Moving is never easy for college students. However, COVID-19 has made it even more difficult for these individuals. A surge in virus cases can quickly cause universities to switch to online classes. Dozens of universities have already suspended in-person classes. This means that some college kids may find themselves needing to move multiple times in a single semester.
Unfortunately, renting moving equipment isn’t exactly cheap. So what is the most affordable way to move when you’re in school? In this article, we’ll give you everything to know about moving without breaking the bank. Plus, we’ll give you some helpful tips on how to make the whole experience less stressful. Let’s get started!
What Is the Cheapest Way for College Kids to Move?
If you’re going for the most affordable option, then the do-it-yourself method will win every time. The good news is that this is a viable option for a lot of students, especially freshman and sophomores living in dorms. Since most dorms provide the needed furniture all you need is your clothing and any other home essentials.
All the bedding, lamps, and school supplies can be purchased once you get to the town where your college is. This will save you a lot of space in the long run. Unfortunately, moving by yourself isn’t always the smartest option available. In fact, for some people, it may be impossible. Let’s take a look at why this can be a problem.
Why Can This Be a Problem?
Unfortunately, doing it yourself isn’t always a feasible option for a lot of college students. For one thing, you need a large car. Most sedans might not be large enough to fit everything that you need. Even large cars can be a problem if you need to transport multiple furniture pieces to your room.
Another factor is the distance of the school from your home. If your school is far away, then an old clunker of a car might not have been able to get you there. On top of that, there’s also the workload to consider. Moving is already a stressful endeavor, even when you hire other people to do it for you.
As such, taking it on yourself requires both intense organization and a lot of heavy lifting. If you moving furniture pieces into a student apartment, then you will also require multiple friends for the big pieces like a couch. Luckily, some other options can make it more feasible and easier.
Other Options
If moving by yourself is impossible, then don’t panic. There are other ways you can transport your dorm or apartment stuff. Keep in mind that they’re a bit more expensive than doing it yourself. However, at the end of the day, they’re still pretty affordable options.
Shipping It
If the school you’re going to is on the other side of the coast, then you’ll probably want to consider shipping furniture. Since driving a truck across the country isn’t exactly cost-efficient, this is a good method of getting any larger items you need to your school. Unfortunately, shipping your furniture is generally the most expensive option.
And the more things you need to ship, the pricier it gets. As such, if you’re on a budget, then you might want to look for alternatives.
Renting a Uhaul
If your school is within driving distance, and you don’t mind moving, then a Uhaul trailer or truck is a good option. The company rents out their equipment and vehicles to anyone who’s 18, so you shouldn’t have a problem if you’re a college student. However, there are some problems to consider.
For one thing, you can’t rent a trailer if your vehicle doesn’t come with a hitch. As such, most sedan owners are out of luck. There’s also the trip itself to consider.
If you don’t have experience driving with a trailer, then it can be stressful being on the highway and making sharp turns. Back up, in particular, is quite difficult with a trailer. As such, we recommend practicing before you take it out on the road.
Hire a Professional Moving Service
At the end of the day, you can’t beat a professional. Not only do these types of movers provide the large truck for big pieces of furniture, they even do all the heavy lifting. Plus you don’t need to cajole your friends or family to spend a day helping you out. Hiring a moving service is the option that involves the least amount of stress.
Try and look for a company that specializes in college movers. They can provide you with helpful tips for making the process as efficient as possible. To find the best value, we recommend calling multiple companies in the area and going with the one that offers you the best quote.
How to Make College Moving as Easy as Possible
There are things you can do to make your trip much easier in the long run. The first thing you should do is make a list. You’d be surprised just how easy it is to forget something important until it’s too late.
So, get organized by writing down everything you need and then checking it off when you load it. If you’re going with a moving company or other type of service, then you should also make sure to coordinate ahead with the company. Make sure you set a specific time of day for them to get there.
Did You Enjoy This Article? Keep Reading for More Great Content
We hope this article helped all the college kids out there find an affordable way to move. Ultimately, doing it yourself is the cheapest method. However, hiring professionals is always a good idea if you want to take a lot of stress away.
Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. We have plenty of more similar content. So just keep on exploring to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
