GTM EX PCS Lodging Program

Good morning, I will be attending the Foreign Service Institute in April. I am at a loss as to how to choose between over 70 lodging locations. Could you please answer some questions to help me decide?
1. What lodging locations are closest to the Foreign Service Institute? Are any within walking distance?
2. Are shuttle services running and reliable?
3. I am accepting a MED position. Do I need to stay at the Baltimore/Johns Hopkins location?
4. As a MED hire, where else besides the Foreign Service Institute will I be attending training? How do I get there?!
5. Anyone reading this, do you have reviews or recommendations on specific locations?
Thank you!

anyone else staying at the Avenue in Foggy Bottom?

I appreciate all that you're doing in this time. But for those that have PCS dates coming, can you communicate to the vendors that orders will be coming. And that their unnecessarily firm emails does not make the process go any faster.

I have a question. What is the understanding about changing PCS arrival/departures dates at Oakwood? Over the years, I have stayed at various Oakwoods while on PCS orders. I have never had any problem changing arrival or departure dates, as necessary. I have stayed on the PCS program and paying myself. This time, however, my dates were a bit uncertain. I noted to the person who checked me in on July 28 that there was a chance I would be leaving earlier than my reservation. They indicated that would be no problem and that I should let them know when I could. On Aug 3, after a meeting with AF, I let Oakwood know, by email, that I would be leaving as early as Aug 23. A few days ago, I stopped by to confirm that I would have to depart on Aug 24. At that point, I was told that it was fine that I leave earlier, but that I would be financially responsible for the remainder of the days I had reserved (through Oct 4, to accommodate my 6-week French brush-up). This is so unacceptable; I don't know what to say. I now have to get HR/EX to amend my orders indicating the new departure date. This is more work for several people whose time would probably be better used processing TM4s. I have never had to get new orders to arrive at post earlier, and it is the last thing I (or anyone) need to worry about when I'm already trying to fit all of my consultations around my now 6 days of French.

I did not use the program that has Oakwood direct bill the Department, but I was surprised that they had billed my credit card for the entire July 28-Oct 4 stay. Is this normal? Why would I ever use Oakwood again?