7 Things You Need to do Before Moving into a New Apartment

Getting ready to move into a new apartment can be really exciting and overwhelming but in the midst of all that excitement, there are some things you absolutely have to do. Here’s a quick checklist to help guide you through the process

1. Save up

Before making such a big step in your life, you need to feel financially comfortable with your decision. Costs add up quickly when moving house and you need to be able to cover them — and all your living expenses for some time after the move — without difficulty in order to avoid financial problems during your relocation and the first several months of your new life.

Before moving into your first apartment, you should have enough money saved up to pay all your moving costs, first three months’ rent (or mortgage) and utility bills, any required security deposits, and your living expenses for a couple of months. You’ll also want to have some money set aside for emergencies as well.

Choose the right location

Before you start shopping around for a suitable apartment to rent or to buy, you need to decide where exactly you want to live. Consider important factors like:

Proximity to your workplace and other places you need to visit on a daily basis;

Transportation options — road infrastructure, traffic patterns, parking issues, availability of public transport, ;

Amenities — local business, grocery stores and shopping centers, bars and restaurants, entertainment and recreational options, etc.;

Landscape features and green areas;

Safety and crime rates.

Inspect potential apartments

When moving into a new apartment, it’s crucial to explore all your options and look at many properties in your preferred neighborhood before making your final decision. When viewing potential apartment, make sure you:

Assess the overall condition of the property — look for signs of water damage (mold patches, musty smells, crumbling paint, dark spots on ceilings and walls, etc.), poor upkeep (broken items, loose windows and doors, rusty metal pieces, leaking faucets, stains on carpeting, etc.), HVAC issues, and other potential problems;

Sort out your belongings and get rid of unneeded items

Once you know what you’re going to need in your new apartment and what you will have enough space for, it’s time to decide what to move to your new place — and what to do with the rest of your stuff.

Go through everything you own and set aside outdated and outgrown items, duplicate items, items you won’t be able to use in your new surroundings, and anything else you no longer need or like. Sell or donate those of your unneeded belongings that are still in good condition and recycle or throw away damaged and worn out items that cannot be used anymore.

Make a detailed inventory of the items you’re going to take to your new apartment — things that you need and things that you love — and start packing them for moving.

Get to know your new area and your new community

One of the most important things to remember when moving into your first apartment is that the sooner you become a part of your new community, the easier it will be to adjust to your new life — and make the most out of it. So, don’t just hide in your new apartment — a whole new world is waiting for you out there:

Explore your new surroundings and get to know your new area;

Meet your new neighbours and do your best to get on friendly terms with them;

Get involved with your new community and become a useful part of it;

Make new friends in your new area;

Enjoy your new life!

The above tips for moving into your first apartment will help you get your new life off to a flying start, but your success won’t be guaranteed unless you steer clear of critical first apartment moving mistakes.