Moving to Michigan

So I thought I had this moving thing down to a science. Each time I take it on I learn something new; and I've moved to and from seven different states. Three weeks before my final move into Lansing, Michigan I drove out to put my things in a storage unit for a month. I learned two things. U-Haul will give you a month free on a storage unit if you are moving between two states. Also, you pay a rate that includes miles (depending on how far you move) and days to keep the truck. Before I thought you would pay a flat rate for the truck then 69 cent per mile. That weekend I also looked at a few complexes. I realized it would have been best to visit during the week, even if it was a Friday, since most apartment complexes don't have office hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Even though I had a few written down to visit and look at, my number one choice turned out to be a dud. I should have known something was up when the leasing agent kept telling me the four apartments he had available were going fast. He told me that all through February, March and part of April. When I finally got to see the place, all four units were empty and I was given a choice on which one I wanted to 'move' into. For anyone who does not know, if you are being enticed to move into a complex with the leasing agent telling you the apartments are being rented out fast and they tell you 'we'll save one for you' without a payment holding your spot you need to be sure to view the place and have other places in mind to consider.

After seeing what I thought would be a dream place to live in and realizing that dream would have been a nightmare, my travel buddy and I ventured out to find a local apartment guide. This was after finding out all the places I wanted to see were closed on the weekends. Driving through town we stopped at one place on the way to dine. The leasing manager was nice enough to come in to show me a unit. It became my number one pick, although it was competing with one other place that was nothing compared to many places. While we ate I called a few places to find who was open and had vacancies. Only one other place had the right price and was close enough to where we were and was open for the next fifteen minutes. The special they ran made the place my second choice; a one bedroom for the price of a two bedroom.

After the search I ended up moving into none of the places I saw that day. What became my first choice gave me a two week run around when they found a discrepancy on my credit that involved a 300 dollar apartment complex bill that my brother created. That experience taught me to never again co-sign for another person unless that person is my child; none of which I have. So here's five things I learned and would pass on to you:

Moving Tip 1. U-Haul is long-distance-moving-friendly for people who want to keep a budget and do it yourself. Just be prepared for a longer trip if you choose to travel towing your vehicle-NOT and easy task if you are used to driving a mid sized or smaller car.

Moving Tip 2. Plan to look at apartments during week day business hours, or call ahead to set up weekend appointments.

Moving Tip 3. Travel with people or a person who is not going on the trip with you sight-see. (I would have found more options if the person who drove with me had a find-an-apartment mentality and not oooh-Canada-is-only-three-hours-from-here, mentality.)

Moving Tip 4. Be prepared to throw furniture out if you don't select a place that is move friendly. (The place I ended up moving to is nicely located near campus, but the hall way outside of my apartment was too narrow to move my couch through and into my apartment.)

Moving Tip 5. Finally, expect the unexpected! If you can try to move during the summer months to avoid the snow but always expect the unexpected.