Columbia plaza knows it has a great locations so they capitalize on that and charge a ton. It was super convenient as a 1st and 2nd yr, but I've since moved to VA and have literally cut my rent in half and even have a washer and dryer in my unit.
Oh, before I forget, they have rats and roaches too. So if you can live with that, go for it

Responsive to concerns, large space for the price but there’s definitely a cockroach problem

I love my apartment, it's super close very spacious has lots of sunlight and I love the company!

Convenient location and filled with other medical students. Great gym access. No lounge study space. Also contains undergraduate students who can be very disruptive at times-thin walls. Rent controlled.

Columbia Plaza has been a great place to live as a student. It's relatively quiet, with most noise coming from the street (and sirens), which I am used to. I have had no safety issues, including the time my apartment door was left open (visitor's fault) for 12+ hours and nothing in my apartment was touched. I have had very few maintenance issues and management has responded promptly. Price is typical for the neighborhood.

Columbia Plaza's location is probably the only good thing about it. It is very old and outdated. It is expensive (parking is also expensive at over $200/month). There are bugs no matter how clean you are. Students live there to be close to school but it doesn't offer much else. The gym got redone and it is much nicer but for such a large apartment complex it is way too small.

The apartment itself is incredible. It is huge and has two balconies, one with an incredible view of the Watergate and the Kennedy Center. Definitely the best bang-for-your buck in Foggy Bottom. That being said, the location is less-than-desirable for things to do. It is walking distance to GW, so it serves its function for what I wanted, but there is nothing around the building. Not ideal if you want a city-feel with bars and restaurants right outside your door.

Great apartment but management is difficult to deal with and elevators and such are broken often in the older buildings.

Close to school, reasonable rent for the area and great apartment!

Very nice for the price.

- Central A/C (warm enough in winter, almost cold enough in summer)
- If your apartment is clean, you won't have pests.
- No undergrads, so mostly serious people in this quiet building