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Feb 25, 2010Utility Info for West Lafayette/Lafayette Area
Feb 9, 2010Purdue Students: It is a good idea to call ahead and have your utilities hooked up about a month before your move-in date. Utility companies are very busy when students are moving in. Waiting until you have moved in to hookup your utilities might result in spending a few nights without electricity or water!!
It is also a good idea to check with your landlord and find out exactly what utilities you need. No need to get Cable if it’s already provided!!
Here is a list of Utility providers serving the West Lafayette and Lafayette area. This is not meant to be an endorsement of their products or services.
| Service | Provider | Web URL | Phone |
| Water | Indiana-American Water Co. | http://www.amwater.com/inaw/ | 800-492-8373 |
| Sewage | West Lafayette Waste Water
For online bill pay click here |
http://www.westlafayette.in.gov/department/?fDD=11-0 | 765-775-5140 |
| Telephone | Verizon | www.verizon.com | 800-483-4000 |
| Natural Gas | Vectren | www.vectren.com | 800-227-1376 |
| Electric | Cinergy/PSI | www.cinergypsi.com | 800-521-2232 |
| Cable TV | Insight Cable | www.insight-com.com | 765-447-6886 |
Where Should Agriculture Students Live At Purdue?
Feb 8, 2010A majority of the Agriculture buildings are located on the South end of Purdue campus. To no surprise, the most convenient location for Agriculture students to rent is on the South East end of campus. Apartments or rental houses located between Marsteller Street and South Salisbury Street would be a very good living location for Ag students. Located in this area are many different apartments and rental houses of all types that would suit the needs of any Ag student.
The benefits of renting close to Agriculture buildings are many and include:
- Classes are a very short walk away – you can practically roll out of bed and walk to class!! Living close to where your classes are is even better in the winter because you don’t have to bare the cold!
- If you have group meetings, once again, it will be very nice to be close to libraries and classrooms where you will be meeting.
- You will be in the middle of social life at Purdue! All of the campus activity will be just a few steps away from your front door. Chauncey Hill and Wabash Landing are close by; also enjoy being located just a 15 minute walk away from Mackey Arena, Ross-Ade Stadium and all the other sports facilities!
- Enjoy being near gift shops, restaurants, apparel stores, coffee shops, etc. Chauncey Hill, the central location of shops, restaurants, etc., is just a few steps away.
- Parking??? Living right next to where your classes are is awesome because you don’t have the burden of finding a parking spot every day.
If you are someone who enjoys peace and quiet over convenience don’t worry, there are many off-campus locations that will suit your needs just fine. Many off-campus apartment complexes offer a variety of amenities that on-campus apartments don’t offer such as: washer and dryer, on-site pools, clubhouse, pet-friendly apartments, and much more.
To view a detailed list of on-campus and off-campus apartments available for rent near Purdue University visit purdueguru.com.
Where Should Engineering Students Live At Purdue?
Feb 7, 2010Seeing that most of the engineering buildings are at the North end of campus, it is to no surprise that many engineering students choose to live just there. There are many on-campus apartments located between Northwestern Avenue and North Salisbury Street that would be very adequate for any student.
The benefits of renting close to engineering buildings are many and include:
- Classes are a very short walk away – you can practically roll out of bed and walk to class!! Living close to where your classes are is even better in the winter when it is cold!
- If you have group meetings, once again, it will be very nice to be close to libraries and classrooms where you will be meeting.
- You will be in the middle of social life at Purdue! All of the campus activity will be just a few steps away from your front door. Enjoy being located close to Mackey Arena, Ross-Ade Stadium and all the other sports facilities!
- Enjoy being near gift shops, restaurants, apparel stores, coffee shops, etc.
- Parking??? Living so close to where your classes are is amazing because you do not have to worry about finding a parking spot!
If you are someone who enjoys peace and quiet over convenience don’t worry, there are many off-campus locations that will suit your needs just fine.
Many off-campus apartment complexes offer a variety of amenities that on-campus apartments don’t offer such as: washer and dryer, on-site pools, clubhouse, pet-friendly apartments, and much more.
Many engineering students have found Ananda Apartments to be a convenient place to live near Purdue. To view a detailed list of on-campus and off-campus apartments available for rent near Purdue University visit purdueguru.com.
Where Should International Students Live At Purdue?
Jan 21, 2010An important and sometimes tough question to figure out, but don’t worry, I am here to help.
A few important notes:
- Whether you decide to live on-campus or off-campus, you will want to finalize your living arrangements before your arrival to Purdue.
- When choosing an apartment to rent, it is good to know the policies and costs before signing the lease.
Now on to figuring out where to live:
Many international students choose to rent local apartments or houses. This gives you the opportunity to live on your own and choose your own roommates. Having a roommate or two will help lower your cost of living. Students can live in on-campus apartments, which are within walking distance to campus, or they can live in off-campus apartments, which require transportation such as a bike, car, or riding the bus to get to campus. For a list of pros and cons of off-campus living vs. on-campus living read the blog Should I Rent An Apartment On-campus or Off-Campus At Purdue?
There are many different types of apartments and houses.Knowing the differences in the sizes of apartments may help you decide if you would like to have roommates or not.
Here is some basic information about the differences in the sizes.
Studio: This is a 1 room apartment plus bathroom and usually a closet. One one wall typically has a kitchenet (a small compact kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, sink and kitchen cabinets with countertop). Some married couples live in a studio but normally there is only 1 resident per studio. The current cost range is $400-1000. Click here to view a typical Studio apartment
1 Bedroom: This is a 1 bedroom apartment with a kitchen and living room. Enough room for 1-2 people and comes with 1 bathrooms. Cost range is $450-1100.
A typical 1 Bedroom apartment
2 Bedroom: This is a 2 bedroom apartment with a kitchen and living room. Normally only 2 people live in a 2 bedroom apartment, but some units close to campus allow up to 4 people. There are 1-2 bathrooms. Cost range is $850-1500. A typical 2 Bedroom apartment
3 Bedroom: This is a 3 bedroom apartment with a kitchen and living room. Can hold between 3-5 people and comes with 1-3 bathrooms. Cost range is $800-1900.
A typical 3 Bedroom apartment
4 Bedroom: This is a 4 bedroom apartment with a kitchen and living room. Can hold between 4-6 people and comes with 2-4 bathrooms. Cost range is $1350-2400.
A typical 4 Bedroom apartment
Another helpful note: In general, apartments closer to campus are smaller, do not allow pets, and offer fewer amenities, but they are closer to campus. Off-campus apartments are more spacious, usually allow pets, and offer more amenities such as a washer and dryer in the apartment.
Some popular on-campus international student apartments are:
Some popular off-campus international student apartments are:
Some popular Purdue University Housing options are:
To view more a detailed list of apartments and houses and the amenities they offer, go to purdueguru.com.
West Lafayette Property Managers…What Is The Best Way To Advertise Your Rental Properties for Purdue Students?
Jan 4, 2010The Internet!!
Why?
- Internet shortens the search for potential renters. It saves a lot of time and energy and is often more cost effective than the traditional ways of marketing.
- It takes less time to go through. Potential renters can view double the amount of apartments, townhomes, houses, etc. over the internet and have the ability to narrow down their search to the desired ones. Take advantage of the internet and add your properties on purdueguru.com for free!
- Internet renters make better clients. A general trend in online marketing reveals that these internet users are wealthier and ready to pay a good rental price.
- The Internet is being used more a more by all generations; especially the younger generations.
- The internet is the #1 tool that students use to make their living decisions!
So…..if you are a property owner or manager in the Lafayette/West Lafayette region and have not explored the benefits of online advertising, then you’re losing a vast base of potential clients.
Advertising your properties on purdueguru.com is an easy, cost effective way to steer more renters to your properties!
Should I Rent an Apartment On-Campus or Off-Campus at Purdue?
Jan 3, 2010Every college student must answer this question. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to weigh your choices before making a final decision. To help you, here are some pros and cons of each:
On-Campus
Pros:
- Accessibility to Purdue – Living on-campus makes it easy to walk to classes, libraries, dining halls, computer labs, etc. You don’t have to waste time and money driving to campusevery day. Don’t underestimate the convenience of getting up and walking straight to class from your apartment.
- Social Life – Living on-campus near Purdue puts you in the middle of a social environment that allows you to establish many friendships and get involved in any campus activities taking place.
- Central Location – Near Purdue are restaurants, shops, the Wabash Landing Movie Theatre, and all the sports venues (Mackey Arena and Ross-Ade Stadium). Living on-campus puts you in the center of all this activity.
Cons:
- Little Privacy – privacy can be hard to come by when living on-campus. You are always surrounded by the hustle and bustle of campus, and may find it hard to have quiet time
- Limited Apartment Features – Many on-campus apartments do not have a washer and dryer; nor do they allow pets.
- Limited Parking– Parking on campus can be a significant challenge. Even if you have a place to park, the parking lot will be very congested and you risk the possibility of damage caused to your car. Also don’t forget to display your parking permit or you may be towed!
- Possible Low GPA – Being surrounded by so much activity and social life, you may find it hard to buckle down and study. This could have negative effects on your GPA.
Off-Campus
Pros:
- Lower Cost- If you have a tight budget or prefer to have your own bedroom, many students find living off campus is a great way to save money.
- More for your money- Many off campus apartments offer many extra features like vaulted ceilings, larger bedrooms, and more modern floorplans.
- Privacy – Living off-campus gives you the benefit of being able to get away from the hustle and bustle of campus. After a long day of classes you can drive home and enjoy the peace and quiet.
- Better Apartment Features – Many off-campus locations are pet friendly and have many other apartment amenities that on-campus locations don’t offer.
- More Space – Living off-campus you will most likely have more space inside your apartment and also outside. Throwing a football around or playing a game of cornhole won’t be so challenging!
- Parking & Garages– Most off campus apartments have ample parking that is included with your apartment. If you have a really nice car or don’t like to scrape snow/ice off your windshield you can often find an apartment with its own garage.
Cons:
- Transportation – Although there can ride the citybus, , many find it most convenient and somewhat a necessity to have their own car.
- Isolation – You will most likely have less involvement in campus activities and may find it harder to make new friends.
- Plan Ahead– It takes time and money to drive to and from Purdue University every day, not to mention the frustrations of finding a parking spot. Having a “C” parking permit willhelp, but if you want to park close to class you better leave early!
When making this decision on where to live, think about what is important for you. Putting together a list of your own pros and cons may be of help. To find an on-campus or off-campus location, visit purdueguru.com.
Winter Energy Tips for your Apartment or Rented House
Dec 2, 2009Heating your apartment is the biggest energy cost during the winter. Well there is good news –You can keep your apartment warm without going broke!
Here are some helpful tips to keep heat in:
- If you have storm windows, make sure they are closed.
- Install covers on window and through the wall air-conditioners.
- If you have a fireplace, be sure to close the damper when you are not using it.
- Close shades at night. Leave them open during the day for solar heating.
Controlling Temperature and Humidity
Setting the thermostat one degree cooler can save you 3% on your monthly heating bill. It is good practice to not set your thermostat above 72 degrees when you are home. When sleeping or away, lower your thermostat to 65 degrees. Also, if possible, turn down the heat going to any unused rooms. Note: never turn off your heat during winter months when you leave your apartment–pipes may freeze and burst causing your apartment to be flooded!
During the winter you will feel warmer in your home if the air is not too dry. Be sure to keep the relative humidity between 20 percent and 40 percent. This will let you lower the thermostat temperature without feeling cold.
Appliances
- Keep refrigerators between 37-40 degrees F for the fresh food compartment and 0-5 degrees F for the frozen food compartment.
- Replace broken door gaskets.
- Don’t let more than a quarter inch of frost build up in the freezer. Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers.
Lighting
- Use natural light whenever possible
- Turn off lights when you are not using them
- Use energy efficient bulbs
5 Things to Know Before Renting
Dec 1, 20091. Budget
Before touring apartments, find out how much you are willing to pay. Focus your search according to your budget. If you find an apartment that is outside your budget, make sure it is worth spending the extra money.
2. Where to search?
The most convenient way to search is to use the internet. You will have instant access to hundreds of properties, be able to compare them to each other, and view pictures of the property. This is the #1 way students find their apartment/house to live in. Many have found www.purdueguru.com to be a powerful tool that can guide you in your apartment search.
3. What to search for?
Take a piece of paper and write down the requirements you have. Do you want to live on campus or off campus? Do you need a washer and dryer? How important is parking to you? What other amenities/utilities do you need? Questions like this are good to ask yourself.
4. Inspect the apartment
Some good things to check for are:
- Sink faucets, shower heads and water – make sure both hot and cold work, pressure is decent, and toilets flush properly and there are no leaking pipes
- Electricity and appliances should all be working. Make sure lights are all operational. Check heater and air conditioner to make sure they are working properly.
- Walls and Windows – make sure windows work properly
- Noise – Once inside the apartment, listen and see if you can hear noises from adjoining apartments, traffic, or other neighbors.
5. Find out what’s included
Before signing make sure you know what is included in the rent. Heat? Water? Electricity? If you are paying for utilities, make sure to ask the landlord what the average utility costs are.