I was in a similar situation in terms of how much I could spend to live here. I'm married with kids, had to come here for about a year for work, family stayed back home, and I visit home about once a month. So the name of the game was trying to find a relatively cheap place, in a not bad neighborhood.

Anyway, my target was NoVa, because I work south of the city. So if you're interested in that at all, maybe I can help. The basic tiers I found here were:

- $800 will get you a place with roommates, in a not super desirable, but not bad, part of town.

- $1000 will get you a place with roommates in more desirable areas (say, closer to metro)

- $1200 will get you your own 1BR place in less desirable areas (think West Alexandria)

- $1600 will get you 1BR in more desirable areas, but in old buildings (this is where I landed)

- $1900 and up opens things up considerably. 1BR in places like Old Town, nicer parts of Arlington and, sometimes, DC-proper.