Residency Relocation Checklist

Match Day is mid-March. PGY-1 starts June or July. That's roughly 90 days to find a home, arrange your move, complete credentialing paperwork, and settle into a new city. Residents consistently say this window goes faster than expected.

Use this guide to stay ahead of the timeline — and avoid the most common mistakes that cost new residents time and money before they've even started.

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Match Day to Move-In — Your Timeline

90 days moves faster than you think. Here's what needs to happen and when.

Match Day — Week 1

Start your housing search immediately

Contact your program coordinator — ask about relocation resources, moving discounts, and senior resident contacts
Reach out to current residents in the program — ask where they live and what the commute is really like
Decide: rent or buy? (See our Rent vs Buy analysis →)
Review the Hospital Housing Guide — map your commute options before choosing a neighborhood
If buying: contact Jenn now. Good properties near hospitals go fast and the Doctor Mortgage pre-approval takes time.

⚠ Hot properties near Cooper, Jefferson, Penn, and Virtua are snapped up within days of Match Day. Do not wait.

Weeks 2–4 Post-Match

Lock in your housing

Sign your lease or make your offer — do not leave this to month two
If buying: Doctor Mortgage pre-approval letter in hand before you make an offer (Doctor Mortgage details →)
If renting: ask about lease start date flexibility — many landlords will allow a June 1 start even if you sign in April
Research parking at your hospital — ask the program director. Some hospitals have resident lots; some do not.

Month 2 (May)

Book movers and reserve your truck

June is peak moving season — book movers or reserve a truck at least 6 weeks in advance
Decide on your moving approach (see Moving Options below)
Book hourly loading / unloading help via TaskRabbit, Dolly, or HireAHelper if doing a hybrid move
If shipping a vehicle or using a container service, book now — transit times can be 2–3 weeks
Arrange childcare or pet logistics for move day if needed
Research hospital-affiliated daycare — waitlists are long. Apply now.

2 Weeks Before Move

Logistics and admin

Set up utilities at your new address (electric, gas, internet — allow 2–3 weeks lead time)
Forward your mail via USPS — do this at least 2 weeks before move date
Update your address: bank accounts, student loan servicer, insurance, subscriptions
Transfer or apply for NJ/PA driver's license if moving states (required within 60 days of establishing residency)
Register your vehicle in the new state if applicable
Cancel or transfer local memberships, gym, etc.

Move Week

Pack smart and protect yourself

Pack a "Day 1 box" — keep it with you, not on the truck: ID, lease or closing docs, insurance cards, laptop, phone charger, one change of clothes, toiletries, any medications
Label all boxes clearly: contents + destination room
Photograph valuable items before the truck is loaded (for insurance purposes)
Confirm all movers and truck reservations 48 hours in advance
Have cash or Venmo ready for tips — cash is standard for hourly labor

💡 Pro tip: Sell furniture before you move rather than hauling it. Residents report more satisfaction buying new things for their new space than moving old furniture across state lines. Facebook Marketplace moves things fast.

Move-In Day

First 48 hours in your new home

Confirm utilities are active before movers arrive
Do a walkthrough and document any existing damage with photos
Locate your hospital's parking entrance and your new commute route before your first day
Introduce yourself to neighbors — you're going to have odd hours; good neighbors make that easier
Find the nearest grocery, pharmacy, and urgent care before you need them

Moving Options — Cost vs. Effort

Most Philadelphia-area residents use the hybrid approach. Here's what each option costs and who it's right for.

Hybrid — Rent Truck + Hire Hourly Help

$400 – $1,500

You rent the truck and drive it. Hire part-time labor to load and unload at each end. Best balance of cost and ease — you don't do the heavy lifting, but you control the timeline.

Regional moves 1–2 bedroom Most cost-effective

DIY Truck Rental

$200 – $800 + fuel

Rent a truck, recruit friends or family to help. Cheapest option but most physically demanding. Good for short moves with a strong support network available.

Lowest cost Local moves Need help available

Shipping Container (PODS / U-Pack)

$1,500 – $3,500

You load the container at your own pace, the company drives it to your new address. Good for long-distance moves or when you need flexible timing between leaving and arriving.

Long distance Flexible timing No driving required

Full-Service Movers

$3,000 – $7,000 interstate

Movers pack, load, drive, and unload everything. Most convenient but highest cost. Worth it for cross-country moves, large households, or when your time genuinely has no slack.

Cross-country Families Maximum convenience

💡 Ask your program coordinator about moving discounts — many programs have negotiated rates with local moving companies and don't advertise them.

Hourly Moving Help — Book These

These services provide 2–4 hour labor for loading and unloading. You supply the truck, they supply the muscle. Most book same-day or next-day in the Philadelphia / South Jersey area.

TaskRabbit

taskrabbit.com

Book hourly taskers for loading, unloading, and furniture assembly. Set your own schedule. Most cities have same-day availability. Rate: ~$40–65/hr per person.

Dolly

dolly.com

On-demand moving help via app. Good for smaller loads and apartment moves. Helpers bring dollies and moving equipment. Available in Philadelphia metro area.

HireAHelper

hireahelper.com

Pre-screened professional moving labor by the hour. Book in advance — better for planned moves than same-day. Pairs well with U-Haul and PODS rentals.

Lugg

lugg.com

App-based on-demand moving for smaller loads. Good for single-room moves or large item transport. Available in Philadelphia.

Truck Rental Companies

U-Haul

uhaul.com

Most locations. Widest size range. Book online. High demand in June — reserve early.

Penske

pensketruckrental.com

Newer trucks. 1,900+ locations. Good for one-way moves to/from Philadelphia area.

Budget Truck

budgettruck.com

Competitive rates on local moves. Good for South Jersey to Philadelphia or within NJ.

Enterprise Truck

enterprisetrucks.com

Less well known — worth comparing on one-way rates. Often cheaper than the big names.

⏱ For a South Jersey regional move (1–2 bedroom apartment, under 20 miles), a 15-ft truck for 3–4 hours is usually enough. Book the smallest truck that fits — fuel costs add up on larger trucks.

What Will This Actually Cost?

Even with relocation assistance, most residents have out-of-pocket moving expenses. Budget for these before Match Day.

Expense	Typical Range	Notes
Security deposit	1–2 months rent	Required for rentals. Often $2,000–$5,000 in South Jersey.
Moving truck or movers	$400–$3,000+	Depends on distance and approach. See options above.
Utility setup fees	$100–$300	Deposits for electric, gas, internet at a new address.
Travel to new city	$200–$800	Gas, tolls, or flights for you and any family members.
Temporary housing	$500–$2,000	If closing date or lease start doesn't align with your move timeline.
New furniture / household	$500–$3,000	Especially if starting fresh. IKEA, Facebook Marketplace, and Wayfair are standard resident solutions.

📋 Ask your program coordinator if relocation assistance is available — not all programs advertise it. Some offer stipends, moving referrals, or administrative support. It's always worth asking.

You have 90 days from Match Day to figure out housing, moving, and a new city — while finishing medical school. Jenn has helped matched residents navigate this exact timeline across Philadelphia and South Jersey. Let's get you sorted before PGY-1 starts.

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