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 http://www.dekalbareacvb.com/  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  Landlord’s duty of notice  Landlord’s 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!  Renter’s 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)  Don’t 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????