Living in Washington

Most people know Washington, DC as a great place to visit: the White House, Capitol Hill, the Mall area with its monuments and museums, and the mild winters and beautiful falls and springs. But Washington is also a fantastic place to live. The District of Columbia offers all of the amenities of "big city" life -- including cultural and political events, topnotch restaurants, and one of the nation's most outstanding public transportation systems -- with a more "medium city" feel.

Whether your interest is in government, nonprofit, or private sector, DC offers you the domestic and international contacts to satiate your intellectual thirst. The world's embassies are housed here, and this international flavor is reflected in the diversity of the District's population. Washington's location within the Northeast Corridor also affords easy access to other major cities, such as Philadelphia, New York and Boston, as well as to the beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, excellent hiking, and at least adequate winter skiing (Colorado we're unfortunately not).

Georgetown University is located in the historic Georgetown section in the Northwest quadrant of the city, famous for its colonial architecture and cobble-stoned streets and sidewalks. The Georgetown neighborhood is just minutes away from the excitement of downtown, but maintains a more residential feel. Off-campus housing for students within walking distance of the campus is available in the Burleith, Glover Park, and Foxhall neighborhoods. Students with a taste for a more urban environment often choose to live in the Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, or Woodley and Cleveland Park neighborhoods, while more inexpensive housing is available just across the Key Bridge in Rosslyn, Virginia. The Georgetown University Transportation System (GUTS) runs regular shuttles from both the Dupont Circle and Rosslyn subway stops.

From free events at the Kennedy Center to live jazz at Blues Alley to hip hop and rock at the 9:30 Club, DC's nightlife can satisfy the most finicky socialite. Sports fanatics can watch the Redskins from a collegial Georgetown bar, take a short trip to a Baltimore Orioles game, catch the Wizards or Mystics shoot hoops at the MCI Center, duck pucks at a Capitols game, or be a part of a roaring crowd at a DC United soccer game. Life in Washington is one of the best kept secrets, but with all else happening here, this comes as no surprise.