A guide to moving to DC as a student

If you are moving to DC as a student, congratulations! That is one of the best places to receive a good education, continue your studies, and go through improvement in every sense. You have probably prepared and packed your belongings and contacted one of the best moving companies, Allstate Moving and Storage, to assist you when the moving day comes. However, if you are still worried and wondering how is it going to be for you in DC, that is not unusual. Moving is always stressful and it’s a big change. It is even more so if you are moving as a student for the first time and to such a big place. With our guide, you will learn everything you need to know about DC before you go there. You’ll be ready to start your student life in DC in no time.

Why is DC a great place for students?

Since it is the seat of the US federal government, is the ideal location to pursue a degree in politics or US history. If you are particularly interested in these subjects, this is the place for you. DC itself is full of history, monuments, and other significant places. There are also a lot of museums. Some of the most important museums in the state are located in DC. Of course, being the capital of the federal government, it has more than an interesting political scene. Actually, 29% of the jobs in DC are connected to this area of business. The federal district is home to some of the greatest colleges in the US. The most popular and the best-ranked colleges in DC are:

  • Georgetown University
  • George Washington University
  • American University
  • Howard University
A student in front of a written board
Moving to DC as a student is a big step

The cost of living in DC

When you’re moving to DC as a student, you’re probably interested in the costs of living. It is true that this is one of the most expensive places in the USA. Even though the cost of living is 60.5% higher than the national average, almost 595 000 residents living there have an average salary of $60,387. However, the high cost of living is offset by the best opportunities in every field. Hundreds of companies are in the growing business every moment in DC. All this means that studying in DC means that you are investing in your future. There are long distance movers Washington DC residents love who can help you organize your move because as a student you can find much more affordable places for life. There are student dorms, but you can also rent a flat, and find a roommate. The rents for students are usually between $800 and $1000.

Moving to DC as a student means you will have to use different means of transport

There are all types of transportation in DC. The traffic jams are frequent, especially around the center. However, people don’t spend too much time commuting. It takes thirty minutes to an hour (in extreme cases) to get from one point to another. Nevertheless, there are numerous ways to move around the city. Many locals opt to ride their bikes, stroll, hire a taxi, or use ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft. These kinds of transport are good for shared rides. For a student traveling alone, it can be expensive. Additionally, there is the Metro, which has 91 stations throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. The cost of taking the Metro varies depending on how many stations one makes and whether the trip occurs during rush hour.

Moving around DC on a bike

Another well-liked method of traveling around the city is by bicycle. In fact, DC is third in the nation for the number of commuters who cycle to work. The popularity of electric scooters as a favored means of transportation in cities is also rising. So, if you own a bike, it would be the best and the cheapest way to get to university and run errands around DC.

Buildings in DC
DC is steeped in history and full of students

What to do in DC as a student

As we already said, DC has the most important cultural, historical, and political sites and artifacts per square mile of any state. The district is home to 177 international embassies, the White House, as well as spectacular government buildings like the State Capitol. It also has a strong commitment to the arts as shown by organizations like the Kennedy Center, National Gallery of Art, and Folger Shakespeare Library. In addition, Washington, DC, has 19 universities, including the four esteemed colleges mentioned above. As a student, there are many fun things you can do in DC on a smaller budget especially if you are a sports or music fan.

For sports fans, there are several major league sports franchises to support, including the Washington Commanders, Washington Nationals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Washington Capitals, D.C. United, and Washington Kastles (tennis). When it comes to music, there are 65 places where you can attend concerts, Capital One Hall being one of the most popular. We have already said that DC is steeped in history. It is home to the vast bulk of the Smithsonian Institution’s 19 museums, galleries, and parks. That is the largest collection of research institutions in the world with over 135 million artifacts in total.

a group of friends sitting on the stairs and talking about moving to DC as a student
As a student in DC, you can do many fun activities

Rent storage if you move to DC as a student

We have already said that DC isn’t among the most affordable places, so renting a bigger residence if you have a lot of stuff can be pretty expensive. That is why you should rent one of the storage units Washington DC has to offer and stop worrying about money and your things. It is much cheaper than renting a bigger flat, and your place will always be organized. In addition to that, you won’t have to move the bulky seasonal things every time you go home on a holiday, for example.

DC is the place for students

If you are moving to DC as a student, you won’t make a mistake. You have seen through our guide that there are many possibilities for leading the perfect life there. Yours is just to pack and set out.

 

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