<p>So, I’m coming from sunny CA to Rhode Island this fall. My family and I have been discussing the moving process, and I wanted to get suggestions from those on CC. I’ll be traveling alone, as we cannot afford to have a relative travel with me. I’m wondering if its better that I bring my own school supplies from the local stores in CA by checking in two large suitcases at the airport <em>OR</em> buy my supplies there and carry only one large suitcase. The last option is to just have my necessities ordered online and then shipped to my dorm room.</p>
<p>Things to Consider:
- Me moving in by myself and carrying my suitcases up many flights of stairs. (I’m a petite gal.)
- Figuring out where the local stores are located & modes of transportation
- Money is a big issue.</p>
<p>Also I know there are big department stores in MA. Are there any dept stores or drugstores on Thayer perchance? (I have to be prepared for those last minute runs for munchies and whatnot.)</p>
<p>Thanks in advance! :D</p>
<p>There is a full-size CVS (drug store) on Thayer Street, with tons of dorm/school supplies including full size mirror, electric chords, and lots of stuff you can and may not think of, there are other stores, and the Brown Bookstore, also on Thayer Street has all the school supplies that you need. You should definitely not buy school supplies and haul them with you on the plane (why pay for more luggage.) You will probably want to buy "Brown" school supplies anyway.</p>
<p>"electric chords"</p>
<p>i like techno too :)</p>
<p>Definitely. Do NOT bring your supplies. Just buy them there. If you can manage to get someone to drive you to Target (in Seekonk, MA?), that's even better, seeing as they have everything (and way cheaper, too). Thayer also has a ton of stuff (toooons of restaurants, shoe stores, the bookstore, random shops, Spectrum India--which has jewelry, clothes, and lots of random Indian/Eastern stuff, etc) and...Wickenden is another major street with lots of shops, though it's a little further away, but definitely within walking distance. Ordering from Target online is also cool, since sometimes you get free shipping and whatnot. :)</p>
<p>Some dorms have elevators, but most don't. I lived in Woolley last year and we had one, so that was REALLY helpful. ^_^</p>
<p>So, basically, just bring what you NEED. Bring your clothes and necessities. The rest you can get here, or if you forgot something, get it shipped to you. :) It's often cheaper than paying for an extra suitcase (since that is done by weight and for more than 25 lbs. it can be more than 100 dollars per extra bag).</p>
<p>Last minute munchie runs? Trust me, you have options. <em>grin</em> One thing, though--everything closes at 2 AM (except the sketchy Mafia pizza place called Via Via IV, lol) and nothing is open til' 6:30 (except Loui's, which opens at 5:30, but is sometimes very full)...so that leaves a window of munchie-time that, if you're awake at those hours, you need to plan ahead for. There's always the option of gathering friends and having someone drive you to IHOP at 3:30 in the morning, like I did once. It was fun! :D The IHOP is open 24 hours.</p>
<p>'extra suitcase (since that is done by weight and for more than 25 lbs. it can be more than 100 dollars per extra bag)."</p>
<p>the airlines I dealt with just charge an extra $25 or so. you also have free rides to anywhere that RIPTA buses (public trans.) goes with your student ID. </p>
<p>also, Via Via isn't Mafia connected but it's still sketchy as all hell. i guess there used to be a Wendy's there. too bad it's gone!</p>
<p>^^^ that's what you think!!! lol</p>
<p>buy them here. Some staples or bed bath and beyonds will let you pick out stuff at your local store and then pick it up at the store here. You can also do site-to-store shipping at a walmart about 2 miles away. Are you 18? get a zip car account now, and rent the station wagon and then you can get to seekonk, wherever, and bring it all home.</p>
<p>there will be lots of nice people willing to help you carry large things up many flights of stairs. </p>
<p>i have good reccomendations on what nice things to have are. then again i usually like a lot of stuff :)</p>
<p>Whoa, there was a Wendy's there? That would've been sweet to still have (since without Via Via IV, we still have Nice Slice and Antonio's for pizza). Ah well.</p>
<p>As for the bags, yeah, it depends on the airline, I guess. <em>shrug</em> Airlines are making adjustments now that gas prices are on the rise. Boo!</p>