Boston’s streets are buzzing with the annual college move‑in rush. Freshmen and their families are loading boxes, moving carts and even a refrigerator onto Commonwealth Avenue as they settle into Boston University, Emerson College and Northeastern University campuses.
“There’s a lot of emotions, but I just cannot wait to start school here at BU,” said incoming freshman Nabiel Malik, who arrived with his twin brother Shaamiel. The brothers brought video games, swivel chairs and a shared sense of comfort knowing they would be roommates.
Other students highlighted the excitement of meeting new roommates. “I’m excited to meet my roommates. I’m in a triple, they’re really nice kids, but we haven’t called or anything, so it’ll be nice to meet them for the first time,” said Paulina Valladares, a BU freshman.
Many families have spent weeks planning the move. “I made a list like two months ago, so I made a spreadsheet and everything, so the actual packing process wasn’t that bad,” explained Kayla Rufner. When asked what she will do after settling in, Rufner replied simply, “Go shop for more things that I couldn’t fit.”
Logistics can be challenging. Jordanna Silverstein noted, “One car, and then we rented a U‑Haul truck,” illustrating the need for multiple vehicles to transport belongings.
With the influx of moving trucks, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is reminding drivers to avoid low‑clearance bridges on Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road and Memorial Drive. Hitting a bridge can create a loud crash, draw neighborhood children’s attention and quickly turn a routine move into a viral “Storrowed” meme.
“If you hit the signs or the bridges, it’s very loud. Neighborhood children are going to come out and make fun of you. So avoid being on the local news, avoid being a meme in town for a few days,” said Ryan Hutton, a digital strategist for DCR.
The agency advises motorists to obey “cars only” signs and to plan routes before getting behind the wheel of a rental truck. Standard GPS apps often lack height‑restriction inputs, but free tools such as TruckMap and Hammer allow drivers to enter their vehicle’s height, helping them avoid bridges that are too low.
Boston successfully navigated the 2024 move‑in season without any reported “Storrowings.” This year’s surge is just beginning, with Emerson College students expected to arrive later this week and Northeastern University students following closer to Labor Day. The city also anticipates its usual wave of apartment moves around September 1.
Parents, students and local drivers are encouraged to stay vigilant, use height‑aware navigation tools and respect the city’s traffic advisories to ensure a smooth start to the academic year.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
