Preparing yourself for moving out-of-state for college is a critical phase in life that demands planning. You will be facing a new setting, people you do not know, and many other unknowns. Preparation is key to making this major transition easier on yourself and your family members. It requires a well-thought-out plan that accounts for challenges such as moving costs, and other unpredictable expenses associated with your move across state lines.
Moving from one state to another calls for significantly more planning than just a typical local move within your hometown when it comes to finances. It is important that you take into consideration some unforeseen traveling costs, high shipping charges, and the cost of immediate setup once you reach your university. Using a college budget worksheet will assist you in calculating your projected expenses over the course of your summer months before college.
Calculate Travel and Shipping Expenses for Your Interstate Move
You should make the decision to either drive your own car or to take a flight as early as possible when moving from state to state. Driving includes paying for fuel, hotel accommodations, and any necessary car maintenance prior to the long journey.
Based on moving industry standards, long-distance moves range from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the overall distance. However, if you choose to fly, you will need to factor in airline baggage fees and the cost of shipping your boxes separately. College Butler can significantly cut down these shipping costs by managing your inventory locally instead of forcing you to pay premium freight fees.
One of the smartest ways out-of-state students can protect their budget from these massive shipping fees is by using a local storage company near campus. For instance, incoming freshmen can secure specialized storage for college students in Bryn Mawr to drop off heavy items right by school, eliminating the need to haul refrigerators, microwaves, and winter gear back across state lines every year.
Consider Costs of Living and Local Adjustment Expenses
The city where you will be going to school may experience a completely different economic situation compared to your hometown. Make sure that you do some research regarding the cost of local groceries, public transportation, and even basic furnishings for an apartment. This will help your successful adjustment to college life.
Most families come to find that by working directly with the regional student service providers, their upfront fees will be reduced. Using College Butler helps individuals save on their temporary local storage fees for their belongings as well as avoid spending extra money on renting vehicles.
For students moving into campus housing, arranging short term storage at UPenn provides a seamless local solution. Your belongings are picked up directly from campus, safely held in a monitored local facility, and delivered right to your new housing assignment when classes resume.
Making an Efficient Interstate Move to Your College
If you plan to attend college in a different state, you will have to be extremely strategic and prioritize when managing space in order to reduce your moving costs. There is little space available in an ordinary dorm or student accommodation building. Only pack the necessities that you will need for the upcoming semester.
How to Pack for an Out-of-State College Move
- Evaluate Your Current Belongings: Go through every single item in your bedroom before you start packing boxes. Sort your belongings into keep, donate, and discard piles to make it easier for you to transport fewer items for your out-of-state move. Use clear plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes to easily identify items when you arrive on campus.
- Secure Climate-Appropriate Clothing: Research the specific weather patterns of your new state before buying a new wardrobe. Pack your warm winter clothing only if your new destination is known to be cold during the fall semester.
- Arrange Transportation Early: Book your airline flights or map your driving route well in advance of your departure date. Having your travel arrangements set up early helps you lock in lower rates and guarantees your preferred arrival schedule. You can also coordinate your calendar with College Butler to make sure that your stored essentials are ready to go the moment you arrive on campus.
Shipping large items often costs more than purchasing them once you arrive. Consider buying bulky items like bedding, storage bins, and basic school supplies after you reach campus. There are many stores that permit customers to purchase their products over the Internet and then pick them up locally. This saves valuable shipping space and reduces physical strain during your long travel days when moving to college in another state.
You may also want to plan shopping for major dorm room appliances with your new roommate. You will save yourself money by sharing the expenses on a microwave, fridge, or television. College Butler makes splitting these costs even easier by allowing roommates to co-store these larger shared appliances over the summer breaks. Effective communication will also help you avoid buying duplicate items and filling your room with unnecessary belongings.
Take Care of Necessary Legal and Administrative Tasks Pertaining to Your Move
Administrative information tends to be neglected during the planning process in moving out of state. You will need to make sure that all legal papers are updated accordingly to reflect the changes made in your life. Spend some time and make sure that you have everything ready at least one month before your move.
Update Your Residency Requirements and Identification for Your Interstate Relocation
If you plan to establish permanent residency in your new state, you need a local license. Check the local Department of Motor Vehicles website for specific residency requirements, documentation needs, and appointment scheduling procedures.
Have the following documents ready before visiting the local Department of Motor Vehicles office to finalize your interstate relocation:
- Your current out-of-state driver’s license or state identification card
- An original birth certificate or valid United States passport
- Two pieces of official mail proving your new physical address
- Your original Social Security card for identity verification purposes
Keep your birth certificate, social security card, and passport in a secure location. Never pack these personal documents in cardboard boxes that go into a moving truck during your move.
Transfer Medical Records and Prescriptions Before Moving to College in Another State
It is very important that you keep your health in mind in this major move in both geography and personal life style. Contact your primary care doctor now to get your health information transferred to the new campus health center. In case you are taking any medications every day, be sure that your prescription information gets forwarded to the nearest pharmacy to your dorm.
It is also smart to consider your personal finances and keep them secure during the move. It is essential that you notify your bank regarding your future plans so as not to raise any alarms due to out-of-state transactions.
Map Out Your Summer
Don’t let the sudden arrival of summer break catch you off guard. Traveling light during your initial move is much easier when you have a concrete storage plan in place for the end of the year.
College Butler completely removes the stress of seasonal transitions by delivering packing boxes directly to your door, picking up your packed belongings directly from your dorm or apartment, and holding them in a secure local facility until you return. To learn more about our student packing packages or to reserve your seasonal storage space, contact College Butler today.