Moving Back from Uni - options for the logistics

[PaperWonderland]

DD is at Manchester Uni. Coming back soon. We live 6 hours drive away in the South East. We did the initial move with a hired van, a night in a hotel, etc. Now the academic year is about to end, DD wants us to do the same, which is understandable. However things have changed as my DH who's usually in excellent health has been diagnosed with sciatica and arthritis and is in constant pain that goes from bad to horrific, but he's never not in pain. A journey like this and a move will have a horrible impact on his health. I am currently unable to drive due to recent eye surgery.

I am trying to understand what options we have. I feel that my DD could pack everything she owns, have it collected and placed in storage, or even hire a man with a van to do the move instead of us. She could then come back on the train.

I was wondering if you could help me think about what options might be there. I want my DD to feel fully supported by us, but right now we also need to take into consideration the physical aftermath of something like this on my DH's health. Surely we can't be the only ones in this situation and there's some sort of services that help with this?

Hi Op. My DD moved home (North to South) during COVID. We found a man with a van option, but it was a company. She packed everything, he helped her put it in the van and drove it here. She got the train. He then dropped her stuff off. Not one thing broken.

I'll see if I can find the company and DM you.

Man with a van is the obvious answer, I found a lovely chap who (they shouldn’t but he was open to it) gave me a lift too.

Can you get the train to help her with the packing etc, train home together?

Are they moving accommodation but staying in Manchester for next academic year? Short term storage for the stuff not needed over summer and move it straight into the next house. YP gets train. Try ‘what i wish i knew about iniversity’ their website has sections for specific inis where you can get recomendations.

If she will still be at uni next year then storage in the uni city is the easiest. Mine mostly did that. You also won't be tripping over all the extra stuff that you'd have to find space for if she brought it home.

There might only be a short time before she can move into her new accommodation. If it a day or so she could stay in a hotel and get her stuff moved before she comes home for the summer. Otherwise take the train back and sort it out later.

Of and if you post this in Higher Education you might get specific advice from parents with kids at the same uni.

There are services you can buy who take away the student's boxes for storage and deliver them back to new accommodation in Sept..

I think a combo of this and you going up to help her & come back with her on the train might work. Buy the right suitcases if you have to.

Alternatively do you have extended family who might be able to help? It is a very specific situation with you and your husband not driving at the moment and I'd be happy to help out a niece or similar in this situation. I don't think I could drive a van but DD's stuff fits in a ford focus.