GULC Class of 2014
Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 11:57 am
I haven't seen a forum for accepted applicants who've decided positively on GULC. I'm curious if anyone has started to look into housing options on or off-campus...
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https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=139869
I like it -- for me the convenience was more important than anything else. And you have your own bedroom so it's not really like a dorm. There technically aren't even "quiet hours" but since it's a graduate dorm noise isn't really an issue in the first place. I'm sure I'll be off-campus next year like most 2Ls, but I'm definitely happy with my choice to be on-campus this year. I'm definitely leaning toward living near campus or at least on the Red Line next year though. But lots of 1Ls live off-campus for various reasons as well, such as saving money by having a bunch of roommates, or because they are married or have kids or whatever.DAisaka09 wrote:how do you like living on campus? i'm trying to figure out what housing arrangements to make. It doesn't seem like on campus housing is the cheapest way to go but it would definitely be more convenient.
My brother's girlfriend lived up in Alexandria for awhile. I'll ask her some of these questions and try to post her responses. Also, a family friend attended Georgetown (however, he attended back in the 70's), he told me lived in Arlington for his 1L, but would NOT recommend it and hated the commute... I am not sure how the public transportation has changed since then. I am also interested in this info. My top two choices atm both have insane cost of living... FML.Marionberry wrote:Has anyone else found themselves just completely overwhelmed in trying to look for housing? This would be much easier if I wasn't going to be married by the time I move up there. The only neighborhoods that seem safe enough within the city are too expensive for us, and I don't know enough about the metro and everything to figure out what parts of Arlington would be best. Were I by myself I wouldn't mind living in a sketchier neighborhood, but she will not go for that, and I don't think i would want her walking around by herself in a place like that anyway. These are my biggest questions, if anyone who is knowledgeable would be so kind as to answer them.
1) Is there a general consensus as to whether or not it's better to live on the orange or yellow line?
2) Are there any townhouses/rowhouses/duplexes available that are reasonably close to a metro station?
3) Are we destined to end up living in an apartment comples?
4)Is it feasible to try and ride a bus to a metro station, or will that just result in a 45+ minute commute? Or maybe just to ride a bus all the way?
Thanks. I don't think the metro was built until pretty recently, and most of what I've heard indicates that the commute from Arlington is about as bad as from some places in DC. It would still be probably 30 minutes or so, but that's really not that bad I don't think. For my 1L year we may very well sacrifice some comfort for convenience. Either way, living in DC doesn't seem to be feasible for us as expensive as it is. A lot of single guys share rowhouses on capitol hill or in chinatown, which while it may not be the nicest neighborhood, it's less expensive and very close so it's something you might consider. I don't want my wife living there, though..ArchRoark wrote:My brother's girlfriend lived up in Alexandria for awhile. I'll ask her some of these questions and try to post her responses. Also, a family friend attended Georgetown (however, he attended back in the 70's), he told me lived in Arlington for his 1L, but would NOT recommend it and hated the commute... I am not sure how the public transportation has changed since then. I am also interested in this info. My top two choices atm both have insane cost of living... FML.Marionberry wrote:Has anyone else found themselves just completely overwhelmed in trying to look for housing? This would be much easier if I wasn't going to be married by the time I move up there. The only neighborhoods that seem safe enough within the city are too expensive for us, and I don't know enough about the metro and everything to figure out what parts of Arlington would be best. Were I by myself I wouldn't mind living in a sketchier neighborhood, but she will not go for that, and I don't think i would want her walking around by herself in a place like that anyway. These are my biggest questions, if anyone who is knowledgeable would be so kind as to answer them.
1) Is there a general consensus as to whether or not it's better to live on the orange or yellow line?
2) Are there any townhouses/rowhouses/duplexes available that are reasonably close to a metro station?
3) Are we destined to end up living in an apartment comples?
4)Is it feasible to try and ride a bus to a metro station, or will that just result in a 45+ minute commute? Or maybe just to ride a bus all the way?
Have you thought about getting something up the Red Line in Maryland? The eastern branch (Glenmont branch) is more middle-to-working class and more affordable, but basically safe from what I can tell (i.e. it's not in Prince George's County, much of which is more questionable). Plus you wouldn't have to change trains.Marionberry wrote:Thanks. I don't think the metro was built until pretty recently, and most of what I've heard indicates that the commute from Arlington is about as bad as from some places in DC. It would still be probably 30 minutes or so, but that's really not that bad I don't think. For my 1L year we may very well sacrifice some comfort for convenience. Either way, living in DC doesn't seem to be feasible for us as expensive as it is. A lot of single guys share rowhouses on capitol hill or in chinatown, which while it may not be the nicest neighborhood, it's less expensive and very close so it's something you might consider. I don't want my wife living there, though..ArchRoark wrote:My brother's girlfriend lived up in Alexandria for awhile. I'll ask her some of these questions and try to post her responses. Also, a family friend attended Georgetown (however, he attended back in the 70's), he told me lived in Arlington for his 1L, but would NOT recommend it and hated the commute... I am not sure how the public transportation has changed since then. I am also interested in this info. My top two choices atm both have insane cost of living... FML.Marionberry wrote:Has anyone else found themselves just completely overwhelmed in trying to look for housing? This would be much easier if I wasn't going to be married by the time I move up there. The only neighborhoods that seem safe enough within the city are too expensive for us, and I don't know enough about the metro and everything to figure out what parts of Arlington would be best. Were I by myself I wouldn't mind living in a sketchier neighborhood, but she will not go for that, and I don't think i would want her walking around by herself in a place like that anyway. These are my biggest questions, if anyone who is knowledgeable would be so kind as to answer them.
1) Is there a general consensus as to whether or not it's better to live on the orange or yellow line?
2) Are there any townhouses/rowhouses/duplexes available that are reasonably close to a metro station?
3) Are we destined to end up living in an apartment comples?
4)Is it feasible to try and ride a bus to a metro station, or will that just result in a 45+ minute commute? Or maybe just to ride a bus all the way?
Not sure about that... I'm on campus so I'm not really sure what there is for 1br housing near here. There are apartments nearby, but I'm sure they're expensive.Marionberry wrote:Thanks for the input guys. I had considered Maryland, but for other reasons if we were gonna have to commute, I would much rather live in VA than maryland. Any good places for a 1br very close to the law school?
Possibly, but if you don't mind staying on campus for more than just class, this helps. The Metro is cheaper after 7 pm anyway.Marionberry wrote:Does anyone know if people find it more difficult to meet people/get involved/network/etc when they commute from somewhere like arlington?
I know which apartments you are talking about-I lived in the area a couple summers ago for an internship. The area is very nice and there are grocery stores, Costco, and a mall nearby (the mall is right next to the metro stop), but from what I remember many of the apartments were pretty expensive. Again, though, they were pretty nice ones. The metro is extremely convenient as well. Just remember, though, that you do not want to get stuck out in the district late at night on weekdays as the metro stops running between 11 and 12.Marionberry wrote:I just discovered the various apartments at Pentagon city, some of which are directly on top of the metro station. I mean, living on the metro with a 12 minute train ride to the Gallery place station wouldnt be too much longer of a commute than I would be looking at living in the district, right?
I appreciate you guys humoring me with these probably redundant and ill conceived questions, it's just kind of frustrating trying to find a place to live from halfway across the country. I will be able to visit when I come for ASW, though.
Thanks. I realized not too long after posting that that those apartments are not much less expensive than those right by the school at 425 Mass and Mass court, the Meridian, etc. It may be worth it for the first year at least to shell out the extra dough for one of those places right by the school. Does anyone know if parking is extra at those apartment complexes? The websites list garage parking as an amenity, but they don't say whether or not it is free. I'm guess it's probably not, but that would be great.cardinals1989 wrote:I know which apartments you are talking about-I lived in the area a couple summers ago for an internship. The area is very nice and there are grocery stores, Costco, and a mall nearby (the mall is right next to the metro stop), but from what I remember many of the apartments were pretty expensive. Again, though, they were pretty nice ones. The metro is extremely convenient as well. Just remember, though, that you do not want to get stuck out in the district late at night on weekdays as the metro stops running between 11 and 12.Marionberry wrote:I just discovered the various apartments at Pentagon city, some of which are directly on top of the metro station. I mean, living on the metro with a 12 minute train ride to the Gallery place station wouldnt be too much longer of a commute than I would be looking at living in the district, right?
I appreciate you guys humoring me with these probably redundant and ill conceived questions, it's just kind of frustrating trying to find a place to live from halfway across the country. I will be able to visit when I come for ASW, though.