I've been thinking about travelling around the US, but basing myself in Washington DC. I will therefore have to find work and a place to stay. I'll research the visa issues myself (I'm a South African living in London).
I'd like your recommendations on the best ways to find work, what the job situation is like at the moment and places to stay that are quite safe and close to public transport since I dont have a car. Are flat/house shares as common as they are in London?
Also, what is the public transport system like there?
2006-08-30 02:33:25 · 7 answers · asked by beeabouttown 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Washington, D.C.
If you want to live near public transportation and you're not filthy rich, I would recommend living in the city itself, not in the suburbs. Most of the suburban communities near Metro are very expensive places to live (Grosvenor, Ballston Commons, Bethesda, Vienna) or not terribly nice places to live. Inside the city, you can find nice, fairly affordable places to live near the Brookland/CUA stop, and some areas around Georgia Ave/Petworth, Federal Center, Capitol South, and Waterfront/SEU (do your homework on these neighborhoods carefully as there are definitely "good" blocks and "not good" blocks).
Our bus transportation is nowhere near world-class so you really want to be on a train line OR located on one of the "major" bus routes. Many of the bus routes shut down at 10pm or midnight.
As far as work is concerned... I am assuming if you are living in the UK and already a transplant then you have a marketable skill and are not looking for an entry level job. DC itself has a high unemployment rate when compared to the rest of the country but most of the unemployment is for unskilled or entry level folks; it is fairly easy to get a white-collar job here, especially if you have a couple years' of experience behind you. If you are in the IT or medical feilds you will have no problems. Post your resume on monster.com and you should get responses fairly quickly.
Feel free to send a PM if you need more info!
2006-08-30 15:19:37 · answer #1 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Washington Dc is a vibrant city and with lots of jobs, depending on your qualifications. The public transportation is excellent with metro( like tube in london) and local buses. Accomodation is expensive. Try to stay at YWCA till u find a place or share an apartment with other university students. Sharing rent will be good idea initially. CAn find lot of apartments for share in waashington post newspaper classifieds.
BEN
2006-08-30 13:04:55 · answer #2 · answered by BEN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As for finding work, it all depends on what kind of skills that you have. If you want to have an apartment in a nice area of DC, it will cost around $750 per month for a 1 bedroom to begin with and go upwards of $1,200 if you want something nicer.
Best way to find work is through some of the temporary agencies that are always looking for talent.
Good places in town to live are called Blue Plains and Anacostia. Both offer safe and pleasant transportation and are great spots to have a pint or two with the chaps in the neighborhood pubs.
You can walk safely anywhere - especially in SouthEast - and the common method of hitch-hiking is encouraged. The subway called Metro is also acceptable but expensive ($5.00) per ride.
2006-08-30 06:18:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
FYI--the Metro isn't $5 a ride! And I've never heard of hitchhiking being encouraged anywhere! In some places it's illegal!
Regular fare (In effect on weekdays from opening to 9:30 a.m., 3-7 p.m. and 2 a.m. to closing)
$1.35 minimum
$3.90 maximum
Reduced fare (All other times)
$1.35 minimum
$1.85 mid-range
$2.35 maximum
And I've heard from someone who just moved from DC that Anacostia is NOT one of the places considered the safest part of DC...
Rent is high. I would say plan on $1000/month min. if you plan on living in the city. If you can find a roommate that will help. You are better off without a car in the city.
Employment is something I really can't help you with, sorry!
2006-08-30 07:29:41 · answer #4 · answered by poppet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might not want to live in washington DC try lliving in Maryland which is the suburbs (,outside of washington dc) Yes you can probably find a job in DC ,and take the public transportation the transportation here is very good
2006-08-30 03:14:22 · answer #5 · answered by wynetta69 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anywhere near the Red Line Subway in MD - but that part of MD tends to have high apartment rents.
College Park is near the Green Line - the student presences tends to keep rents in check.
Good luck!
2006-08-30 15:09:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
plentty of flats/apartments here. not any cheap ones in dc. try lookin in virginia or maryland. still will be close. public trans is easy and cheap. work shld b easy. lots of oppourtunity here. good luk
2006-08-30 13:49:38 · answer #7 · answered by Mike Dub 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋