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AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

Housing Guide: Weighing the options for on and off-campus housing

You’ve put in your 2 years and now you get the privilege of deciding whether or not to move off campus next year. Before you make a decision, check out this list of pros and cons from upperclassmen who have already been there.

On-Campus

Pros

Convenience: “It’s across from the gym and Ivory [Tower], and close to classes,” junior Alison McFarland, who lives on Townhouse Row, said.

No extra fees: “There’s nothing I don’t like about it and there aren’t extraneous fees,” senior Evan Waxman said. Waxman lives in South Hall.

Close to campus eateries: “Food is right downstairs,” junior Paul Blair, who lives in Ivory Tower, said.

No lease: “It’s difficult to lease an apartment for the amount of time I’ll be living here,” senior Ben Bloomfield said. Bloomfield lives in Ivory Tower.

Cons

Less freedom:
“There’s just more freedom in general when you live off campus,” junior Jared Lewis said. Lewis lives in an off-campus apartment building in Fort Totten, in Northeast D.C.

Lack of privacy.

Noisy: “You have to hear what everyone’s doing,” senior Katharine Wells, who lives in South Hall, said.

GW regulations: “There’s risks associated with having to follow rules that I wouldn’t have to follow if I lived off campus, since I’m 21,” junior Paul Blair said.

May not get top choice residence hall: “I got placed in a quad but I wanted Mitchell [Hall] or South [Hall],” senior Sunny Lee said. Lee canceled her housing assignment last spring and opted instead to live off campus this year.

Sharing a room: Most upperclassman residence halls have at least two bed spaces per room.


Off-Campus

Pros

No GW restrictions

Cheaper options: “It’s half the cost and a nicer place to stay,” junior Matt Pearson said. Pearson lives in an off-campus townhouse in Southeast D.C.

Amenities: “It’s nice to have the pool when it’s hot out,” senior Jenna Mendell, who lives in 2400 M Apartments, said.

Less noise

Separate school and home: “I wanted to divide my school life and my personal life,” senior Melissa Sesana said. Sesana lives in an apartment in The Flats at Dupont Circle.

Sophisticated living environment: “I will never have the opportunity to live somewhere that nice until later in life so it’s nice to take advantage,” Mendell said.

“Maintenance is done the same day as requests are made,” Lisa Nanni, manager of The Statesman, said.

Cons

Lease:
“It’s difficult if you have a year lease and you have to sublet for the summer,” senior Meredith Carroll, who lives in Letterman House, said.

Inconvenient

Furnishing can be costly

Expensive commute: “I bike when the weather permits it but the cost of the Metro in the winter is hard,” junior Matt Pearson said.

Metro delays: “One time I sat on the Metro for the entire class period,” junior Jared Lewis said.

Harder to stay in touch: “You have to work harder to get in touch with friends,” Pearson said.

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