settle in/move in

Question

Hello,I think that the difference between them is quite subtle, but it still exists. We can settle into a place we have already moved into. When university students go back home, they usually settle into their rooms, houses, flats, etc. They don't move in. Move in suggests to me that the person starts living in/occupying a totally new place. What do you think?Thank you

Teechr · Accepted Answer

correct

CalifJim · Answer

First you move all your things to the new place where you're going to live and you put them in the new place where you want them. That's moving in.

Then you get used to the new place, learning things like where there's a grocery store or a gas station in your new neighborhood, maybe learning something about your new neighbors. That's settling in.

CJ

Gene93 · Answer

Thank you for joining us, Jim. I have a question for you. In my example the person settles into the place. For example: I am originally from Salt Lake City, but I go to university in Chicago. I take all my belongings, clothes, etc back to my parents' house for the Christmas holidays. Then I move back into the flat in Chicago, don't I? I have basically moved out. I think this context is very unlike and students never take everything back home. I think that I would be more likely to settle into the flat in Chicago.

P.S. I am not from Salt Lake City, but I don't have to say that. It comes through

.

CalifJim · Answer

Gene93I am originally from Salt Lake City, but I go to university in Chicago.

OK. I've got this part.

Gene93I take all my belongings, clothes, etc back to my parents' house for the Christmas holidays.

This is unrealistic if you're going to return to your place in Chicago. More likely, you take only the few things you need during the holidays.

Gene93Then I move back into the flat in Chicago, don't I?

No, that's not considered 'moving back in'. You move in the first time you occupy the place. After that you just return after being away for a while.

Gene93I have basically moved out.

As I said above, going away for holidays is not considered "moving out". If you come back to the same place, it's not considered moving in again.

Gene93I think that I would be more likely to settle into the flat in Chicago.

The same goes for 'settling in'. Once you have moved in and settled in, you don't 'settle in' again if you're just returning from some time away.

CJ

Gene93 · Answer

A friend of mine, who is from England said to me once "I just settled in." She had already "moved in/settled in" in September. According to your reply, her saying that wasn't exactly correct, yes? To be fair, I don't remember the last time I used "settle in" and I don't really have to. I would probably say something "I am back in ..." or "I am going back to... next week," etc.

I know it was unrealistic, Jim. I just wanted to draw a line between the two verbs, just to make sure I can use them correctly.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm a native English speaker in the US, and my take on this is that they are completely different. Today in the US, "settle in" is not used in the sense of taking possession of a dwelling. Rather, it would be used, for example, in the following situations:

"I settled into my favorite armchair with a book and a cup of hot soup and let the storm rage outside."

"When you buy a brand new sailboat, things have to settle in for a certain period before everything works as it should."

"I just moved to this city and it's going to take me a while to settle in."

"Move in" is used for taking possession of dwellings:

"I'm moving into my new apartment next week."

"When are the new tenants moving in?"

"Move in" is also used figuratively:

"He's trying to move in on my territory."

(Note: to say, "After I graduate from college, I plan to move back home and settle into my old room.", is incorrect usage in the US.)

Gene93 · Answer

I did not know it was wrong in American English, sorry. My friend from England used it and that's all. What would you say instead in AE?

settle in/move in

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