Hey Boilermakers. One of the most common questions we hear is some version of “when am I supposed to start looking?” The honest answer is earlier than most people think, but it’s less stressful than it sounds once you know how the West Lafayette leasing cycle works. Here’s the timeline.
Fall: start looking, no pressure to sign
The Purdue housing cycle moves fast. A lot of the best apartments near campus start filling up in the fall for the following school year. You don’t need to sign anything yet, but this is the time to figure out your budget, who you might live with, and which parts of West Lafayette you actually want to be in. Get on a few email lists so you hear when tours open up.
Winter: tour and compare
By the time the spring semester starts, you’ll want to be touring. Look at more than one place so you have something to compare. Pay attention to the walk or bus ride to your buildings on campus, what’s included in rent, and whether the unit is furnished. Self-guided tours make this easier, since you can go on your own schedule instead of working around someone else’s.
Spring: sign before the good ones go
This is when most leases get signed. If you’ve found a place that checks your boxes, this is the window to lock it in. The apartments that hit on location, price, and amenities tend to go first, and waiting too long usually means settling for whatever’s left. Read the lease carefully, know your move-in date, and make sure everyone you’re living with is on the same page about cost.
Summer: get ready to move
Once the lease is signed, summer is logistics. Sort out utilities, renter’s insurance, and what you’re bringing versus buying. If your place is furnished, that list gets a lot shorter. Coordinate your move-in time with your roommates so you’re not all showing up at once.
What if you’re behind?
If it’s spring or even summer and you haven’t started, don’t panic. Apartments open up throughout the year as plans change. You’ll just want to move quickly when you find something good, and stay flexible on a couple of preferences. The students who get stuck are usually the ones who wait and also refuse to compromise on anything.
EVER West Lafayette was built for the Purdue student experience, and self-guided tours are available so you can look whenever it works for you. Come see it for yourself.
Want to live outside of dorm norms? When you choose EVER West Lafayette, you’re not just moving in, you’re moving up.
