Some great advice here for you. I would add that you should look at the blogs for individual neighborhoods - as there is more of a sense of community and while I would never find a renter on CraigsList, I would take one that is sourced through my neighborhood ListServ. I live in an awesome row house in an awesome walkable neighborhood and many people in my neighborhood rent out their 4th floor (with outdoor terrace) for about $1000/month. Unfortunately, most look for the 4-day renters (commuters who stay Monday -Thursday). They get full run of the house and have a private sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and terrace to themselves. I'm sure there are similar offers all throughout the city, but you've got to look beyond CL.
Here's a list of neighborhood blogs. If I knew more about what your likes/dislikes are, then I could strike half of these off the list in 30 seconds.
http://dcblogs.com/?p=1661And a map of DC neighborhoods.
http://dc.urbanturf.com/neighborhoods/http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/DC_neighborhoods_map.pngeveryone has strong opinions on which neighborhood is best. Don't take one person's word for it. Ask a lot of people.
Bikeshare - Yes do it! I pay $75/year and hop on and off anytime I want for free. It's a fantastic program and I love not having the hassle of maintenance or worrying about thieves. I wish I could take it to work, but there are no bikeshare stations near my work so I had to buy my own bike for longer rides. So much cheaper than Metro and faster and easier for short hops around town. Believe me, if I could get back on a bike after so many years, so can you. I'm a horrible rider, but I light myself up like a christmas tree and hope no one hits me.
Here's a list of free things happening in my neighborhood (Capitol Hill and Navy Yard/Capitol Riverfront), just posted today.
Nov 6 - Jan 19 — Magna Carta at Library of Congress Jefferson bldg
Nov 7 - Jan 7 — Mon-Fri 9am - 4pm; Monica Youngling Art Exhibit @ prudential penFed Realty Cap Hill. 216 7th St. SE.
Nov 7 5:30-7:30 - opening reception for Monica Youngling Exhibit @ prudential penFed Realty Cap Hill. 216 7th St. SE.
Nov 8 - 16: Fotoweek DC.
http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/PhotoWeek.htm http://www.fotodc.orgNov 9 Veterans 10K & Tidal Basin Walk 8am.
Tues Nov 11 (Veterans Day) — Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Wall . wreath laying at WWII memorial = 9am; observance at the wall 1pm
Nov 11–Feb 26 Decoding the Renaissance: 500 Years of Codes and Ciphers, @ Folger Shakespeare Library
Nov 13 7pm - National Archives: White House secretaries Forum on Communication
Mon Nov 17 : Overbeck Lecture: @ Naval Hall Lodge 330 Pennsylvania Avenue
Thurs Nov 27 (Thanksgiving)
Thanksgiving - Turkey trot 5K walk/run @ 13st & Penn @ 9AM
Thurs Nov 27 - Jan 4 10am-5pm: Seasons Greenings at the Botanic Garden. (tues and thurs open until 8pm)
Friday Nov 28: 5-7pm National Harbor Xmas tree lighting & fireworks. also ornament making workshop
Friday Nov 28 - Jan 1: Zoolights
Friday Nov 28 - Tues Dec 23 10th Annual Downtown Holiday Market is located on the F Street sidewalk in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery between 7th & 9th Streets, NW
Sat Nov 29 - Small Business Saturday. - Labyrinth 9am-7pm Battle of the cookie & Free game nights every week
Sat Nov 29 - 5:30-6pm - Cap Hill Xmas Tree Lighting. Penn & 8th SE.
Mon Dec 1 5pm - Star Lights Capitol Hill 201 4th St. SE. National Capital Bank parking lot behind the church. caroling, hot chocolate cider and the lighting of the xmas star.
Dec 3 6pm: Union Station Norwegian Embassy Tree Lighting.
Dec 4 5pm - US Capitol Xmas Tree Lighting
Dec 4 5pm - National (White House) Xmas Tree Lighting (opens to public after 8pm). Nightly after that.
Dec 5 6:30-9: Torpedo Factory - late studio hours & Alexandria Choral society
Sat Dec 6 6pm-8pm — Parade of Lights @ SW Waterfront@water Street Park
Sat Dec 6 parade 11AM - 1pm: Scottish Xmas Walk Parade and concert; massed band concert 1pm . Old Town. Scottishchristmaswalk.com
Dec 6-7: 10am-530pm: American Indian Native Art Market @ Natl museum for american indian
Dec 12-14: Parcel Market @ Canal Park
Fee free to PM me if you want more specific info.