Manchester NH is a great college town, as it’s home to Southern New Hampshire University, UNH at Manchester, Saint Anselm College, and more. If you’re moving here to attend college, you’ll need a trusted local mover who is familiar with the area.
Not only is Manchester home to the largest undergraduate population in the greater Boston area with five major colleges and universities, it’s ranked as one of the 5 coolest college towns in New England.
Let’s go over some tips for college students who plan to move to Manchester soon.
Colleges and Universities in Manchester NH
Manchester has more higher education options than most people realize. Here is a quick look at the schools that draw students to the area each year.
- Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) sits on a 300-acre campus off North River Road. SNHU serves one of the largest student bodies in New England, with programs in business, education, liberal arts, and STEM.
- University of New Hampshire at Manchester (UNH Manchester) occupies a downtown campus on Commercial Street. It offers more than 20 undergraduate degree programs and puts students in the center of the city’s dining, transit, and cultural district.
- Saint Anselm College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in the Goffstown border area of Manchester. It is well known for its New Hampshire Institute of Politics and strong nursing program.
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) runs a Manchester campus focused on healthcare degrees, including nursing, pharmacy, and physician assistant studies.
- Granite State College (part of USNH) provides flexible degree programs geared toward working adults and nontraditional students.
Students transferring from schools in the greater Boston area will find Manchester is about an hour north of the city on I-93, which makes the commute between campuses straightforward.
Make a Checklist
A college checklist is essential and should be done before you pack even one box. You can customize this list with your must-do tasks and must-have items. Do your homework on the surrounding area so you’ll know what to do for fun, such as catching a hockey game or concert at SNHU Arena.
Understand Moving Day Guidelines
Whether you’re a transfer student moving in for spring semester, or you’re a senior planning now for fall move-in day (which is actually in August), it’s best to start planning well in advance. Make sure you’re familiar with moving day guidelines, asking all the appropriate questions, such as:
- Will I have access to dollies or rolling carts to bring my stuff in? Where can I find those?
- Can I bring my car? Where can I park it and for how long?
- Can I arrive on campus any time, or do I have to sign up for a specific time window?
- Is there an elevator I can use or do I have to use the stairs?
Each school handles move-in differently. SNHU assigns time slots and designates unloading zones. Saint Anselm provides volunteers to help carry boxes. UNH Manchester’s downtown campus has limited parking, so plan extra time for drop-off. Check your school’s residential life page at least 30 days before your move-in date so there are no surprises.
Talk to Your Roommate
Once you get your roommate assignment, reach out and get to know them. It’s a good idea to coordinate the items you will bring so there are no duplicates, such as furniture, microwaves, mini fridges and more. Ask them when they plan to move in, and then stagger your move-in times. That way, your tiny dorm room won’t feel even more cramped with family members dropping off their son or daughter.
Pack Dorm Essentials
Come up with a list of things you will need for dorm life, including:
- Bath towels, bathrobe, and shower flip flops
- Laundry bag or basket
- Bedside lamp
- Desk fan
- Extension cords
- Twin XL sheets, comforter, pillows
- Full-length wall mirror
- Cleaning supplies and disinfecting wipes
- First aid kit and small toolbox
- Travel mug and reusable water bottle
- Removable wall adhesive hooks
- Wallet, insurance card, ID card, and important documents
- Posters, photos, and personal items
When moving to college, less is more so use this time to declutter your possessions. Only take what you will need.
School-Specific Packing Notes
Each campus has its own rules about what you can and cannot bring into the dorms. A few things to keep in mind:
- UNH Manchester does not have traditional residence halls on its downtown campus, so many students rent apartments nearby. Your packing list will look different from a dorm list because you will need kitchen supplies, cleaning tools, and basic furniture.
- SNHU residence halls prohibit open-coil appliances, candles, and halogen lamps. Check the SNHU residential life portal for the full approved items list before you shop.
- Saint Anselm dorms are older buildings with smaller closets. Measure your space before buying storage bins. Over-the-door organizers and under-bed containers save a lot of floor space.
Budget Tips for College Student Moves
Moving on a student budget takes some planning. Here are a few ways to keep costs down without cutting corners.
Start by collecting free boxes from campus bookstores, liquor stores, and local Facebook groups. Wardrobe boxes from a professional moving company are worth the small cost for hanging clothes, but standard boxes should not eat into your budget.
If you have a car, consider making two trips instead of renting a truck. For larger loads, ask about labor-only services. You supply the vehicle, and a trained crew handles the loading and unloading. This is often the most affordable option for students with a rental truck or borrowed trailer.
Split the cost with a roommate or friend who is moving to the same area on the same day. Two small moves combined into one trip can cut your total bill significantly.
Student Storage Between Semesters
Not every student goes home for the summer, and not everyone wants to haul furniture back and forth twice a year. If you need a place to keep your things between semesters, College Bound Movers offers portable storage and self-storage units.
Portable storage is the easiest option for students. A container is delivered to your location. You load it at your own pace, and we store it at a secure facility until you need it again. No driving. No renting a truck. No storage unit lock codes to remember at 2 a.m.
This is a practical option for students at SNHU and Saint Anselm who live in campus housing and need to clear out their rooms by a hard deadline each May.
Moving to Manchester from Boston or Massachusetts
A large share of students who attend school in Manchester come from eastern Massachusetts. The move from Boston to Manchester is roughly 55 miles, straight up I-93. Most days it takes about an hour, but plan for closer to 90 minutes if you are moving on a weekend during peak season.
College Bound Movers serves both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. We handle cross-state student moves regularly. Our team knows the routes, the traffic patterns, and the parking challenges at each campus in Manchester.
If you are moving out of a Boston apartment, a dorm in Lowell, or your family’s home in the Merrimack Valley, we can pack, load, transport, and unload on the same day. For students heading in the other direction at the end of the year, we cover that return trip too.
Why Hire Professional Movers for a College Move
You could ask your parents to rent a U-Haul. You could bribe friends with pizza. But a professional moving company in Manchester brings a few things that volunteers do not.
Speed. A trained two-person crew can load and unload a dorm room or studio apartment in under an hour. That matters when your school gives you a 90-minute window on move-in day.
Protection. Our movers are trained to handle furniture, electronics, and fragile items without damage. College Bound Movers maintains a 2% damage rate, well below the industry average of 18%.
Less stress. Move-in day is already emotional. Handing the physical work to a crew lets you and your family focus on saying goodbye, meeting your roommate, and getting settled.
Moving to Manchester is an exciting time for college students. Let us help get you there.
Contact College Bound Movers
We are happy to offer affordable moving services that fit your tight student budget in Manchester and surrounding areas. Get your free quote at 603-513-2468.
