The Pros and Cons of Moving Across the Country for College

Moving across the country for school is a big decision to make. For me, I didn’t hesitate. It was something I had always wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I have always enjoyed big changes and my parents have always supported being adventurous. But I know this isn’t the case for everyone. If you’re looking into moving across the country, I hope I can shed some light on some of the biggest pros and cons that I’ve noticed. 

As neither a pro nor a con, it’s important to recognize that change will happen and with that, there will be good and bad times. I mean, you’re far away from your home and you’re far from your usual support system which is scary. But on the other hand, there are so many new opportunities and you’re allowed to completely immerse yourself in a new place and culture and meet all new people. This brings me to my first pro. 

You Learn About A New Part of the World

Becoming a person who intimately knows two sides of the country (or world depending on where you are coming from) is so much fun. Plus you’re always there to add a little flare to the conversation. When I’m in California, I can talk about how New Jersey is different than California in X ways and no one else is a pro of New Jersey so they typically find what I have to say interesting. The same thing works in New Jersey when I talk about California (in fact, they’re even more interested). 

It’s also fun because there are things that you experience in one place and not in the other. For example, California has brought me trips to other places that if I were on the East Coast, I probably wouldn’t have gone on. Such as trips to Big Bear, Scottsdale, Texas, Denver, Vegas (x2), Cabo, San Francisco, and more. While on the East Coast, I have enjoyed New York, Philadelphia, the Hamptons, Vermont, and so many other places.  

Even the people on each coast are different. Adapting to both has probably enhanced my emotional intelligence! The food, street systems, architecture, and so much more are different. It’s so cool having a home in two different places and knowing the ins and outs of each.

A Whole New Start

Another pro of going to school far from home is that you can start completely new. Not that you have to and not that I’ve left everything behind by any means. But no one knows your past and you have the opportunity to leave out what you want such as the drama you had in high school or mistakes you don’t want to define you as you move forward in life. 

You can also look at moving away to school like a new year. Make some resolutions! Maybe you want to focus on being friendlier, being more spontaneous, or being stricter about following a routine. You have the complete freedom to do these things. This is the case basically wherever you may end up going to school, but in my case, I knew no one when going to UCSD so this was especially possible for me. 

You’re Automatically Cooler Than The Average Person (lol)

The last pro is that you’re just automatically cool. In the state you’re moving to, you bring something new to the mix. Especially if you’re from a state that not many people at the school come from. 

Also, people at home see you as brave because you’re moving so far away. When you stray away from the norm, you become a more interesting person. 

I find it funny because in New Jersey people always tell me that I’m “such as Cali girl.” But when I’m in California, everyone says I’m “such a Jersey girl.” And to be honest, I don’t even know what really would make me either of those things. But regardless, I love how I have my two different identities depending on where I am. It makes my life more fun and interesting and I love what I can add to the mix from it. 

While I may have made it sound like moving across the country is one big party, there are some cons. Of course, being far from your family, friends, and basically everything you know is the biggest one but everyone handles this change differently so I want to focus on some other cons that you may not think of before moving. 

Housing 

You may always be the last person to move into your house/apartment/dorm and the last person to move out. This means that you’ll probably have the last pick to your room or bed when moving in or even just where you get to keep your food in the pantry and fridge. This looks different for everyone based on who they’re living with and where they’re living so I don’t want to speak for the masses completely, but it’s something to think about.

When I moved into my off-campus house sophomore year, I was the last person to arrive and therefore did get the least-wanted room. I was frustrated and wished we talked about it beforehand but the bottom line is that it was too little too late to complain. But now you all know! Choose you’re room and discuss these housing questions beforehand. 

Moving out last isn’t as bad. If anything it’s slightly good because if you forget anything, you can ask someone to take it out of the house for you or throw it out for you. But it can be very sad moving out first. I guess it just depends on how ready you are to escape school and return home. 

Moving

I can’t even express my hatred for moving after moving in and out of my dorm freshman year and in and out of my house sophomore year. When I was moving out sophomore year, I swore that the next house I moved into would be my house until I died. 

Moving out sucks for everyone. For people who move across the country, this is especially hard because you probably need to get a storage unit, you’re less likely to have a car to get to that storage unit, and you’re also less likely to have your parents’ help. Most of my friends will have their parents drive down and help them move everything then also have space in their car for their stuff. Still not fun, but doesn’t sound too bad. I, on the other hand, have to pack up everything and bring it all to a storage unit (except the three suitcases I bring on the plane) on my own or beg my friends to help me. Plus, there are always things that I leave in San Diego that I later wish I brought home and things I brought home that I should’ve left in San Diego.

Hopefully, you’ve made some amazing friends who help you move in and out and maybe even lend you their car. I’ve gotten a lot of help during the times I’ve moved in and out (and I’m eternally grateful for those people because moving sucks and I probably turn into a b*tch because of how stressed I get) so I can’t sit here and say I’ve gone through all of this alone, but I can say it’s still very, very not fun moving around. Especially when you have to worry about the million different places your things are. 

It’s More Expensive

From my experience, four main things make going to school across the country from where you live so much more expensive. The first is obvious but not applicable to everyone: out-of-state tuition. I pay a lot more to go to UCSD than my in-state friends. Next, and this goes back to the previous topic, but moving. You need to rent a storage unit and either ship many things across the country or take more suitcases on the plane. Both of these aren’t very cheap options. Also, I am lucky enough to have my car in San Diego but I’ve had to ship my car to San Diego and back two times (or will have by the time I graduate). This especially is not cheap. But (!) I can put things in my car from one place that I want in the other so it helps with suitcase or shipping costs. Last, plane tickets across the country aren’t cheap. While I only come back for the summer and winter break, it’s also expensive if my family wants to visit. 

*I am so grateful to my family for putting up with my moving across the country!!*

You’re Less Likely to be Visited and Less Likely to Visit Others

The last con is that it’s harder to see people from home. This could be your family due to plane costs or that they have work and it’s not worth it to come out for only a weekend or it could be friends that you want to visit that again are too far away for an expensive plane ticket and short weekend visit. In my case, I don’t even go home for Thanksgiving because it’s such a short break (although other people I know from the East Coast do AND not going home has presented me with fun alternative Thanksgiving plans). 

I tried not to sound too biased here, but I’m sure you all picked up on the fact that I do think it’s worth it to move across the country. At the end of the day though it’s mainly about choosing a school or place that just resonates with you the most, not about being different for moving or escaping life.

Something I do want to mention, and this could be a me thing, but it’s important to not move across the country with an expectation that life will be completely changed and perfect. I definitely used to suffer from a grass is always greener on the other side mindset. It’s important to not have this! There are good and bad things and people everywhere you go and it’s up to you to make the most of every moment rather than dwell on the bad.

Thanks for checking in!

Sending virtual hugs and high-fives,

Chlo