Things to know about DC before moving here
by Susan Abbott

Okay, you've got your plane ticket, a new resume (cv) and a burning desire to come to Washington to go to school, intern or actually work. There are a few things you need to know before getting here, and preparing for them before you come will make your life a whole lot easier.

So, I've compiled a list of interesting information that we hope will be of use to you. If you have additional suggestions for other people re-locating, please forward them to our Washington webmaster, Paul Benjamin, at ceualumni@usa.com

Okay, first things first. You need an ID (identification cards in the US are important to carry around. For instance, when you go out drinking, a waiter or waitress will usually ask you for proof of age, so it's kind of important that you have an ID. You have to be 21 years old to drink alcohol here, and you must carry a passport or other official ID with your picture and date of birth, i.e. driver's license, country card, etc. It is easier to just have your passport, or even better, when you get here, get an ID card. In DC, you can obtain a Non-Driver's ID Card at the Department of Motor Vehicles - http://dmv.washingtondc.gov/drivers_licencse/nondriver_id.htm

Open a bank account. There are many banks to choose from, shop around to find the best deals on minimum balance, checking and ATM fees and hours of operation. Check in the Yellow Pages for bank information, call ahead to find out what you need to bring with you in order to open an account. You will need to have a checking account in order to pay bills. Banks may ask you for a social security number to open an account. Ask around - Citibank, for example, does not require this.

When you begin looking for an apartment here, you will need to bring with you several items:

Referees - people that potential landlords can call to verify that you are a fine, upstanding person. Some ideas for references include former landlords, professors, former/current employers, or friends. It is a good idea that you pick people who speak reasonable English.

Money - enough for first month's rent and a security deposit. Keep in mind that in DC a deposit is usually the same as your monthly rent, so, if your rent is $600, your deposit will also be $600. Also, it is sometimes the case that when you begin renting in DC, you will need to provide extra deposit money since you have no American rent history. Landlords usually want the first month's rent and the deposit when you sign the lease. One other thing to consider: when you find an apartment you like, you may be asked to pay an application fee of around 50 dollars. This doesn't guarantee that you get the apartment - it merely registers your interest. If the landlord offers the apartment to someone else, you lose that money.

If you are coming here to work, then provide your landlords with information that shows proof of a job. If you are coming here as a student, then make sure you have documentation that you are indeed a student studying here in the US. If you are coming here, just to come here, well then, good luck (but keep in mind that it has been done before).

We suggest preparing a renter's resume before you come or when you first get here. List on this resume your name, a local address and phone number where potential landlords can reach you in DC, banking information (it's only necessary to provide the name and phone of your bank), what you're doing in DC, references, where you went to school, jobs you have had, current salary (if applicable), and a few interesting things about you, and a few hobbies to show just how fun and well-rounded you are.

Other things to keep in mind when searching for an apartment: When searching for an apartment in DC, remember, timing counts. The housing market is very tight here, so it is best to be early for appointments, look nice (clean clothes, freshly showered and smelling nice), and make sure potential landlords can reach you by phone - leave him or her your name and phone number!!!

Know when to look for an apartment - the best times are on the weekend, before 12 noon. This means that it's probably not too fruitful to begin your apartment search on Saturday at 3 PM. Also, when calling people you do not know, i.e. potential landlords, call before 9 PM, not after.

Check the Washington Post daily and the CityPaper on Thursdays for apartment listings. If you see something that looks good, call IMMEDIATELY. If you wait, 50 people may have called already.

Check out local rental agencies and see what they offer.

Consider group housing, which means shared housing. This option may be a lot easier than finding an apartment on your own. Check out the CityPaper's Shared housing section in their classifieds section

Check out areas outside of DC, but still on a Metro line. This point is very important because without a car in DC, you will be totally dependent on public transportation. When looking for an apartment, try to find something near a Metro or bus line. For information about Washington, DC Metro go to http://www.wmata.com

After you find a place to live:

Get a phone connection. Bell Atlantic DC is the local carrier. To order phone service, call them at (202) 954-6263. You'll be asked for your social security number - if you don't have one, you'll probably have to give your credit card information.

Sign up a long-distance phone carrier. Bell Atlantic covers the local calls, but you need someone else in addition for those state-to-state and international calls. Call around the main companies and figure out the best deals. MCI, Sprint, AT&T are the largest companies.

Call the electricity company - Pepco - to change your billing information.

Notify relevant people of your new address.

Breathe a sigh of relief, and have a house warming party! Then come along to a CEU event.

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(This page last updated April 24, 2001)