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I'm seriously considering Iowa, and I was just wondering if there was anyone that could talk about the surrounding city, the school itself, the people at the school, and living arrangements. Essentially any information would be most welcome, especially to someone coming from NY like myself.

I went to Iowa for my Undergrad. I graduated in '08 but I've gone back to visit a lot and still have some friends in Iowa City. You can ask me what you're curious about and I'll do my best to answer.

Where would you suggest living? And have you been to the law school? If so, care to comment?

I have lived in Iowa City since 3rd grade and am just finishing up my undergrad here now. It is a college town in every sense of the label. The University is the life blood of the city. As for the law school, I personally was turned off by the atmosphere but I think that has more to do with me being sick of Iowa City and my desire to leave town. Anyway, I lived in NYC this summer for an internship and I much prefer the big city to the small town but I this varies from person to person.

Iowa City as a town-- Great downtown. Bars and restaurants galore (I love Hamburg Inn for breakfast [Clinton, Obama, etc. have all eaten there] and 126 for lunch/dinner). Some neat nature parks (ie Lake McBride, Hickory Hill park). Great sense of community and very close knit (although that does tend to get annoying...local politics remind me of High School immaturity). Great coffee shops downtown as well. We have the caucaus (spelling?) here as well for primaries/elections and such so If you are interested in politics that is always a fun time. Weather wise---the ultimate four seasons...hott, humid summers (iowa river), picture perfect autumn/fall (Late Sept.-Late Oct. only though), horrendous icy, snowy, unbelievably cold winters, and gorgeous (yet humid) springs...Ive only been to NY in the summer so I can't compare totally here. Also there is no where to shop within 2 hours of Iowa City (in terms of good clothes)...lack of clothing stores is one of my main pet peeves here.

Iowa Law-- Top 30 law school. New building (Boyd) and great facilities. Education wise, great school...especially for legal writing. The professors are top notch (Herbert Hovenkamp might be the best anti-trust guy in the country...pretty sure he worked on the Microsoft case in the late 90's...I grew up with his son and remember that going on...vaguely). Great study abroad programs and overall the staff is very friendly (midwestern politeness at the least). The library is huge and new. Overall, U of I campus is very nice. I've been there several times and have multiple friends who attend there. I've gotten mixed reviews from them in terms of how much they like it. A few despise it and hate the difficult curve. The competition is stiff (but isnt it at all law schools? especially t30s?) and I don't get that sense of comradary that you hear about between 1L's...but thats just the feel I get...could be wrong. But I've also gotten some positive feedback in terms of appreciation of the Professors and the challenges they face.

Random-- My two favorite things about Iowa City/U of I are this: tailgating and the women. Tailgating here is unlike anywhere else in the big ten...even Michigan or OSU (ive been to both for games)...it has to be one of the top in the country. It is intense from 4 am until way past game time. There is the magic school bus among several other activities. Iowa football alone is amazing. As for the women, I'm not sure if its all the good lookin' small town Iowa farm girls come here, or if its some midwestern beauty charm, or all the hottttt Chicago suburb girls that come here because they cant get into Illinois but there is something about this place that brings together some of the hottest women I've ever seen. And I've been to 6 different countries and nearly every state in the US. So I dont know how much time you'll have for football and chasing girls (since you know, you will be in law school and all) but if you like either of those ideas...well then Iowa is for you.

At the end of the day it depends on the person...if you like the small town/big ten college type feel then you'll love Iowa. If you hate winter/love the big city (shopping, night clubs, etc.) well then you'll probably hate Iowa.

Hope some of this helps, if you have more questions feel free to PM me.

Suggested living? I forgot...but the undergrads dominate the downtown area so if you like your peace and quiet (undergrads here are wiiiiild) I would veer away from downtown and towards west of the river and closer to the law building.

That is actually ridiculously helpful, thank you. (Aside from the hot girl thing since I'm a straight female....now if you wanna talk about guys... )

I feel like you've answered the questions I had in mind. Maybe someone else will join in and ask stuff if you don't mind answering.

Yea I think he answered better than I could have. But don't worry, the guys at Iowa are hot too. =)

For living, I would definitely say look on the west side of campus. Downtown gets to be more expensive and dominated by loud undergrads. I think it's West Benton street on the west side that has a bunch of apartment buildings on it.

Also I never thought shopping was bad in Iowa City. The Coralridge Mall is pretty huge or at least it is for the Midwest.

How is University Heights as a place to live?

No University Heights! Stay away! That's a weird incorporated area with bizarre rules. I suggest Seville, but Carriage Hill, Benton Manor and pretty much anything along Benton is good.

Iowa 2L here.

My only problem is that I need a 1BR place where I can have my dog, and I don't think the Seville or Benton allowed pets. It was either University Heights or Dolphin Lake, and the Dolphin Lake people have not been helpful at all when I have contacted them.

Thread hijack!

I'm looking to get a new phone and was wondering if anyone familiar with Iowa City could let me know how the coverage is with the big four carriers (Sprint, ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile). I've checked the coverage maps online already and it looks like T-Mobile doesn't even exist in Iowa City. I'm most interested in people's experience with data coverage. Thanks for the help!

I will be attending Iowa in the fall and am interested in getting football tickets. Are law students guaranteed tickets and how do you go about getting them?

Phone---Ive had ATT, Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular while I've lived in Iowa City....Verizon is by far the best service/most coverage..ATT is good because of the iphone obviously, and their 3g is faster than Verizons (but again there's a lot more "dead zones" with ATT)...so I guess its a matter of preference but if you're most concerned about coverage go with Verizon...if you must have an iphone to function (like me) then ATT is the way to go.


Football tickets--I'm not positive, but I don't think grad students are guaranteed tickets...If I were you I'd call the athletic/sports info. dept. ASAP...this is the most anticipated season in nearly 20 years...the tickets are going like crazy and the town is ready to explode...

Would anyone be interested in an Iowa Law 2013 facebook page? Thinking about starting one, but want to gauge interest first. BTW just sent in my $250.00 today, although I already deposited at another school before I got off Iowas waitlist. Wasted money

There's a facebook group already.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=338211879350

Aw man I just got off Iowa WL and seriously considering going over Vandy if the offer me a lot of money....

But as a single parent of 2 toddlers, I must say what people have said about the social life in Iowa City is a big turn-off. I can't imagine raising a family there... don't know if I should move my kids to that. Won't be doing much tailgating I'm afraid .

Thanks for the info! You might have saved me from making the worst decision ever...

krj02004 wrote:Aw man I just got off Iowa WL and seriously considering going over Vandy if the offer me a lot of money....

But as a single parent of 2 toddlers, I must say what people have said about the social life in Iowa City is a big turn-off. I can't imagine raising a family there... don't know if I should move my kids to that. Won't be doing much tailgating I'm afraid .

Thanks for the info! You might have saved me from making the worst decision ever...

I am non-traditional student, but without any kids. I live in Iowa City and trust me, there is plenty to do without the party scene (good parks, excellent public library, various sports). I would go beyond what has been posted on TLS before I would make a decision.

IStillPlayVideoGames wrote:No University Heights! Stay away! That's a weird incorporated area with bizarre rules. I suggest Seville, but Carriage Hill, Benton Manor and pretty much anything along Benton is good.

Iowa 2L here.

Yeah. Try going through there at 26 mph after dark without getting a ticket.

Also, I grew up in Iowa City and was hoping to go to UI COL. Unfortunately this year wasn't a great year for me and didn't make it in (I was wait listed two years ago and am almost sure I would have been offered admission, but I got called to active duty ).

Having spent quite a bit of time in Iowa City while experiencing college life at another school (ISU), I can tell you it's an amazing town with a lot to offer. It has the benefits of a small town and a medium city.

If you have a family, consider living in West IC or North Liberty. The commute from NL won't be more than 20 minutes tops, and the COL has its own parking lot.

If you're single, live downtown.

My brother managed a building for a property manager for a couple years, so if you want more info PM me and I can forward questions to him.
Off-street parking costs extra anywhere near the school, but it's worth it. Otherwise you'll be getting tickets all the time. Apartments are a little on the small side and many of them have crappy amenities. If you want a quieter area but still walking distance to class, any street East of Johnson St. will be quiet enough on the weekends to study/sleep through.

Any current Iowa students willing to give some advice/feedback about 1L courses and Profs? Either here or via PM....

Accepted at Iowa this week... Hoping to decide about school for sure by late Jan/early Feb so I can figure out housing. I grew up in DSM, but I am not at all familiar with Iowa City (except the bars haha). How much would I pay for a 2 bdrm near the law school? 1 bdrm? I will be living with my gf, most likely, and we'd like a second bedroom if we can afford it.

tagged. I am considering UIowa, too. I have been to des moines and sioux city, but not Iowa city. Love to hear what people, especially current 1L, say about the school and the area.

chrisbru wrote:Accepted at Iowa this week... Hoping to decide about school for sure by late Jan/early Feb so I can figure out housing. I grew up in DSM, but I am not at all familiar with Iowa City (except the bars haha). How much would I pay for a 2 bdrm near the law school? 1 bdrm? I will be living with my gf, most likely, and we'd like a second bedroom if we can afford it.

Hey, I live about 6-10 minutes walking distance from the law school in a 2 bedroom, and our rent has been $670. I hope that helps!

jaskat wrote:

chrisbru wrote:Accepted at Iowa this week... Hoping to decide about school for sure by late Jan/early Feb so I can figure out housing. I grew up in DSM, but I am not at all familiar with Iowa City (except the bars haha). How much would I pay for a 2 bdrm near the law school? 1 bdrm? I will be living with my gf, most likely, and we'd like a second bedroom if we can afford it.

Hey, I live about 6-10 minutes walking distance from the law school in a 2 bedroom, and our rent has been $670. I hope that helps!

$670 each? Or total? I assume it's each.... But $670 total would make my week haha.

chrisbru wrote:

jaskat wrote:

chrisbru wrote:Accepted at Iowa this week... Hoping to decide about school for sure by late Jan/early Feb so I can figure out housing. I grew up in DSM, but I am not at all familiar with Iowa City (except the bars haha). How much would I pay for a 2 bdrm near the law school? 1 bdrm? I will be living with my gf, most likely, and we'd like a second bedroom if we can afford it.

Hey, I live about 6-10 minutes walking distance from the law school in a 2 bedroom, and our rent has been $670. I hope that helps!

$670 each? Or total? I assume it's each.... But $670 total would make my week haha.

Total. My roommate and I pay $715 total, well we pay electric too (~$20 a month). Its not the cheapest place I have lived, but its certainly not expensive.