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Fairfax, VA is a Northern Virginia suburb in the DC orbit, and George Mason University anchors its southern end with the state's largest student body. The city pairs a walkable Old Town core, complete with a historic courthouse and a busy civic events calendar, with sprawling residential neighborhoods stretching toward the Beltway. Mason students settle along University Drive north of campus, near Braddock Road on the engineering side, and across the apartment clusters ringing campus. The big draw is access: the Vienna Metro station puts Arlington and downtown DC within about 30 minutes, so the whole capital region is in play for internships and weekends. The area is also laced with regional parks and trails.
The area north of campus holds popular apartment complexes within a short bike or bus ride to class. It keeps you close to campus without being right on top of it.
This side suits students spending most of their time on the engineering end of campus. It is a practical pick for staying near the buildings you use most.
A walkable historic core with civic events and a community feel, sitting a bit north of campus. It pairs character and amenities with a short hop to class.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Fairfax.
The Vienna Metro station on the Orange Line is Fairfax's big transit asset, putting Arlington and downtown DC within about 30 minutes. George Mason runs free shuttle buses connecting campus to that Metro station. The local CUE bus serves the city and links neighborhoods to Mason and the Metro. Together they make a car-free commute workable if you live near a route.
Walking works well in Old Town Fairfax and the apartment clusters right by campus. The suburban layout means longer trips usually need wheels of some kind. Biking is reasonable on local streets for students living close to the University Drive area. For most daily class trips near campus, you can manage on foot or a short ride.
Fairfax is spread out and built around I-66 and the Beltway, so most students keep a car for groceries, jobs, and anything off the transit lines. A vehicle gives you the most flexibility across the suburban setup. Expect to rely on a mix of driving, the shuttle, and Metro depending on where you are headed. Check parking and permit details before you lease.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Rentals near George Mason commonly run higher for living alone, but splitting a place with three or more people brings it down by around $100 per bedroom on average. Expect roughly $800-$1,300 per person in shared units, since Northern Virginia runs steeper than the rest of the state.
Browse student housing near each Fairfax-area university.