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By on December 20, 2017 in Studying Abroad

Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash

Life can move in all sorts of directions. If you’ve found yourself at a junction where you’re looking at finding new employment or a college course, the question of whether you are in the right geographical location, or whether you may need to transfer elsewhere, has probably arisen. You may be considering moving to a new town, city, state or even overseas.

Should you go?

Regardless of whether you may be moving tens or thousands of miles, the decision to relocate your life for school or work is never straightforward. Aside from determining whether or not the job or program of study is the correct one for your career plans, there are many other considerations such as family, a partner, friends, costs and expenses, or logistics to take into account.

Our unique personalities also mean that while some of us jump at the opportunity to start over in a new place, to make new friends and explore a new area, some of us also find this notion terrifying. Either way, the decision to move is complicated and stressful.

To help you make sense of this opportunity and to decide if this is the right one for you, be sure to answer each of these five essential questions before getting close to a decision.

1.    Am I certain this job/course is right for me?

Before you make the life-changing decision to relocate, you need to be sure that this is 100% the right choice for your career, so do all the checks you’d do if the job/course were local, and then dig even deeper. This is simply because if you change your mind later, it’s going to be a lot harder to extricate yourself from the situation.

To minimize the risk of unpleasant surprises, you need to leave no stone unturned:

  • Be absolutely certain of what you’ll be spending your time doing
  • Learn as much as possible about your future boss/colleagues/teachers/fellow students
  • Ask what subsequent opportunities typically arise from taking this role/course
  • Read everything you can about your employer or school
  • Go over job/course descriptions, contracts and relocation packages for storage and moving with a fine tooth comb

2.    How Will Life Change?

Outside of work, your everyday life will change, too. Quality of life outside of work is of paramount importance if you are to flourish in your new role. Consider what you enjoy about your current lifestyle and whether it can continue or improve in your new location.

For example:

  • Are there affordable facilities where you can take part in your hobbies?
  • Will you be able to spend time with the people whose company you currently enjoy?
  • Will you have access to the kinds of restaurants and entertainment you prefer?
  • Does your new location offer any opportunities for further personal growth (i.e., new hobbies, language learning, or travel)?

Social media channels such as Facebook groups can really help you delve into a community before you even arrive.

The cost of living will also affect your quality of life. Before making any commitment, make sure that your new salary can maintain or improve the quality of life that you are accustomed to, that suitable housing can be found, and that you know the local costs of groceries, fuel, power, internet connections and other everyday essentials.

3.    How Do My Loved Ones Feel?

In any relocation, there will be people left behind whose feelings are important to you. You need to consider how you can maintain close relationships with them despite the distance. Thankfully, social media and the affordability of internet and video calling have made life easier in this respect.

You should also investigate how easy and affordable it will be for long-distance loved ones to visit you and for you to visit them.

Of utmost importance are the opportunities for family members to make the move with you. If you are relocating with children, are the education options suitable? Will they have chances to make new friends? And will they be able to enjoy their new lifestyle through their hobbies and activities?

Similarly, can your partner or spouse find the right employment and lifestyle opportunities to ensure their happiness alongside yours? It’s a good idea to trawl the local jobs market to see what opportunities regularly appear or to discuss whether they are happy to take a career break while waiting for the right opportunity.

4.    Can You Cope With the Unknown?

No matter how well-prepared you are and how much research you will have done, the one thing that can be guaranteed is that there’ll be plenty of surprises along the way. Some of us thrive on never knowing what’s around the corner, whereas some of us find it stressful to say the least.

By staying organized where you can, and by not overloading your relocation schedule, you are better set to cope with frustrations, delays and surprises. It also pays to make sure you have some friendly contacts in your new destination that can help you out when locating services you may need, or translating in an emergency, for example.

5.    What Do I Do If It Goes Wrong?

Before you make the move, you need to be sure you are 100% committed, but even with the greatest intentions, occasionally things don’t go as planned. Perhaps you’ll love the job, but not the location, or vice-versa. Perhaps you’ll need to return home for family reasons or because of political instability.

It pays to research ways out, too.

For example, if the job doesn’t work out but you want to stay, is the employment market in the locality strong enough for you to be confident of finding an alternate position? Will you be able to afford the costs of moving and storage companies to relocate back home again if necessary? Having an escape plan will also have the effect of making you feel more confident and safe in your choice.

The Final Decision

Asking these five questions is the key to being as organized and as prepared as possible, but there is also a lot to be said for going with your gut instinct and hoping for some luck along the way, too. Only you can decide if this is the right move for you, but remember: Often, our biggest regrets are for the opportunities we didn’t take, not for those we did. Good luck!

This article was contributed by guest author Chris Humphrey.

 

By on December 18, 2017 in Housing

The average American moves about 11 times during his or her lifetime. In many cases, the first and most momentous of these moves is leaving for college. For a lot of young adults, the day they move into their college dorm or apartment is the first time they have lived anywhere other than their parents’ home. It’s a big day for countless reasons, and one of the most important steps a young person can take toward becoming an independent adult.

Along with all of the obvious items college students need when setting out on their own — remembering to pack more than one bath towel, for example — there are many other details that are just as important but not as obvious. One of the most commonly forgotten tasks students should do when moving to college is changing their permanent address. For some students, the fact that they will continue to have mail delivered to their parents’ home isn’t that big of a deal, but it can be much more convenient for them to change their address. This is especially true when going to a college far from home or out-of-state.

Going through the process of making an address change official is important for college students, but there may be some confusion about how exactly this is accomplished. In addition to alerting the U.S. Postal Service, there are numerous other parties that need to be made aware of the address change. For example, failing to notify the Internal Revenue Service can result in delays when receiving important tax documents or a refund check. If students have credit cards, failing to notify their providers of an address change might mean they won’t receive their statements in time to pay their balances, which can severely affect their credit scores.

To help students successfully navigate the process of changing their permanent address, the following guide from University Moving and Storage illustrates all of the necessary tasks they need to complete. Moving to college is one of the biggest steps a young person can take on his or her way to becoming a responsible adult, and that includes handling even the smallest details of the move.

Image by University Moving and Storage

This article was contributed by University Moving and Storage.

By on August 16, 2017 in Housing

Image from pexels.com

Moving your things to college is not an easy feat. Understandably enough, it’s the last thing anyone has in mind before the final week at home rolls in. You have to make sure you’ve brought everything you’ll need for yourself, and it’s hard to be detailed and careful when you’ve hit panic mode. Parents usually aren’t helpful in these situations either. In order to avoid hectic packing, here are some tips for moving your things to your new college home.

Start with the essentials
Once the move-in day has come, both you and your parents should be prepared well enough to avoid any possibility of panic. The goal is to start with the most important items so, if you need to rush it near the end, you won’t be missing anything essential. These are the items you’ll need on a daily basis and ones you can’t function without on college campuses. Additionally, we are talking about items that are, if you forget them, too expensive to buy once again. Start off with your computer and phone, your ID and other crucial documentation, as well as some basic clothes you’ll require based on the climate in the area of the college.

Image from pexels.com

Size of your suitcases and saving space
Of course, you can’t bring everything you own along with you. Limit the number of shoes and boots you’ll carry with you since they can take up a lot of space. Make a careful assessment of how much you can carry based on the number and size of your suitcases. As far as jackets and coats go – they are bulky pieces of clothing that take up a lot of space, so bring only one of each along with you. Once you’ve finished packing, see if there is still enough space to add the extra jacket. Likewise, you can cut down on the items you can afford and buy once you arrive at the campus.

About hygiene
You’ve probably been responsible for the cleanliness of your room in the family house. Be that as it may, moving into a dorm room with a roommate will double your cleaning requirements. Make sure to bring cleaning supplies along with you, and pack them well in several layers of plastic bags to avoid leaking. The last thing you need is your clothes drenched in a tile-cleaning chemical. There’s also a big probability you’ll have to utilize your cleaning skills as soon as you arrive. It’s not rare to discover your new room is left dirty. Use paper towels and chemicals you’ve packed to clean all the surfaces thoroughly.

Image from pexels.com

As far as shipping goes
Once you get into your designated dorm room, you’ll need some essentials that will make your life easier. First of all, you’ll need sheets, pillows, blankets and even some furnishing. Obviously, you can’t just pack all these items and bring them along with you in a car or a minivan that will probably be filled to the brim with your suitcases. Instead, you should ship these “large scale” items via a transportation agency. There are some great choices for companies specializing in removals like Brisbane removals that offer fast, safe and efficient services for an affordable price, so you shouldn’t lose sleep over this part of moving.

Once you arrive
If you organize yourself well enough, your packages will be already waiting for you when you arrive to college. Once you’ve finally settled in, do another run through and check if you’ve got everything you need for a solid start to the semester. If you’ve followed the above tips, you should have most of what you need with you, and if you’ve forgotten something, it probably won’t be a crucial item nor something unaffordable.

Moving in the dorm room on your first day of college is an important activity for the entire family. However, even though your parents will relish this moment, always remember this is your time to shine and start functioning as an adult, independent human being. Learning organizational skills and how to determine priorities begins with packing for college, and it only gets more exciting from there.

This article was contributed by guest author Lana Hawkins.

By on April 10, 2017 in Housing

Image by Porapak Apichodilok, pexels.com

When it’s time to leave home and go to college, there will likely be a blend of emotions. You’ll be happy to further your education so that you’ll have a career that will allow you to support yourself. On the other hand, if it’s your first time away from home (and for many college students it is) there will be a bit of sadness as you are leaving the people who love you. Even if you’re moving a short distance away, things will change, from the way you prepare meals to the people you see and talk to on a daily basis.

Help with Moving
Spend the last few days at home getting help from family and friends with packing and moving. This is a time to share memories, exchange addresses and ensure that you’ll always be a phone call or an email away. If you want to spend as much time as possible with friends and family, consider hiring a moving company, such as Bekins Ban Lines Inc, who can help get everything packed and ready to go without you worrying as much about how to get items from one location to another.

Make Friends
If you do everything you can to make friends when you move to college, it can take your mind off of being away from home. Join a few clubs or get involved with community organizations. Talk to your roommate if you share a dorm room. Don’t be afraid to talk to new people in your classes or in different areas on campus, such as the library or the cafeteria. Once you make new friends, set up activities that you can do together to keep you occupied.

A Bit of Home in the Dorm
Bring a few things from home that you can keep in your dorm room. Hang pictures on the walls, keep a stuffed animal or two on a shelf, or keep special cards in a box so that you can look at them. Remember that you can always go home if you want to see your family, especially if your college is a short distance away. And these days, FaceTime easily lets you feel like you’re back in the same room as your loved ones!

Become an Adult
Whether it’s learning how to iron your clothes or how to cook, being at college gives you a way to learn how to be an adult. Take time to learn the skills needed to become as independent as you can and/or to have a family of your own one day. When you go back home, you can show off these skills to impress your parents and the rest of your family and friends.

Going to college is a fun time, but it can be associated with heartbreak as you leave home for the first time. Meet new people, and discover what you’re good at. Keep communication lines open, and enjoy the new ways of life that college has to offer.

This article was contributed by guest author Hannah Whittenly.

By on August 10, 2016 in Housing
Image by Alex France, Flickr

Image by Alex France, Flickr

Moving into a new apartment at school can be a very stressful time. It’s a huge change that may even feel quite overwhelming. Couple that with making new friends and getting off to a good academic start, and you’re practically setting yourself up for a nervous breakdown! How do you prepare for the move? Simple. A moving checklist.

The stress of moving can mold your mind into a pretzel, as well as cause you to forget a few things. Trying to recollect every single thing you need to get done, from setting up the internet to furniture shipping, can be next to impossible, which is why it’s important to be proactive. Our contributors at Transit Systems have put together a complete moving checklist for students, including everything from packing materials to proactive ideas, in order to assure that your move is as stress free and simple as possible.

Moving Checklist by California moving services company, Transit Systems.

This article was contributed by guest author Chris Crampton.

By on May 4, 2015 in Academic Life, Housing
Image by Great Beyond, Flickr

Image by Great Beyond, Flickr

So, it’s about that time of the year again. Finals, counting down until summer vacation and of course MOVE OUT. Before you can live out your fantasy of lounging in the sun on a raft in the pool with an ice cold lemonade in your hand, you have to pack up all of your stuff.

Normally this is considered a chore and even a burden during the rush of the end of the year, but what if packing up and moving out of your dorm, apartment or house could be simple? Well, it can be.

Here are a few tips on how to get your dorm ready for move out:

  1. Make a Plan – Just like everything in life, it’s better to lay out a guide for yourself so you don’t forget to pack anything or run out of time.
    • Get Prepared: Make sure you set things like breakables aside so that you have time to pack them at the end. Give yourself enough time (with maybe an extra hour or two) so you can study before your last final instead of worrying about those last three boxes.
    • Supply Yourself: Check to see that you have everything you need. Boxes? Packing tape? Bubble wrap? Newspaper? Suitcases? Make a thorough list for these items and make sure you have them all before starting. You don’t want to make four runs to the store while everyone is saying goodbyes with a pizza party (yum!)
    • Decide what to do: If you’re shipping your items home, storing with a company, friend or at a self-storage locker, make a decision and do it quick! You don’t want to be the one asking a friend to lend you their truck last minute or wind up paying inflated pick up prices with movers.

  2. Deal with the big items – If you live in an off campus apartment or house, this could be pretty common. You’ll want to assess your items and figure out what you’ll do with them – shipping, storing or moving? Protection for furniture is key for all instances.
    • For mattresses, make sure you box or cover them with plastic to keep dust and bed bugs out.
    • TVs are always best in boxes or packing blankets, and be sure to keep your remote somewhere safe!
    • Dressers and desks should be covered with plastic or cardboard to prevent scratches or other damage. Don’t forget to empty your items and secure all of the drawers and shelves so they don’t open or separate during the move.

  3. Stay Calm and Pack On – Even though this probably seems like a super stressful time of the year, remember that summer is just around the corner and that it’s not the end of the world if you have one box left to pack after your final. You’re there for school, and exams are still your number one priority. Here are a few more tips to keep you organized:
    • If you’re storing your items, don’t forget to set aside the stuff you want to take home this summer (hint hint: shorts, bathing suits, flip flops, passport etc.)
    • Driving home? Make a plan for which route you’re going to take and have your playlist ready to rock! (Don’t forget to fill the tank)
    • During your exam study breaks, pack a little. It gets you moving and you’ll get work done while you’re on your break. (Packing playlist anyone?)

    4. For more info on packing and some awesome tips for packing up specific items, check out our FAQ.

    This article was contributed by our friends at Dorm Room Movers.

By on June 24, 2013 in Housing
Image by sincerelyhiten, Flickr

Image by sincerelyhiten, Flickr

Finding your first apartment or house out of residence is an exciting albeit daunting task. Here are five basic considerations you should make before beginning your search:

  1. Budget. Figure out how much you want to spend on rent each month. Keep in mind that you might have to pay extra utility fees if hydro and Internet are not included!

  2. Location. Choose the general area or neighbourhood in which you wish to live. Important factors might include proximity to campus, grocery or convenience stores, public transportation (metro or bus stop), laundromat (if there isn’t a washer or dryer in the building), and neighborhood safety.

  3. Furnishings. Some properties come with furniture, some don’t. Decide if you want to find a house or apartment that is already furnished, or if you would prefer to furnish it yourself.

  4. Building facilities. Any apartment perks that might interest you, such as a swimming pool, exercise facility, parking access, rooftop access, or security personnel.

  5. Roommates. If you plan on living with other people, make sure you all agree on the considerations above when looking for a property!

Now that you have an idea of what you are looking for, here are some easy ways to start your search:

  • Classified advertisement websites like Craigslist or Kijiji have sections devoted to housing. Always be careful when setting up appointments over the Internet.
  • Your university website might have a similar classified advertisement page for off-campus student housing.
  • Ask around! Friends in upper years might be moving out of their apartments, or might be able to put you in touch with someone who is.
  • Take a walk in the neighbourhood you want to live in.
  • If you see an apartment building you like, either call or go in and inquire as to whether any units are free.

You are now ready to set up an appointment to visit any of the properties that caught your eye.

Good luck!