Indiana
Indiana is a gorgeous, limestone Big Ten campus in the college town of Bloomington. You'll arrive in warm, humid August and stay through a real Midwestern winter, so pack for the heat now and the cold that's coming.
What to wear in Bloomington, month by month
This region runs from a humid late summer to a hard winter in about ten weeks. The mistake out-of-region families make is packing the whole year in August.
| Move-in (Aug) | 80–90°F | Warm and humid. Lightweight clothes, a fan. |
| Sept–Oct | 55–75°F | Beautiful fall, cooling fast. Layers and a jacket. |
| Nov–Dec | 30s–40s | Gray and cold, first snow. Insulated coat, gloves. |
| Jan–Feb | 20s–30s | Real Midwest winter. Heavy coat, hat, snow boots. |
| Mar–May | 45–70s | Thaw into a green spring. A real jacket and layers. |
What Indiana lets you bring
- Twin XL bedding (confirm your specific hall)
- UL/ETL power strip with a built-in circuit breaker — not a bare extension cord
- Damage-free wall hangings like Command strips — no nails or screws
- Low-draw LED desk and task lamps
- A fan, a reusable water bottle, and UL-listed electronics
- Open-coil / open-flame cooking: toasters, toaster ovens, air fryers, hot plates, electric grills, sandwich makers
- Candles, incense, wax warmers, and anything with an open flame
- Halogen lamps
- Extension cords without a breaker; outlet splitters and multi-plug adapters
- Space heaters and personal A/C units (unless your school provides/approves them)
- Hoverboards, e-scooters, e-bikes, and other e-mobility devices
- Weapons of any kind — including decorative — and fireworks
These come from Indiana's official housing pages and cover the essentials plus the genuinely local rules. Double-check the current official guidance before you buy — policies and renovations change every year.
Getting your room at Indiana
- 01After admission
Submit the housing contract
Apply early — contract timing influences neighborhood and hall assignments at IU.
- 02Spring/summer
Rank neighborhoods + match a roommate
You'll rank residence-hall neighborhoods and can request a roommate; assignments come over the summer.
- 03Mid–late August
Move in
Move-in is mid-to-late August in warm, humid weather. A/C varies by hall — pack a fan to be safe.
Where you'll live at Indiana
IU's neighborhoods
Indiana groups its halls into neighborhoods, and you rank them when you apply. Central (the heart of campus) and Northwest (the big first-year hubs) are most popular with freshmen; rooms are mostly traditional doubles, and A/C varies by building.
The two large first-year-heavy halls on the northwest side — buzzy, social, a classic IU freshman scene near the business and education buildings.
Close to the heart of campus, the arts, and Kirkwood — a great walkable location with a mix of room styles.
The Indiana move-in checklist
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Bedding6
Bath5
Laundry4
Storage & organization6
Desk & study4
Electronics6
Cleaning5
Kitchen — within the rules5
Health & meds4
Clothing — see the seasonal guide7
Move-in day go-bag5
Bloomington logistics, sorted
How to send a package to an IU student
[Residence hall + room #]
[the hall's street address]
Bloomington, IN [ZIP]
Bloomington & around
Kirkwood Avenue
The walkable street off campus — restaurants, cafés, and shops, leading to the downtown square.
Sample Gates & the Arboretum
The iconic limestone gates and green campus core — the classic family photo and a lovely walk.
Nearby shopping
Easy runs for dorm supplies.
Where to stay near Indiana
Biddle Hotel (Indiana Memorial Union)
On campusThe hotel inside the IMU — right on campus, the most convenient base for move-in and visits.
Graduate Bloomington
~5-min walkA campus-themed hotel near Kirkwood and campus — fun and well-located.
Indiana gear & gifts
Indiana — links & contacts
- IU Housing: Visit page