-UDC (Red Line)

Average Commute Time To Campus: Less than 20 minutes

Reasons to Live Here: Cost of rent, convenience, safety, entertainment/social scene, parking, pet-friendliness

Walk Score: 86

Transit Score: 64

Bike Score: 51

Suggested Neighborhood Apartment Buildings:

Must-Visit Spot(s)

Tenleytown-AU Park (DC)

tenleytown
 

Closest Metro Stop: Tenleytown-AU (Red Line)

Average Commute Time To Campus: Less than 15 minutes

Reasons to Live Here: Cost of rent, convenience, safety, entertainment/social scene

Walk Score: 89

Transit Score: 68

Bike Score: 73

Suggested Neighborhood Apartment Buildings:

Must-Visit Spot(s):

Cleveland Park & Woodley Park (DC)

clevelandpark
 

Closest Metro Stop: Cleveland Park (Red Line), Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan (Red)

Average Commute Time To Campus: Less than 30 minutes

Reasons to Live Here: Cost of rent, convenience, safety, entertainment/social scene, parking

Walk Score: 82 (Cleveland Park), 74 (Woodley Park)

Transit Score: 63 (Cleveland Park), 67 (Woodley Park)

Bike Score: 85 (Cleveland Park), 72 (Woodley Park)

Suggested Neighborhood Apartment Buildings:

Cleveland Park:

Woodley Park:

Must-Visit Spot(s):

Columbia Heights/Mt. Pleasant (DC)

columbia heights
 

Closest Metro Stop: Columbia Heights (Green & Yellow Lines)

Average Commute Time To Campus: 15-30 minutes

Reasons to Live Here: Cost of rent, convenience, entertainment/social scene, pet-friendliness, parking, food & culture

Walk Score: 94

Transit Score: 82

Bike Score: 90

Suggested Neighborhood Apartment Buildings:

Must-Visit Spot(s):

Bethesda (MD)

bethesda
 

Closest Metro Stop: Bethesda (Red Line), Medical Center Station (Red), Friendship Heights (Red)

Average Commute Time To Campus: 10-30 minutes

Reasons to Live Here: Convenience, entertainment/social scene, pet-friendliness, parking, safety, accessibility offerings

Walk Score: 45

Transit Score: 46

Bike Score: 56

Suggested Neighborhood Apartment Buildings:

Must-Visit Spot(s):