<p>Shellfell, the last minute Craigslist process makes me crazy too and we’ve been through it about 5 times now. It has, however, all worked out in the end. My S worked in Dupont Circle and lived in Columbia Heights. Since that area is not on the Red Line either, he’d pretty much walk or ride his bike to the office. DC is such a transient city there always seem to be apartments and rooms for rent.</p>
<p>Thanks Marian. I can certainly check out any reviews of this company online & DS can ask around.</p>
<p>Regarding the neighborhood he moves to, his job is actually between Farragut & Dupont, so he has several Metro lines to choose from, as well as buses. I’m more concerned with the safety of the neighborhood since he’ll be doing a fair amount of walking.</p>
<p>In terms of neighborhood safety, you might enjoy looking at the marked up Metro map that appears about two-thirds of the way down the page in this parody encyclopedia. You can click on it to enlarge it, and compare it with the larger and more legible versions of the official Metro map at [Metro</a> - Home page](<a href=“http://www.wmata.com%5DMetro”>http://www.wmata.com)</p>
<p>Despite the source, it is startlingly accurate. Go for the green. </p>
<p>[Washington</a>, D.C. - Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Washington_DC]Washington”>http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Washington_DC)</p>
<p>I should add that although my daughter lives a “green” area, she still takes taxis late at night rather than walking to and from Metro stations. A guy might be a bit more relaxed (or might even consider a “yellow” area).</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, my D lives in an area ringed in red on this map - Eastern Market/Capitol Hill, and feel quite safe. She does take cabs when coming home at night from the U Street or H Street nightlife, but has not expressed any concerns in her immediate neighborhood. My S lived between the green and red zones in Columbia Heights and also felt safe at pretty much all hours, but when looking with my D a couple of months ago, we realized that the area was very much a street by street basis. Both my kids lived in apartments in Hyde Park when they went to Chicago, though, so their expectations and experience may be colored by that.</p>
<p>The map is interesting. In DC, it seems that areas that were once considered unsafe can become safer as the area undergoes revitalization/regentrification. DS is going to have to check out unfamiliar neighborhoods since, as you say, things can change from block to block.</p>
<p>I’m trying to convince my son that taking cabs is sometimes the safer thing to do. In college, he’s only ventured to very safe areas at night (altho muggings can still happen in those areas), so he’s usually walked or taken the Metro. He’ll just have to account for that in his transportation budget.</p>
<p>My D and her husband live at 12th and R–it’s very close to DuPont Circle, but has much lower rents. I believe the area is called Logan Square/Circle? D and husband are in a fairly new condo building (renting from owners). It’s a very small one bedroom. My D says she feels pretty safe. I think they’re paying around $1500 for rent. They found the rental through a real estate agent. Both my D and her husband are in grad school in DC–they moved to DC from Boston and went down to DC about a month before they wanted to move to look for housing. They tried a few rentals from Craig’s list, but found the place they now have through a real estate agent. They didn’t have to pay a fee–landlord paid it.</p>
<p>My DD and her partner are still hunting for accommodations in DC…it has been along and frustrating process, since most group homes don’t want a couple and they can only afford $1000 a month. they are living out in the suburbs, but the commute is an hour and a half and costs 12 or 13 dollars a day. (2 people commuting expense is about 600 a month. Ouch!). There is a huge complex called the Woodner with efficiencies under 1000 in a nice area, but many, many complaints online about roaches, bedbugs and rats in the complex. I know there are some bedbug reducing things to do, such as putting little plastic traps under the legs of the bed, but you hate to think of your kid knowingly moving into such a place! :(. so, if any of you good CC people out there have any kids living in the dc area who need another housemate, or own an apartment or finished basement and would like 2 of the most relaxed, kind, responsible, intelligent, conscientious and considerate young ladies, please p.m. Me!!!</p>
<p>They have had a lot of duds with Craigslist…I was so sad to hear that they walked several miles in the drizzle, took a metro, then a bus, then walked a mile only to discover that the owner didn’t even bother to show up… Or that one house they went to, again walking in the the dark and drizzle, turned out to be condemned. DD is away from home more than 12 hours a day, and all the house hunting, done all on public transportation, is wearing them out…</p>
<p>anxiousmom: I’ve also seen the Woodner online, but based on the reviews I wouldn’t want my S to live there either. I’d rather he spend a little more to get a studio in a better maintained building.</p>
<p>Right now, I haven’t heard from S in a few days. I’m not sure if he’s getting overwhelmed or frustrated by this process or just doesn’t feel the urgency to act. He finished midterms last week, so he has more time now for searching. Needing something for Dec isn’t that urgent, but with Thanksgiving in the mix, he needs to get this settled before the holiday, I’d think.</p>
<p>If he looks in Tacoma Park, he should spell it with a “c”. 
My sister-in-law lived in subsidized housing in Bethesda - it’s very convenient (good transportation and lots of shopping), but upscale and normally expensive.</p>
<p>here’s hoping they all get decent and reasonably priced places
to live soon!!!</p>
<p>Amen to that, anxiousmom.</p>
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</p>
<p>How much would the commuting expense be if they lived in DC or Arlington? If it would only be $200 per month, say, does that mean that they could afford $1400 per month in rent?</p>
<p>It depends if dd’s partner can bring in some income… It is complicated due to immigration and visa issues. They are living on only one income in the lower 30k, which would be manageable, though tight, with one person. I’m not sure how they are going to do that with two people…though it is not my problem to solve, I know. Currently,they are living with a friend of a friend and paying very low rent ($500), so even with commuting costs aren’t too bad.</p>
<p>
I know that in the Foggy Bottom area one can get a studio apartment/condo for around $1350-$1500 per month (other areas may be less expensive). I don’t know if that’s near enough to the area they’d want but the $1000+$600 would cover it if that $600 went to zero or near zero.</p>
<p>Unfortunately it is 500 plus 600… Not 1000 plus 600. :(</p>
<p>Anyone have any good suggestions for how to respond to craigslist ads? S said he’s responded to 8 ads so far & hasn’t heard back from anyone yet. paying3tuitions suggested being more assertive about meeting the potential roommates & seeing the apartment. I told S about this suggestion, but I don’t know if he’s done that.</p>
<p>Are there particular keywords or phrases that would get positive attention? Are there things to definitely not say? </p>
<p>I realize that with Dec 1 as a move-in goal the people placing the ads can be picky about who they’ll invite to see the place, but there’s something in S’ replies that isn’t connecting with them.</p>
<p>Mine rented a furnished studio through Craigslist, and he rented from the first person to whom he wrote - who responded immediately. He stated his school, program, etc., and may have given his previous employer and our home city.</p>
<p>The owner of the apt in a very nice high rise sent photos of the apt. and all her personal information so he could check her out. A management company sent a professional contract for him to sign. It was all very quick.</p>
<p>Then, after that was complete, something better came up, and the renter let him out of the signed lease without any penalty. He went with a previous place that had him on the waiting list, which he found through his university.</p>
<p>This all took place within a week of the first week of school in August. As it gets closer to move in date, more may be available.</p>
<p>Both places rented for around $1300, a couple years ago.</p>
<p>Just to update everybody…S found a townhouse share in Glover Park & signed the paperwork last night. It’s in a safe area, convenient to buses and Whole Foods. He’s not used to taking buses to get around DC, but I’m sure he’ll adjust. He’ll also have to get used to taking cabs occasionally. </p>
<p>This was the first place on craigslist that responded back to him; only one other place responded a few days later. I’m not really sure how many listings he replied to, but I sure emailed him lots of appropriate links, even while I had no power for 7 days after the snowstorm.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and, especially, for clueing me in to the vagaries of craigslist. I managed to stay relatively calm as Dec was getting closer with the understanding that craigslist activity tends to pick up 2-3 weeks before the move-in date. I’m glad this was all completed before he came home for Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>D lived in Glover Park and liked it. She learned the bus routes and got around just fine. Glad to hear the problem is solved!</p>