When I accepted a position at a university in another state, I thought preparing for my new job would be the biggest challenge.
I had research to organize, projects to wrap up, and a new workplace to prepare for. But when I came home, there was another problem waiting for me: the move.
My current move-out date, new job start date, and new apartment move-in date did not match. I needed more than a way to ship boxes across state lines. I needed a moving plan that could work around my schedule.
- Professors, researchers, lecturers, visiting scholars, and other professionals may not need a traditional full-household move when relocating to another state.
- A box-based interstate move can be practical when most belongings are books, clothes, personal items, and everyday essentials.
- The UC Moving Kit is an optional packing-supply package that can be delivered before your move.
- If you need Moving Kit supplies sooner, Express shipping is available.
- You can choose FedEx drop-off, paid regular pickup, or Premium In-Home Pickup depending on your situation.
- Storage can bridge the gap when your move-out date, job start date, and new apartment move-in date do not match.
- Once your new address is confirmed, your stored belongings can continue to the next stage of your interstate move.
- After payment, a UC Moving invoice can be printed from My Page for university or employer relocation-expense documentation.
Not Every University Relocation Requires a Large Moving Truck
At first, I looked at traditional moving companies. That seemed like the obvious choice for moving to another state.
But when I looked at what I actually needed to take with me, I realized my situation was different from a typical household move.
Most of my belongings were books, clothes, personal items, and everyday essentials. I was not moving an entire household full of large furniture, so I began looking at ways to move a manageable number of boxes across state lines instead.
For professors, researchers, lecturers, visiting scholars, and professionals relocating for work, the first question does not always have to be, “How large of a moving truck do I need?” It can also be, “What do I actually need to move?”
The Biggest Problem Wasn't Distance. It Was Timing.
The move was across state lines, but distance was not the most difficult part.
I had to leave my current home before starting my new position, while my new apartment would not be ready until later.
I could not delay my first day at the university simply because my new home was not ready. At the same time, I did not want to rush into choosing an apartment just because my boxes needed somewhere to go.
That was when I realized I needed more than interstate shipping. I needed storage between the two moves.
Start Packing at Home With the UC Moving Kit
I started by preparing my belongings at home.
If packing supplies are needed, the UC Moving Kit is an optional package that can be delivered before the move. The Base Moving Kit includes a 275DW moving box, pre-printed labels, label pouches, packing tape, and UC Moving identification labels.
This meant I could organize and pack at home around my work schedule instead of finding boxes, tape, and shipping materials separately.
For belongings that need additional packing materials or may remain in storage longer, Moving Kit Plus includes the Base Moving Kit supplies along with materials such as paper sheets, bubble wrap, an inner plastic bag, silica gel, battery and handling labels, and cable ties.
If the moving schedule is approaching and the packing supplies are needed sooner, Express shipping is also available for Moving Kit supplies.
View Moving Kit in detail→
Choose the Pickup Method That Fits Your Move
Once my belongings were packed, I could choose how to send them based on my situation.
If I wanted to transport the boxes myself, I could use FedEx drop-off at an available FedEx location. Paid regular pickup was another option.
In my case, several boxes were filled with books and were difficult to carry, so Premium In-Home Pickup was the better fit.
With Premium In-Home Pickup, the pickup crew comes inside the residence to collect packed belongings. I did not have to carry every heavy box outside myself.
This can be particularly useful when there are many boxes, heavy books, no elevator, or a difficult path between the residence and the pickup point.
My Belongings and I Didn't Have to Move on the Same Day
This was the part that changed the way I thought about interstate moving.
I did not have to wait for my new apartment before starting my new position, and all of my belongings did not have to arrive in the new state on the same day I did.
I packed the essentials I needed immediately and moved first. The rest of my belongings went into storage.
Separating my personal travel schedule from my moving schedule meant I could start working at the university without trying to coordinate everything around one moving date.
Storage Can Bridge the Gap Between Two Addresses
When the new apartment is not ready, storage can bridge the period between moving out of the current home and moving into the next one.
Instead of choosing a new home quickly just to have somewhere to send the boxes, belongings can be stored while the new housing plan is finalized.
Once the new address and move-in schedule are confirmed, the next stage of the move can be arranged.
For me, this flexibility was more important than simply getting every box to the destination as quickly as possible.
Continue the Interstate Move When Your New Address Is Ready
Once my new apartment was confirmed, I could register the address and prepare for the next stage of delivery.
The overall process was straightforward: pack the belongings, choose a drop-off or pickup method, store them during the schedule gap, and continue the interstate move after the destination is ready.
This made it possible to plan the movement of my belongings around my actual work and housing schedule.
Relocation Expense Documentation Matters Too
There was another part of the relocation that mattered to me: documentation.
Universities, research institutions, and employers may provide relocation assistance that requires an invoice or other expense documentation.
After payment, the applicable UC Moving invoice can be printed by logging into the UC Moving website and going to My Page → Payment Completed.
Having access to the invoice when needed can make it easier to prepare documentation for university or employer relocation-expense reimbursement.
This Isn't Only for Professors
The same moving structure can apply to lecturers, researchers, visiting scholars, corporate transferees, and other professionals taking a position or temporary assignment in another state.
The common problem is not necessarily the profession. It is the schedule.
If work begins before the new home is ready, or if the final housing situation is still uncertain, separating the personal relocation date from the belongings' delivery date can provide more flexibility.
Plan Your Move Around Your Life, Not the Other Way Around
What I learned was that a successful interstate move is not always about getting everything to the destination as quickly as possible.
For me, it was about having enough flexibility to move according to my actual schedule.
I could prepare my belongings at home, choose the pickup method that worked for me, store the boxes when necessary, and continue the interstate move after my new address was ready.
Instead of planning my new job around my moving schedule, I could plan the move around my life.
If you are relocating for a university position, research appointment, visiting scholar program, corporate transfer, or temporary assignment in another state, your belongings do not have to determine every part of your schedule.
Move first when you need to. Store your belongings when there is a gap. Continue the move when your new address is ready.
Move smarter from the start with UC Moving.
FAQ
Q. Is this interstate moving structure only for professors?
No. It can also be useful for researchers, lecturers, visiting scholars, corporate transferees, and other professionals relocating to another state.
Q. What if my new job starts before my apartment is ready?
You can separate your personal relocation from the movement of your belongings. Storage can bridge the gap until your new address and move-in schedule are confirmed.
Q. Do I have to order a UC Moving Kit?
No. The Moving Kit is an optional packing-supply package for customers who need moving boxes, pre-printed labels, label pouches, packing tape, and other packing materials.
Q. What if I need the Moving Kit quickly?
Express shipping is available when Moving Kit packing supplies are needed sooner.
Q. What if I have several heavy boxes of books?
Depending on your situation, you can choose paid regular pickup or Premium In-Home Pickup. Premium In-Home Pickup can be useful when packed belongings are heavy, numerous, or difficult to carry outside.
Q. Can I start storage without knowing my new address?
Yes. Storage can be used while the new housing situation is being finalized, with the next delivery stage arranged after the destination is confirmed.
Q. Can I print an invoice for university relocation reimbursement?
After payment, the applicable invoice can be accessed by logging into the UC Moving website and going to My Page → Payment Completed.
