UC Hastings Students Taking Questions Forum

[myuniverse]

Can any of you guys provide some quick advice on housing?
My plan as of right now is move to SF early August (from Texas), crash on a buddy's couch for a few days and hopefully find a place/sign a lease and move in within a week or so.

I know the housing market is crazy right now, so am I out of my mind thinking that this would be possible, or is it actually reasonable? I see places get listed on craigslist every day, but not sure how competitive it all is, etc. The alternative here would obviously be visiting sometime this month and trying to get something for August 1st.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Obviously no idea what your financial situation is like, but assuming you're an average law student, this is wishful thinking. The housing market in SF is insane right now. You should give yourself at least a few weeks. I know plenty of people, myself included, who spent a month or more at the beginning of last school year trying to find housing.

Make sure you have multiple copies of your credit report--lots of places wouldn't even consider my app without one.

I'm thinking about bringing a car. If I commute, can I expect lower rent?

Can you suggest some neighborhoods? TYIA

[hiima3L]

Can any of you guys provide some quick advice on housing?
My plan as of right now is move to SF early August (from Texas), crash on a buddy's couch for a few days and hopefully find a place/sign a lease and move in within a week or so.

I know the housing market is crazy right now, so am I out of my mind thinking that this would be possible, or is it actually reasonable? I see places get listed on craigslist every day, but not sure how competitive it all is, etc. The alternative here would obviously be visiting sometime this month and trying to get something for August 1st.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Obviously no idea what your financial situation is like, but assuming you're an average law student, this is wishful thinking. The housing market in SF is insane right now. You should give yourself at least a few weeks. I know plenty of people, myself included, who spent a month or more at the beginning of last school year trying to find housing.

Make sure you have multiple copies of your credit report--lots of places wouldn't even consider my app without one.

I'm thinking about bringing a car. If I commute, can I expect lower rent?

Can you suggest some neighborhoods? TYIA

Yes, but a car will make it vastly more expensive. Parking at school is ~$250/mo (I think) and parking permits in SF are super expensive. IMO, you're better off taking public transportation (MUNI passes are $70/mo) cuz having a car is often more of a hassle than a convenience.

I'd look in the Richmond and Sunset areas. They can lead to long commutes, but they're quiet and you can get a nice apts for much cheaper than other, hipper neighborhoods.

[ilovesf]

Yes, but a car will make it vastly more expensive. Parking at school is ~$250/mo (I think) and parking permits in SF are super expensive. IMO, you're better off taking public transportation (MUNI passes are $70/mo) cuz having a car is often more of a hassle than a convenience.

I'd look in the Richmond and Sunset areas. They can lead to long commutes, but they're quiet and you can get a nice apts for much cheaper than other, hipper neighborhoods.

Parking permits are only $104/year. That's not really that expensive. But yeah, I wouldn't drive to school every day unless I had to (like lived in another city and could carpool).

[hiima3L]

Yes, but a car will make it vastly more expensive. Parking at school is ~$250/mo (I think) and parking permits in SF are super expensive. IMO, you're better off taking public transportation (MUNI passes are $70/mo) cuz having a car is often more of a hassle than a convenience.

I'd look in the Richmond and Sunset areas. They can lead to long commutes, but they're quiet and you can get a nice apts for much cheaper than other, hipper neighborhoods.

Parking permits are only $104/year. That's not really that expensive. But yeah, I wouldn't drive to school every day unless I had to (like lived in another city and could carpool).

Whoa, I thought they were way more than that.

I guess that's one reason why traffic enforcement is so crazy about tickets.

[myuniverse]

Yes, but a car will make it vastly more expensive. Parking at school is ~$250/mo (I think) and parking permits in SF are super expensive. IMO, you're better off taking public transportation (MUNI passes are $70/mo) cuz having a car is often more of a hassle than a convenience.

I'd look in the Richmond and Sunset areas. They can lead to long commutes, but they're quiet and you can get a nice apts for much cheaper than other, hipper neighborhoods.

Parking permits are only $104/year. That's not really that expensive. But yeah, I wouldn't drive to school every day unless I had to (like lived in another city and could carpool).

I appreciate the help.

The school website lists parking at $210/month. Where should I look for the $104/year rate?

[ilovesf]

Yes, but a car will make it vastly more expensive. Parking at school is ~$250/mo (I think) and parking permits in SF are super expensive. IMO, you're better off taking public transportation (MUNI passes are $70/mo) cuz having a car is often more of a hassle than a convenience.

I'd look in the Richmond and Sunset areas. They can lead to long commutes, but they're quiet and you can get a nice apts for much cheaper than other, hipper neighborhoods.

Parking permits are only $104/year. That's not really that expensive. But yeah, I wouldn't drive to school every day unless I had to (like lived in another city and could carpool).

I appreciate the help.

The school website lists parking at $210/month. Where should I look for the $104/year rate?

The 210$ is for the school garage, the $104 is for residential street parking in the city.
http://www.sfmta.com/cms/pperm/indxpkperm.htm

[a male human]

I lived in Daly City as a first year. There's free street parking, but you will have to ask the city hall for a parking permit if you live too close to the BART station. I lived in a house with $675 rent all included. Of course I had my car, too.

[lisavj]

I pay 650 for my mortgage in walnut creek and commuted by BART. Posted on here somewhere how to succeed in law school as a commuter (Hastings c/o 2015?).

[a male human]

The BART ride gave me a good place to read/underline and later take notes on it at home.

[apollo2015]

Any thoughts on LWR?

[hiima3L]

Any thoughts on Professor Creitz for LWR?

No, but the absolute most important thing you can do is go to your TA's office hours. They will tell you everything you need to know either intentionally or otherwise. I TA'd both LWR and Moot Court and each time the 2 students who came to every one of my office hours got the highest grades.

[apollo2015]

Interesting! What kind of questions would you recommend that we ask during those office hours?

[hiima3L]

Interesting! What kind of questions would you recommend that we ask during those office hours?

"How do I incorporate the prof's comment here?" or "How would I make this better?" Also ask for general IRAC advice. If you can IRAC well, you will get a good grade.

[nagelbett]

I just bought some books. But now trying to figure out what are some good supplements for my classes.
Maybe some of you had these professors, so you know what supplements they suggested, or what you thought were helpful:

Torts: Takacs
Contracts: Martinez
CivPro: Hillman

Thanks

[ilovesf]

I just bought some books. But now trying to figure out what are some good supplements for my classes.
Maybe some of you had these professors, so you know what supplements they suggested, or what you thought were helpful:

Torts: Takacs
Contracts: Martinez
CivPro: Hillman

Thanks

I thought the E&E for Torts was useless. You cover a small amount of material in that class. I'd suggest doing practice tests and meeting with him. He appreciates case cites and real specific detail in your answer.

[kapital98]

I just bought some books. But now trying to figure out what are some good supplements for my classes.
Maybe some of you had these professors, so you know what supplements they suggested, or what you thought were helpful:

Torts: Takacs
Contracts: Martinez
CivPro: Hillman

Thanks

I thought the E&E for Torts was useless. You cover a small amount of material in that class. I'd suggest doing practice tests and meeting with him. He appreciates case cites and real specific detail in your answer.

I found the E&E extremely helpful. Takacs had the E&E right next to his casebook last year in his office. When I asked him about it he recommended it.

Different people will disagree over supplements. Ask Takacs for advice (he's great with advice) and use your best judgement.

[nagelbett]

I just bought some books. But now trying to figure out what are some good supplements for my classes.
Maybe some of you had these professors, so you know what supplements they suggested, or what you thought were helpful:

Torts: Takacs
Contracts: Martinez
CivPro: Hillman

Thanks

I thought the E&E for Torts was useless. You cover a small amount of material in that class. I'd suggest doing practice tests and meeting with him. He appreciates case cites and real specific detail in your answer.

I found the E&E extremely helpful. Takacs had the E&E right next to his casebook last year in his office. When I asked him about it he recommended it.

Different people will disagree over supplements. Ask Takacs for advice (he's great with advice) and use your best judgement.

thanks for the advice.

[ilovesf]

I just bought some books. But now trying to figure out what are some good supplements for my classes.
Maybe some of you had these professors, so you know what supplements they suggested, or what you thought were helpful:

Torts: Takacs
Contracts: Martinez
CivPro: Hillman

Thanks

I thought the E&E for Torts was useless. You cover a small amount of material in that class. I'd suggest doing practice tests and meeting with him. He appreciates case cites and real specific detail in your answer.

I found the E&E extremely helpful. Takacs had the E&E right next to his casebook last year in his office. When I asked him about it he recommended it.

Different people will disagree over supplements. Ask Takacs for advice (he's great with advice) and use your best judgement.

Yeah. Takacs is really nice and extremely approachable. You should definitely go talk to him.

[kapital98]

Have any of you had Moscato? Especially for Civ Pro II? I'm asking for a friend.

[ilovesf]

Have any of you had Moscato? Especially for Civ Pro II? I'm asking for a friend.

Nope but I'm taking this class next semester.

[hiima3L]

Have any of you had Moscato? Especially for Civ Pro II? I'm asking for a friend.

No, but I lived the dream this last semester, so PM for civil procedure goodness.

[ksllaw]

How have the job prospects been for UC Hastings law grads that you've come aross?

[hiima3L]

How have the job prospects been for UC Hastings law grads that you've come aross?

Abysmal.

[ilovesf]

How have the job prospects been for UC Hastings law grads that you've come aross?

Abysmal.

Yep.

[ksllaw]

How is the cost of living for place close to campus w/ or w/o roommates?