Living in the D.C. Metropolitan Area

Washington Monument with Cherry Blossoms

The Washington, D.C. metropolitan region is an excellent place to work and live. D.C. contains vibrant and interesting neighborhoods, including the Georgetown neighborhood itself, which offers shops, restaurants, and a bustling nightlife. Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, and Columbia Heights are short bus rides from Georgetown’s campus. Rosslyn, in Virginia, is just across the Key Bridge. Students have the chance to experience many cultural events, ranging from the annual Cherry Blossom Festival to presidential inaugurations.

The D.C. area is an excellent place for physics students. Many government agencies and contractors that hire physics doctoral graduates are located in the District itself or nearby in Virginia or Maryland. The Naval Research Laboratory is located in Southwest D.C., just a few miles from Georgetown’s campus. Lockheed Martin has its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, which is accessible through D.C.’s Metro system.

Students interested in exploring the outdoors can hike on the C&O Canal, which begins in the heart of Georgetown and runs for 180 miles, ending in northwestern Maryland. Many shorter hiking trails run along the Potomac River, both in D.C. and Virginia.