[West Lafayette, IN]

Hi everyone, I'm an eager applicant awaiting a decision from an engineering PhD program at Purdue.  I'm wondering if anyone has input on grad students living in West Lafayette vs across the bridge in Lafayette.  I'm a late-20s early career professional returning to school, for some context.

Housing in Lafayette seems significantly less expensive than in West Lafayette, and a few Google Maps calculations make it seem like approx 30mins walking/15 mins biking from a few blocks away from the bridge to campus.  Is the bus a reasonable option in foul weather?  Are there any major drawbacks to renting a one bedroom for $600-650/month in Lafayette rather than paying more in West Lafayette?  I imagine the downtown options are less exciting further from campus, but I think wherever I end up for graduate school I'll be living pretty frugally anyway.

Any general input?

Thanks