College Move-In Week Open Thread
Anyone moving their student - or themselves - in to their college living situation this week?
Son - 2023 UM Grad - is remaining in the same apartment as last year as he gets ready to start a one-year Masters in Information (data science) next week.
Daughter - 2026 UM Grad (g-d willing!) - moves in to her sorority on Friday as she gets ready for her sophomore year.
Quite a few of our friends are moving in their kids over the next few weeks...to Michigan, MSU, OSU, UCLA, Elon, Dartmouth, etc.
Any other new (or relatively new) empty-nesters out there? While we love our kids and enjoyed the combined 21 years with at least one of them under our roof, we are enjoying this new stage of life...and the day-to-day freedom that comes along with it! (My wife also just took on a new position with quite a bit of responsibility, so it's nice that she doesn't have to worry about not being attentive to our kids.)
Good luck to all of the students for a year filled with academic and personal success!
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:13 PM ^
Headed to Wake Forest as we speak. Checking MgoBlog while sitting at Boston Logan :-). First one. 3 to go!
August 22nd, 2023 at 7:00 PM ^
God bless and good luck with your layover at M-Fin Logan. Only thing worse than Logan is getting there, especially now with tunnel closed.
August 23rd, 2023 at 7:40 AM ^
Can't wait! BU move-in next week!
August 22nd, 2023 at 7:07 PM ^
WFU Law 99 here, Go Deacs!!
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:18 PM ^
New empty nester on the west coast here. Moved my youngest down to Socal last week for freshman year. I have a senior in college.
Pickleball here I come.
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:23 PM ^
Moved my oldest into Illinois last week. Proud of him, it’s a great school…but still pissed about that hit on Blake.
August 22nd, 2023 at 6:26 PM ^
My niece just moved into her frosh dorm at U of I last week also.
I'm currently in New Haven for work and it's move in week at Yale.
August 23rd, 2023 at 3:51 PM ^
Second best school in the B1G!
August 23rd, 2023 at 3:50 PM ^
I-L-L baby! My oldest is a H.S senior, loved our tour in Champaign last fall but wants to stay closer to Ann Arbor. Good luck with that was our response!
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:39 PM ^
Moved our sophomore into his first house yesterday after being in Markley last year. Move went well and it seems like a good group. I don't think fun's going to be a problem for them. Have two more moves to MSU this week.
It'll take a couple weeks to get used to a quiet house but have the Labor Day weekend and tickets to ECU game to look forward to.
August 22nd, 2023 at 6:28 PM ^
Serious question - do parents help kids move in/out after freshman year? I'm from Atlanta so my parents definitely didn't, but I don't recall the parents of any of my friends from Michigan coming out to help them move.
August 22nd, 2023 at 7:45 PM ^
We had some heavy furniture and a mattress and used my truck to haul all that (two trips, Saturday and Monday). Probably won't need to next year. Did see a lot of other parents at helping their kids though.
August 22nd, 2023 at 7:49 PM ^
My son, who didn't go to Michigan but did go out of state, moved himself in after freshman year. We never even saw his dorm room after freshman year, now that I think about it! He lived in the dorms all four years as was required by his school.
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:40 PM ^
my kids are 25 and 22 and I helped them move every time they have ever moved.
drove from Cleveland to SLC to move my son into his apartment at grad school.
moving sucks. it’s easier with help. especially when dad has a large pickup truck
August 22nd, 2023 at 10:01 PM ^
I have two at Michigan - I help them move in.. and out. They’re beginning their junior year.
They are great children - however, there are a few things I don’t completely trust them with - and, my daughter can ask anything of “Daddy” - and, I’ll take care of it. The two key elements where my trust remains limited are: wall mounting tv’s and electricity.
The folks at the Ace Hardware on Washtenaw and Target - have gotten to know me pretty well.
August 23rd, 2023 at 3:51 PM ^
We rented a van and helped our son move in freshman and sophomore years at Northwestern. This year he is self-sufficient. We will still do a family visit in late September though.
Times are different now. When I went to Michigan in the 80's from the east coast, my parents stepped foot on campus only twice . . . the week of move-in and the week of graduation. I was on my own for the rest.
August 24th, 2023 at 10:03 AM ^
”Times are different now.” Truer words were never spoken. Advances in technology - tv’s and Xboxes throughout a house - or dorm room - fraternity / sorority. The power required - the appropriate adapters to connect everything. Every little detail - so the kids can focus on their academics - without spending time on what I refer to as infrastructure.
It’s clear the kids enjoy welcome week - and prep for the semester - catching up with friends, etc. Time passes much too quickly.
Maybe I’m too focused on their quality of life and trying to make the move-in and setup as easy as possible. - but, I can’t help it.
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:45 PM ^
Moved my youngest to Arkansas State. It was only us two at home, so it has been weird. Not sure how to grocery shop for just one. Saturday night, sat on the back porch and realized that I don't really know what to do, now.
August 23rd, 2023 at 7:44 AM ^
Rest.
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:50 PM ^
My son is done, my daughter already has her apartment for her junior year at NYU, she's heading back there tomorrow. Every time one of them leaves, it's like going through the process all over again. It gets a little easier but there's still that empty nest sadness that creeps in.
August 23rd, 2023 at 9:04 AM ^
An apartment near NYU? I assume you refinanced your home?
August 23rd, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
Nah, he was able to get Monica and Rachael's rent-controlled apartment.
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:55 PM ^
Have been empty-nesting for a year. Kids are both in graduate school, but are townies who converted to Michigan students, so it wasn't 100% empty when they were at U-M.
The eldest is firmly rooted in her apartment in Madison starting year #3. No moves on the horizon. We saw the most recent M @ Wisc game with all four of us, which was a hoot. Definitely worth seeing a game at Camp Randall. (Proud Dad moment: She was part of the excavation team in the Netflix documentary Unknown: Cave of Bones. She's the one wearing a mask, b/c she was recovering from C19.)
The youngest moved out of his furnished campus apartment at UCLA to an off-campus house in Brentwood. It's a long enough trip that we did not go help and I have mixed feelings about that. He is happy about his return to the Big Ten, er Fourteen, or is it Eighteen. He has yet to see a game in the Rose Bowl; hopefully he'll still be there when Michigan comes calling so we can repeat our Wisconsin experience there.
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:56 PM ^
Judging from the crowd at the A2 Trader Joe's today, move-in is definitely in progress here.
August 22nd, 2023 at 6:02 PM ^
This will be the fifth year in a row of moving my lovely daughter (sometimes 2x/yr) mainly different neighborhoods in Chicago . This time it’s from my home a half mile north for U of M grad school.
August 22nd, 2023 at 6:03 PM ^
I move my daughter (UM grad 2027--fingers crossed) into Mary Markley on Friday. My ex is moving her twin sister to London for Northeastern's global scholars program next week. I have four kids and did finally end up with one going to Michigan. Out-of-state tuition is going to kill me though.
August 23rd, 2023 at 9:06 AM ^
Enjoy the move in to Markley - I lived there my freshman year - as did my daughter.
You have your time slot already - and, just a suggestion - we used the “back door” near the loading dock - and that elevator - which will work I’d she’s in one of the houses on the west side of the dorm.
Definitely find a bin to help move your stuff. We parked in the lot immediately north of Markley - between Markley and the Arb - which worked out well. Markley doesn’t have AC in the rooms - fans are a must - and, if she’s on the 5th or 6th floor facing west - it will be toasty.
Good luck and Go Blue!
August 23rd, 2023 at 10:41 AM ^
Thanks for the tips! I went to law school at Michigan, so undergrad housing is definitely new ground for me. Go Blue!
August 23rd, 2023 at 11:27 AM ^
Bring bottled water and ice, in a cooler, if you can.
A door stopper will help - if you can find one - just to get some cross breeze going as you move in. Open the window when you get in the room - set up the fan - and then, move other stuff.
Markey’s rooms seem to be just a bit smaller - and, if you’re moving from a distance - there might be space constraints on the volume of stuff you will bring. Your daughter may want a mirror - you might need a small fridge - and - “synching” with a roommate about stuff is helpful too. Markley has tile floors - so, a small rug could be a positive addition. Oh, the bed arrangement too - specifically, lofted - or not. If a tv is part of her stuff - I can share a view on what we did.
I think the Target and Meijer in Ypsi - on Carpenter Road might be a better choice for “last minute” stuff you will need. Their assortment is good - and, the crowds aren’t as large as a slightly nearer to campus location.
Please let me know if you have questions - I’d be happy to share a perspective and our experience.
August 23rd, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
Out-of-state tuition question…How long does your daughter have to live in Michigan in order for her to be considered a resident? Both my kids are sub 8th grade, but was wondering as college will be here faster than expected.
August 23rd, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
If your kids go to high school in Michigan, then they should qualify for in-state tuition. If they don't go to in-state high schools, it's pretty difficult to establish residency. Basically, you have to demonstrate that you have made Michigan your permanent residence independent of attending U-M. I think a general rule of thumb is that you need to live and work in Michigan without attending college there for at least a year and they might still consider where the student's parents live. Anyway, here are the residency FAQs: https://ro.umich.edu/tuition-residency/residency
August 24th, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
Once you an out of state student - it’s very difficult to change status for the term of your degree.
August 22nd, 2023 at 6:18 PM ^
Moving daughter into Alma tomorrow, for her freshman year. Son is still in HS and started today. Would be more worried about her move if I hadn’t gone there, met my wife there, and if she wasn’t the 8th family member to attend. But talk to us in a couple of days, going to be oddly quiet around the house.
August 22nd, 2023 at 7:46 PM ^
Go Scots!
I grew up in Alma and my parents both went there.
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:55 PM ^
Awesome! I grew up there too AHS class of ‘94, AC ‘98.
August 22nd, 2023 at 6:24 PM ^
Ah that explains the rise of non tenants parking in my private lots on main street this week.
August 22nd, 2023 at 6:37 PM ^
I’m a ‘01 grad and back being an AA resident as of ‘09. Normally I’m all hippie like and say, “shop, eat, drink local”, but move in/out weekend, I warn my local friends: “SHELTER IN PLACE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL”.
August 22nd, 2023 at 6:46 PM ^
I moved to Alabama and somehow my daughter decided to go to Michigan State, so I'll be driving north this Friday.
August 22nd, 2023 at 6:51 PM ^
I have a three year old and a seven month old. So, graduates of the 2042 and 2044 classes, god willing. We’re not going to be empty nesters for a long, long time.
In all seriousness, while I’d love for my kids to go to Michigan, they’ll get the same treatment my parents gave me. Get into the best school you can get into and we will do everything in our power to make sure you don’t owe anyone a dime after four years.
Saving hard for their 529s now, but the prospect of sending them to Michigan on out of state tuition in 15-18 years…..I can’t imagine how high the rates will have gotten by that point. If they ended up going to Georgia Tech right down the road, I can’t say I’d be too upset with that.
August 22nd, 2023 at 7:07 PM ^
I have a five month old, so you and I are in the same boat. Are you doing a state 529 or something along the lines of a Vanguard plan?
August 22nd, 2023 at 7:56 PM ^
We did a 529 state plan (not our state) and it covered our son's tuition at a private school (he also had the help of an academic scholarship) with money left over, which we're using for our daughter. Her 529 is going to run out right before her senior year (NYU is ridiculously expensive) so we'll have to foot that bill. But all in all, one year of tuition for 2 kids isn't bad at all.
August 23rd, 2023 at 8:37 AM ^
What do you mean 1 year of tuition? Didn't you make contributions to the 529 plan? 529 plans give some nice tax breaks but it still requires large contributions if you want to cover 100% of tuition.
NYU is crazy expensive.
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:10 PM ^
We have state sponsored plans that we contribute to for both our sons, and then we’ve been fortunate that both sets of grandparents have set up 529s for both kids that they throw some money into every year.
So, a little bit of A and a little bit of B.
August 22nd, 2023 at 7:19 PM ^
All I can add is my move-in week was awesome until Saturday. I was so excited to see my first game in the Big House. Returned a potential Heisman candidate at RB, the number 1 pick at tackle, and an elite QB from a team that went to the rose bowl the year before.
and they were playing some school I’d never heard of from the Appalachian mountains. Sigh.
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:04 PM ^
You assholes are making me have to wait to get in to the Roadhouse at 8p on a Tuesday
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:08 PM ^
Moving our middle daughter in to East Quad on Thursday. Freshman, Chem major. She's a HS marching band flute player but decided not to go out for the Michigan Marching Band. Our son graduated this Spring in Computer Engineering, was a 4 year MMB Trumpet - great experience for him. He's working in Ann Arbor, looking for an affordable apartment near downtown.
Son was in East Quad as well first year (before COVID) and the move-in was smooth as silk. They are really well organized, lots of helping hands but advise you to grab a blue bin when you can :)
No empty nest here. Youngest daughter is a HS Junior. Watch for her in the MMB Drumline 2025 season.
<RANT>
Since the regents OK'd bulldozing Elbel Field to build a $500M monstrosity dorm, the MMB is now practicing at Pioneer HS field. The "New Elbel" was promised to be done, but they didn't even make a good effort. Nothing but torn up asphalt and dirt piles there. And, that area (5th St., where the Fingerle outbuildings used to be located) is very flood prone, so expect future disruptions. Also, it is literally across the railroad track from a swanky hi rise apartment, so I hope the residents like to hear the band practicing in the evenings from August to November and The Victors at 7am on game days (I would, but guessing there will be complaints). IMO, the MMB, one of THE most iconic UM institutions, really got screwed over.
</RANT>
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:24 PM ^
Moving daughter to Kalamazoo this week.
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:28 PM ^
one of the older sons went off to training camp weeks ago. he's a redshirt soph, so no need to move him in. next up though is youngest daughter in one year. excited for her but not happy for me. the difficulty of being a parent. we are down to 5 kids at home now, and dropping...
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:39 PM ^
I was in downtown Ann Arbor earlier this evening celebrating my daughter's birthday. Good grief what a clusterfuck with all the construction. Adding a few thousand people who don't know their way around Ann Arbor should make for an even more interesting experience this year.
August 22nd, 2023 at 10:09 PM ^
Main Street being closed - and - Washington / William.. yeah .. it was a mess. Oh, can’t forget what’s happening around State and Hoover. And - there was some utility work on Packard on Monday - that added to the joy of driving around.