Home of the Boilermaker
The ‘Boilermaker’ is the perfect blend of two spirits in one: beer and whiskey. Lafayette, Indiana–the city where Boilermakers are born and made thanks to Purdue University– is also the perfect blend of two spirits in one: Midwestern railroad history and one very cool college town vibe. Other than being chock full of bars that serve up possibly the most hangover-inducing cocktail known to man, Lafayette was once a major railroad industry hub and now along with the adjoining town of West Lafayette, makes up an undeniably quirky Indiana locale that is home to college students, graduates and families alike.
Nicknamed the “Star City,” Lafayette is no 'second fiddle' kind of town. Big Ten sports, lots of sunshine and the ability to score an apartment for around $450 a month (!) are just a few things Lafayette boasts. In fact, there are quite a few reasons why this once small town is now quickly growing. Need a few? How about a blue ribbon winning school system, an active commercial area full of dining and shopping, a historic downtown complete with picturesque ice skating in the park and to top it off, plenty of local wineries and breweries to get you good and happy on the weekends? And that’s just scratching the surface.
Now that we’ve piqued your interest, let’s find you the perfect Lafayette digs.
Not so Down and Out in Lafayette
Figuring out where you fit in here in Lafayette will take all of about two seconds: Lafayette living is a mix of young campus life and established Victorian houses with nearby lofts and apartments (not Victorian like corsets and tea, just Victorian like old and historically cool). Whether you come here for school, reliving the life you had in school, work (boring) or quality family time, Lafayette living won’t disappoint. Here is a key breakdown to the major Lafayette neighborhoods:
Downtown chic
Just across the river from West Lafayette is one of the metro area’s most prized possessions. Downtown Lafayette is a melting pot of people, business, culture and…well, pretty much everything. Historic buildings now house new lofts, beautiful old Victorian homes line the streets, and some converted industrial buildings are even rented out as apartments by family owned companies. Festivals, holiday events, movies in the park, shopping, dining and culture all take place on the historic streets of Downtown Lafayette. It’s an ideal area for young professionals, couples or families as it’s bursting with artsy folks and things to do. The lofts down here feature exposed brick walls and skylights, amazing views and old wooden beams, which, while once considered crappy, are now chic. Go figure. Rolling out of bed and walking to work or play may cost you a bit more here, though, depending on your desire level of fancy: rents on lofts in the area start around $825 for a 1BR but you can score a sweet apartment off Ferry or Eerie Streets for around $450.
Business in the front, party in the back
South of highway 25 sits a more quaint and tad quieter area of Lafayette, but it’s just as inviting. Living in the south side of the city means coming home to a quiet apartment just far enough away from the city center for peace, but close enough to be minutes from all the bars, shopping and action that the city (and downtown) has to offer. In the same part of town as Ivy Tech, the south side is an affordable area for students, teachers, young couples and families. The homes have character and are often established or historic. Rental costs are fairly cheap but apartments are still well maintained and renters don’t suffer for pinching pennies. A one bedroom here will cost you about $499 AND provide you with a pool, tennis court, fitness center and proximity to public transit and highway 52 for commuting. A perfect place to live if you sit somewhere between business-oriented professional and late-night party goer… and don’t we all?
Beer Pong and/or Tenure
On the West side of the Wabash River sits West Lafayette. Home to Purdue and many of its students, this slightly more upscale area is hip, walkable, and helps make up the greater Lafayette metro area. The homes here vary in size but are often on the larger, more historic end of the spectrum and are frequently set back on beautiful pieces of property. Professors and Purdue staff are the most frequent owners of the gorgeous, lofty old houses in this area, but if you can find one going on sabbatical, you may be able to scoop up a prime piece of real estate for a sub-letter’s song. If mansions aren’t quite your style or budget (sad for you), there are plenty of apartments to go around, too.
Apartment-wise, rents here are a bit more costly with 2 bedrooms going for around $950, but much of the housing includes free cable and paid utilities. Those not in school but still wishing to live in this area can take advantage of the well-priced, amenity-packed apartment complexes replete with things like pools, public transit, fitness center, and internet service starting at a paltry $530 for a 1BR. For those moving with children, West Lafayette is renowned for its excellent schools so you need not fear for young Johnny’s academic future. It would be ridiculous to say that West Lafayette isn’t extremely college-driven, meaning that students and their occasionally wild, frat party ways make up a majority of the population, but that- ’s not to say that families, seniors and young professionals don’t live here quite happily, too.
Tips and Tricks
Before you get here, there are a few things to know (aside from how awesome it is). Don’t worry, there’s nothing scary on the list, unless you count the sometimes frigid winters.
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Most, if not all, apartments include paid utilities of some kind. Whether its water, cable, internet or garbage, rent prices often include a utility or two.
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Only interested in drinking Boilermakers? No sweat. Purdue may be a main focus of the area but it’s not the only school in town. There are two other spots available for those in pursuit of higher learning or looking for a teaching job: Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana and Harrison College are here for you.
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Weather in Lafayette runs the gamut. In January, it’s not unheard of for the temps to be freezing or at least in the low 30s, whereas in summer things can heat up around here. Typically, the high is in the upper 80s with July being the hottest month. The winters can be cold but ice skating downtown and apartments with fireplaces make it worthwhile.
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There are green spaces virtually everywhere in town. Jogging and biking trails are a “thing” here and people like to stay active. If you weren’t a runner before, you may become one now (or at least a brisk walker).
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Public transit options from some apartments offer free fare to Purdue students.
So Many Highways, So Little Time
Venturing around town can be done in a couple of ways. For public transportation, count on the CityBus, which will take you in and around the entire Lafayette area, including West Lafayette. Suburban Express takes students from Purdue to the Chicago area when school is in session and public transit from most apartments and certain areas in the city is free to students traveling back and forth to campus. Yes, we said free – a college kid’s favorite word.
If you have your own set of wheels, here are the highways and byways that will be your friend: I-65 on the east side of the city runs north and south and can take you to other Indiana cities like Indianapolis (Colts game anyone?) or to Gary, Indiana (Jackson 5 tribute tour, maybe?) The 231 connects with 43 and also runs north and south. For everyday travel, stick to state roads like 25 which runs in a circle around Lafayette, the 26 serving all your West Lafayette needs and the 38 which will take you smack into the heart of the city.
Lafayette: City of Fabulous Cocktails and Rockstars
Lafayette, Indiana may not have an NFL team or even its own major airport (don’t cry, you can fly into Indianapolis) but what it does have are friendly people, some amazing living opportunities, a diehard college fan base, and one hell of a signature cocktail. It also has a median age of 32 and is Axl Rose’s hometown, so clearly this is a breeding ground for young rockstars in training. Kick ass enough for you? We thought so. Now put away your air guitar and start pounding the pavement for your new rockstar pad.
