8/10/25

Your Ultimate Georgetown University Off-Campus Housing Guide

Hey there, future Hoya! So, you’re getting ready to trade in your dorm room for the freedom of off-campus living. BIG move. It's exciting, a little scary, & honestly, a huge part of the Georgetown experience. But let’s be real, navigating the D.C. housing market can feel like a full-time job on top of your classes.
Don't you worry. I've been there, done that, & I'm here to spill all the details. This isn't just another boring list of apartments. This is the real-deal, insider guide to finding your perfect spot, from the charming streets of Georgetown itself to the vibrant hubs across the river in Virginia. We'll get into the nitty-gritty of where to live, how much it'll cost, & how to actually snag a decent place without losing your mind.
So grab a coffee, get comfortable, & let's find you a new home.

First Things First: To Live On or Off Campus?

Most Georgetown undergrads stay on campus for the first couple of years, but by junior & senior year, the exodus begins. For grad students, living off-campus is pretty much the standard from day one.
Living off-campus is awesome for a bunch of reasons. You get more independence, you can pick your own roommates (or live alone!), & you get to explore a real D.C. neighborhood. You can also potentially find a place that's cheaper than university housing, though that's not always a given in this city.
The downside? You're an adult now, which means dealing with landlords, setting up Wi-Fi, & figuring out trash days. It’s a trade-off, but for most Hoyas, it’s one that’s totally worth it.

The Lay of the Land: Top Neighborhoods for Georgetown Students

Okay, this is the big one. Where you choose to live will shape your daily routine, your commute, & your social life. D.C. is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own unique vibe. Let's break down the most popular spots for Hoyas.

The Inner Circle: Right Next to Campus

These are the neighborhoods where you can roll out of bed & be on campus in minutes. The convenience is UNMATCHED, but it often comes with a higher price tag.

Georgetown

  • The Vibe: You're in the heart of it all. Historic, charming, & bustling. Living in Georgetown means you're steps away from the iconic M Street shops, waterfront restaurants, & campus itself. It's prestigious & beautiful, filled with classic rowhouses & a few apartment buildings.
  • Proximity: You can't get any closer. We're talking a 5-15 minute walk to the front gates.
  • Housing: Mostly group houses (rowhouses) rented by groups of students. Competition is FIERCE, & rents are high. You’ll also find some basement apartments or English basements.
  • Heads Up: It's expensive, & the student-heavy blocks can get noisy. Parking is also a nightmare. Seriously, if you have a car & live here, you'll spend half your life looking for a spot. This is where a service like Prked becomes a lifesaver. You can rent a private driveway or garage from a local homeowner, so you always have a guaranteed spot to come home to.

Burleith

  • The Vibe: Just north of the main campus, Burleith is a quiet, residential area that feels a bit more subdued than Georgetown proper. It’s super popular with students looking for group houses. I lived here my junior year, & it was a great mix of being close to the action without being in the action.
  • Proximity: A very manageable 15-20 minute walk to campus.
  • Housing: Primarily rowhouses. It’s the quintessential off-campus group house experience.
  • Heads Up: It’s almost entirely residential, so you’ll have to walk into Georgetown for shops & restaurants.

Glover Park

  • The Vibe: Located just north of Burleith, Glover Park is a favorite among grad students & young professionals. It's a quiet, safe, & residential neighborhood with a great stretch of restaurants & shops along Wisconsin Avenue.
  • Proximity: About a 1-mile walk to campus, or you can hop on a Metrobus (the 30-series buses) or the Wisconsin Ave GUTS shuttle.
  • Housing: A mix of apartment buildings, condos, & single-family homes. You have more options here than just group houses.
  • Heads Up: No Metro stop, so you're reliant on the bus system for getting downtown.

Palisades & Foxhall

  • The Vibe: These neighborhoods are west of campus & feel even more residential, almost suburban. They're quiet, leafy, & great for those who want to be a little removed from the hustle.
  • Proximity: About 1-2 miles from campus. You'll likely be relying on the bus (D5/D6) or a bike.
  • Housing: A mix of apartments, townhouses, & single-family homes.
  • Heads Up: A bit more disconnected from the "student bubble," which can be a pro or a con depending on what you're looking for.

A Little Further Out: Great Vibe & Good Connections

These neighborhoods require a short commute, but they offer their own unique perks, from vibrant nightlife to (slightly) more affordable rent.

Dupont Circle

  • The Vibe: A bustling, energetic hub known for its iconic fountain, great restaurants, art galleries, & nightlife. It’s a very popular spot for young professionals & students from all of D.C.'s universities.
  • Proximity: You'll need to take the GUTS bus (the Dupont Circle route is one of the most popular) or a 10-15 minute bus/bike ride. It's about 2 miles from campus.
  • Housing: Lots of large apartment buildings, condos, & beautiful, historic rowhouses.
  • Heads Up: It's still on the pricier side, but the direct GUTS shuttle makes the commute a breeze.

Foggy Bottom

  • The Vibe: Home to George Washington University, the State Department, & the Kennedy Center. It has a slightly more modern, concrete-jungle feel than Georgetown but is incredibly central.
  • Proximity: Right next to Georgetown, so it's a very walkable distance for many, or a short bus ride.
  • Housing: Dominated by large apartment buildings.
  • Heads Up: You're right on the Metro's Orange, Silver, & Blue lines, which is a HUGE plus for getting around D.C. for internships or fun.

Rosslyn, Courthouse & Clarendon (Arlington, VA)

  • The Vibe: Welcome to Virginia! Just across the Key Bridge, these Arlington neighborhoods are EXTREMELY popular with Georgetown students, especially those in the business & foreign service schools. Rosslyn is full of sleek high-rises, while Courthouse & Clarendon offer a more laid-back vibe with tons of bars, restaurants, & shops.
  • Proximity: The GUTS bus runs directly to Rosslyn, making the commute super easy (about 1.1 miles from campus). From there, you can easily walk or take the Metro further into Arlington.
  • Housing: Primarily modern high-rise apartment buildings with lots of amenities (gyms, pools, etc.).
  • Heads Up: Rents can be a bit lower than in Georgetown for a comparable quality apartment. Plus, you're on the Metro line. It's a great balance of convenience & cost.

The Adventurous Commuter: Exploring More of D.C.

If you don't mind a slightly longer commute, these neighborhoods offer a different slice of D.C. life & are often more affordable.
  • Adams Morgan / U Street Corridor: Known for its vibrant nightlife, eclectic restaurants, & lively, diverse culture. You’ll need to take a bus or Metro to a GUTS stop.
  • Columbia Heights: An up-and-coming neighborhood with a mix of big-box stores & local businesses. It's very accessible via Metro.
  • Takoma Park / Silver Spring (Maryland): These Maryland suburbs are on the Red Line, which can connect you to the Dupont GUTS shuttle. Rents are typically more reasonable, & you’ll find a lot of group houses.

The Hunt: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Your Place

Okay, you've got a few neighborhoods in mind. Now what? The housing search can be stressful, but a little planning goes a long way.

Step 1: The Timeline - Start EARLY

Seriously, I can't stress this enough. The D.C. rental market moves fast. The experts at Georgetown's own Office of Neighborhood Life (ONL) recommend starting your search three to four months before your desired move-in date. This gives you the best chance to find a place you actually like in a neighborhood you want.
  • For a fall semester move-in (August): Start looking in April/May.
  • For a spring semester move-in (January): Start looking in October/November.

Step 2: Know Your Resources

Georgetown provides some fantastic resources to help you out. USE THEM.
  • The Office of Neighborhood Life (ONL): This should be your first stop. They have a ton of resources on their website, including an Off-Campus Housing Search platform where you can find listings, search for roommates, & more. They are the university's experts on this stuff.
  • Hoya House Hunters: This is a cool, student-run initiative by GUSA & the Georgetown Student Tenant Association (GSTA). It's a platform by students, for students, collecting house details, reviews, & landlord info on a map & spreadsheet. This is where you get the unfiltered truth.
  • Facebook Groups: There are usually Georgetown-specific housing groups on Facebook where students post about available rooms, sublets, & lease takeovers. Search for "Georgetown Housing" or similar terms.
  • Other Websites: Standard sites like Zillow, Apartments.com, & Zumper are also useful, but the Georgetown-specific resources are often your best bet for finding places with a student-friendly vibe.

Step 3: The Search Party - Roommates & Budget

Decide if you're flying solo or teaming up. Living with roommates is the most common way to make D.C. affordable. Use the ONL roommate matching service or tap into your own network.
Once you have your group, have the money talk. Be honest about what you can afford. According to Zumper, the median rent in the Georgetown neighborhood itself is around $3,950 as of August 2025, which is a 15% increase from the previous year. A 1-bedroom averages around $2,504, while a 2-bedroom is about $4,200.
Here's a rough idea of monthly rents in popular areas:
  • Georgetown: $2,500+ (1-bed), $4,200+ (2-bed)
  • Glover Park: $2,300+
  • Dupont Circle: $2,500+
  • Rosslyn/Arlington: $2,400 - $2,800+
Remember to budget for utilities (electricity, gas, internet), which can add another $100-$200 per person per month.

Step 4: The Tour & The Lease

Once you find some promising listings, schedule tours. If you can, visit in person. Pictures can be deceiving. Pay attention to things like water pressure, cell service, & signs of pests.
When you find "the one," be prepared to act fast. You'll likely need to fill out an application, pay a fee, & show proof of income (or have a guarantor, like a parent, co-sign).
READ YOUR LEASE. I'm shouting because it's that important. Understand the lease term, the security deposit, rules about guests, & how to break the lease if you need to. Don't be afraid to ask questions before you sign.

Life Off the Hilltop: Tips, Tricks & Insider Info

You got the keys! Congrats! Here are a few more things to keep in mind as you settle in.

Navigating D.C. Transportation

The biggest thing to know is that Georgetown does not have its own Metro stop. You will become very familiar with the GUTS (Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle) bus system. It's free for students & runs to key Metro hubs like Dupont Circle (Red Line) & Rosslyn (Orange/Blue/Silver Lines). These are your lifelines to the rest of the city.
The DC Metrobus system is also extensive & can get you just about anywhere, especially from neighborhoods like Glover Park.
And don't forget your own two feet! Most of the close-in neighborhoods are very walkable, & D.C. is becoming more & more bike-friendly.

The Car Conundrum: To Bring or Not to Bring?

Honestly? If you can avoid bringing a car, you should. D.C. traffic is legendarily bad, & parking is both scarce & expensive, especially in a historic area like Georgetown where many homes don't have driveways.
If you absolutely need a car for an internship or other commitments, you NEED a parking plan. This is not something you can just figure out later. Street parking is often zoned & requires a residential permit, which can be a hassle to get.
This is another area where Prked is a game-changer for students. Instead of circling the block for hours, you can rent a dedicated spot in someone's driveway or garage right in your neighborhood. It takes away one of the BIGGEST headaches of off-campus life. It's also a great option if you need a place to store your car for a semester while you're studying abroad. And if you’re lucky enough to have an empty garage or attic space you're not using, you can even list it on Prked and make some extra cash by renting it out for storage to a neighbor. Pretty cool, right?

Being a Good Neighbor

Remember, you're not living in a dorm anymore. You're part of a real community with permanent residents, families, & working professionals. The Office of Neighborhood Life even has a "Community Agreement" to this effect.
This means being mindful of noise, especially on weeknights. Keep your trash & recycling in order. And just generally be a respectful, considerate neighbor. A little kindness goes a long way in making your off-campus experience a positive one for everyone.

Hope this was helpful!

Finding your first off-campus place is a huge milestone. It’s your first real taste of post-college "adulting." It can be a little overwhelming, but it’s also an incredibly rewarding part of your Georgetown journey. You'll make memories in that slightly-too-small kitchen or on that rickety porch that will stick with you long after you've forgotten what you learned in that 9 am lecture.
So take a deep breath, start your search early, & get excited. Your D.C. adventure is just beginning. Let me know what you think or if you have any questions in the comments! Good luck with the hunt
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