<p>Just a few questions for those of you who are at/coming to Chicago and have a long commute.</p>
<p>1.) does anyone know the cheapest way to fly to Chicago (I'm from the Boston area)? is there a specific airline that tends to cost less than others? when is the best time to buy tickets? and do students ever get discounts on tickets (if so, how much)? how often do people go home during the year?</p>
<p>2.) how much stuff do people tend to bring? I know shipping is expensive, so how many clothes/appliances like microwaves/blankets and other stuff do people bring with them?</p>
<p>Well it's a reasonable rule - in old buildings and small rooms microwaves are a possible fire hazard. If you want to break the rules they set down for occupying the buildings they own then go ahead - but if anything happens you'll be liable. Rules can and should be broken - when they're arbitrary. This doesn't seem to be...</p>
<p>If you can fly Southwest, your family can invest in a Chase Bank Southwest Airlines Credit Card where you can earn points for tickets. My son is going to Chicago today, and is flying on a free ticket.</p>
<p>Airtran flies nonstop from Boston to Midway, but only three times a day currently. The fares are good, though.</p>
<p>Southwest flies from NH and Providence to Midway nonstop.</p>
<p>The advantages of Midway over Ohare:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>much closer to Hyde Park = cheaper cab ride ($25 versus $55) or shorter public transit ride.</p></li>
<li><p>much less air congestion = fewer delays in the event of severe weather.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Students tend to go home for the breaks, and thanksgiving, but not otherwise. Getting cheapest flights is an art, not a science, but, from experience, the best deals tend to appear about 2-3 months in advance. Starting about 30 days before a break/holiday, fares seem to rise. </p>
<p>For U of C students, the only tough holiday seems to be Thanksgiving, and the return from Christmas. Other breaks etc. seem not to fall in peak periods.</p>
<p>Southwest/midwest/airtran <--pick which ever one flies closest to you and you will have your cheapest fare. I can pull off $49 single way tickets to MSP from MDW if I order far enough in advance. thats cheaper than amtrak. Just fly MDW if you can...Ohare sucks (but not as much as it sucks for Northwestern kids...at least public transit from Uchicago to OHare is reasonable).</p>
<p>If you are flying, you probobly want to hold off on buying large things. if you can find it on amazon proper (not a 3rd party seller) take advantage of free shipping if its large. Otherwise, the downtown target is extremely accessable via multiple train lines and you can buy a lot of large things there. </p>
<p>As to microwaves: they are not allowed but nobody is going to stop you. Really though, you probobly dont need it. There is one in every house lounge which is no more difficult than having it in your room. A fridge however is much nicer.</p>
<p>You can move in with as much or as little stuff as you wish, you probobly wont use most of it right away. If you can, coordinate with roommates and get the people who live close enough to drive to bring large things while you walk down the street to buy stuff like toilet paper and cleaning supplies during the first week. You can store stuff for any following years.</p>
<p>If you move into Max central...you may well be able to force me to carry your **** for you :)</p>
<p>Though waterboilers are certainly more of a hazard than microwaves (microwaves are most likely a power issue rather than fire), they are also much more prevalent. Especially the non-auto-shutoff kind. great for ramen type things.</p>
<p>They also have the benefit of being small and cheap...so if you manage to find a house that cares, its not hard to hide.</p>
<p>another tea freak here :(<br>
I even have my own tea set...
would somebody find out if the electric kettles are allowed? i really need my tea!
oh, any advice on a good dorm to stay in? :/ confused, too many to choose from...</p>
<p>By the way what is your favorite tea flavor? (i love flavored tea)</p>