Moving to College
Moving to college can be a really exciting but daunting time. There is so much to look forward to but nearly every aspect of your life is about to change.
But like any home move, being organised and well-informed will save you time, money, and stress.
Things to Know Before Going to College
Speak to your halls of residence and find out the following information:
- What the halls of residence supply
- Do they have a list of things they recommend you take?
- What you are prohibited from taking
- How much storage space is available to you
- What date can you move in
- What time of day can you move in between
- Where do you collect the keys from
- Try to get a map of the campus so you know exactly where you are going
How to Pack for Moving to College
- Decide how you will move to college. If you are just taking a couple of cases for example, then going by car or train is a sensible option. If you have to take large and bulky items then you may have to hire a van or removal company.
- Pack like Russian dolls. Use bags, suitcases, and the inside of pots, for example, to put your things in. Backpacks and bin liners, for example, will squeeze into a car easier than a box would.
- Use clothes for padding. Save space and money by wrapping fragile items in items of clothing to stop them from getting damaged.
- Take only what you need. Take only seasonal clothing for example. You can then swap over to the next season’s clothes when you next come home.
- Order things online. If you need books for college, for example, order them online and have them delivered to your halls of residence after you move in.
- Don’t take groceries. Groceries and toiletries can be bought when you get there. Don’t waste time, space, and effort taking them with you.
- Be organised. Have your packing done in plenty of time so that you have no last-minute panics.
College Moving In Day
- Dress in sensible clothes. Yes, you want to look cool, but being comfortable, and clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty as you move your things in, is important too.
- Wear suitable footwear. After walking up six flights of stairs fifteen times, you will be glad you wore flat, strong shoes.
- Leave in plenty of time. The motorway and college will be busy with everybody else moving in so plan plenty of time for your journey.
- Check the college map. There will likely be limited parking on campus so check out the map of the campus so you can see the best place to unload your things.
Here is more essential information on how to move to college
If you are going back to college but moving into a student house then check out this essential guide to Moving into a Student House Checklist
Moving into a Shared House
What is a house share? It is an entire property that is rented by more than one person under a joint tenancy agreement. Some landlords also rent out individual rooms within a property and the rental agreement will be between yourself and the landlord.
It is usual that all tenants in the property will share the kitchen, living space, and even the bathroom.
How does a house share work? In theory, all the tenants will share the cleaning and bills, in reality, it rarely works out that way.
So it makes sense to all agree on a set of rules, how and when bills will be paid, and by whom and when the cleaning gets done.
What Does a Home Share Cost? This is obviously dependent upon where in the country you are moving to but here is a guide from www.homesandproperty.co.uk as to what the average house shares cost in the UK:
- Dundee £348
- Newcastle £367
- Liverpool £355
- Cardiff £379
- Bristol £479
- Cambridge £534
- Bournemouth £528
- Oxford £604
- London £751
Must read: The Ultimate Guide to Moving Into a Shared House
Moving Back Home With Your Parents
Is moving back in with your parents a good idea? For lots of reasons, you may be considering moving back to your parents’ home.
It can make a lot of sense to move back to the family home if you have just ended a relationship and need time to get back on your feet again if you are saving money to buy your own property, or if your parents are elderly and need some level of care.
However, such a move will need careful planning and consideration as it can be a major lifestyle change for all of you.
How long will you be staying? Decide how long you intend to stay with your parents if this is just a temporary arrangement, rather than a permanent move due to their health for example.
Discuss the issue with your parents. This is going to have an impact on all your lives, they will have built up new routines and a life for themselves whilst you were not living there. They may have turned your old room into a study or a hobby room. If this is just a temporary stay then explain that, what your plans are for the future, and how long you intend to stay.
Work out the finances. Although they may not expect it or want it, you should offer to pay rent and towards the bills. Although one of the reasons to move back with your parents is because you need to save money, they may not be in a position to financially support you or the increase in food and utility bills.
Set boundaries. Although you will always be their child, you are an adult now and you will have got used to living by your own rules. You will need to respect their privacy and their yours. Would you like them to knock on the door before coming into your room, and you on their door? Can you have friends to stay over on the odd occasion?
What are their expectations? If you cannot afford to pay rent for example, can you do all the housework or gardening? What house rules do they want to impose? How will you share household tasks? What level of care do they need or are you able to offer?
Good communication will make the whole process easier. If you have set clear goals to get your own place again then stick to it. If you are moving back because your parents have a need for you to be there due to failing health, then your ability to fulfill that task should also be clearly set out.
Moving back with parents can be a great idea in a number of circumstances, but it will take tolerance and flexibility from all of you. The reason you are moving back to the family home will determine how long the new arrangement should last.
Should you Move House Before or After the Baby is born?
The number one priority when considering whether to move home before or after your baby is born is the wellbeing and safety of both you and your child.
Always seek medical advice if you are in any doubt about your or your baby’s wellbeing.
At the end of the day, you are the only person who can make an informed decision as to whether moving home when heavily pregnant or after the baby is born is the right choice for you.
Top Tip for Moving Home With a Newborn Baby or When Very Near the Due Date
You will most likely not be in any physical condition or have the time with a newborn, to do much when it comes to helping with the packing and moving of things.
Whilst you may be able to do things like change of address and the organization of your home move, get as much help with the physical part of the move as you can.
- Get help decluttering
- Hire a full-service removal company
- Hire professional cleaners
Top Tip Why to Move Before the Baby is Born
Moving home before your baby is born will allow you to have their nursery organised and ready for the child before it is born. Not having to juggle a newborn and unpacking is a major consideration.
- Organising the move will be easier
- Save money on moving costs
Top Tip NOT to Move Before the Baby is Born
Many mothers cite having a doctor or midwife that they have developed a relationship with, and who knows the mothers’ medical history, as a benefit to not moving home before the baby is born.
You will likely have a support network of family and friends around you which can make things so much easier in the first days of your child’s arrival too.
- Familiar healthcare and support network
- The possibility that the baby will arrive early
- Physical limitations
Top Tip Why to Move With a Newborn Baby
Newborn babies sleep a lot so many new mothers state that moving home with a newborn baby is easier as it gives them time to sort the home out having just moved in. The baby has not had a chance yet to get into a routine or be familiar with their home, so it is an ideal time to get everything sorted before they settle into the home.
- Babies sleep a lot
- Nesting at the highest point
- Plenty of offers of help
Top Tip NOT to Move With a Newborn Baby
Many mothers are not able physically or mentally to cope with a new baby and a new home at the same time. If you are moving to a new area you will also have no support network which can only add to your anxiety.
- Baby needs constant attention
- Antenatal Depression
- No support network
You will find many more tips and helpful advice here: Should you Move House Before or After Baby is born?
Moving Home with a Young Family
Moving home with a young family can present a whole other dimension to the anxiety most people feel moving to a new home.
Communication is often the key to ensuring that your family copes with the transition to the new home, so here are some tips that will help your family cope during the relocation.
- Visit your new home. If you can, take the family to visit the new home, or failing that go online and show them the home. Make the home move a huge adventure for the family, showing them all the positive and exciting things about the home move.
- Take them to see their new school. Try to arrange to take the kids to some out-of-term activities at the new school. This will introduce them to the new school in a more relaxed way.
- Be positive. The more positive you are about the home move, the more excited your kids will be.
- Get the kids involved. Let the kids pack their own things which will be fun for you and them.
- Say goodbye. Take the time to let your kids say goodbye to their old friends, a going-away party is often a great way of doing this.
- Moving day safety. Try to keep a room as a safe haven for the kids so that they are kept out of harm’s way on moving day. Better still, arrange for them to stay with friends or family.
- First night fun. Have the children’s bedrooms set up on the first night so that they are comfortable. Then plan on doing something fun and memorable on the first night.
- Move to music. Make a playlist of your kids’ favourite tunes to play during the journey to your new home. It will help keep the kids relaxed.
You will find lots more useful advice and tips in Moving Home With a Young Family
You may also find this guide useful: Tips For Moving House With A Teenager: Expect the Unexpected
Moving Tips for Single Parents
Moving home is never easy, having to cope with day-to-day tasks as a single parent can be exhausting, so the thought of having to deal with all your normal daily activities and a home move can be daunting.
Here are some top tips for helping single parents move home.
- Get help. Many hands make light work so take all the offers of help you can. Hiring a removal company will help tremendously in this respect.
- Save money. Moving home is expensive, but there are lots of ways to help reduce the cost such as getting rid of unwanted things, using recycled boxes, or moving midweek.
- Keep organised. Use a home moving checklist to ensure that you don’t forget to do any home moving tasks. The more organised your home move the easier it will be.
- Relax. Take time out from the home move to recharge your batteries. A walk around the park, a picnic with the kids, or an hour with a good book may be all it takes to relax you.
- Find out about your new area. If you are moving to a new area it will make the transition easier if you find out all you can before you actually move there. Finding doctors, grocery stores, and local chemists, for example, are all things that you may need in the first few days of moving, so if you locate those early on, it is one less thing to worry about.
- Security. The safety and wellbeing of yourself and your children will always be your first priority so be sure to ensure your new home has adequate fire precautions, is child-friendly, and that all the external locks are changed as soon as you can.
Read more Home Moving Tips for Single Parents
Moving In Together After Marriage
New marriage. New life. New home. So many changes and so much to think about, organise, and to be agreed upon.
Getting married will impact on every aspect of your life, not least of which is the home you will be setting up together.
There will be much to discuss and agree upon regarding your new home together, so here are some tips on moving in together after marriage.
- Where will you live? One of the first decisions to be made is where you are going to live. Do you move into your partner’s home or do you get a home that is new to both of you? Do you want a house or a flat? Rent or buy? Obviously, there are many factors affecting that decision, but having the discussion and sorting this issue out is important and will likely need compromise from both of you.
- What will you take or need in the new home? Make a list of all the things you have for the new home and what you need to get. Again you will need to compromise as you both may be unwilling to give up your prized coffee machine for example.
- How will you budget? Finances are a classic bone of contention. So decide how the bills will be paid and who will manage the payments.
- Who does what? Marriage is a partnership so you will want to share all the household tasks too. One of you may love cleaning windows but not cutting the lawn and vice versa. So discuss who does what in the fairest way possible.
Learn more about Moving In Together After Marriage
Moving House in Later Life
Moving home in later life can be extremely traumatic, especially if it has been your life-long home.
And there are many reasons why you may be moving in later life such as access to better health care, to release equity in your home, to be nearer family, or downsizing to a more manageable home.
Moving an elderly person out of their home is a delicate and often exhausting process so here are some tips on helping an older person to move home.
- Take extra time. Moving home for an older person can be tiring and traumatic. Allow plenty of time for the home-moving process. Consider that the elderly person will not have the physical ability or maybe full health that they once enjoyed. And the person moving may find the whole experience overwhelming as old memories are rekindled when things are packed up and moved.
- Help them. It will take patience and understanding on your part during the whole home-moving process. They will still want a level of independence and control, so offer support, help, and compassion rather than taking control of everything.
- Be organised. There are always lots of things to keep organised during a home move. Use a home moving planner to ensure that nothing is forgotten and so that you can clearly explain to the person moving what is happening and when.
- Declutter. This is the hardest part for the elderly to deal with. The realisation is that they may have to part with a cherished piece of furniture or art because it will not fit into their new home. It can make the process easier for them to accept if the item is going to a member of the family or will be given to a charity that they support.
- Hire a removal company. Hiring the services of a reputable removal firm will not only make the home move easier and less stressful for you but will allow you to focus your attention on the elderly person moving out so that you can attend to their needs.
- Moving day. On moving day consider taking the person out for lunch or a drive in the country so that by the time they arrive at their new home the upheaval has all been completed. It will allow time to have a few cherished items to be placed in the new home so that they immediately recognise a few well-chosen pieces.
- Relax. It should also be recognized the toll that moving an elderly person out of their home will have on you. Take time to care for yourself too having plenty of sleep and relaxation.
Read more about Moving Home in Later Life
Posted on February 18, 2020
Peter Langley
Peter is a regular contributor to the blog and a relocation specialist. He is also a seasoned UK and International homeowner, who now brings the knowledge gained from those moves, to add real-life experience to his work.
Peter has also been at various sales and marketing positions within companies in the industry so he has deep knowledge of the relocation process.
Since 2017, Peter is involved with the relocation industry in the USA as he has extensive knowledge on long distance household relocation. With his articles, he have helped tens of thousands of people plan their relocation. His work have been featured on many industry blogs and publications.
You can contact Peter at peter@mymovingreviews.com
Moving home is a challenge, even if you have moved home before. But if you have never moved home you are probably at a loss as to where to even start.
