Tucson? July? Bring a lot of sunscreen and use it. Stay out of the sun! Indoors during the day is best! Use the hotel pool! We lived there for a decade, studying and teaching at the UofA and much enjoyed this friendly city. But summers are not to be taken casually!

If your son doesn't already have an apartment, I'd look west or north. Depending upon where he works, of course. Tucson has a lot of apartment complexes, many are quite nice. I might look for a place that has eastern or northern exposure, to avoid the afternoon blast of the sun. Although it's true that the sunsets are beautiful.

It sounds as though you have everything organized already and will have him well set-up when you leave.

A suggestion - if the two of you have time, go to The Arizona Inn for lunch or dinner. It's both special and unique. It's a few blocks north of the UofA campus.

Would you consider going back home, Shopping online in comfort and safety of your home, and have him pick up/finalize transactions. College graduate is a grownup. Also, likely safer for a young strong man to gallivant in strange/new town than female Mom.

I just returned from a trip to visit my son, who moved to another state for work about 9 months ago. He was mostly set up at first, but here are the things he neglected to buy (which were identified by his girlfriend as much needed!) - I think these are all on the list you linked btw, but didn't rank very highly as priority items for him or his roommate! Bath mats - more than one, and towels/rags of all kinds in addition to bath towels. A supply of kitchen sponges since odds are additional sponges won't be purchased for months and months! A utensil drawer organizer. Cleaning supplies and a bucket (whether they will be used or not is anyone's guess!). More than one wastebasket. Toilet bowl brush (ugh). Laundry and basic sewing stuff (needle/thread), basic first aid stuff, and things like scissors, tape. Good luck - it's a big step!!

Sue, I think you are really organized. Yes, it will be the same as college apartment set up.

I would get the bed first thing!

I assume you have already googled the BBandB, Ikea etc. Also Home Goods, TJMAX and Marshalls for discounted kitchen supplies.

Sable, he is pretty sure he's all set for an apt in a complex where two friends of a friend live -- I am not really sure where it is geographically because I have no sense of direction and he's figured out on his own where he wants to be. Sounds like it's about equidistant from work and from downtown, so should be a good spot. Thank you, adding Arizona Inn to our list!

eld, I did find a Target! Ikea would be great, forgot about that. Right, I figure we will find a bed store right away and arrange delivery for the day he moves in.

Good thing he has a sign-on bonus! We had been hoping he'd find a furnished apt. since he's planning to be there for only a couple of years, but the ones that he liked the most are not furnished.

Side note: I am not asking for advice concerning whether I should be going out and helping, so please, I would really prefer that feedback address my question and not my parenting choices. Thank you.

Cindy, LOL. Our posts crossed.

Even if your son does everything online, there are still times when he'll get mail or have important papers. Hopefully if the apartment will have room for a desk, but if not worth thinking about where to put mail and store important papers. I've bought each of my kids a zippered poly accordion-style binder to keep their papers now that they're all out of high school, so that they can store tax papers and other important documents for driver's licenses, passports, etc.

I can't think of anything to add to the list, just wanted to say the trip sounds like a lot of fun for the two of you.

PS Not really a first apartment thing, and while of course he can look everything up about Tuscon - it might be nice to get him a guidebook to his new surroundings providing some history and some fun day trips- things he might not come across left to his own devices Googling around.

Good point, Becky. There will probably be paperwork from the new job, and maybe for the apt. as well. The apt. has an island so he might not need a kitchen table, but he might want some sort of table and chair situation that can double as a desk and a kitchen table.

Thank you, Rita. I am grateful that I have this opportunity which isn't likely to happen again!

I helped my daughter move into her first grown up apartment across the country. She's very bright but does not have the organization or decorating gene. She asked for my decorating help and I threw in some organization help as well.

I knew she could muddle through everything but it made me feel better giving her a good base of operations to start her adult life.

My dd has hardwood floors and flat rugs so I splurged on the basic roomba using a BB&B coupon as a housewarming gift. It was also on sale, I think the version was being discontinued. Plus it was a good icebreaker when she invited her new IT coworkers to her apt.

The site wouldn't open for me so I hope I am not repeating anything. My DS also moved to another state upon graduation. Changing drivers license, car insurance and registration was a time consuming task that only he could do. The state.gov sites tell you everything you need, but not the order. Surprisingly, state requirements vary greatly. Also, your Easy Pass needs to be updated. Accordion file is a good idea. I also gave my kids their passports, birth certificates once they moved out.

Rather, he doesn’t own a car but will be leasing one there. But yes, the drivers license change — he will have to take care of that. And find a PCP, a dentist, etc ...hopefully he can get recommendations from coworkers.

Funny, we literally just pulled out his birth cert and passport last night to pack!

The link above didn't work for me. here's an updated list:

https://www.myfirstapartment.com/2018/06/everything-you-need-for-your-first-apartment-the-ultimate-checklist/

About a year ago, we did the same with DD. IKEA was the best because their mattresses came nicely vacuum packed, which made transportation and getting it up to the 3rd floor super easy, and must have little stuff (dish drainer, toilet brush, duvets and duvet covers etc. are super well priced.)

CL was pretty good, too, but involved much more careful planning and transportation logistics.

Other sites/locations: H&M Home site, HomeGoods, and Target.

A small sewing kit (can even be $$ store quality) so he can sew a button on or, if he's feeling adventurous, repair a hem. Good luck to your son, I'm sure he will have a blast. And you enjoy exploring a new city and helping your son get settled in, what a great send off to him as he embarks on "adulting" so far away from home.

Sueb, coming back to this thread to reminisce. I loved helping both my DD's set up their college apartments and then the after college apartment.

Certainly, they could do it all on their own, but they both knew and know how much I enjoyed doing this with them. It is quality bonding time for sure.

Young friends just moved to Arizona. Their request for a apartment warming gift was the large Tervis glasses and iced tea spoons. I guess the hot weather has them making sun tea and other iced drinks often. The Tervis glasses are nice because they don't sweat and can be put in the dishwasher.

Have a wonderful trip! Tucson is a great town. He is lucky to have you to help and I know you will have a ton of fun!

Thank you, this is all great stuff (including the encouragement). I actually thought he was going to roll his eyes when I first mentioned going with him, but he told me he’s glad I’m coming because “you’re good at this stuff.” :-)

I also think it might be nice for him to come “home” to a familiar face after those first few days at work. I’ve already told him, though, if there are after-work social things going on, accept those invites rather than feel like he has to hang out with me!

Fun, my family loves Tervis cups! Great idea to get some for him.

I have such fond memories of setting up my first apartment -- I think it's great that you can go and help him! It will give you comfort too when he's so far away-- you'll know he has all he needs.

Enjoy every moment-- and best wishes to young sueb20 on the new job and new home!

If he is is starting at a company that has a "class" of new kids start at the same time then he might not have much free time. Those trainee programs can be quite intense for the first few months. The odds are very high, that if he has to get set up on his own, he would be sleeping on a mattress on the floor for several months.

Is he positive that he will be able to qualify to lease a car?

I think it is awesome that you can help your son, both with the tasks of setting up his first place and supporting him through this transition. There will be touches of mom throughout his place and that will give him a connection to home. (The comment above is sad and is the reason I rarely post here.) Enjoy!

Chispa, he’s not in a program, but they are hiring a lot of people at once so they have 2 days of orientation for his first days at work. But you’re right, he will be busy. Yes, he can lease a car. I have already been in touch with a dealer there. That’s one thing I did for him while he researched apartments.

Colduphere — “touches of mom” sniff sniff....

I told him I was having a very large photo of myself enlarged for his wall.

That’s funny! When we moved our youngest son to his university dorm, many km from our city, I put a small framed snapshot of him with my husband and I on his bookshelf. I thought he was going to put it away but he straightened it and said “thanks mom”!