Blog Posts

How to Rent an Apartment in DC Before You Move

You can lease a DC-area apartment without visiting in person. Start with video tours, then talk with the leasing team about current availability, and apply online once you've found the right fit. It's how many people moving for a new Capitol Hill job secure an apartment before their first day. Step 1: Narrow your neighborhoods Start with your commute. House office buildings are near Capitol South station, and Senate office buildings are near Union Station. Our Capitol Hill neighborhood guide compares neighborhoods in DC, Arlington, Alexandria, North Bethesda and Fairfax County. Then think about how you want to live, both outside your apartment and inside it. Do you want to walk to restaurants, coffee shops and nightlife after work, or come home to a quieter neighborhood with parks and trails nearby? How close do you want to be to a grocery store, a gym or Dulles Airport for trips home? Inside your apartment, consider how much space you need, whether you want room for a home office or overnight guests, and which features matter most to you, like an in-home washer and dryer, a fitness center or a pet-friendly community. Making a short list of your must-haves now makes it easier to compare apartments quickly once you start touring by video. Step 2: Watch video tours Video tours let you see layouts, finishes and natural light from anywhere: Watch video tours of some of our Washington, DC apartments Watch video tours of some of our Arlington, VA apartments Watch video tours of some of our Alexandria, VA apartments Watch video tours of some of our North Bethesda, MD apartments Watch video tours of some of our affordable housing communities Each video's title includes the community's name. These videos are examples of apartment styles across our portfolio. The specific apartments shown may not be available when you're searching, and you'll find more video tours on each property's website. Step 3: Know what to look for While you watch, pay attention to the details that matter most for your day-to-day life: Layout. Select studios have a separate sleeping area, which keeps your bed out of your living space. Work-from-home space. Select apartments, including some studios, have sunrooms. They're great for a desk, a reading chair, plants or an occasional guest. Building age and size. Our portfolio includes brand-new buildings and established communities, which often have larger floor plans and renovated apartments and shared spaces. Step 4: Ask the leasing team the right questions What's available for my move-in date? What lease terms do you offer? Our market-rate communities offer flexible lease terms that vary by property. Affordable communities offer 12-month leases. Are there any current specials? Select properties may be running them. What's the pet policy? All of our market-rate communities are pet-friendly with no breed restrictions. Pet policies at our affordable communities vary by property. What do I need to apply? Step 5: Apply and plan your move-in Once you've chosen an apartment, apply online (as of right now online applications may not be submitted for our affordable housing communities, so please reach out to the Leasing Office) and confirm your move-in date. Book movers early, especially around the holidays and early January. At any of our properties, you can pay rent, and now other bills, on a flexible schedule through the Flex platform , which can help while you wait for your first paycheck. Frequently asked questions Is it ok to rent an apartment sight unseen? Renting directly through a professionally managed community, with video tours and a leasing team you can talk to, makes it far more reliable than responding to an online listing from an unknown individual. Will the apartment in the videos in this blog be the one I get? Not necessarily. The videos are examples, and specific apartments may already be leased. Ask the leasing team which apartments are available for your dates and look for apartment specific video tours on the websites you view. If one isn’t available, ask the property team if you can do a live video tour. How far ahead should I start? If you're starting on the Hill in January, start looking now.

Gracious Gathering: Tips for Hosting a Budget-Friendly Thanksgiving

As we approach late autumn, planning for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, 2026 is starting to take center stage. Gathering friends and family into your home at Residences at Government Center is a wonderful way to celebrate, and it doesn't have to break the bank. With a little strategic planning, you can host a memorable feast that is kind to your wallet. Try these practical tips for a cost-effective, high-joy holiday gathering: Embrace the Potluck Format: You don't have to shoulder the financial or cooking burden alone. Provide the main turkey or protein, and invite your guests to download a shared list to bring appetizers, side dishes, or desserts. Shop Smart and Local: Take advantage of competitive prices and bulk buying options at nearby supermarkets to keep costs low on baking essentials, potatoes, and cranberries. Streamline Your Menu: Keep it focused. Having three perfectly executed side dishes is more affordable and less stressful than trying to fill a table with a dozen complex options. Simplify Your Decor: Use nature as your guide. A few pinecones, colorful fallen leaves from our nine acres of green space, and simple unscented tea lights create an elegant atmosphere for pennies. Hosting is about the company and conversations, not expensive ingredients!

DC vs. Virginia vs. Maryland: Where Should Hill Staff Live?

There's no single best place to live when you work on Capitol Hill. DC gives you the shortest commute and the most walkable nightlife. Northern Virginia offers direct Metro rides from Arlington and Alexandria, often with more space. North Bethesda, Maryland, is a quieter option with a direct Red Line ride to Union Station. Quick comparison Washington, DC Northern Virginia North Bethesda, MD Typical commute Walk to about 25 minutes About 20–30 minutes from Arlington and Alexandria; longer from Fairfax County About 30 minutes to Union Station Best for Short commutes, nightlife, walkability Direct Orange, Silver and Blue Line rides, more space, affordable options Senate staff, a calmer home base Our neighborhoods H Street, Navy Yard, Mt Vernon Triangle, Gallery Place, Columbia Heights Ballston, Courthouse, Carlyle, Braddock, plus affordable communities in Arlington, Falls Church, Tysons, Herndon, Fairfax and Alexandria Grosvenor-Strathmore Living in DC If you want to walk to work and be close to happy hours, receptions and late-night food, DC is hard to beat. From H Street and Navy Yard, many people walk to their office. Apartments in DC's busiest neighborhoods can be smaller, so look for smart layouts, like a studio with a separate sleeping area. Living in Northern Virginia Arlington's Ballston and Courthouse neighborhoods have direct Orange and Silver Line trains to Capitol South. Alexandria's Carlyle and Braddock neighborhoods are about 25 to 30 minutes away. Our established Virginia communities often have larger floor plans and renovated apartments, and select apartments include sunrooms. If you're on an entry-level salary, our affordable (LIHTC) communities in Northern Virginia are also worth a look. Living in Maryland North Bethesda offers a greener, quieter setting near the Music Center at Strathmore. The Red Line runs directly to Union Station, close to the Senate office buildings. It's a good option if you'd like more calm at home. What practical differences should I know about? Car registration. New DC residents have 60 days to register a vehicle with DC DMV . DC DMV also offers reciprocity permits for some people who keep their home-state registration, including members of Congress. Virginia and Maryland set their own rules, so check with their motor vehicle agencies. Taxes. DC, Virginia and Maryland each have their own income tax rules. Where you live can affect what you owe, so check with each jurisdiction's tax office or a tax professional. Parking. If you're bringing a car, ask each community about parking options and costs. Pets. All of our market-rate communities are pet-friendly with no breed restrictions, in DC, Virginia and Maryland. Pet policies at our affordable communities vary by property. Frequently asked questions Is it cheaper to live in Virginia or DC? It depends on the neighborhood and apartment. Compare specific apartments, and remember that our affordable communities in Northern Virginia offer income-restricted options. Make sure to also check for/ask about specials as you might see additional savings that way. Can I live in Virginia and still have a short commute to the Capitol? Yes. Ballston and Courthouse have direct trains to Capitol South in about 20 to 25 minutes. Do you offer flexible leases in all three areas? Our market-rate communities offer flexible lease terms that vary by property. Affordable communities offer 12-month leases. Are there specials? Select properties may be running specials. Check each community's website. Compare apartments Watch video tours of our apartments in DC , Arlington , Alexandria , North Bethesda and our affordable communities . Each video's title includes the community's name. These are examples, and the specific apartments shown may not be available when you're searching. More video tours are on each property's website. Visit our community search page to compare all of our communities in a list or map view.

Affordable Apartments Near DC for Entry-Level Hill Staff and Professionals

If you're starting a job on Capitol Hill or anywhere in the DC area on an entry-level salary, you may qualify for an income-restricted apartment. Our six affordable communities in Northern Virginia offer apartments at 50%, 60% and 70% of Area Median Income, depending on the property and current availability. What is a LIHTC apartment? LIHTC stands for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. It's a federal program that supports apartment communities that set aside homes for households below certain income levels. These communities are open to anyone who meets the income requirements, and many working professionals qualify, especially early in their careers. What does "percent of AMI" mean? AMI stands for Area Median Income. An apartment set at 60% AMI, for example, is available to households earning up to 60% of the area's median income, adjusted for household size. Income limits are updated every year and vary by household size, so the best way to check is on each property's website or by contacting the property. Do I qualify? You may qualify if your household income falls within the limits for the apartment you're applying for. Your household size counts, so a single person and a household of two have different limits. Income requirement information is on each property's website, or you can contact the property directly. Can a job offer letter be used to document income for applicants who haven't received a paycheck yet? Yes, but it’s possible that you may be asked for additional information dependent on what the letter says and if it can be verified. A note on student status. Under federal LIHTC rules, a household generally can’t be made up entirely of full-time students. That includes roommates who are each enrolled full-time, even at different schools. There are some exceptions, so if everyone in your household is a full-time student, check with the property before you apply. If you finished college or graduate school this year, you may still be considered a student for eligibility purposes, depending on when you graduated and when you plan to move in. Contact the property’s leasing office to find out how this applies to you. Our affordable communities Community Location Getting around Pets East Falls Apartments Falls Church, VA Close to East Falls Church Metro (Orange, Silver) Pet-friendly, no breed restrictions Quebec Apartments Arlington, VA Bus stop outside, connecting to Pentagon, Pentagon City and Ballston Metro No pets Indigo at McLean Station (brand new) Tysons, VA 0.3 miles from McLean Metro (Silver) Pet-friendly, no breed restrictions Ovation at Arrowbrook Herndon, VA Near Innovation Center Metro (Silver) Pet-friendly, no breed restrictions Residences at Government Center Fairfax, VA Local bus routes Pet-friendly, no breed restrictions; one pet Creekside Village Apartments Alexandria, VA Off Route 1, on local bus routes Pet-friendly, no breed restrictions Which affordable community is closest to Capitol Hill? East Falls Apartments and Indigo at McLean Station are both near Orange or Silver Line stations, and those trains run directly to Capitol South with no transfer. Quebec Apartments has a bus stop right outside that connects to several Metro stations, including the Pentagon, where Blue Line trains run to Capitol South. What lease terms are available? Our affordable communities offer 12-month leases. Can I pay rent on a flexible schedule? Yes. At any of our properties, residents can pay rent, and now other bills, on a flexible schedule through the Flex platform . Frequently asked questions Is affordable housing only for very low incomes? No. With apartments at 50%, 60% and 70% of AMI, many working professionals qualify, depending on household size and income. How do I find the current income limits? Check each property's website, or contact the property directly. Are these apartments available right now? Availability changes. Contact the property for current availability. Can I see the apartments before I apply? Yes. Watch video tours of some of our affordable housing communities . Each video's title includes the community's name. These are examples, and the specific apartments shown may not be available when you're searching. More video tours are on each property's website. Find an affordable apartment Visit our community search page to find each community's website, income requirements and contact information.

Affordable Fairfax County Apartments on the Silver Line to Capitol Hill

The Silver Line makes Fairfax County a realistic home base for a job on Capitol Hill. Silver Line trains from McLean and Innovation Center run directly to Capitol South with no transfer. Our communities in Tysons, Herndon and Fairfax are all affordable (LIHTC) communities, which can help if you're starting out on an entry-level salary. How does the Silver Line get you to the Hill? The Silver Line runs from Loudoun County through Tysons, then joins the Orange Line through Arlington and downtown DC. Every Silver Line train stops at Capitol South, next to the House office buildings. Expect roughly 35 to 40 minutes from McLean and closer to an hour from Innovation Center. That's a longer ride, but it's a single seat, so it's easy to read or answer email on the way. Commute comparison Location Our community Closest transit Getting to Capitol South Tysons Indigo at McLean Station McLean station (Silver), 0.3 miles away About 35–40 minutes, no transfer Herndon Ovation at Arrowbrook Innovation Center station (Silver) About an hour, no transfer Fairfax Residences at Government Center Local bus routes Bus plus Metro; time varies Tysons: Indigo at McLean Station Indigo at McLean Station is a brand-new affordable community just 0.3 miles from McLean station. Tysons has some of the region's biggest shopping and dining, including Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria. The community is pet-friendly with no breed restrictions. Herndon: Ovation at Arrowbrook Ovation at Arrowbrook is an affordable community not far from Innovation Center station. The area offers newer shopping and dining, the W&OD Trail for biking and running, and easy access to Dulles Airport for flights home. The community is pet-friendly with no breed restrictions. Fairfax: Residences at Government Center Residences at Government Center is an affordable community in Fairfax, on local bus routes. It's a quieter, suburban setting with nearby shopping and parks. The community is pet-friendly with no breed restrictions, but unlike most of our communities, it allows only one pet. How does affordable housing work at these communities? All three are LIHTC communities. Depending on the property and current availability, apartments are offered at 50%, 60% and 70% of Area Median Income. Income requirements are listed on each property's website, or you can contact the property directly. These communities offer 12-month leases. Residents can pay rent, and now other bills, on a flexible schedule through the Flex platform . Frequently asked questions Can I commute from Tysons to Capitol Hill by Metro? Yes. The Silver Line runs directly from McLean and other Tysons stations to Capitol South. Do I qualify for affordable housing? It depends on your household size and income. Check the income requirements on each property's website, and contact the property. Are these communities pet-friendly? Yes. All three are pet-friendly with no breed restrictions. Residences at Government Center allows one pet only. What lease terms are available? Our affordable communities offer 12-month leases. See the apartments Watch video tours of some of our affordable housing communities . Each video's title includes the community's name. These are examples, and the specific apartments shown may not be available when you're searching. More video tours are on each property's website. Visit our community search page to compare communities in a list or map view.

Seamless Travel: Commuting Options from Residences at Government Center

Situated right off Monument Drive, Residences at Government Center offers one of the most strategically connected addresses in Fairfax County. Whether you are heading to work in downtown Washington, D.C., commuting to local technology hubs, or taking classes at George Mason University, navigating the region is exceptionally smooth. We highlight the top transit networks accessible directly from your front door: Onsite Bus Access: Skip the morning rush entirely with a dedicated bus stop located right on our property, offering rapid connections to regional rail hubs. Monument Drive Transit Center: Located just moments away, the Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center serves as a major commuter launch point, including express service like Bus 699 directly to Washington, D.C. Major Highway Arterials: Drivers enjoy immediate access to Interstate 66, Route 29, and Route 50, putting the entirety of Northern Virginia within a short drive. Eco-Friendly Driving: Our onsite EV charging stations ensure your electric vehicle is powered and ready for your morning highway route. Leave transit stress behind and maximize your time with a home built around smart connectivity.