Housing Guide
Welcome to Purdue! One of your first orders of business will be finding a place to live. Here are some tips from grad students.
Where to live
Most grad students either live in Lafayette or north of campus, near Walmart, in West Lafayette.
I like living withing walking distance of campus, but it's definitely more expensive than living further away. (submitted by Sarah Percival)
Many of the bigger complexes (The Avenue, River Walk, etc) are not within walking distance of campus, but they are near bus lines that go to campus and grocery stores. Although it is convenient, you do not need a car if you live further away from campus. (submitted by Sarah Percival)
Rent and utilities (cost estimates last updated 2020 - rent is significantly higher now, updated info in progress)
Plan ahead: electricity is usually more expensive in the winter.
See if your apartment has Metronet. Most people think it's better than Comcast. (submitted by Sarah Percival)
Electric averages around $60/mo, internet is around $40/mo.
Close to campus, you can probably find a 1b/1ba apartment for around $700. Prices fall the further out you get.
Landlords
Generally speaking, the bigger the landlord, the worse they are. Look for smaller landlords. (submitted by Sarah Percival)
Take pictures when you first move in! Landlords (Granite is notorious for this) love to take your security deposit. Per Indiana law, landlords must give you an itemized receipt of deductions from your security deposit, and return the remainder of the deposit within 45 days.
Purdue Student Legal Services is a great free resource when it comes to dealing with landlords.
Miscellaneous tips
Other incoming students will be looking for roommates. Keep an eye out for an email from the department coordinator with their contact info.
Many landlords rent by the room and do roommate matching.
I used Boiler Apartments and the Purdue Off-Campus Housing Site to find my first apartment before I came to West Lafayette. (submitted by Sarah Percival)