The Shock of Moving

[CRAZYTERP]

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So basically I have been extremely busy at work for the past few months and the project I was working on just came to completion last Saturday. Plus I was so worried just hoping to be accepted to medical school that I honestly hadn't even given the first thought to what happens after the acceptance notification.

So now that work is less hectic and I finally know where I will be going the feeling of overwhelment has set in that I will be moving in less than four months to a new place and a new home for the next four years. Has anyone started to feel the same way???

Other than studying abroad I have never really lived more than 45 mins from home and although I am extremely independent from my family I have to admit it is a HUGE reality check to think that no one close to me will be around once I leave. Does anyone even know the first thing to do when it comes to moving? To find apartments do you always need to go through a realtor or can you just go up by yourself and ask to see open spaces? Also can you negotiate with apartment prices? Any once else out there as lost as me?

-ct

 

[Serenity07]

I totally understand where you're coming from. I think the first thing I would do is contact the student affairs office of your future school and ask if they have any services to help students who are relocating. I know of one school who keeps a database of the apartments where students live and what they think about them, along with current prices and amenities. Also, some schools have relationships with apartment locators who would love to take you around and show you different properties. Usually you don't have to pay for this service; they just get a referral fee from the actual apartment if you sign a lease.

You can also look around on your own. When I was looking for places in Houston, I went to apartmentguide.com and apartment.com to look up places to get a feel for the prices and amenities offered. I also used yahoo's driving direction thing to find out how far the apartments were from my school. Then, if you want to go look in person, you just go to the leasing office and tell them you'd like to look at a model. I don't know how well negotiating would work, but especially since the economy's so bad many places are offering huge discounts off their normal prices. You might also want to check on any student discounts they may offer.

I hope that helps! Don't be nervous, it will all work out...😉

 

[carrigallen]

I think that the best thing to do is get there & start walking around with a cell phone (preferrably during a weekday). Find a neighborhood you like, then check out apartments you like. Usually phone numbers are posted, so just call the management and ask if they have any vacancies. Be sure to ask for any vacancies even if none are listed, because the good apartments often don't stay empty long enough to be posted or advertised.

Sometimes they will give you the combination so you can check the inside out yourself, or they will drive down there immediately and open it up for you. I think you get a good feel for the neighborhood this way. Also, this gives you the chance to chat with neighbors first too (be sure to ask about their relationship with the landlord, etc). There are good guides for evaluating apartments online. It is also a good idea to ask the landlord for any upcoming vacancies, since these rooms may be better than the ones they currently have advertised (the downside to doing this is that there may not be enough time for them to repaint/refurbish the vacated apartment if you move in right after someone else).

If an advertised apartment sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Be wary of sharing a house with people you don't know, even if they seem awesome. If someone vacates, then everyone else pays the extra rent, and if TWO people vacate, then it gets bad, because then everyone starts thinking about moving out. Also, all it takes is one housemate throwing parties before tests or playing loud music to screw with your sleep habits.

Good luck! 🙂

 

[Bear25]

I know how you feel. It's a little daunting to move to a new locale even if you are a seasoned mover. I was wondering when people are planning on moving? I wanted to travel this summer but am a little worried about having enough time to find a place. Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[CRAZYTERP]

Thanks for the info. It definitely helps to hear how other people handled their own moves. I just feel like I have no time to do anything. I am hoping to take a 2-3 day trip to Miami in late May, Early June to look for places and find the neighborhood I like most but it is hard ot find the right time to go partially bc my americorps term is up June 30th and I don't want to seem like I am selling out on them early and also bc my boss will be having her baby in May and the rest of our office (all 2 and a half of us) will be picking up some major slack. I think I just have to spend a weekend searching the net for apartments in a bunch of areas and also contact the school.

Time, I mentioned before, is probably the biggest problem though for another reason. Orientation starts around the first week of August and since I am no very familiar with Miami I was hoping to move down there by mid July the latest. That leaves me with 2 weeks after I finish work to get all my crap together, say good bye to most of my close friends and fam for 5 months make the drive to Florida. I really wanted to do some traveling and relax for a bit but it seems like there isn't any way to do it.

-CT

 

[TeinVI]

Originally posted by CRAZYTERP
Thanks for the info. It definitely helps to hear how other people handled their own moves. I just feel like I have no time to do anything. I am hoping to take a 2-3 day trip to Miami in late May, Early June to look for places and find the neighborhood I like most but it is hard ot find the right time to go partially bc my americorps term is up June 30th and I don't want to seem like I am selling out on them early and also bc my boss will be having her baby in May and the rest of our office (all 2 and a half of us) will be picking up some major slack. I think I just have to spend a weekend searching the net for apartments in a bunch of areas and also contact the school.

Time, I mentioned before, is probably the biggest problem though for another reason. Orientation starts around the first week of August and since I am no very familiar with Miami I was hoping to move down there by mid July the latest. That leaves me with 2 weeks after I finish work to get all my crap together, say good bye to most of my close friends and fam for 5 months make the drive to Florida. I really wanted to do some traveling and relax for a bit but it seems like there isn't any way to do it.

-CT

just quit yer america job early. you're in med school already, so who cares. just make up a good reason, i'm sure they'll understand.

 

[ramonmcguire]

I take it you'll be going to the University of Miami, which is in Coral Gables. That's a pretty but expensive part of town. If you can get a place there, though, it would be worth it because Miami traffic is so bad. You don't want to be stressing out in traffic every day.

 

[TysonCook]

Most schools will provide you with a bunch of "New to the City" materials such as a living guide, sometimes travelers guides, and a list of places worth looking at, and other new students that are moving in to the city as well. You should call and see if they will be sending you the Welcome Pack etc.

UC also gave us a AAA travel map of Cincinnati, which really helps when you are looking for random streets in a city that you've never lived in before.

Also, go the the city's online newspaper and look at their classifieds online. They usually have search functions that help you narrow down the apt.'s that you will want to see. Then go for a 3-4 day trip to look at the places and settle on one.

Lastly, when you are getting ready to move (if it is long distance), don't use Ryder/UHaul etc. There are a ton of companies that have deals where you pack your own goods into thier semi's and they transport it with other stuff from other companies (kind of like leasing out extra space).

I used ABF U-Pack, and it charged me $300 and then I just drove my own car out at a relaxing pace. Compare that to UHaul which priced me at $1600 + the cost of a car dolly that I would have had to tow across the country unsafely.

Run a search as this has definately come up every year for the last few years.

Good Luck!

 

[CANES2006]

Originally posted by ramonmcguire
I take it you'll be going to the University of Miami, which is in Coral Gables. That's a pretty but expensive part of town. If you can get a place there, though, it would be worth it because Miami traffic is so bad. You don't want to be stressing out in traffic every day.

That's the undergrad campus. The school of medicine is located in downtown Miami, and the area is not nice or safe at all.

 

[ramonmcguire]

Originally posted by CANES2006
That's the undergrad campus. The school of medicine is located in downtown Miami, and the area is not nice or safe at all.

My bad. Sorry for the bad advice, Crazyterp. Thanks for straightening it out, Canes2006.

 

[Doc Ivy]

Just a heads up about using some random moving company... be sure to look them up in the BBB (better business bureau) cuz I saw a really interesting story about this on 20/20. The company quotes you a really great price online, then they come appraise your stuff and it's all good, but once all your belongings are in the truck and halfway across the country, they start giving you the runaround about price...if you don't pay they lock your stuff in storage--there were people on the program who still hadn't gotten their stuff out of storage after a year, and the police can't do anything cuz it's not a crime if you refuse to pay

Buyer Beware!

 

[lll505]

Crazyterp:

I would suggest calling the student housing office or office of student affairs at Miami before you head down there. They can probably tell you areas where students live and might also have places listed that aren't advertised elsewhere (for instance, places previously occupied by other med students). Try using the internet - I know here in San Francisco Craig's List is a great way to find apartments. Finally, when looking for a place, let the landlord know that you will be attending med school so it is likely you will rent the place 4 years. You don't have to sign a long lease, but landlords like to rent to people that plan on staying.

Good luck

 

[shadowboxer]

Hey Crazyterp,

I'm also gonna be going to UM (real excited!!). I found this from the UM's medical education website, it's for this year's 1st years but it's still pretty helpful:

http://www.mededu.miami.edu/Admissions


btw, did you interview on 1/27?

 

[Samoa]

Originally posted by Doc Ivy
Just a heads up about using some random moving company... be sure to look them up in the BBB (better business bureau) cuz I saw a really interesting story about this on 20/20. The company quotes you a really great price online, then they come appraise your stuff and it's all good, but once all your belongings are in the truck and halfway across the country, they start giving you the runaround about price...if you don't pay they lock your stuff in storage--there were people on the program who still hadn't gotten their stuff out of storage after a year, and the police can't do anything cuz it's not a crime if you refuse to pay

Buyer Beware!

This is EXACTLY what happened to me when I moved here to Seattle last year. It turned out that the company I used (which was reputable according to the BBB), was a front for a not-so reputable company that was actually doing the moving. So my advice is to use a well-known, national moving company, or else U-Haul.

 

[ermonty]

Doc Ivy,

I saw that 20/20 documentary also. Scary stuff! For those unfortunate folks that got caught up in that mess and then tried to fight the movers instead of paying them, they ended up paying double time. The movers would deliver the stuff only after getting their money AND then they smashed the people's stuff up and threw it all over the folk's yard!!! I was blown away that there was no legal recourse for this sort of blackmail that these shady movers are pulling. Buyer beware indeed!😡

 

[tkim]

I'm in the same situation - moving from Boston to Cali in July.

There's the option of 'self-moving' - where a commercial container truck is dropped off at your house, you have 2 days to pack everything to the very front of the container, after which it is filled with commercial cargo and driven to your destination.

The prices are comparable to U-Haul, and you don't pay for gas, or have to drive the truck, which is a big plus for me, as I have a car and two dogs to move as well.

http://www.upack.com/

Anyone have any experience with these types of companies?

- Tae

 

[TysonCook]

I personally (as written above) had NO PROBLEM with ABF UPack (www.upack.com). Not only did they get my stuff from SLC to Cincinnati a day earlier than expected they also gave me a $100 refund because I used only 3.5 linear feet instead of 4.0. Even though they say that you must use a minimum of 4 feet. It was analogous to being completly satisified w/ a product, and then having the company say "hey, heres a $100 bill back, because we think that you should be treated fairly and you didn't need that much space" I was blown away.

My brother is using them to move from NYC to Spokane for residency. I have recommended them to all sorts of friends and they loved them.

As w/anything with life, take this w/ a grain of salt. You can always "buy the best", but still get a BMW that is a lemon. No amount of heresay should stop you from taking charge, researching prospective companies, asking lots of questions, and most importantly getting some insurance for you goods before your move.

What I did like about ABF Upack is that it is not a "moving company". They are a international frieght company that leases out the extra space in their semi's to you, just as they would to Sony, or VW, or Coke. They don't specialize in "moving", but more freight transportation w/ the spare space sold to other bidders ( ie you).

Some people get screwed, others (like me) swear by these companies. Just do your research and be smart about it. Also do a search on SDN for this same subject and you will find older threads about them as well. 🙂

 

[tkim]

Tyson,

Thanks for the feedback! I don't have the coin for a pro mover, and my best friend's U-Haul was stolen from a motel parking lot a couple of years ago when he moved x-country, so for me, self-moving sounds like the way to go.

- Tae

 

[rebaj]

Anyone who's going to a city where its relevent: check out Craig's List (SF, NYC, Miami, Austin, Boston, others but I don't know them all) for apartment listings, folks looking for roomies. It'll take you more work than a realtor, and you might spend time looking at places/meeting people you never really wanted to, but it might help you get out of some broker's fees, which in some cities can be as high as 15% of a year's rent. Yikes!

www.craigslist.com

 

[CRAZYTERP]

Originally posted by shadowboxer
Hey Crazyterp,

I'm also gonna be going to UM (real excited!!). I found this from the UM's medical education website, it's for this year's 1st years but it's still pretty helpful:

http://www.mededu.miami.edu/Admissions


btw, did you interview on 1/27?

Shadowboxer,
Thanks for the info! I actually saw that website but havent had time to check it out with work. I was gonna do it this weekend but the tourny took precedence over everything else.

Actually I interviewed the 24th (Friday I think) but one of my best friends from UMD interviewed with you on the 27th. She is coming to Miami too and hopefully thats who i will be living with.
Thanks again for all the advice!

-CT

 

[care bear]

wow, thanks for the 'self-moving' advice! i'll have to check out their prices.
i only have a small apartment, though, so i wonder if it'd be worth it, or if uhaul is better.
(sigh) i really don't like the moving process, but oh well.

 

[TroutBum]

I know this isn't feasible for everybody, but I honestly think the best way is to go pound the pavement for a couple days a month or so ahead of time. This may vary from city to city, but here in Denver, a LOT of the apartments in the student price range don't use realtors or list in the classifieds or online services, they just hang signs and hope to snag people driving by. My last apartment, for example, was a gorgeous, 1000 sq ft two bedroom with new hardwood floors, on the top floor, with south facing ceiling-length windows. It was ridiculously cheap, and the manager said they never advertise, they just rely on people looking around the neighborhood. So, if you rely just on the online services or realtors, you may miss a lot of gems, especially those rare finds in the lower price range that are absolute steals.

 

[tkim]

Originally posted by care bear
wow, thanks for the 'self-moving' advice! i'll have to check out their prices.
i only have a small apartment, though, so i wonder if it'd be worth it, or if uhaul is better.
(sigh) i really don't like the moving process, but oh well.

You have to figure out how much your stuff is worth, and whether you would break even by selling all of your stuff and buying new once you get to your new place. Factor in the cost of moving your stuff - rental van/U-Haul/self-pack, versus the cost of selling your stuff and buying new. Depending on how much or how little the stuff you have, you might be better off selling and buying new.

Do you have a car? If so, you have to figure out whether the amount of stuff you want to take with you will fit in that car, or whether you can get away with putting in a little U-Haul trailer and towing it. If you don't have a trailer hitch, factor the cost of buying and having one installed (~$100-$150). If you have a lot of stuff, then you most likely will have to rent a U-Haul truck and a tow thingy for your car.

ABF quoted me a minimum price of ~$1300, which is about 4 feet of cargo length space, or the size of a small, 3-4 room apartment. A U-Haul car trailer rental costs about $500, and $900 to send via professional car-carrier cross-country.

Since I have two cars, I'm planning on selling one of them, driving one cross-country, and buying a cheap beater for myself when I get there, and pocketing the difference from the sale.

By using a self-pack place at roughly the same price of a U-Haul truck - and driving my car cross-country, I avoid having to pay for a car-carrier rental $500, the gas for that truck, and not having to sleep in the cab of the truck with a shotgun across my lap to ward off thieves.

Having planned all that, it's still fricken expensive!

- Tae