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College Student Moving for Dummies
Moving to College or University can be a tall order if you have to move everything out in a short period of time. In college, this is often the case, especially if you are a procrastinator. Fear not! This simple guide will explain the process of moving out step by step.
Sign Up For Storage
If college is away from home it may be easier for you to put your stuff in storage until you move into a new place. Storage units are generally cheap, ranging from $15 - $100 per month. Some things to consider when choosing a storage unit are:
- Climate controlled - Air conditioned units. Help prevent damage caused by the elements.
- Distance from your current place. Moving will go by much faster if your storage unit is nearby.
- Terms of the lease - Be sure you can sign a lease for the period of time in which you will actually need storage. Don't get stuck with a contract that binds you when you don't need it.
- Size - If you organize things and store them neatly you would be surprised how much you could fit into a 5X10 storage unit. Avoid renting a unit which is way too big and will go unused.
Supplies
Before you jump into moving, rearranging, and packing you need to make sure you have a few supplies. A few of the things you might need are:
- A six pack of Beer
- Packing Tape
- Permanent Markers
- Boxes
Truck Bed, Trailer, or U-Haul
Once everything is packed you need to be able to move it. Granted most college furniture will simply need to be moved to the nearest dumpster for disposal, but other valuables might be worthy of keeping. A friends truck should do the trick, but if you don't know anybody who has a truck see if you can find a trailer. If all else fails, call U-Haul and rent a trailer. Some things to consider when renting a trailer are:
- Size of the trailer - Is worth a big trailer to only make one trip?
- Cost - Shop around. Prices will vary, even among your friends.
- One Way or Round Trip - If moving long distances, make sure you can drop off the trailer at the nearest rental store instead of returning it where you got it.
Utilities
When subleasing your place you need to determine who is going to pay the bills. Will you continue paying utilities or will the new tenant be responsible for this. If the new tenant is responsible, make sure they get switched into his / her name, otherwise they could wreck your credit. Here are some of the bills you should take care of once you sublease your place:
- Power
- Gas
- Phone
- Water / Sewer
- Garbage Pickup
- Cable
Mail
Be sure to stop by the post office and pick up a Mail Forwarding form. Yes, they are free! Fill it out with your new address and your mail will soon be forwarded. Do this a week or two before you move, because it will take few days to go into effect.
Credit Cards and Other Important Bills
You are about finished with the whole sublease process. All you have left to do is contact any companies with which you have accounts and update your new address. While mail will be forwarded, this does not mean that your new address is automatically updated with these companies. Some of the companies you may want get in touch with are:
- Your college or university
- Banks
- Credit Card Companies
You are now ready to go out into the world and get your move on. Good Luck and God Speed!
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