One of the benefits of attending law school at Case Western Reserve University is the affordability and availability of reasonably priced housing in Cleveland. Also, unlike most major cities, you need not use a real estate agent to locate apartments; our residential communities offer, as a neighborhood service, housing information.

A recent survey of current law students revealed these average monthly rental rates:

Type of Accommodation	Average Per Student Monthly Cost
Single	$775
Shared apartment	$475
Family accommodations	$1000+

Because of low housing expenses, your housing budget at Case Western Reserve will be much less than at a law school in other, more expensive cities. Be aware, however, that the "student budget" allotted to you by the University reflects this low cost of living and, as a result, your budget will include a smaller allowance for living expenses than elsewhere. No matter whether you live alone or with five other roommates, you will be entitled to the same living expense allowance, so we would urge you to get a roommate instead of living alone. You will find that this makes your loan dollars stretch a lot further and enables you to take out less in loans than you are eligible for.

The Case Western Reserve campus, located in University Circle, is situated on the edge of beautiful residential neighborhoods, which are described below. Students live in apartments, two-family houses, rooms in private homes, and single-family houses that several students rent together. Housing in these neighborhoods is close to the law school and many students live within walking or biking distance. In addition, the RTA runs from University Circle to these areas via Mayfield and Cedar Roads.

Areas Near The Law School
The City of Cleveland Heights, where most students live, has three neighborhoods that are attractive to students (because of the proximity of a grocery store and other shops), known as Coventry, North Coventry, and Cedar-Fairmount. These areas are a 15-25 minute walk to school. The Cleveland Heights Relocation Services, 40 Severance Circle, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, (216) 291-5813, is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The rental coordinator maintains rental listings and is extremely helpful. The RTA Rapid Transit Red Line runs directly from the University stop (at the edge of Cleveland Heights) through downtown, out into the airport. Also nearby is the City of University Heights, home to John Carroll University.

Another nearby neighborhood, historic Shaker Square, is about a 10-minute drive to the law school. The apartments are in very good condition and prices are comparable to those in Cleveland Heights. The Shaker Square Area Development Corp., 11811 Shaker Blvd. Suite 206, Cleveland OH 44120, (216) 421-2100, open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, maintains a current register of available rentals in the Shaker Square neighborhood. There is a city bus that runs from Shaker Square to University Circle. The RTA Rapid Transit Blue Line and Green Line run between Shaker Square and downtown.

The City of Shaker Heights, 3400 Lee Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44120, (216) 491-1370, web site provides resources and assistance for those seeking apartments and homes for rent. Click here if you wish to send email to the Shaker Heights Housing Office.

Students also find apartments right in the University Circle area. The Hessler Court/East 115th Street area borders the law schools and offers very reasonably-priced apartments. The Triangle, (216) 791-5959, located in the heart of University Circle, is a 5-minute walk from the law school. Also a 5-minute walk from the law school is the new Uptown residential and commercial area, 216-999-7196. Also nearby are the Waldorf Tower Apartments (about a 15-minute walk), (216) 791-8547, and Kensington Place (about a 10-minute drive), (216) 691-1944.

There are many beautiful neighborhoods just west of the City of Cleveland as well. The city of Lakewood, which is about a 25 minute drive from the law school, is an area full of unique shops, restaurants and entertainment. Many properties allow for excellent views of Lake Erie or provide easy access to the lake. Comparable to Cleveland Heights in feel and types of properties available, Lakewood's housing prices are a little less expensive. Nearby neighborhoods include Rocky River and Westlake, which are abundant with condominiums as well as apartments.

An alternative housing option is available for law students who want to reside in a substance-free, recovery-based environment. The Recovery House at Case Western Reserve assists residents in developing healthy life skills while remaining free of alcohol and other drugs. It is located on Murray Hill Road, in nearby Little Italy immediately adjacent to campus. It is a two-unit fully furnished apartment-house with single and double bedrooms. All utilities, internet-cable and parking are including in the housing contract. Applicants select the Recovery House option on the University Housing website and complete the Recovery House application on the Prevention & Recovery Services website.

Some law students also choose to live and work as residence hall mentors or coordinators. For more information about this option go to the Graduate Positions page of the Housing and Residence Life website.

How To Get Information About Available Housing
May through June is a good time to start looking for housing for occupancy in August. The annual Entering Student Day in June (for admitted applicants) provides a good opportunity for entering students to get to know other incoming 1Ls who may also be looking for a roommate and to take a look at the notices posted on the bulletin boards around the law school by people looking for someone to share an apartment or house. Representatives from area housing agencies and apartment buildings are on hand to offer current listings of available apartments. Also, the University's most recent Off-Campus Housing List is available at this program. Rental listings are also provided in the daily and suburban newspapers. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is the major daily. The Sun Press is a suburban weekly which comes out each Thursday; the suburbs of University Heights, Cleveland Heights, and Shaker Heights jointly have their own issue of the Sun Press which can be purchased at stores in any of these communities.

The University's Off-Campus Housing Office provides students with information about rental housing. In addition to online links and resources, the office also provides valuable tips and information about where to find rental units close to the university.

Roommate Referral Service
The law school’s new interactive on-line roommate search service allows students to create a custom profile which enables them to conduct real-time searches for roommates based on different compatibility factors. Admitted students looking for a roommate can use this free service by visiting the ‘Admitted students’ page.