As the last of the rainy season wanes into the bloom of spring, the time has almost come to sell textbooks, wrap knick-knacks in paper and prepare for the summer months. But before the long days of sun bathing by the pool and musing over barbecues commence, students need to address how they want to move personal belongings.
There are several options ranging from storing items in facilities to shipping them home, but the battle is in finding the most cost-efficient plan.
“Last year, my father drove from Portland with a rental truck and then drove my stuff back home, but I think it’s cheaper to find some place to store it here in town ’til next year,” sophomore Nikki Smith said.
Many rental apartments and houses run on the same schedule as the University but allow students the option to move in during the summer. This can require paying rent months in advance if students go home for the summer, but
it leaves the option of having the safety and space for storing their belongings until fall.
Storage facilities are a cheaper alternative, ranging from monthly payments of $30 to $40 for 25 square feet to $120 for 200 square feet.
Students can also move their belongings home for the summer. Rental truck companies offer assorted vehicle sizes for a one-way move.
“It seems ludicrous to put all the time, money and effort into moving your stuff back home when you’re going to have to bring it right back again a couple of months down the road,” said Nicholas Van Zante, a student at Lane Community College.
The price of moving north to Portland or south to Ashland is between $70 and $120 depending on the vehicle, whereas moving to Bend or to the coast can run students as much as $500. For out-of-state students, the Midwest or East Coast could run as much as $2,000 for a one-way move. A word to the wise for students who choose to rent a vehicle: Remember to book a vehicle in advance to ensure there will be one available on the proposed moving date.

Another option is shipping items home. Many shipping companies will ship items in bulk; however; that can add up to as much as $600 for as little as five 30-pound boxes. At four cubic feet per box, this may not afford sufficient room for students’ personal effects.
With all the choices for what to do with their stuff, it’s easy for students to find a solution. But they often end up spending more money than necessary. Whatever students decide to do to make the transition from this year to the next, they should seek the safest and most affordable way to transport their belongings.