<p>Obscure locations (like Middlebury, Bowdoin, Dartmouth, Tuscaloosa, Lincoln Neb, Omaha etc) are always going to cost you big time. If you fly into a major hub it is cheaper, better yet if your hometown has frequent service to such places. We are southerners and my D flies into-out of LaGuardia (goes to school in NYC) and we get REALLY cheap fares online with regularity. Her boyfriend even comes down here and is coming for Christmas and paid 200.00 r/t. For some, travel expenses are not an issue, for others its a major problem and kids have to hang with friends over the holidays instead of going home. So plan accordingly (or pick your school accordingly). </p>
<p>As for "stuff", you can pick up a lot of the sundry lamps, fans, rugs, and stuff like that at school or the local community. So DONT bring those unless its easy and convenient to do so in your car. Bring a few dressy clothes. But mostly pack lots of jeans, sweatshirts, hoodies, underwear and socks (you can NEVER have too many of those, lol...believe me, as the laundry routine gets to be a hassle if you are in short supply), shoes etc. If you plan on being home for Thanksgiving, then leave your winter clothes at home until then. </p>
<p>DONT send furniture under any circumstances. You wont have room. And whatever you forget to bring, you can pick up locally or have your parents send later for cheap.</p>
<p>Even in New York, kids know where to find inexpensive clothes, get deals and such....and even repair down computers! (My D went into Manhattan to get her Apple computer fixed after it crashed with an unwanted update from Apple. The people at the Manhattan store were impatient and unhelpful. NO PROBLEM. She hopped the train to White Plains. 30 minute ride. They were gracious, apologetic for the Manhattan experience and did ALL THE WORK FOR FREE and got it done early, and called her on the cellphone when it was ready. She picked it up and marched on.) </p>
<p>The biggest trick about traveling and being in college is to be flexible. </p>
<p>2 Plane tickets:
$550, bought 2 months ahead (coming here, going back after fall)
$350, bought 4 months ahead (for spring semester)</p>
<p>Various expenses:
$350-$500/month, including food (no meal plan)</p>
<p>For those of you in California I found some great deals with United cross country. I don't pay for summer storage because I used to live in the New York Metro area and know a lot of people around here that I can leave my stuff with. Last year we paid about $800 for stuff.</p>
<p>My first year I drove down from Philadelphia to South Carolina with all my stuff in my car. I flew home for Thanksgiving...and I think that cost me $600 that year, then going home for winter break was another $500. After my freshman year, I paid for my dorm for the summer since I had a job down here, so I didn't have to move all my stuff around. I didn't fly home for that year's summer and winter break, but I drove when I visited. </p>
<p>After my second year, I got an apartment and still do the drive home instead of flying...its cheaper in comparison except for time. My car, 2008 Nissan Rogue, about 1.5 fill ups to get to Philly...one after Richmond, right before DC, and maybe another right near home just because of getting stuck in traffic for a couple of hours. Back when prices were high, it went up to $50 to fill up my car, while its $23 now.</p>
<p>I drive from Baltimore to Atlanta so I just take everything in my car. Gas costs between $140-$200 each way depending on gas prices. Plane tickets home for the holidays cost around $250-350 for each round trip I take, price usually depends on how early I book the flight.</p>
<p>I moved from New York City to Portland, OR.
So far, I have gone home twice (but next year I only plan to go home for winter break) and the tickets have been around $600 (round-trip).</p>
<p>I didn't bring any furniture or things of that nature with me. I just brought my clothes, books, and other little things I liked from my life at home. Once I got to Portland, I spent about $400-$700 (dont know exact) on furniture, bedding, mini fridge, and huge bottles of shampoo, laundry detergent, and soap.</p>