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Off-Campus Housing Near Purdue
$499/unit
Fees may applyThe Cottages on Lindberg
$499/unit
Fees may applyVillage West
About Off-Campus Housing Near Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue University sits in West Lafayette, Indiana, with roughly 46,655 students and a reputation built on engineering, big Boilermaker spirit, and deep traditions. Campus stretches along State Street, where the official mascot, the Boilermaker Special locomotive, appears at big events. Hello Walk asks students to greet everyone they pass, and the Wabash River separates West Lafayette from Lafayette next door. Fall Saturdays mean football at Ross-Ade Stadium and the early-morning Breakfast Club, where students pile into wild outfits before games. Mackey Arena handles the hoops crowd. Downtown centers on Chauncey Village, a walkable student hub off campus, and CityBus connects Greater Lafayette free on key routes.
Purdue University-Main Campus Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
Purdue does not require freshmen to live on campus, which is unusual for a school its size. Only about a third of undergrads live in university housing, so plenty of first-years go straight to off-campus apartments or co-ops. Greek life is also a big piece of the housing picture.
Off-Campus Eligibility
Because there is no live-on mandate, students are free to rent off campus from their first semester. That freedom means the off-campus market does heavy lifting, and it is competitive. The process runs through a mix of large student-focused complexes and local landlords, especially around Chauncey Village, and you should expect applications, a security deposit, and a co-signer if you lack rental or credit history.
Lease Timing
Most leases begin in early-to-mid August, lining up with classes that start in mid-to-late August. Watch the lease for whether liability is per-bedroom or joint across all roommates, since group houses vary. Confirm parking, which is tight near campus, and check who covers utilities and snow removal given Indiana winters.