So, You’re Moving Out – How To Do It Right

Moving out on your own is a pivotal time, as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. You’re probably full of buzzing anticipation for how thrilling it will be to be your own boss under your own roof. 

Some solo living experiences are rights of passage that we all need to experience with no previous forewarning or advice – when they happen to you, you’ll know. Or rather, after they’ve happened to you and you see them happen to someone else, then you’ll for sure know! Others are practical tips and hacks that we’ve included here so that you can make sure that you’re well set up and prepared for your first experience moving out and living on your own.

Choosing The Right Place

Picking the right place for your first rental home is tricky, and chances are, you’ll make some missteps along the way. It’s okay; most of us have a nightmare story of living accommodations that we shudder about. Whether it’s an unpredictably horrid landlord, crazy neighbors, or an elevator that never works and seven flights of stairs to your apartment, it’ll teach you what to look for and what to stay away from when you choose your next place. 

There are a few things to consider before you move to a new home, and there are things you can do to help make sure that you have the best chance of finding a place that’s a good fit, though. First, and most importantly, know what your budget is before you start looking at places. Nothing takes the shine off the excitement of getting a new living space more than when you start out looking at beautiful, spacious, airy, and bright places only to realize that they’re four times what you can afford, and everything else suffers in comparison. Take some time to set a realistic budget that you know you can afford each month, and you’ll be far happier when your rent is due. Living alone is more expensive than having a roommate, and doubling up is a great way to help reduce expenses without having to live in a hovel just so that you can afford it on your own.

A real estate company can be an excellent option to help you find the right space for your first experience living solo. Real estate companies do not just handle the purchase and sale of property; they also lease or rent properties. Using this option can be a great way of knowing that your choice has been vetted by an agent and provides more peace of mind than renting privately.  Considering moving into student accommodation? Check out AmberStudent and find a new home away from the home of your choice! With 25K+ listings, you are sure to find a student accommodation of your choice!

Before Moving Day

You found a place, signed a lease, and have a move-in date. Congratulations! You’re on your way to one of the most exciting milestones. There are a few things that you can do to make the big day more fun and less chaotic:

• Find a moving company – If you’re going a long distance, like moving to another state,  and can’t move your things in your vehicle or have furniture you need to move, consider hiring an out of state moving company. The extra cost is well worth the time and energy and can make your moving day much less stressful than trying to do it all on your own. Before the moving day make sure to get some cardboard boxes to pack your essentials and don’t forget to label your moving boxes with care, and after you’re done with the moving, you can even reuse them by turning them into crafts for your new home. If you’re moving within the same city or area, movers can be hired by the hour to help you keep costs down.
• Make a list of what you’re bringing – Forgetting something when you move is the worst! Make sure you have a comprehensive list of everything that you’re taking with you so you can avoid the dread of knowing that you forgot something critical. Of course, this is less of a worry if you’re 45 minutes away than if you’re a 3-day drive, but it’s still worth doing.
• Book a locksmith – Ask when you sign your lease what their process is for changing the locks. Locks should be changed on all doors between every tenant for safety purposes. You don’t want some unknown person roaming around with keys to your apartment! If the property management company or building owner doesn’t have them changed before you move in, book a locksmith to do it, and the amount can be deducted from your rent. Just be sure to agree beforehand with your landlord, so there are no surprises.
• Do your walkthrough inspection – This might not be the most glamorous part of getting your new place, but it’s critical. Having patience here is made extra tricky because the walkthrough is often the last step before your new landlord leaves and gives you the keys to your new kingdom. You just want it to be over so you can bask in the glory of your new home and start making it your own, so what does it matter if a plug doesn’t work and there’s a crack in a tile?. Trust us, when it comes to getting your full safety deposit back at the end of your tenancy, you’ll be happy you were diligent! Check out a rental inspection website for walkthrough checklists to make sure you have your bases covered.
• Plan out your interior design – Moving day is already quite the hassle, but it is even worse if you don’t know where your furniture will go. During your walkthrough inspection, scan your rooms on the Realize Design App so you can plan out your room designs before move-in. This way, you will know what will fit in each room and you can make decisions in advance like if you should invest in wallpaper or if you are missing some essential pieces to make a room feel like home.
• Set up utilities in advance – This one is important to ensure you don’t have an interruption in your services or a delay in getting wifi set up. Depending on where you’ll be living, there can be a waiting period for the installation of the internet and if you book these things in advance, you won’t be stuck in your new place with no wifi for two weeks. Power can often be scheduled to move over to a new account in advance, so if your electricity is not included in your rent, you’ll have to coordinate creating a new account and moving service over on your move-in date.

Apartment Checklist

Below is a checklist of everything you need to run through to make sure you have a plan for the most essential parts of your living space:

• • Sleeping – make sure you have a plan for a mattress and the right size of bedding. Nothing is worse than having to make a late-night excursion your first night in a new place because you don’t have sheets that fit the bed!
  • Lighting – When you’re doing your walkthrough, note the lighting situation. Often walkthroughs are done in daylight hours, and it’s easy not to notice where there is and isn’t overhead lighting. Older homes frequently don’t have an overhead light in the living room area, so you might need lamps for the evening hours.
  • Bathroom supplies – Similar to the bedding conundrum, you don’t want to be going out in search of somewhere to buy a towel because you realized as you were getting ready to have a shower that you don’t have one. The same goes for a shower curtain and a plunger!
  • Cleaning supplies – At the very least, when you move in, you’ll want to have a bucket, mop, scrub brush, rubber gloves, cleaning solution, garbage bags, clothes, and paper towels. If you don’t want to deal with a real vacuum right away, Swiffer makes an affordable cordless vacuum that will get you by for the first while.
  • Basic kitchenware – Don’t overthink this one until you settle in and figure out how much you cook, what kind of food you make, etc. A basic set of pots and pans from Target or Walmart is your best friend here. The same goes for utensils and dishes – just get the basics for now. The dollar store is a great place to hit for mixing spoons, measuring cups, flippers, etc. Once you have the basics and an idea of your cooking habits, you can build up your selection of baking dishes, containers, etc. If your new home is tight in space, you can check out some kitchen storage solutions to maximize your space.
  • Small Appliances – To start off with, a microwave and toaster are your go-to appliances. A small toaster oven like this one can be a great alternative to using a full oven when you’re just cooking for yourself, too.
  • Basic toolkit – This is not one you’ll want to wait to get until you need it. Amazon has a selection of basic toolkits that don’t take up much space to store and have the essentials you’ll need.
  • Essential furniture – Furniture is expensive and hard to move, so it’s totally normal to take your time building your home furniture collection. That being said, there are a few items that are good places to start. Your bedroom should be a comfy and relaxing place, and getting a good bed frame and mattress will make a big difference. If you’re in college, a desk and comfy chair to study in are essential. After that, start thinking about your living room furniture. A couch, comfy chair, coffee table, and end tables are all going to make your space feel homey and enjoyable to be in. 
  • Which things can wait? You likely won’t be able to completely furnish your first home right away, and that’s okay! Bigger furniture items like a couch, coffee table, or dining table and chairs can wait until you’ve settled in and have a better idea of how you use your space and what you want to put in it. Same for decor items like area rugs, blankets, pillows, art, etc. You’ll find out what you like and don’t like as you get used to the space. There’s no need to try to create a complete, Martha Stewart-style home right away!

Do’s and Don’ts When Living By Yourself

• Make a grocery list – This might sound like a small thing, but it really is the best way of making sure that you don’t spend $100 on groceries only to get home and realize you didn’t buy anything that actually goes together to create a meal.
• Don’t spend more than you earn – Another tip that sounds like common sense, but it sneaks by many of us until we get into a financial pickle. Know how much you make, how much your essentials are, and track your spending accordingly. 
• Clean as you go – Nothing kills the joy of a Saturday more than having to clean your apartment that looks like a tornado went through it. Having a home cleaning schedule of chores that must be done daily, weekly, and monthly, will ensure that you’re not dreading ‘The Big Clean’ and spending a whole Saturday at home every month.

You’re off to do one of the most exciting and freeing things – live on your own! Follow along with our tips and advice, and always take into account safety measures for moving during COVID-19. Use a move-out checklist to ensure a smooth, fun, and stress-free move.