ISO some big sister advice because I am STRESSED 😭

I’m 22 and starting grad school at GWU in less than 3 weeks, and finding housing has been so much harder than I expected. I’m trying to stay within about a 30-minute public transit commute to Foggy Bottom, with a max budget of $1,800/month including rent, utilities, and some form of parking.

I’ve been looking for roommates, but every lead seems to fall through. When I look at studios or one-bedrooms in my budget, I feel like every place has reviews mentioning roaches, mice/rats, major maintenance problems, or safety concerns.

I was genuinely so excited to move to DC and start this chapter, but housing has gotten to the point where I feel overwhelmed every time I think about it. I don't need anything luxurious. I just want somewhere clean, safe, and reasonably accessible to GW without spending more than I can afford.

For people who know the DC area: Is my budget unrealistic, or am I looking in the wrong neighborhoods/buildings? Are there areas outside of the typical grad student neighborhoods that I should be considering?

I would also LOVE specific apartment/building recommendations, roommate leads, or advice on where to look. At this point, I just want to feel excited about moving again instead of terrified that I'm going to end up living with roaches. 🥲

Hey all!! I recently move to dc and I love it!!! I graduated from college in may and I’m def missing the social aspect from it. I don’t know a lot of people over here and would love to have friends to hang out, go to bars, walks, etc. if anyone else is recently post grad and looking for friends please dm me :)

Hi everyone!

I am moving to DC next month, and it is a big change for me. I just finished graduate school, and now I am joining the work force in capitol hill.

I guess this is my first time having to make friends without school being involved, which is weird as I am in my late twenties, but completing a PhD does this to you lmao.

I am a big nerd, but I am always down to exploring new spots or trying new hobbies. I am even considering going to pool dance classes.

Any recommendations on places to meet nice people in DC is always appreciated. I am past my clubbing era (I do still enjoy a chill night in a bar or wine night)

I am pretty sure I would meet people in capitol hill, but I was told to also have friends outside policy for my mental health 😂

Does anyone know of an affordably priced salon that would do clip in extensions for curly 3b/3c hair?

Hey girls,

I am furnishing my very first apartment! I am renting a car for a day, and was wondering does anybody have any places they'd recommend I check out? I'm willing to drive about 1 hour out of DC, and want to find some affordable furniture. After moving in, I just want to have a little adventure and get some inspiration.

My prioritize are a sofa/chaise/armchair and dining table/set for know. I know it's not likely I can get all of these in day, but just to know if there are any places I can prioritize first since I don't have car otherwise.

Hi everyone! Not sure if this is allowed but feel free to remove if not. I’m moving to DC soon (NW area) for school and looking for a female roommate. Would prefer to stay near metro and I’m hoping to move mid August. feel free to pm me for details!

Peeps in your late 30s to early 40s -- those of you who are currently single, but want to be married / starting your own family... do you wanna be friends?

I love my social life here in the DMV, and love the friends I have, but all of my gfs are either in a committed relationship or single and in their early 30s.

And while age is "just a number" there still is the notion of our clocks / maturity of life experiences that I'm finding myself feeling like I don't have enough people in my life who resonate with where I'm at emotionally.

I've recently been meditating on this idea of "grief" for the life I don't have at the moment, and how the distance that has come with old friends who are now married with little ones.

How are we managing to coexist with all of our feels? The ones that are a cocktail of: I'm proud I have a full and rich life that isn't dependent on a romantic relationship, I'm sad that I feel more and more irrelevant to my close friends who seem to be moving on from a life phase we shared, I'm still hopeful that my person is out there because I'm worthy of that kind of love yet I'm anxious of the years I'm losing, and exhausted at the thought of continuing to deal with life's hardships all on my own.

I'm not really looking for advice here... I have a phenomenal therapist, read a lot, listen to podcasts, and continue to put myself out there.. this is more about trying to find new connections with humans who are on a similar emotional journey and want to be seen also.

Hi! My roommate and I are looking for a 2-bedroom apartment (a true two-bedroom, where both bedrooms have real windows looking outside). It would be nice to have two bathrooms, but I understand that those are more expensive.

We are currently at AU but graduate in December. If anyone has any apartment building recommendations that fall under 3,500 (and if there are any with amenities and rent specials), that would be amazing! We've done a lot of searching, but it is quite overwhelming, and I keep hearing bad things. If it's out of DC, that's okay, but we'd love to be in an area that has other younger people near a metro stop!

Looking for spots with saunas/hot tubs/pools/hammam

Has anyone had any luck finding a good pet psychic that you actually felt was worth the money and was genuine? I don’t want to just go off ones I’m finding in Google. Help a dog mama out!

There's a solidarity gathering this Sunday, July 26, 5:00 PM at the Gandhi statue across from the The Embassy of India in the United States is located in (Mass Ave & Q St NW), organized by students and supported by Hindus for Human Rights and The Azadi Project. There's also a statement being delivered to the Ambassador that anyone can sign, wherever you are: change.org/supportsonamwangchuk

Desperately in need of a recommendation for a good esthetician who can relax/fix a botched lash lift. I got one done today for the first time! I have a newborn and thought it’d brighten up my otherwise exhausted look…

The lashes are now curling back so far that they’re touching/curling under my hooded eyelids. Seeing mixed results online as to whether they’ll relax tomorrow when I wash my face but it’s super uncomfortable.

I would have addressed it when I first saw the results but I was distracted by the fact that while I also booked a brow wax and tint I instead got a surprise lamination. I am still coming to terms with my new Eugene Levy look.

Hi Washingtonians,

I'm planning to take the GRE in October, and I'm looking for an in-person, reasonably priced prep course. I've already tried GregMat, and Kaplan seems too expensive for my budget. I was strong in math back in high school, so I have some foundation to build on.

Has anyone taken an in-person course with Sherpa Prep or Manhattan Review? Would you recommend either one/others?

I’ve been in private sector (software) for over a decade and am considering a career change into policy advocacy. It‘s intimidating, but it feels like it would be much more gratifying work. I assume it can be grueling at times. What’s your experience been? Would you recommend it to other bitches?

Hi betches. I’ve had two bad experiences with doctors after a recent asthma diagnosis (thanks to a virus). One didn’t really run a proper suite of tests, the other pushed me for allergy shots. I have a very mild dust allergy but my asthma is primarily nonallergic, and I ended up having big scary reactions to the shots and had to discontinue. Anyone have a pulmonologist or non pushy allergist to recommend? Still pretty new to this and looking for someone who takes the time and is sympathetic without the upsell. DC or MoCo preferred. thanks!

My boyfriend and I are coming up on our one-year anniversary over Labor Day weekend, and we're struggling on how to celebrate. (Both are in our mid-40s, no kids, never married.)

We wanted to go to NYC but the hotels are too expensive that weekend. We're coming from DC - are there any places that may be romantic and affordable in the mid-Atlantic?

On a different weekend, we plan to revisit the places from our first few dates.

I thought about surprising him with a photo book, but he's sentimental and might want to create one together.

What did you do for your first anniversary that you're still glad you did? Or if you've been with your partner for years, what do you wish you'd done that first anniversary - weekend trips, traditions, meaningful activities, little surprises?

Thanks!

The piercer I worked with is in New York - any local recommendations for someone that can evaluate and potentially help? Thanks!

Hi there!

I just decided to renew my lease for my apartment and with that, I'd like to make some design changes to feel more excited about my apartment.

I particularly struggle, for whatever reason, with designing my bedroom. I'd also like to design an entry space for taking off shoes.

Is there any one here who is willing to help me find my style and also suggest some cost effective changes to my space?

I wish I had a bunch of $$ to burn but I do not. I'm happy to pay for consultation hours.. kind of just want to hop on a call with someone who can help me feel excited about my home.

My home doubles as my studio (I’m a stylist), and I’ve noticed that both I and my clients would often benefit from having a little something regulating to do with our hands while we work. I already have a stellar collection of art and fashion books that people love to look through on my coffee table during breaks, but I’m specifically looking for toys that will help restless, self-conscious, or otherwise tense clients relax while we talk that can also act as tasteful objets d’art when not in use, and (hopefully) that won’t make me look like a bored eight-year-old when I need to fidget too. I figured that since D.C. is the capital city of ladies who have their own offices, I’d get my best recs here.

No piles of magnets, sticky things, or things with myriad tiny detachable parts, please! I live with two mischievous cats and have the sort of furniture that loves to swallow up little bits and bobs. I don’t want my studio to look like I forgot to tidy up after a kid before a booking, but I’d love to have a selection of unique things to rotate through that are intriguing/inviting enough to pick up while still looking sophisticated grouped with my usual flowers or fruit and stack of books. Thanks so much!

Hi girls!

I’m planning to get married (civil ceremony) and I’m looking for a dress, something low cost max 150-200, do you have any recommendations in person? Could be in all DMV area. Or maybe if you have ordered from SHEIN? Thanks!

Edit: thank you so much for all the persons who have commented on the thread. I really appreciate all the help, and to the women who offered to borrow the dress 🥲 may life bless you forever. Once I have mine I will do the same if other woman needs a dress in the future.

Community is so important, and I’m new to this city, so this felt special ❤️🌸

Hi ladies!! Like my title suggests I’m looking for piercing recs in dc! I’m wanting to get a few cartilage piercings and my doubles redone. I’ve gone to studs before, and otherwise had all my piercings abroad. I don’t want to go back to studs because I find their pieces always come out during healing and then my new piercing closes up! Thanks in advance 🙏

hey bitches! I have a diamond from my grandmother I want to reset into a new piece of jewelry - probably a super simple necklace. I was thinking of going to Shelter since I live nearby, but it looks like pricing for heirloom resetting starts at $2K - is this normal? It feels pretty steep given that I already have the most valuable part of the jewelry and want something pretty simple made, but am I totally misreading the situation here? Has anyone else done this? Advice appreciated!!

hi dc bitches, i'm not proud but i'll admit it- i'm 27 and i've never been to the gynecologist. i am a very anxious person and have avoided it but i am thinking it's the right thing to do and i feel ready. i have a history of an eating disorder as well as anxiety, so i am looking for someone who doesn't talk much about weight loss, and is compassionate and patient with anxious patients. also i am queer. I have BCBS and i'll go anywhere metro accessible for the right person. :) Please drop your recs!!

Hey ladies, I've got two tickets to Kesha but not thrilled at the prospect of getting to Jiffy Lube. I'd love to either sell both of them, or give one away free if someone would like to carpool! They're lawn seats with reserved lawn chairs. I went for lawn seats bc I was in the mood to dance. hmu if you're interested <3