Order Code RS20505
Updated May 4, 2001
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Relocating to the Washington, D.C.
Metropolitan Area: Sources of Information
Lynne Kennedy
Information Management Specialist
Information Research Division
Summary
This report will introduce a newcomer to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area
to sources of general interest, neighborhoods, housing, and public transportation. The
intended audience is congressional staff needing short-term or summer housing, although
many of the sources given may also be helpful for those needing more than a 3-6 month
lease. Sources suggested are often accessible by their Internet addresses. This report
will be updated annually.
Basic Information
Someone considering a move to a different city or part of the country often wants
specific facts to offset or confirm information learned from the media or from friends. The
official Washington, D.C., tourism Web site [http://www.washington.org/] is a good
source for topics of general interest for those planning a temporary or permanent move to
the Washington metropolitan area. For information about the Northern Virginia area, go
to [http://www.virginia.org] or call (804) 786-4484. For information about the two
Maryland counties that border Washington, D.C., go to the Internet at
[http://www.pgparks.com] and [http://www.goprincegeorgescounty.com] or phone (301)
699-2407 for Prince George’s County and go to [http://www.co.mo.md.us] or phone
(240) 777-6800 for Montgomery County.
Choosing a Neighborhood
For many, the next step in beginning a search for housing in an unfamiliar city is to
learn about its various neighborhoods. The American University Housing Web page at
[http://www.american.edu/handbook/capital.html] gives a concise view of a number of
Washington, D.C., neighborhoods, including public transportation options and eating and
entertainment highlights.
Safety statistics and other related information about Washington area neighborhoods
can be obtained by calling the appropriate local police department for the particular area:
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

---

CRS-2
Washington, D.C.
(202) 727-4383
Arlington County, VA
(703) 228-4330
City of Alexandria, VA
(703) 838-4520
Fairfax County, VA
(703) 691-2131
Falls Church City, VA
(703) 241-5053
Montgomery County, MD
(240) 773-5125
Prince George’s County, MD
(301) 336-8800
Online Newspaper Sources for Housing

! The Washington City Paper offers detailed online listings of housing to
rent and to share. The address is [http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com].
Once in the system, select “housing” under “Classifieds.”
! The Washington Post offers an extensive online list of apartments and
homes to rent. At [http://www.washingtonpost.com], click on “real
estate” under “Marketplace.”
! The Washington Times also offers an extensive list of housing
possibilities. At [http://www.washingtontimes.com], click on
“Classifieds” under “Marketplace” and then “real estate.”
Universities
! Catholic University, located in Northeast D.C., offers summer housing
from Thursday, May 17 to Sunday, August 12. Rates per person range
from $161-189/week and $23-$27/night for a double to $175/week and
$25/night for a single. For more information, call (202) 319-5277 or visit
[http://housing.cua.edu/].
! Gallaudet University, located in Northeast D.C., offers intern housing
from May 15-August, 2001. Rates per person range from $189/week and
$27/night for a single to $161/week and $23/night for a double, including
free shuttle bus to Metro (Union Station). A 2-week minimum stay is
required. For more information, call (202) 651-6090.
! George Washington University, located in downtown Washington (near
Foggy Bottom Metro station), offers summer housing from Saturday,
May 26 - Saturday August 4, 2001. There is a 30-day minimum stay.
Costs range from $24 to $37 a night. For more information, call (202)
9 9 4 - 9 1 9 3 , e - m a i l s u m h o u s e @ g w u . e d u , o r v i s i t
[http://gwired.gwu.edu/summer].

---

CRS-3
! Georgetown University, which is located in Northwest Washington,
offers accommodations on a first come, first served basis from June 4-
August 5, 2001. A shuttle service is provided because Georgetown is not
near a Metro station. There are rooms and furnished apartments. A 3-
week minimum stay is required for residence hall; an 8-week stay is
required for apartments. Costs vary, so it is best to get more information
by calling the housing office at (202) 687-9211 or by visiting
[http://www.georgetown.edu/housing/summer].
! Howard University, located in upper Northwest Washington, in the
Shaw neighborhood, offers accommodations from June 1-July 31, 2001,
at a rate of $18 per night. Requests for housing must be submitted in
writing. For additional information, contact the University at (202) 806-
566 or e-mail your questions to residencelife@howard.edu.
! University of Maryland, College Park, has limited on-campus summer
housing. Call (301) 314-7884 for information. For temporary housing
near the College Park campus, visit [http://www.umd.edu/OCH].
Web Sites for Apartment Listings
Most unfurnished apartment leases are between 6 and 12 months in length.
Occasionally, a lease for unfurnished and furnished apartments can be found for just 3
months. The following Web sites offer information about apartments:
! All Apartments allows you to search an extensive database for
apartments available in the Washington metropolitan area. You can find
them on the Web at [http://www.springstreet.com].
! The Apartment Connection is a free apartment locator service for D.C.,
Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland, and Baltimore. The World Wide
Web address is [http://www.theapartmentconnection.com]. While you
cannot search their listings online, you can use their Home Page to access
a detailed apartment request form to which they guarantee a response
within 24 hours. They can be reached by telephone at (888) 994-7368.
! National Temporary Apartments, Inc. places individuals in short-term
furnished apartments in Washington, Northern Virginia, and suburban
Maryland. Parking and utilities are included in the price of most
apartments. For additional information, call (800) 258-1973, ext. 91273,
or (877) 234-5005, or visit the Web site at [http://www.rent.net/ads/nta/].
Public Transportation
Metrorail (subway) and Metrobus provide the most efficient way of getting around
Washington. Five rail lines and an extensive bus system connect Washington, D.C., with
the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Metro lines are named for colors: red, yellow, blue,
green, and orange. Metro train stations open at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and

---

CRS-4
at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. They close at midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and
at 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. The bases fare is $1.10, with higher fares based
on time of day and length of trip.
Station entrances are marked by brown pylons, capped with the letter “M” and with
colored stripes to indicate which lines are available at that station. A row of farecard
machines will be at the bottom of the escalator. Purchase your farecard after first
consulting the Metro map and fare chart. The biggest bill accepted by the farecard
machines is a $20; however, these machines return change only up to $5 in coins, with
quarters the largest. All machines accept major credit cards. Unfortunately, the Metro
staff present in the central area of the station is not equipped to give change.
Before proceeding to the trains, insert your farecard into the turnstile gates. The card
will usually pop out at the back. Look for the brown pylon that indicates which side of the
subway platform to use. The train’s color is indicated on the front of the first car; the final
stop is displayed next to the doors. At your destination, reinsert your card into the
turnstile. The fare is automatically deducted. If there is money left, your card will pop up
again. If you need to continue your trip by Metro bus, be sure to obtain a bus transfer at
your originating station before boarding the train. Buses travel to Georgetown and other
areas not serviced by Metro.
To obtain more precise information about schedules, special fares, parking, and other
information, one can go to [http://www.wmata.com]. To obtain schedules for connecting
Metrobus service, locations of Metro farecard sales offices, other public transportation
information, and free Metro pocket guides, or to learn about coming events and how to
get to the events by Metro, call (202) 637-7000.
Disclaimer
This information is offered with no assurances from the Congressional Research
Service of accuracy beyond the contact telephone numbers and Internet addresses as of
May 4, 2001. In addition, inclusion in this report does not represent an endorsement of
the facilities or services cited.

---