JoeTro

Thanks for all the feedback on my earlier post. Here's my trip report, day by day.

Day 1 (Jan 2nd)

I arrived at Reagan from Dallas on American. I was lucky to use miles from my family, which meant priority access, an exit row, and no bag fees. I was in heaven. The flight was really great, except for no plugs that would take my computer adaptor, so I only got like 20 minutes of interview prep. time in

Took a cab to the Marriott Courtyard US Capitol hotel. Fare was $19 including cab. I landed at 2:10 and was unpacked by 3, so it was a breeze. The check-in lady spent 10 minutes fawning over a rapper who was just checking out ahead of me, so that could have been a bit smoother.

I'd originally planned to go to the Smithsonian, but being NY holiday, I wasn't sure if it was even open. I walked a bit around the NoMa area, discovered that even in a clearly transitional area, one complex wanted at leat $1850 for a studio, and cried. The location is basically connected with a metro stop, which is great, but it's rather dead here. Maybe it will be better on a workday. The decor, room, lobby, etc. are all super nice, so that's a plus.

Did work here in the hotel until meeting a friend at Woodley Park metro. We ate at a hole in the wall pizza place basically at the station (maybe called like Italian Pizza Kitchen). It was okay. Got out for $20 including my small pizza, flatbread and a soft drink.

Walked from WP to Cleveland Park on Connecticut. I so adored this area - so many great buildings and facades, so I was a bit disappointed I hadn't gotten off of my booty earlier to see it in the daytime. I can definitely see why this area is so nice and will probably be out of my price range.

Tomorrow I interview until 1, and I'm planning on going to the Phillips, walking around Dupont/Logan/Adams-Morgan, and meeting my good friend at his Logan Condo to explore further and to go to a gay bar. I'll report back.

vjpblovesitaly

Best of luck on the interview tomorrow.

The Smithsonian museums are open every day except Christmas.

JoeTro

Then it means I'll be able to go back soon with no problem!

yk

Good luck with your interview. Looking forward to the rest of your TR.

obxgirl

Good luck with the interview, Joe!

JoeTro

Interview went mostly very well, especially for my first one. More to come ... now I'm scrounging for lunch and going to the Phillips.

Two of the interns were married (ugh) so I basically threw them out of the equation, but a single girl lived in Tocoma and recently moved into Silver Spring with roommates from craigslist, so it's going okay for her. I have also been told to investigate the Capitol Hill area, Petworth, and somewhere right near by there whose name I cannot recall.

BlueSwimmer

I'm an old married lady in the suburbs but my husband's young co-worker a few years ago scored a reasonable rent on an apt in the Dupont Circle area because apparently they have a certain number of units that need to be rented to low income people- her husband was a med student so they were on a tight budget but the rental agent was delighted to get grad students. I wish I could remember the building- it was in a nice location. It might be worth asking some big apt companies if they have any special deals like that.

Capitol Hill/Eastern Market can be lovely or a bit shady, depending on the street. The U Street area also has many young people renting and some good restaurants and music clubs. If you like Cleveland Park, also look at Woodley Park and the Cathedral area.

A vote for the Virginia suburbs: Arlington is full of young singles and directly across the river from the city with easy metro commutes and lots to do.

Here is more info on areas: http://americanhistory.si.edu/getinvolved/housing.cfm

JoeTro

Rest of my trip:

After the interview, I changed, grabbed a quick lunch at Au Bon Pan and took the metro to Dupont, where I got most amongst all the embassies in finding the Phillips. Finally found it and saw the art until 5. I loved the old house and music room as well as all odthe great impressionist paintings (though I nearly accidentally skipped the room of the most famous paintings including the Luncheon at the Boating Party. I then walkes from Dupont to Logan on Q street, stopping for a break a couple o times to get out of the weather. I then met my friend at his new condo, got a quick tour, and enjoyed a nice meal at Logan Tavern, taking advantage of restaurant week. We them grabbed a couple of drinks at 9 before I went home and passed out. I enjoyed the Dupont and Logan areas but thought they would have been a bit more commercial. Today I just worked and packed until heading to IAD.

Thanks for all the trip planning and neighborhood touring help!

sf7307

>>

You thought Dupont would have been more commercial? I didn't think that would be possible! (Logan, I agree)

Christina

I think if you compare areas like that to some in NY, it can seem less commercial. The lack of super tall skyscrapers helps, also. Dupont Circle is mainly commercial, though, but at least you have that park in the middle.

When I first moved to DC, I lived on Capitol Hill. I really liked it there and it was cheaper than around Dupont and pricier neighborhoods. There is more parking there, also, as it is mainly residential, which is nice. That could be convenient enough for Catholic U, I think. I lived just a couple blocks behind the Supreme Court, which is a nice area (some lobbyists and even senator lived on my street). This was a long time ago, at that time, it got dicier just past Eastern Market (although I had a friend who lived near Potomac metro, but that neighborhood could make me nervous at times). It also got dicier north of Maryland, but now with the resurgence of H St maybe that has changed some.

Arlington is a good area, but Silver Spring would be better in terms of distance to Catholic U.

I don't know about Petworth, I know people are going everywhere to save money, but never heard of that as being a hot destination for young professionals. I wouldn't choose that if I could avoid it.

JoeTro

I think I meant commercial just in terms of livability - grocery stores, banks, dry cleaners, etc. There was a lot of that around Dupont on Connecticut but it was also more residential than I had expected other places within the Dupont area. I think I'm just really really spoiled in LA.

I've heard good things about the Capitol Hill area. I think Petworth is apparently the next big up-and-coming-about-to-blow-up place for young people. I always worry though that if people are already talking about it like this, it's too late.