Apartment hunting
Even though I’ve only been in DC a short time, I’m already moving to a new apartment. I really like my current building, but I wasn’t able to bring my dog. Luckily, I found a great new place, and it’s right by my school. Here are a few suggestions about searching for an apartment in a big, very expensive city. Looking on sites like craigslist and local newspapers is a really good idea. When you only use the apartment guides, you’re only going to find the big rental companies which are typically much more expensive. On sites where anyone can post, you’ll find more individual landlords that are usually more reasonable. Also, really consider location in your price. I’ll be paying a little more for my new place, but I will now be in walking distance from school, so I’ll save close to $100/month in transportation costs. And finally, make sure you know what is included in the rent. Lots of places include utilities or various services (like a fitness center), so you may be saving money elsewhere. Good luck with the search!