<p>Ill try and make this short (I always start off saying this its never short). Im an eighteen year old female, currently located in the Chicago land area, and will be attending college out of state. To make matters a little more stressful in the oh my gosh, my little girl is leaving! in the parents department, my twin brother is ALSO attending college out of state at the same college. So while both of us are leaving at the same time, and out of state, we are attending the same college, so it lifts the stress away just a bit for them or so I would hope. My brother and I will be attending college in Florida (University of Central Florida!). Before any comments or advice on, Do you really want to spend an obnoxious amount of money, and go out of state? the answer is yes. We were originally born in Florida, and while down there, our parents signed us up for the Florida pre-pay program, simply meaning that tuition has been covered. As you can see, going out of state is not only the best choice for us personally (We adore the school, and deeply miss Florida) but also the best choice in terms of money! Its a win-win for us, and we got very lucky. However, my main stress right now is actually getting down there. My brother and I will be attending the summer term, from june 23-august 3rd, come back home for about a week or so (Or we may be staying with our cousin in the Tampa area, still debating) and then return for Fall semester. My family is trying to think of the best possible way (as well as cheapest) to get everything down there. Now, last year, my family made the drive down to Florida-to say that it was a brutal experience would be an under statement. However, my dad is under the impression that we can drive down there, and will be able to fit both of our things in the back of the car-Im not sure he realizes that well be bringing out life with us, and fitting everything in the back is not going to happen. So currently, we are stuck between two options. Rent a trailer to attach to the back, put our things in, and drive down in the car (We would stop for gas, food, bathroom breaks, as well as staying over night in hotels/motels) or renting an RV/mobile home to drive down there. I know RV/Mobile homes do not come cheap, but this was my idea. By renting one, yes, we would be using a lot of gas, but wed be stopping less because of how much gas we have. Also, much more room for our things, and we would save money by not stopping at hotels/motels. So what do you think is the better option? If you have other ideas (Flying down there, and shipping things down is out of the question, so please dont suggest that) please inform me! I needed some parents view on these things. Thank you!</p>
<p>You’ve discarded this option already, but I’m with your father. I think the regular car can be enough. If not, add a car top carrier that you can easily bring into hotels at night, or make a couple UPS shipments. My son had to fly to school alone, and had to cram everything into two suitcases and one UPS shipment and our suitcases when we came in a month. It was painful for him to pack, but ultimately I think it was best. I’d recommend that you both consider REALLY hard everything you’re taking. Do you need it at all? Can it be shipped? Can you pick it up at Thanksgiving? Will it even FIT in your dorm room? Can you buy it in Florida?</p>
<p>Also, consider the difficulty of driving an RV or with a trailer.</p>
<p>Driving an RV would be like driving a bus (or a full size van for the smaller RVs). Do either you or your brother have practice driving a vehicle that large and clumsy?</p>
<p>Drive down with your essentials, and ship the rest if needed.</p>
<p>When I mean Rv/Mobile home, I don’t mean the actual large ones. I mean the small moter homes, that are roughly the size of a small U-haul truck. I do not have experiance in driving something of the size, but my brother and father do, yes. Picking things up on thanksgiving is not an option, because we will not be coming home (There’s no point to fly back up for three days or so, and fly back down). Looks the the RV idea isn’t a very good one. However, my brother and I have brainstormed everything we need (our parents will not ship anything down for us, we are taking it down at the same time) and we will not be able to fit everything. Would renting a small trailer to attach to the car be a good idea? We’ve talked with who we plan to room with, and have all tried to be flexiable with who brings what. Both of our roomates are also out of state students, so they’re having the same issues. Sadly, flying down is not an option-my father has said as much.</p>
<p>Why won’t your parents ship stuff? Do they just not want the hassle and could they allow you to do it if you pack it all up and take it to UPS?</p>
<p>I’m not really sure of the reason, but they’ve just stated that it’s too much to worry about, as well as the money adding up. I’m in a specific program at the school, and it means I have to attend a specific orientation date. We are getting down there two days before orientation, then a day after orientation, summer classes start. They know how long it takes for items to get down there, and they want me to be able to settle into my dorm room once we get down there.</p>
<p>Look at renting a larger SUV, as a two way rental. It should fit all your stuff, and the rates are not too bad if you can pick it up/drop it off at the airport. The cost of renting versus the cost of driving your own vehicle is a toss up, in fact, if you are leasing, it is actually cheaper to rent a vehicle. I would not rent a trailer or camper, driving a larger vehicle adds stress, and you will stop more.</p>
<p>Another option is that you rent a uhaul 1 way from Chicago and you and your brother go together. Driving down to Fl in that month should not be too bad. Plus with the money savings, your folks can probably save enough to fly down to see you later.</p>
<p>Very good insight, thank you! My brother and I were actually going to tell my farther and mother to stay up in Chicago and such, but apparently a parent needs to be at orientation with us. Makes sense though. Renting a truck/SUV would probably be a better idea. Also, a poster above stated that we can just put things on the roof of the car-however, I’m unsure of how familiar people are with Florida weather and it’s ‘daily rain showers’
I suppose maybe we could put a tarp over the things on top? Do you think it would be best to maybe write out a list of things that I NEED to bring with, and a list of things we can easily pick up in Florida?</p>
<p>I vote with the take the day to day stuff in car, have your parents (are both coming?) take stuff to UPS to arrive after you do – you have a car, you can pick up – </p>
<p>Also, remember, you wont need these bulky jackets or boots.</p>
<p>Actually, we DON’T have a car. We went back and forth on it with our parents, and realized that is just wasn’t worth having a car our freshmen year. UCF is a very large campus, in very close proximity to orlando, and there are many buses. Also, my roomate is bringing her car down from NC, and though she continues to refuse the idea, I will offer her money for gas. It’s also the face that the car we drive (an 89 white caddie) will NOT make it down to Florida-probably combust and explode into flames. So that poses as a problem-we would have no way to pick the things up from UPS. I suppose you could say a bus or taxi, buy I have no idea how we’d carry everything.</p>
<p>Here’s another option if you drive down.</p>
<p>Although your parents say that they don’t want to ship your stuff, how about purchasing online through Bed Bath Beyond or Target, then have the merchandise shipped directly to your dorm on a pre-arranged date.</p>
<p>We did this with both of my kids (West Coast to East Coast), which allowed them to fly to campus with only suitcases. The dorm stuff was packed nicely and waiting for them in boxes when they arrived. I don’t know if they still do, but because of the amount spent (over $50.00) shipping was free.</p>
<p>That still leaves how to get the goods back home for the following year, but since there are two of you, a summer storage-locker rental should be fairly economical.</p>
<p>UPS, FedEx ground and even USPS rates–esp. flat rate boxes–really are economical solutions for them to send a few supplies down as needed. And they will deliver to your campus address–you don’t need to worry about driving somewhere to pick up. Go to the school website now to check out what they say about receiving mail and packages. I recall both of my kids’ schools setting a date for when they would start receiving packages and storing them before school started. Call for more details, as needed.</p>
<p>While you are on the website, look around also for orientation/move-in day information and watch for school-sponsored bus trips to Target, the mall, etc., both during move-in and through the school year on weekends.</p>
<p>I imagine you are over-thinking how much stuff you need! You really don’t need that much in addition to bedding, basic room/desk/toiletry supplies and clothes, and thank goodness, you are in a moderate climate, so FL winter-y stuff can be shipped down.</p>
<p>What is NEEDED for college vs. what folks WANT can be a great divide. Our S went to college with a carry one, and maybe four suitcases worth of stuff, INCLUDING his laptop. When D went to college, she had a similar amount of stuff. In general, dorms are pretty close quarters and if you have too much stuff, it just gets in the way. </p>
<p>I would think you could put your things in a car or even have suitcases and catch a bus like Greyhound to get to your campus. If you don’t have enough after summer school, you can bring down more when you go to visit your folks. It’s cheaper to just rent a car for a day (or find a friend with a car who will help you) after you arrive to buy inexpensive bulky things (paper towels, kleenix, detergent, etc.) you NEED at local stores like Target, etc. than to haul too much with you.</p>
<p>One way rentals tend to be AT LEAST $100/day for the times I’ve rented this way. If you rent a larger vehicle, it will likely be even more than that, plus extra gas for larger, heavier vehicle.</p>
<p>Reading through this I just keep thinking that no matter what vehicle you drive, loaded up with all your stuff on a cross-country trip with separation anxiety all around - you are bound to have an emotional time of this! Your parents refusal to ship things sounds a little like denial of the whole separation process…</p>
<p>Buy bulky items through companies that will allow you to pick up in Florida once you get there; streamline your packing so that whatever vehicle you take is not made uncomfortable by being overstuffed and plan ahead for everyone’s emotional baggage - it can turn out to be a positive trip if everyone deals with the realities at hand and the practical difficulties don’t become a frustrating focal point.</p>
<p>Everything you bring needs to fit in the dorm room (along with the roommate’s stuff). And then at the end of the year it needs to be brought back home or stored. LESS IS MORE.</p>
<p>I agree with the poster who said buy things at Bed Bath and Beyond. 4 people driving to Florida in an overpacked car is no fun. My first choice would be to pack two suitcases and fly on Southwest where you don’t have to pay for bags, and buy everything else there or order online and have it shipped directly to Florida. Your room is probably only going to be 10 X 10 and can’t fit much in anyway.
If you feel still compelled to take everything else you own to florida, have two of the four of you drive there and the other two fly. That way you have more room for your things and I feel the fewer people in the car the less stressful the trip. Or all go and plan an extra day or two so you can take your time and not have to rush so much.</p>
<p>One more thing - if you and your parents are all flying on southwest, you can EACH take 2-50 pound suitcases for free. That is 400 pounds of stuff!! You really won’t need that much stuff.</p>
<p>What was the idea behind not flying? Did your dad think it was too expensive or is this a chance for family bonding on the cross country trip?</p>
<p>If the later - you can’t do that in an overpacked car. That’s an endurance trial, not bonding!</p>
<p>Probably good to price out the price of driving the car one or both directions with stop at a motel around midpoint of each direction (two motels each direction for a more leisurely trip), plus wear and tear on the vehicle vs. flight for those who need to go. It might well be cheaper to fly than pay for all that gas, especially if it’s a rental car.</p>
<p>You may have to rent two rooms if all 4 of you are going as some hotels limit guests/room to only 2.</p>
<p>You said that flying was out of the question due to the expense. Both you and your brother could fly there for $310 total on Southwest, each of you with 100 lbs. of luggage. Renting a car, gas, food etc. is not going to be cheaper than that. You also said you have to have a parent there for orientation, I have never heard of a college requiring a parent to be there. BTW, congrats on getting the whole wrong acceptance debacle straightened out.</p>
<p>Edit: Just checked mileage Chicago to Orlando, and gas alone in a car that would get 30 mpg will be the same $ as it would be for the SW flight for the 2 of you.</p>