Life in Champaign-Urbana

A micro-urban community known for its big-city amenities yet small-town affordability, accessibility, safety, and friendliness, Champaign-Urbana is dynamic and vibrant, with a lively cultural scene, a variety of restaurants, and numerous recreational opportunities.

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Culture and Music Scene

Champaign-Urbana boasts an assortment of restaurants, shopping, coffee houses, clubs, live music venues, movie theaters, and athletic events. A major center for the arts, the University of Illinois attracts dozens of internationally renowned artists each year to more than 350 performances held at the widely acclaimed Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Champaign is also the home of the renowned Ebertfest, Roger Ebert’s annual film festival, and several large music festivals, including Pygmalion Festival and Folk and Roots Festival.

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Recreation

The state-of-the-art Activities and Recreation Center is one of the premier campus recreation facilities in the country and is just steps from the law school. Champaign and Urbana boast award-winning park facilities and programs with popular sports leagues. Go camping, mountain biking, canoeing, and tubing at Kickapoo State Park or explore the sandstone gorges and ravines of Turkey Run. The Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon in the spring is another popular event for law students.

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Where to Live

Whether you’re looking for a quiet tree-lined neighborhood or the bustle of a larger apartment complex, you’ll find an array of options in Champaign-Urbana at affordable costs. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $900. The majority of law students live in off-campus housing; however, there are a limited number of graduate and family housing units available.

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Getting Around Town

Champaign-Urbana’s award-winning mass transit bus system covers the majority of the twin cities and is free to students. With a convenient schedule to and from the law school, it’s a great option and very popular. Pedestrian-friendly and bike-friendly, Champaign-Urbana has a growing number of bike lanes on shared roads, and a dockless bike share program through VeoRide. Each MTD bus is also equipped with an easy-to-use bike rack. Uber, Lyft, and Zipcar are also available.