Moving out for the first time is both a fascinating and challenging experience. You have to take into account a variety of issues. Even if you have planned everything beforehand, you may come across different situations, sometimes not very pleasant ones. The key point is that the more you know, the easier it will be for you to cope with everything.
The following guide will help you prepare for such an important step in your life. There are some arrangements that are worth making before you move. Moreover, you should know what to do on a moving day, as well as after it. So, read the guide to find out detailed information on what to pay attention to and avoid unnecessary stress.
Things to Do Before Moving Out For the First Time
There are various reasons why people want to move out. It can be:
- a new job somewhere in a different city;
- time to study at college or university;
- time to make changes and start a new period of your life due to various circumstances;
- an opportunity to leave your parents’ house and live on your own.
No matter what the reason is, it’s recommended to start planning everything as early as possible. And the first point to take into consideration is budget.
Budget for Moving Out
If you have never lived alone, you may be surprised that it’s not as cheap as you may think. Thus, before moving out it’s important to consider all your expenses. Include also the additional ones to this list, such as gym membership or travel expenses. You will understand whether you can afford to live on your own or not.
It’s advisable to count your cost of living for 2 or 3 months. In this case, you will find out how much you need to earn to be able to pay the rent and the utility bills, as well as buy everything you want. Moreover, you should remember that besides monthly rent, you will also have to pay a rental deposit and tenant insurance at once.
One more important point to consider is the moving expenses. Of course, it’s good if you don’t have to transport the furniture and your friends can help you move your belongings. Still, the situations can be different. So, it’s recommended to have extra money so that you can hire professional movers in case of necessity.
PRO Tip: The more attention you pay to plan the budget for moving out, the more prepared you will be for different situations, including unexpected ones.
Finding the Proper Place to Live
It’s also a very important point to pay attention to. Apartment hunting is not an easy process. On the one hand, you may have high expectations of what your future dwelling should look like. On the other hand, it turns out that it takes time to find it. Moreover, a lot depends on the budget that you have.
When choosing the apartment, consider the distance to public transport or the places that are important to you, such as the university or gym.
It’s also recommended to double-check the phone connection, the Internet connection, and lightning. The room should get enough light. It matters if you work from home.
Before moving into the apartment you have found, it’s necessary to check whether everything is good. There may be some damage left by people who lived here earlier. Record them at once.
PRO Tip: It’s advisable to prepare a checklist describing the conditions of the apartment before you move in. It’s good if you make it with your landlord and both sign it.
Find a Reliable Moving Company
It’s the key to a successful move. If you have a lot of belongings to transport, especially some items of furniture, you can’t arrange it without professionals. It’s better to start looking for a company that will deal with transportation. The cost will depend on the time spent on the work and the number of movers that you need.
It’s important to choose a trusted company. Read reviews on the Internet. It’s also a good idea to ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations. Pay attention to the terms of work and find out whether the moving company is responsible for things, failure to meet deadlines or damage to property.
Tell the contractor all the details in advance:
- date;
- time;
- the distance between districts;
- the floor;
- availability of an elevator;
- dimensions of the furniture.
In this case, you will immediately find out the exact cost of their services and will be able to avoid unpleasant surprises.
PRO Tip: If you have an opportunity, try to arrange transportation on workdays. It will be much cheaper than at the weekend.
Update Your Address
As you change your place of living, it’s necessary to notify some parties about it after signing the rental agreement with your landlord. Be sure to change your address on documents from the place where you study and work. It’s also necessary to do it on your driving license if you have one.
The same refers to the following parties:
- health insurance
- your bank
- car insurance
- vehicle registration
- post office
If you have any subscription services, it’s worth updating the address, as well.
Pack Everything for the Move
Start packing things as early as possible. The more time you have, the smarter you can do it. For example, you can label every box or container. Or add a post-it note with a list of things you have packed into each box. Thus, it will be much easier for you to find the things you need when you move into your new apartment.
It’s worth preparing a bag of things that you may need in the first 24 hours after the move. It can include a change of clothes, some medicine, toilet paper, etc.
Things to Do When You Move
Let’s suppose that you follow the mentioned pieces of advice and have prepared everything beforehand. In this case, even if you think of moving out for the first time, this day will be less stressful. Still, you should be ready for some unexpected situations.
It’s better to start as early as possible, have a substantial breakfast and follow your plan. It’s good to have some cash to tip the movers if you use some moving service to transport your belongings.
Things To Do After Moving Out For The First Time
This is the most pleasant part of everything you have to do. So, you have settled into your new apartment. Now it’s time to make it a comfortable home.
Remember that you have prepared the bag with all the necessary things for the first 24 hours. So, if you are tired after the moving day, you may not start unpacking all the boxes at once. You may have a rest and postpone it till the next day. You can go to the store to buy some food and cook something delicious. Or at least order a pizza and enjoy your time.
The next few days will be devoted to unpacking the boxes. After it, you will need a few more days or even weeks to find the right place for each item. You will probably have to rearrange the furniture and finish furnishing the apartment to feel comfortable in it.
Think of Finding a Roommate
As long as you have arranged all the furniture and planned your daily routine, you may think of other things. For instance, it can be a good idea to invite a roommate to share the apartment.
First of all, it’s a great opportunity to save money as you will share the rental fee and the utility bill. Furthermore, you will have someone to talk to in case you start missing your family and friends.
Purchasing Plants
If you have decided to live on your own, you can find someone or something to take care of. If pets are not allowed by your landlord, you can opt for plants. They can brighten up an apartment. Moreover, they are quite inexpensive. Sometimes you can get them for free by taking plants from friends or relatives.
PRO Tip: If you have never taken care of any plant before, start with the one that requires less attention. If you succeed in keeping it alive, you can choose something more expensive and capricious.
Getting Acquainted with Neighbours
Neighbors are important people in any place. Therefore, it’s better to get acquainted with them as soon as possible. It’s a good idea to introduce yourself and maybe even treat them to a pie or something like that. Nobody will remain indifferent. Most people are not against communication because it is also important for them to know who lives nearby.
Being Happy
While moving out for the first time can be stressful, it’s a great reason to start something completely new. So, enjoy your new apartment, invite your friends, and don’t forget to throw a housewarming party.
Wrapping Up
Moving out for the first time means that you are adapting to a new environment and that it’s your first experience of living on your own. You can make it an exciting one by staying organized and planning everything beforehand. As a result, it will save money, time, and effort.