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International Student & Scholar Housing Resources

This page lists a variety of off-campus and temporary housing resources for Georgetown University's international student and scholar community.

Temporary Housing
Special Deals for New Arrivals
On-Campus Housing Closings
Permanent Off-Campus Housing
Tips on Finding Housing
Off-Campus Tenant Rights

Please view results from the 2009 Int'l Off-Campus Housing Survey.

New at OIP: Join the Georgetown International Housing Search Facebook Group and discuss housing openings and opportunities with current international students!
Group Name: Off-Campus Housing Search
Network: Georgetown

Temporary Housing
Are you looking for temporary housing while you undertake an apartment search or during a Georgetown holiday? Please see the list of nearby hotels and hostels. Other resources you may consider are online services such as www.hotels.com, www.hotelclub.net, www.priceline.com or www.hotwire.com which offer discounted rates. Please make reservations early in order to secure an affordable option.

Special Deals for New Arrivals - January 2010
The Office of International Programs offers a temporary housing resources to incoming international students to aid their housing search.

On-Campus Housing Closings
Georgetown on-campus apartments and residence halls are closed for the summer and for the winter holidays. Please refer to the Main Campus Housing web site for updated information on closing dates. We advise all students living on campus to make temporary housing arrangements well in advance.

Permanent Off-Campus Housing
Due to space limitations, Georgetown does not offer on-campus housing for graduate students and many exchange students or scholars.  However, Georgetown's Office of Off-Campus Housing (OCH) offers resources to assist in the search for housing. Visit their website and other D.C. area housing-classifieds websites listed below prior to your arrival in the United States to research prices and locations. It is always best to view the property before entering into a contract with any landlord. Plan to arrive at least two to six weeks prior to the start of your program to conduct your housing search.

Housing Search Options:

1. Consider temporary housing options while you search during August 2009.

2. Visit Georgetown's Office of Off-Campus Housing (OCH) for housing links, realtor listings, pricing, neighborhood information, and tips to finding houses and apartments around the city! Off-Campus Housing 101, a GU housing search resource provides links to search listings and Georgetown University's new Roommate Finder.

3. FREE housing listings in local newspapers and online resources: Craigslist DC: Local classifieds and forums for 450 cities worldwide - community moderated, and largely free; Student Ads; The Sublet; The Washington Post; Washington City Paper; Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH) which houses interns working in the Washington, DC metro area, Hotpads and Housing Map.

4. Join Facebook! The International Housing Search Facebook Group offers a Georgetown international student and scholar housing message board. Group Name: Georgetown Off-Campus Housing Search, Network: Georgetown

5. Consider living with a host family.

6. Consider living with a roommate.

Tips on Finding Housing
Housing costs vary considerably, depending on location, type of housing, number of bedrooms, and whether or not utilities (gas, electricity, water, etc.) are included in the rent. Typical apartment buildings offer one and two-bedroom apartments. Some will offer efficiencies/studios (one room apartment). Very few offer three-bedroom apartments. Housing immediately around the University is more costly while housing in the surrounding Maryland and Virginia suburbs is more reasonable.

Most renters are required to pay a "security deposit" when they sign a lease. A security deposit is an amount of money, typically equal to one or two month's rent, that will be held by the apartment manager until the end of the lease. The security deposit is used to pay for the repair of any damages to the apartment. [Please note: When moving into an apartment, make sure to inspect carefully for any damage that already exists and report it to the manager immediately.] Any unused portion of the security deposit will be returned. Please note: For a more in-depth discussion of housing options and prices please refer to Georgetown's Office of Off-Campus Housing.

To determine distance and transportation routes between Georgetown and outlying areas, please use the Metro Trip Planner.

Off-Campus Tenant Rights
Students living in off-campus residences have special protections as tenants. Please access the following campus and area resources to learn more about tenant safety.

Georgetown Off-Campus Student Life Office
The Off-Campus Student Life Office addresses the needs and concerns of off-campus students. Topics include Signing a Lease, Street Safety, Renter's Insurance, and Finding Housing.

DCRA Collegiate Off-Campus Housing Initiative
The DCRA Collegiate Off-Campus Housing Initiative is an internet blog set up in August 2008 by Washington, D.C. housing officials provides resources for renting legal and safe housing. Topics include Fire Safety Tips, Working with Landlords, and Housing Inspection Checklists.