Summer internships are a valuable opportunity for students looking to apply their knowledge, make connections, and kickstart their careers. Many young professionals flock to Northern Virginia to take advantage of the variety of internship opportunities the region offers. For many, finding summer housing can be a daunting task.
After more than ten years of running our summer internship program for software engineers, our team at BTI360 has compiled some tips to help our interns find convenient temporary housing. Here are strategies and resources to make your housing search easier.
Reach out to Friends and Family
If you’re struggling to find a place to live for the summer, start by reaching out to your friends and family to ask if they have any connections in the target area. Mutual friends are one of the most popular ways our interns find housing. Even if your contacts don’t live in the area, they might know someone who does that could help you find temporary housing.
Stay at a Local College
George Mason University is a commuter school located in Fairfax, Virginia. In the summer, it opens up its residence halls for a summer intern housing program. These apartment-style halls are perfect for those looking for a fun and convenient temporary housing option. Another perk is the shuttle service GMU provides to the Vienna/Fairfax metro station.
Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia also offers summer intern housing. Access to the gym and most campus amenities are included. Marymount provides a free shuttle to Ballston Metro and Ballston Center.
Join Subleasing Social Media Groups
Subleasing is another popular temporary housing choice as it provides both flexibility and affordability. There are many websites that offer subleasing options, but we suggest starting your search through social media groups. These are a couple of our favorites on Facebook:
🔗 Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Maryland – Housing, Roommates, & Sublets
With over 94,000 members, this group is the largest subleasing group in the DC metro area. It provides various options all over Northern Virginia—including Arlington, Reston, Herndon, and Fairfax. This is a particularly good option if you hope to parlay your internship into a fun experience exploring life in a new city.
🔗 George Mason University (GMU) Housing, Sublets, & Roommates
The GMU group is an excellent resource if you prefer to sublet from or room with a college student. Many GMU students live off campus in Northern Virginia and sublet their apartments in the summer.
Other Helpful Tips
- Start your search early! The best options can go fast, so we suggest you start to look for housing as soon as you accept your offer.
- If you plan to try a subleasing group on social media, keep in mind that you may have to request to join them. Even though it might take a week or two for them to accept your request, it is very rare for anyone to get rejected altogether.
- Keep an eye out for scams! If a post seems too good to be true, it very likely is. Make sure to do some research about the address they give you and verify the information they’ve provided.
- If you aren’t confident in your ability to identify a scam, we recommend that you don’t create your own post. Responding to existing posts is your safest option because most scams are disguised as replies to offers and not as actual posts.
- If you choose to sublease, try to call or video chat with your subletter/roommates beforehand.
- If you will be bringing a car for the summer, confirm the parking situation at any potential housing. Is there a space available? Does it cost extra?
About BTI360
BTI360 is a software development company. Our philosophy: attract the best engineers, invest in their growth, and empower them to pursue ideas that make a lasting impact. We have opportunities for college students, recent grads, and established professionals. Check out our current Career Opportunities. We’re always looking for like-minded engineers to join the BTI360 family.