I've recently undertaken the most dreaded task: moving. There are many different layers of awful involved in the moving process. There's the physical moving aspect--packing up all your stuff and hauling it wherever you're going (this stage usually ends in me wishing I had no stuff and resenting all the things I own), cleaning out your old place, making it spotless, and saying goodbye. There's the telling everyone component: you have to notify anyone that might have your mailing address: employers, friends and family, magazines, banks...
EVERYONE. And there's the whole finding a new and suitable place piece. In DC this really is
dreadful. Housing costs are sky-rocketing, and it is an arduous task to find something reasonably affordable and enjoyable.
For me, living in a central, convenient, and fun neighborhood have always been priorities. I also enjoy living with roommates (fortunately, try renting a studio or 1 bedroom on a budget in this city!), but not too many. Finally, it needs to be a place that I can afford. Affordable housing is defined as paying 30% or less of your income on your housing. For us non-profit and entry-level workers...HAHAHAHA. That doesn't leave a lot of options, so you've got to be willing to compromise.
Finding housing can be worse than a job interview process. You will be constantly visiting houses, e-mailing people on Craigslist, and trying to impress the potential roommates with how responsible and simultaneously
bad ass you are.
It's a painful process and it could take longer than expected. Rental prices are increasing all over the city as we see an influx of new residents coming for jobs. The height restrictions don't allow for an infinite number of units; hence the high demand for apartments in the city.
But really, DC? Many young professionals I know essentially hand over an entire check each month to pay their housing costs. Affordable housing is vanishing, making way for luxury apartments and condos. Market rate is up to $3 per square foot. And don't even think about losing your job...you wouldn't last a month. No wonder DC is void of artists; DC is a place people come to work, and you need to keep working in order to stay. People that float between jobs or do odd jobs for money might be out of luck in this market. Why do people agree to pay these high prices? What can be done to tell builders and owners that we need affordable units, which is not just for low-income residents, but a term that ought to take into account what people are actually making and can reasonably afford to spend.
Don't get me wrong, I love living in DC, but during my moving journey the past month, I've had some realizations. If you want to live in DC, you have to buy into the system and work a job that will pay your rent, not just any job.
Renting here is a journey, and mine has a happy ending. I found a new place to live in a neighborhood I like. The price is "right" if you're brainwashed like me, accepting the DC rental prices for what they are.
For more background on the vanishing affordable housing, check out
this article from DCist.
--Megan
This was a great event and opportunity for residents from all different backgrounds, social siutations, neighborhoods, and ethnicities to come together for a common purpose of supporting the individuals who have the greatest need in our Nation's Capital. It is really exciting to see all of these different individuals come together for a common goal and putting their differences aside. It seems that if more people took the time to figure out what is truly the greatest necessity for the people and were willing to come together with those different than themselves we could overcome many of the battles we face today as a country.
