Are you a college student moving to Lowell MA? College Bound Movers helps students move into UMass Lowell dorms, Middlesex Community College housing, and off-campus apartments across the city. Get a free moving quote before move-in day fills your week.
Lowell sits about 30 miles northwest of Boston along the Merrimack River. It’s the home of UMass Lowell (UML), the Lowell campus of Middlesex Community College, and the Tsongas Center where the River Hawks play hockey. Use the tips below to plan your move, pack the right gear, and skip the moving-day panic.
Know Your UMass Lowell or Middlesex Move-In Date
Your move-in date is set by your school, not by you. Plan your trip and your Lowell movers around it.
- UMass Lowell sends move-in details to your UML email in late July. Sign-ups for move-in appointments open August 1 through the Online Housing Portal.
- You need your UCard (UMass Lowell Student ID) to move into your hall.
- Required: completed health forms with immunization records must be submitted before August 1, or you cannot move in.
- Middlesex Community College students attending in the MCC2UML Living Learning Community follow UMass Lowell move-in dates and live on the UML campus.
Book movers four to six weeks before your move-in date. August fills up fast across New England.
Where You’ll Live: Dorms, Suites, or Off-Campus
Lowell has three types of student housing. The type changes what you need to pack and how much you can fit.
- Traditional dorms (Fox Hall, Bourgeois, Leitch, Concordia) have shared bathrooms, basic doubles or quads, and limited storage. Bring less.
- Suites (Donahue, University Suites, Riverview, Sheehy) have private bathrooms and a shared common room. You can bring more, but space is still tight.
- Apartments (River Hawk Village) include a full kitchen with stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and fridge. You’ll need pots, pans, plates, and a vacuum.
- Off-campus rentals near UMass Lowell or Middlesex Community College Lowell campus average $1,580 a month for a one-bedroom and $2,266 for a two-bedroom as of 2025. Lease starts often fall on September 1.
If you’re moving into River Hawk Village or an off-campus apartment, our residential moving services handle the full move, not just dorm-sized loads.
Make a College Checklist
It can be tough getting motivated to pack for your move, especially when you’d much rather spend your last days at home with your friends and family. To stay organized, create a college moving checklist that you can customize with your must-do tasks as well as must-have items.
At the same time, do some research on the surrounding area so you can have ideas on what to do for entertainment. You could check out a concert or hockey game at the Tsongas Center, for instance.
Know the Moving Day Guidelines
The further ahead you can plan, the more smoothly moving day will go. Remember, every other student will be moving in on the same day as you, so it helps to be prepared and know the guidelines. Familiarize yourself with moving day guidelines, such as:
- Will there be dollies or rolling carts to use or should you bring your own? Where can you find those items?
- Where can you park your car? For how long?
- Can you arrive any time, or do you have to sign up for a specific time window?
- Is there an elevator or do you have to haul your stuff up and down the stairs?
Communicate With Your Roommate
In the weeks leading up to moving day, reach out to your roommate and get to know them. Coordinate about what stuff you will bring and what they will bring. This will avoid duplicates, and since you’re tight on space, you don’t want to bring more things than you can store. Find out when they’re moving in, and at what time.
Try to stagger your move-in times so your cramped dorm room doesn’t get even more cramped with well-meaning family members.
Beforehand, try to work out who will have which bed, and come up with schedules for using the bathroom or setting up study times.
Figure Out the Furnishings Already in Your Dorm Room
Knowing what’s already provided saves you from buying duplicates. Most UMass Lowell dorms include a twin XL bed, dresser, desk, and chair. Fox Hall and the suite-style halls (Donahue, University Suites) follow the same setup. Check your hall’s page on the UMass Lowell Residence Life site to confirm before you shop.
You are usually responsible for bringing:
- Mini fridge (under 4.5 cubic feet)
- Microwave (UML allows up to 1,000 watts)
- Desk lamp
- Surge protector
- Hangers and a small trash can
If you’re in an apartment-style hall like River Hawk Village or an off-campus apartment, you’ll also need cookware, dishes, and basic cleaning gear.
Pack Your Dorm Essentials
- Bath towels, bathrobe, and flip flops for the shower
- Laundry bag/basket
- Twin XL sheets, comforter, pillows
- Bedside lamp
- Desk fan
- Extension cords
- Full-length wall mirror
- Travel mug and reusable water bottle
- Cleaning supplies and disinfecting wipes
- First aid kit and small toolbox
- Removable wall adhesive hooks
- Posters, photos, and personal items
- Wallet, insurance card, ID card, and copies of important documents
Heed These Packing Tips
- Utilize trash bags for packing clothes instead of boxes or cumbersome luggage. For clothing on hangers, just pull a trash bag over it, tie it at the top, and transport it that way. Then, when in your dorm room, all you have to do is hang them back up and take off the bag.
- For clothes that don’t need to be hung up, roll them instead of folding them to save space.
- Keep small items such as batteries, earrings, and pens in plastic baggies. Mark the bags with a marker.
- Fill large furniture with smaller furniture. Put books in your microwave, fill up laundry bags with sheets and linens, and put socks in your shoes.
- Before disconnecting electronics, take a photo of the wiring so you will know how to put them all together again later.
Need help getting it all there? Our packing services and packing supplies cover the whole job.
Plan for Summer Storage Now
UMass Lowell does not store your stuff over summer break. If you’re flying home, going abroad, or just don’t want to haul everything back, plan your storage before finals week.
College Bound Movers offers summer storage in Lowell for students. We pick up at your dorm, store your boxes, mini fridge, bike, or futon at our secure facility, and deliver everything back to your room in the fall.
What students store with us most:
- Mini fridge and microwave
- Bike
- Bedding and twin XL sheets
- Books and binders
- Winter clothes
- Posters and decor
Book before the last week of April. Pickup slots fill fast at the end of the spring semester.
Plan Your Move-Out Day Too
Move-out is busier than move-in. The whole dorm leaves the same week. A few moves to make it smoother:
- Reserve your move-out slot through the UMass Lowell Housing Portal.
- Donate clothes and books you don’t want. The Salvation Army on Appleton Street accepts most items.
- Schedule a mover or storage pickup at least three weeks out.
- Walk through your room with your RA, fill out the Room Condition Form, and turn in your key on time. Late keys cost extra.
If you’re graduating or moving out of state, our long distance movers can take your stuff to your next city.
Remember: Less is More
Now that you’re leaving for college, it’s time to lighten your load and de-clutter your life. This is the perfect time to get rid of things you don’t need that take up space. Donate clothes you no longer wear, for instance.
Moving to Lowell is an exciting time for college students of all ages.
Why College Students Trust College Bound Movers
College Bound Movers is a New Hampshire and Massachusetts moving company that serves UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College, and other schools across the Merrimack Valley. We have moved students into Lowell dorms and apartments for over 30 years.
Students pick us for three reasons:
- Flat student-friendly pricing that fits a tight budget
- Trained movers from CBM University, our in-house training program
- Full-service options that cover packing, moving, and storage in one call
We also serve students moving to nearby campuses in Chelmsford, Tewksbury, and Cambridge.
FAQ: Moving to Lowell for College
When do UMass Lowell dorms open for fall move-in?
UMass Lowell sends move-in information to students in late July. Move-in appointments open on the Online Housing Portal on August 1. Each student picks a time slot.
Do I need to hire movers to move into a UMass Lowell dorm?
No, but movers help if you’re driving in from out of state, moving a full apartment, or moving without a car. Most freshmen in dorms can manage with family help. Students in River Hawk Village or off-campus apartments often hire movers.
How much does it cost to hire movers for a college move to Lowell MA?
Cost depends on how much you’re moving and where you’re coming from. A local dorm move starts lower than a full apartment move. Get a free quote at 603-513-2468 for a flat price.
Where can I store my stuff over the summer in Lowell?
College Bound Movers offers summer storage with pickup at your dorm or apartment. We store your items at our secure facility and deliver them back when fall classes start.
Can you move me into off-campus housing near UMass Lowell?
Yes. We move students into apartments in Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Dracut, and other towns near campus. We also handle long-distance moves if you’re coming from another state.
Contact College Bound Movers
One of our main service areas is Lowell. Whether you’re moving into a UMass Lowell dorm, an off-campus apartment, or Middlesex Community College housing, we have a plan that fits your schedule and your budget. Get your free quote at 603-513-2468 or request one online.
