Anonymous
Post 06/16/2013 23:02     Subject: What city neighborhood for rental?
It is hard to find a place to rent remotely. I would rent a temporary apt for when you arrive for about a month while you look. Oakwood has some beautiful furnished units in Wisconsin Place, which is in Friendship Heights, above the red line and a Whole Foods. Probably cost you about $4000 for a two bedroom, but you just have to bring your suitcases and put everything else in storage until you find the right place.

They have places all over the city.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2013 22:34     Subject: What city neighborhood for rental?
Most apartments in Penn Quarter are one or two bedrooms, although I do know someone who lives in a two bedroom+den. I've always liked the look of the Newseum Residences, but they only have two bedrooms.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2013 18:02     Subject: What city neighborhood for rental?
I think for nightlife, U street or, if you'd conider an apartment, Penn Quarter will be best. I like the SW/Waterfront a lot and it's an easy commute to the Pentagon, but it's pretty quiet. Capitol Hill's walkable and has tons of nice restaurants and rowhouses, but not as much night life per se.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2013 15:05     Subject: What city neighborhood for rental?
Farragut Square is easy metro access--served by red, blue and orange line, with two stations. Pentagon is blue/yellow, so I'd concentrate your search on areas that get you access to those.

Foggy Bottom (although not a ton of housing there, not sure what the rental market is like), maybe parts of Georgetown (although not metro accessible), Dupont, Gallery Place (not sure there are 3-4 brms in that part of town, though, mostly apartments), the Hill, U Street, Logan Circle.

If it were me? I'd be looking at a rowhouse in south Dupont or U Street. 10 min walk to Farragut West metro, so an easy commute to the Pentagon, and both are great vibrant neighborhoods with restaurants and nightlife.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2013 14:48     Subject: Re:What city neighborhood for rental?
And to actually answer your question, I don't think it's common to find a rental specialist to take you around to showings, but maybe some place like John C. Formant could direct you to one on the Hill. I think most people just scour the craigslist ads and set up their own appointments...


Any agent who lists rentals or works with renters will do this for you free of charge. An agent can show you everything that's listed in the MLS at one time so you don't have to set up your own appointments, but you will have to do that yourself with anything listed on Craigslist.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2013 14:34     Subject: Re:What city neighborhood for rental?
Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. No kids (yet) or pets, so schools/dog parks are not anything we need to consider in a neighborhood. We'd like to stay within the city so we're close to our jobs, nightlife and the like. We'll be renting as we'll be on a temporary 2-year assignment. Hopefully it will be extended and we can stay in the city, but for now it will be financially safer to rent.

I'm a little concerned about the short rental window, if inventory doesn't typically come on the rental market until one or two months in advance. We'd like to locate a rental specialist to help coordinate showings, as we'll be trying to see units in one or two recon trips from the west coast, and likely finalizing things from afar. Welcome any suggestions on that front, as well.

Thank you.


And to actually answer your question, I don't think it's common to find a rental specialist to take you around to showings, but maybe some place like John C. Formant could direct you to one on the Hill. I think most people just scour the craigslist ads and set up their own appointments. It's a little bit daunting, but it can be done. You will likely need to be in a position to fill out the application on-site because rentals of rowhomes in good neighborhoods will go very quickly. If you decide to move into a high-rise (probably harder to find 3-4 beds in this situation) it's possible the building might have several identical units available and maybe you could have some more time to decide in that circumstance.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2013 14:30     Subject: What city neighborhood for rental?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would rent at 2500 and save the rest, 5k on rent is a waste and idiotic


Yes, hill recommender here again. I assumed OP had kids since s/he was looking for 3-4 bedrooms. I really do not understand the need for a huge house in the city with no kids.


It is not uncommon for individuals who have family abroad to host them for a month at a time and want some private space for them.

Or maybe they need a home office

Either way - it is their choice. Let them spend their money the way the want to


I wasn't suggesting legislation to prevent him/her from renting a huge house, but I still don't understand the need for 3-4 bedrooms for a childless couple, and OP certainly hasn't suggested that his/her situation is as you described, but if s/he feels s/he really needs a very large house for only 2 people, I'm sure s/he will go ahead and rent one despite my befuddlement. It's also possible that OP hasn't yet realized how much more adding a bedroom or two ups rental costs in this area.


OP didn't state they are a married couple or that there are only 2 of them, maybe they are roommates. Or if they are a couple, maybe family will live with them, like siblings. For those from overseas, this is common to want to get a bigger place with extra guest bedroom/bath, given there is budget.


Yeah, and maybe the "we" means a married couple with no family. Whatever interpretation floats your boat, I guess.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2013 14:17     Subject: What city neighborhood for rental?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would rent at 2500 and save the rest, 5k on rent is a waste and idiotic


Yes, hill recommender here again. I assumed OP had kids since s/he was looking for 3-4 bedrooms. I really do not understand the need for a huge house in the city with no kids.


It is not uncommon for individuals who have family abroad to host them for a month at a time and want some private space for them.

Or maybe they need a home office

Either way - it is their choice. Let them spend their money the way the want to


I wasn't suggesting legislation to prevent him/her from renting a huge house, but I still don't understand the need for 3-4 bedrooms for a childless couple, and OP certainly hasn't suggested that his/her situation is as you described, but if s/he feels s/he really needs a very large house for only 2 people, I'm sure s/he will go ahead and rent one despite my befuddlement. It's also possible that OP hasn't yet realized how much more adding a bedroom or two ups rental costs in this area.


OP didn't state they are a married couple or that there are only 2 of them, maybe they are roommates. Or if they are a couple, maybe family will live with them, like siblings. For those from overseas, this is common to want to get a bigger place with extra guest bedroom/bath, given there is budget.
Anonymous
Post 06/16/2013 14:08     Subject: What city neighborhood for rental?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would rent at 2500 and save the rest, 5k on rent is a waste and idiotic


Yes, hill recommender here again. I assumed OP had kids since s/he was looking for 3-4 bedrooms. I really do not understand the need for a huge house in the city with no kids.


It is not uncommon for individuals who have family abroad to host them for a month at a time and want some private space for them.

Or maybe they need a home office

Either way - it is their choice. Let them spend their money the way the want to


I wasn't suggesting legislation to prevent him/her from renting a huge house, but I still don't understand the need for 3-4 bedrooms for a childless couple, and OP certainly hasn't suggested that his/her situation is as you described, but if s/he feels s/he really needs a very large house for only 2 people, I'm sure s/he will go ahead and rent one despite my befuddlement. It's also possible that OP hasn't yet realized how much more adding a bedroom or two ups rental costs in this area.