Fall is fast approaching, and for many families it’s time to start planning the big college move. Maybe your first child will be starting college, or maybe it’s your third. Whatever your family’s situation, a vacation rental is the perfect choice for reducing stress and making your move-in trip enjoyable.

There is no such thing as an easy move. No matter how much you plan, or how much help you have, establishing your life in a new place is difficult. And things are all the more trying when the move involves a child leaving the nest. You’re probably already being inundated with information from your child’s school—when to arrive, what to bring, a laundry list of things the new student needs to do. But the school probably isn’t offering much advice for how to handle your time off-campus.

Luckily, your trusted Stay Alfred Travel Team is here to help. Not only did I have my own move-in day, but I helped with my older sister’s too. And it was equally chaotic both times. Here are the reasons why I wish we had stayed in a vacation rental.

1. Space – When the whole family tags along to help, hotel rooms can get crowded fast. Tripping over each other and waiting in line to use the bathroom isn’t going to help the stress level one bit. A typical two bedroom, two bath Stay Alfred Vacation Rental offers over 1000 square feet of space. If everybody has enough room to spread out, you won’t be arguing before you even get to the dorms.
2. Kitchen and Dining Table – You made it through the day! Your child is settled in to their new digs. Wouldn’t it be nice to share one last family meal before you say goodbye for the semester? All of our properties have a fully equipped kitchen, and many are walking distance to local markets, so you can prepare an unforgettable meal.
3. In-Home Laundry – Let’s face it, when left to their own devices, your child will likely be adopting a more malleable laundry schedule than they had at home. So why not do them a favor and leave them with clean clothes? At least they’ll be one step closer to making a good first-impression on professors and class-mates.

Check out our cities and plan your trip now. You’ll be glad you did!