Many would think that going to school in the middle of a major city like D.C. enables GW students to live the ultimate urban experience. Despite this, students move off campus to get a more genuine city experience in neighborhoods such as Adams Morgan, Dupont, and Columbia Heights.

“I understand that GW encourages people to stay on campus,” said senior Sean Trainor, a history and religion double major and Adams Morgan resident. “But I cannot recommend enough what a great experience it was to move off. For anyone who wants to explore D.C., it’s a great option.”

Moving off campus is often a student’s first encounter with true independent living, and with that comes responsibilities that often go unnoticed for those who live in dorms, such as paying for utilities and doing laundry using quarters, not GWorld.

Sarah Castleman, a senior majoring in English who lives on Corcoran between Q and R Streets, found having to do all the little things on her own was a bit of a surprise.

“It’s kind of a shock to have to start paying your bills and learn how that all works,” Castleman said. “Now I know what everyone says when they need quarters for their laundry.”

Trainor found that not using GWorld actually works to his advantage. His parents still pay for his food, but because of cooking in the apartment he shares with a few other GW students, he eats better and saves money.

“We pretty much cook everything. I spend so much less on food not being on GWorld,” Trainor said. “The Safeway up here is cheaper than Watergate and way better stocked.”

Along with the basic actions of day-to-day life of independence also comes the realization that living off campus means not having the security GW provides. Without the University Police Department that supplements the D.C. Police, off-campus residents have to heighten their level of safety awareness. Trainor avoids wandering around in some parts of his neighborhood, but overall feels safe in his apartment that sits on the main strip of Adams Morgan.

“The main part of Adams Morgan where we are, there’s too many people around to feel unsafe. If you do sit out on the street you might see fistfights, but it’s usually people who are trashed,” Trainor said. “You usually have to provoke it.”

As a woman, Castleman said she has to be more careful. She tries to not walk alone and is sure to get home by 10 or 11 on weeknights, and decent hours on the weekends.

“I’m actually glad I’m not out partying all night anymore,” Castleman said.

The distance from campus can also be an inconvenience. Trainor, who lives 20 minutes away by bus, manages the distance by scheduling classes to make his days similar to a nine to five workday, and staying on campus for the entire time.

“You have to plan ahead and think of all the stuff you’re going to need throughout the day and bring it down to campus,” Trainor said.

Living far from campus can also mean not being surrounded by peers and less time with friends who do live on campus. This does not bother Castleman, who said she enjoys being separated from other students.

“I definitely don’t miss being surrounded by students,” Castleman said. “I’m in a real neighborhood, seeing families. It’s more of a diverse atmosphere, more like a community which I really like.”

Senior Jason Mogavero, who is majoring in English and also lives in Adams Morgan, feels that living off campus is an easier transition into the real world.

“It’s a much more real experience, you’re actually in a city. It makes you value your time on campus with your friends much more,” Mogavero said. “Move off campus, for God’s sake.”

Lauren Barlog, a senior majoring Spanish with the pre-med option, feels the same way. She resides in an apartment in The Cairo, at 1615 Q St. N.W. in Dupont, which she shares with a roommate and her pet dog, Cadiz, whose name comes from a small southern city in Spain.

The Cairo apartments, mere blocks away from Safeway, Whole Foods, and in the center of exciting Dupont, are some of the most coveted residences in the District, according the Washington Post.

“I really like my place. My lifestyle hasn’t changed since I started living here, but since I’ve lived off campus I’ve had more of a lifestyle. Plus there’s no UPD,” Barlog explained. “Living here on my own lends more time to exploring and finding new things that I wouldn’t have otherwise ”

Barlog plans on going to med school in the future, so The Cairo is her home for the next few years.

“It has such an adult feel to it,” she said, “I lived with a host family when I studied abroad, so coming back and living on my own and doing everything on my own took getting used to, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Trainor also feels that living off campus gives more of the real city experience, while still allowing for him to be part of a community.

“In Foggy Bottom you don’t feel like you’re in a city,” Trainor said. “But I feel like I’m still part of the GW community … and also part of the Adams Morgan community.”

-Prerna Rao contributed to this article.