The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) is the USDA's flagship agricultural research campus, off US-1 and I-95 between College Park and Laurel. It hosts postdocs, ORISE fellows, and visiting scientists year-round. This is an independent community resource and is not affiliated with the USDA.
Popular areas
- Beltsville — closest to the center, suburban and affordable.
- College Park — a short drive south, more amenities and transit, near UMD.
- Greenbelt — green and quiet, near the Metro.
- Laurel — north along US-1, more space per dollar, near MARC.
- Calverton / Adelphi — quiet residential options nearby.
Getting to campus
- Beltsville is car-oriented; most visitors drive to the center.
- Greenbelt (Green Line) and MARC (Camden Line at Muirkirk/Laurel) give transit options.
- Living in College Park makes a more car-free life possible while keeping the commute short.
What to expect on rent
- This part of Prince George's County is more affordable than the inner DC/Montgomery suburbs.
- Furnished rooms and sublets turn over with the research calendar; summer has the most.
- Sharing a house keeps costs down and is common among postdocs and fellows.
Tips for visiting scientists
- An ARS/ORISE appointment letter helps with landlords if you lack U.S. credit history — see the no-credit guide.
- Confirm lease flexibility; visitor terms (3–12 months) exist but aren't the default.
- Tour in person or by live video before paying anything.
Browse current Beltsville-area listings, then read the short-term housing options guide for sublets and shared houses.
A quick note
This guide is practical information only — not legal, immigration, or tax advice. Confirm details with official sources and your host institution.
Related guides
Renting without U.S. credit history
How international researchers can secure a lease without a U.S. credit score.
Read guide →Getting around without a car near NIH/NIST
Transit, biking, and car-share options so you can skip buying a car.
Read guide →Short-term housing near NIH, NIST, and DC research campuses
The main short-term housing options for visiting researchers — sublets, shared houses, aparthotels, and corporate housing — and which fits each campus.
Read guide →