NIU Law Office of Admissions & Financial Aid June 11, 2012

First Step: Know Yourself Second Step: Know Your Surroundings Third Step: Know Your Options Resources for finding a home Areas to avoid Areas we recommend Management companies Fourth Step: Know Your Rights Fifth Step: Be in the Know Life at NIU

What are you looking for? Your price range How best can you minimize your budget? Your study style Library (very flexible hours)? At home? Coffee shop? Your transportation options Bus route? Covered parking? Your pet preferences Allergies? Yard? Dog parks? Your distance preferences Will you be rushed? Gas prices? Parking? Willingness to drive in inclement weather?

What are you looking for? Your style Large landlord/small landlord Smaller landlords can be more flexible with financial aid disbursement/tend to like law students! Larger landlords may have more perks/services (e.g. snow removal, lawn cutting) Rent or buy? Your living style Family-oriented? Roommates? A Yard? We have extra roommate request forms!

DeKalb (0-15 minute commute) A thriving college town Great if you really like socializing! Majority of law students live here There is a lot of shopping here for all of your major needs. Sycamore (20-30 minute commute) A family-friendly, quaint town adjacent to DeKalb! The second most popular location for law students Cortland/Maple Park (20-40 minute commute) Very quiet towns in DeKalb County Easy commute to NIU, great townhomes Not much shopping

Malta/Rochelle (10-15 minute commute) Very small towns with easy commute to law school. Relatively few housing options available. Rockford (45-60 minute commute) North of DeKalb. Large town where the Zeke Giorgi clinic is located. Western Suburbs There are many suburbs between here and Chicago. Many of our students commute from these suburbs.

Elburn (30 minute commute) 20 miles east of NIU. The nearest Metra station is located here. Park for $1.25/day (free on weekends!), and take the train right into the heart of downtown Chicago. Need more information? Contact the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau Stay tuned for Bill of Particulars from our Dean of Students. This comprehensive mailing will have details about the ins- and-outs of life in DeKalb.

Daily Chronicle Online Classifieds DeKalb, Sycamore, Cortland listings Places 4 Students Inc. DeKalb only. Targeted at students. DekalbRent.com DeKalb listings only. Rentals.com Apartments and townhomes. DeKalb and Sycamore Craigslist Rockford or Chicago NIU Housing and Dining NIU Off-Campus Housing Driving around Our office!

Hillcrest Edgebrook Drive/Kimberly Drive/Ridge Drive North Annie Glidden Road (North of Lincoln Highway) Lucinda Avenue Heart of downtown DeKalb (train noise) Companies that have University or College in the title

First Street (North of Dresser Road) Downtown DeKalb (2 nd Street, 4 th Street, 7 th Street) College Avenue (East of the law school) South Annie Glidden Road (Area South of Lincoln Highway) Sycamore

Northern View Apartments Family apartments on campus Stevenson Towers Single rooms Meal plan Speak with NIU Housing and Dining for more information.

Autumn Creek Management Leese Rental Properties Mason Properties Laing Management Townsend Management Many private landlords See handout for more information!

Know your rights as a tenant Landlords duty of notice Landlords duty to maintain Keep records of everything, especially damage Ask for tenant references Talk to Student Legal Services before signing a lease to see if there have been complaints! Renters insurance Some landlords require it. See handout for more information.

Ask questions Parking Mail Noise DeKalb is very quiet in the summer: it may be different in the fall! Pets Subleasing Average cost of utilities Lease term Security deposit Emergency number Fitness options When in doubt, ask!

Yellow: Students residing outside the city of DeKalb, those who do not have a DeKalb address, or those who live more than a 5 block radius of the Huskie Bus line bus stop. A reserved parking space may be available for an additional fee. ($75 annual and $54 fall only) Brown: Students living within the city of DeKalb. ($37 annual and $32 fall only)

Orange: Students residing in university-owned housing on a first-come, first-served basis until limit is reached. A reserved parking space may be available for an additional fee. ($75 annual and $54 fall only) Green: Remote parking in the East Convocation Center lot, for students living in university-owned housing at a less expensive fee. ($37 annual and $32 fall only) Motorcycle: A special yellow permit ($30 annual) Dont worry about this until Orientation!

Eating at NIU Holmes Student Center Subway Coffee Shop Blackhawk Cafeteria Small convenience store Lincoln Highway Every type of food Student Lounge Fridge, freezer, microwaves Vending machines!

Exercising at NIU NIU Recreation Center: free! Weights, cardio, swimming Group exercise classes Informal group law school workouts! Personal training Intramural sports

QUESTIONS????