Moving Checklist
4-6 Months Before:
- Find a place to live
- Start looking as soon as possible but no worries, everyone finds a place to live! A good starting point is the Dartmouth Real Estate site.
- Prepare to update driver's license (if necessary)
- Cars?
- If you don't have a car, it's a good idea to invest in one particularly a 4 wheel drive for the terrain of the Upper Valley during the winter. Note that the state of NH has no sales tax, so it might be cheaper to buy a car once you relocate to NH. If you're coming from afar, you may need to ship your car.
2-3 Months Before:
- Research Moving Options
- Get a few estimates from movers and find out how the movers will insure your belongings. You can also find a storage facility for storing belongings that you will not be bringing to Hanover.
- Vaccinations: Make sure you're up to date.
1 Month Before:
- Forward your mail and update addresses
- Compile a list of household services to set up (utilities, cable, etc)
- Pack your belongings
- Make any necessary travel reservations
- Make sure you have a way to pick up your new keys!
On Buying a House
Some students prefer to buy a home rather than rent. The realtors here are very nice and are willing to help you find something that will meet your needs.
Moving your belongings
Once you've found the perfect place to live, the next part is getting everything here. Students in the past have used a wide variety of shipping methods. You may choose to rent a U-Haul or Ryder truck and drive it yourself, or to hire professional movers who will transport your belongings. You should be able to easily get quotes from several national and local moving companies online. Just be certain to understand all of the charges, so you won't be surprised at the final bill.
Utilities
You will be responsible for setting up an account for each utility with the individual company. This may include electricity, heat, or water. You may also choose to set up telephone, cable television, and internet. Check with your landlord or the current tenant to determine which specific companies provides service in your area.
TV Cable and Satellite
The primary cable company in New Hampshire is Comcast, and in Vermont is Time Warner. You could also choose to subscribe to satellite service or DirectTV. (Note: Sachem Village does not allow satellite or DirectTV).
Telephones (Landlines and Mobile)
Many MD-PhD students choose not to set up a land line and use their cell phones as their primary phones. However, if you wish to set up a land line, most people use Comcast or Verizon. Cell phone service in the Upper Valley can be spotty at times. If you are purchasing a new cell phone, there are several stores in West Lebanon and Lebanon that offer a range of phones and services.
Rental Insurance
You may wish to purchase Renter's insurance to protect your belongings against theft, floods, or fire and smoke damage. Many nationwide insurance agencies offer multi-line discounts, so you may be able to save money by using the same company that insures your home and your car. If not, there are many convenient local insurance agencies that are easy to work with.
Bank Accounts
There are many banks in the Upper Valley, all of which have ATMs and can receive wired funds. Contact the bank directly for specific information about opening an account. Below is a list of a few banks that are easily accessible.
Bank of America
63 South Main Street
Hanover, NH
(800) 225-5353
www.bankofamerica.com
Citizens Bank
80 Lyme Road
Hanover, NH
(603) 643-3577
www.citizensbank.com
Lake Sunapee Bank
12 South Street
Hanover, NH
(603) 464-4820
www.lakesunbank.com
Ledyard National Bank
38 South Main Street
Hanover, NH
(603) 643-2244
www.ledyardbank.com
Mascoma Savings Bank
225 Lebanon Street
Hanover, NH
(603) 643-9829
www.mascomabank.com