How To Research A Neighborhood In West Lafayette Before You Rent

April 14, 2025

Exterior view of East Bank Apartments in Noblesville with seating and a fire pit

Also see

Getting to know a locale before relocating is smart to ensure you’re content in your new West Lafayette apartment. Visiting in person is essential, but you can do some other things to explore your new community. Use our beneficial tips on how to research a neighborhood before renting.

Explore The Locale

xterior of Penrose on Mass Apartments in Downtown Indianapolis

There’s no better way to familiarize yourself a neighborhood than seeing it in person. Once you have some properties in mind, plug the zip code or address into Walk Score to obtain a walkability score. You’ll see how easy it is to walk or bicycle around the locality. The higher the score, the more manageable the location is on foot. Check out the local coffee shops, retail outlets, and diners to get a sense for the neighborhood. It’s also smart to go at different times of day to assess elements like traffic congestion and noise.

Plan To Walk Through Each West Lafayette Property You’re Interested In

Kitchen with bar seating in a unit at Wheelhouse Apartments on the Monon

It’s crucial to spend time at the primary communities you’re considering. You can familiarize yourself by looking at photos and info on websites and even try a virtual 3D tour. But there’s no substitute for experiencing it in person. Walk around the outdoor areas, visit the amenities, and tour available units. Is the pool as nice up close as it looks on the website? What impression do you gather about the community as a whole?

Communicate With Community Residents

Patio with cushioned seating at The State at Fishers Apartments

One of the greatest ways to research a neighborhood is by connecting with the current Residents. You can explore ratings and reviews on different websites, but you may want to do a bit more. Visit social media pages connected to the community. Residents are typically more than happy to share their opinions. This is also a fantastic way to see if there are social activities you might be interested in.

Take A Test Run Of Your West Lafayette Commute

Unless you’re moving close to your job, you’ll likely have a commute to think about. You can utilize an app to figure out the driving distance and expected commute times. Program it for high-traffic times as well. But looking online isn’t the same as trying it in person. Do the driving yourself and note times to places like grocery stores, restaurants, and other destinations you are likely to frequent.

Additional Tips For How To Research Neighborhoods In West Lafayette

There’s quite a bit more you can do, based on the time you have. Here are several extra tips on how to research neighborhoods in West Lafayette:

Connect with a local real estate agent. This method can be quite useful for out-of-town moves. Numerous agents work with rentals and often know the neighborhood more completely than anyone else.

Research schools and daycares. If you have children, this is a must. You can get started by using virtual resources like GreatSchools.

Investigate community events and establishments. Go to a community event, go to farmer’s markets, or try local eateries to get a sense of the area.

Most communities will have websites you can review to get more information.

Take A Tour Of Continuum Apartments Today

Ready to find one of the greatest neighborhoods in West Lafayette? Take a tour of Continuum Apartments today. You’ll love our amenities, floor plans, and the sense of community that our team members and Residents share. Visit us in person or dial (765) 476-0886 for more information.