Are you new to Greater Lafayette? Or maybe you’re looking to relocate to the area in the near future. It comes without saying that it takes time to wrap your head around a new community and everything it has to offer. This holds especially true for Greater Lafayette considering all of the great things we have going on in our community.
At The Russell Company, we feel strongly that you should love and enjoy the community you live in. While you’ve likely done some research on your own, below, we answer some lingering questions that may be on your mind.
While you won’t have a full grasp on everything that goes on here in the Greater Lafayette until you’ve lived it yourself, our hope is that some of these responses give you some insight.
What is it like living in a “college town”?
As you likely know, West Lafayette is home to Purdue University, serving more than 30,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students that come from all walks of life around the globe. The bustling, innovative public university has helped shape Greater Lafayette into what it is today, contributing greatly to the local economy, lifestyle, and much more.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic has changed Purdue’s landscape lately, the university is known for its abundance of diversity, academics, innovation, athletics, and the list goes on. Pre-COVID-19, at almost any given time, it was a pretty safe bet that Purdue was playing host to an event of some sort. From sporting events at Ross Ade Stadium and Mackey Arena to annual gatherings such as Spring Fest, Global Fest, and the Purdue Christmas Show, just to name a few. To sum it up – Purdue is running around the clock and has something to offer for just about everyone.
To familiarize yourself with the campus, take a self-guided tour and immerse yourself in Purdue’s cherished landmarks. Head on over to the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering and take a walk in Armstrong’s shoe prints he left on the moon, or head over to the memorial mall and check out the famed bell tower. Wear your comfiest pair of shoes and give yourself plenty of time because there’s much to explore!
And just a heads up for all of you IU fans out there, if you dare dawn your cream and crimson, be prepared for some interesting looks from passerby’s… okay maybe that’s a stretch! But there’s no doubt that the Greater Lafayette community loves their Boilermakers and rallies around them!
And Purdue isn’t the only institution of higher education in Greater Lafayette. Ivy Tech Community College offers a wide variety of certificates, technical certificates, workforce certification, and associate’s degree programs. The community college has a partnership with Purdue University where students can transfer their credits towards a bachelor’s degree program.
I hear Greater Lafayette has quite the dining scene. What does it have to offer?
You heard correctly! If you don’t feel like cooking dinner tonight, there’s plenty of dine in and take-out options available! If you’re a foodie, well you’re in luck. From the vast amount of fast-food joints along Lafayette’s busy South Street corridor to Downtown Lafayette’s fine dining scene to the food trucks that peruse the community on a regular basis, Greater Lafayette does not stop short when it comes to dining. With a plethora of places to eat, there’s something for everyone.
Feel like having am American dish tonight? Or maybe you’re in the mood for an Indian dish? There’s a place for that!
For a list of places to eat in Greater Lafayette, visit https://www.homeofpurdue.com/restaurants/
What are the schools like in Lafayette and West Lafayette?
Greater Lafayette is home to three public school corporations – Tippecanoe School Corporation, West Lafayette Community School Corporation, and Lafayette School Corporation.
According to the Tippecanoe School Corporation, the district schools more than 13,000 students, with 58 languages spoken, 23 athletic teams, and a 94% graduation rate. The school corporation serves both urban and rural areas in Tippecanoe County. For more information about TSC, visit https://www.tsc.k12.in.us.
Serving the West Lafayette community, the West Lafayette Community School Corporation prides itself in being recognized for several awards including being named U.S. & World News List of Best High Schools in 2020. With more than 2,400 students, WLCSC sets its students up for success beyond primary education. For more information about WLCSC, visit https://www.wl.k12.in.us.
The Lafayette School Corporation serves more than 7,700 students within the City of Lafayette, according to the Indiana Department of Education. LSC’s unique and varied curriculum includes astronomy, science research, zoology, computer programming, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, radio/TV, Project Lead The Way, Advanced Art Classes, challenge and GT classes K-12, and music theory and composition. For more information about LSC, visit https://www.lsc.k12.in.us/home.
In addition to the many programs offered within each of the three districts, Greater Lafayette students are also presented the opportunity to attend the Greater Lafayette Career Academy. GLCA prepares high school students for college, a career, and the workforce through hands-on, real world experience in a variety of different concentrations. Some of those include engineering, nursing, computer science, advanced manufacturing, and many others. For more information about GLCA, visit https://glcareeracademy.com.
What kind of events take place around town?
If a global pandemic didn’t put a kibosh on plans, you’d be hard pressed to find a quiet weekend here in Greater Lafayette. The community is known for playing host to a myriad of events for anyone and everyone! Some annual events include:
- Taste of Tippecanoe
- Mosey Down Main Street
- Global Fest
- Round The Fountain Art Fair
- Beers Across The Wabash
- Feast of The Hunter’s Moon
- Purdue Grand Prix
And much, much more!
For more events and information, visit https://www.homeofpurdue.com/events/annual-events-and-festivals/
What can I expect weather-wise?
This is a tricky one, because the weather in Greater Lafayette can be unpredictable, but we can give you an idea of what to expect. If you ever hear the saying “Indiana can have all four seasons in one day,” well, it’s not a lie, that claim has been proven true many times.
Here in Greater Lafayette, temperatures have been known to spike towards 100 degrees in the dog days of summer and well below freezing in the middle of winter. In the spring and fall, temperatures tend to be fairly pleasant, but they can sway from hot to cold and everything in between. Here’s our recommendation: have a wardrobe for all four seasons on-hand.
And you knew it was going to come up, the four-letter s-word… SNOW. Yes, it does snow in Greater Lafayette, but as far as how much we receive, well that’s up in the air each year. According to www.worldclimate.com, Lafayette averages around 20 inches of snow per year, given that number can fluctuate greatly depending on the weather pattern for that year. We could have several storms that dump a foot of snow or we could have a couple of storms that drop an inch or two.
So, anticipate shorts and a t-shirt in the summer and a heavy coat and a shovel in the winter, but be prepared for anything.
Is there access to public transportation?
Absolutely! Greater Lafayette’s CityBus system is the community’s one and only form of public transportation. The bus system is affordable and regularly services many stops throughout Lafayette, West Lafayette, and the Purdue University campus. CityBus has 73 buses within its fleet.
For more information about CityBus and resources such as maps & schedules and real time tracking, visit https://gocitybus.com.
Is Greater Lafayette walking/bicycle friendly?
You bet! According to the city of West Lafayette, paved, shared use trails began popping up in the early 1990s, and a few years later, joined Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, and Purdue University in preparing a community plan that included a commitment to developing a network of trails connecting neighborhoods, parks, schools, and businesses together. Some of these trails include the Wabash Heritage Trail, the Cattail, and Northwest Greenway.
Lafayette Parks and Recreation maintains more than six miles of paved and many more un-paved trails within the city limits.
Both cities also have designated bicycle lanes on public roadways.
For more information about the trails within both cities, visit:
West Lafayette: https://www.westlafayette.in.gov/topic/index.php?topicid=78&structureid=16
Lafayette: https://www.lafayette.in.gov/445/Trails
In addition to walking/bicycle trails, what kind of outdoor recreation is available?
Both cities of Lafayette and West Lafayette have plenty of outdoor recreation to offer.
According to Lafayette Parks and Recreation, the city is home to several neighborhood, community, and riverfront parks. Columbian Park, located just to the east of downtown Lafayette, is home to Columbian Park Zoo, the brand-new Loeb Stadium – home to the Aviators – Lafayette’s collegiate baseball team, Memorial Island, SIA Playground, and Wild Tykes Play Zone Amusement Area. For more information about outdoor recreation in Lafayette, visit https://www.lafayette.in.gov/408/Parks-Trails.
In West Lafayette, the Celery Bog Nature Area off of Lindberg Road provides tranquility for both humans and animals. The area is home to more than 120 species of birds and many mammals and amphibious creatures call the Celery Bog home. Head over to https://www.westlafayette.in.gov/parks/ to learn more about the Celery Bog and the many other outdoor activities West Lafayette has to offer!
What options are there when it comes to healthcare?
Access to adequate healthcare is important to everybody. Greater Lafayette offers many different options when it comes to healthcare providers.
For a full list of healthcare providers in Greater Lafayette, visit http://www.greaterlafayettecommerce.com/list/ql/healthcare-695.
What opportunities is there for young professionals?
In a community that prides itself around a world class university, providing resources to young professionals is critical.
Matchbox Co-Working Studio, located in downtown Lafayette, is a meeting space for entrepreneurs and artists, giving them an opportunity to mingle and create, helping make Lafayette a welcoming city for young innovators. For more information about Matchbox Coworking Studio, visit https://matchboxstudio.org/about.html.
For those looking to become young leaders, Leadership Lafayette is an independent non-profit organization that helps individuals build relationships, increase awareness of key current issues, develop leadership skills, and much more. For more information about Leadership Lafayette, visit https://leadershiplafayette.org.
And Tippy Connect is an organization that helps young professionals, ages 21-39, living and working in Greater Lafayette, grow roots in the area through exposure to local businesses, organizations, and young professionals. Pay a visit to http://www.greaterlafayettecommerce.com/tippy-connect-young-professionals to learn more about Tippy Connect.