Most Important Things to Consider Moving into Your First Apartment

 Most Important Things to Consider Moving into Your First Apartment

Are you going to move into your new apartment? Then you must be excited and happy about your new beginnings. You are free to decorate and design your new apartment according to your choice, but it will bring you a lot of responsibilities and challenges as well. Searching for different apartments and then selecting one itself is a tiring thing, and on top of that decorating and arranging everything in it is not an easy task.

To be successful in this big and exciting adventure, you have to be aware of all the related responsibilities and challenges and should have enough information to tackle any problems if they arise. In short, you need to know what to do and what not to do while moving into your first apartment.

Here is a detailed list of dos and don’ts when moving into your first apartment which will help you to simplify your move and make your new place sweet and well-decorated.

Things to Do When Moving into Your First Apartment

1. Save Up

Let’s start with money! Cash at your hand will tell you what you can do and can’t do. Before stepping into a big deal of moving into a new apartment, you have to be financially stable because some of the costs might add up very quickly and you need to (or should be) or should be able to cover them without adding the burden of loans. To avoid any problems, try to estimate everything, it will help you to manage all the costs and expenses that you are going to pay when you move into your new apartment.

2. Make a Budget and Stick to it

Budgeting is very important while moving into a new apartment. It will keep you on track and will give you a baseline of what you can afford. Here are some tips of what you should include in your budget;

• Estimate all your moving costs keeping distance in your mind
• Estimate all your necessities and buy only what you need like furniture, bathroom essentials, cleaning supplies, pantry items, etc.
• Estimate all the monthly living expenses which you are going to pay when you move into your new apartment like first two to three months’ rent or mortgage expenses (it should not exceed 30% of your disposable income), utility bills, eating expenses for at least three months, any security deposits, internet bills, etc.
• Set aside a small emergency fund that you can use in case of any urgency

When you make a detailed budget, try to stick to that budget, don’t include extra things which you don’t need right now, just to be on the safer side.

3. Choose the Right Location

Everyone wants to live someplace cool, but also within their budget limit. To live in the best possible places, you have to be willing to make some sacrifices whether it’s a primo address or high cost. Conduct a detailed research for all the best options which you can take and compare them with one another to select the best and affordable location. Above all, make sure it’s safe for you to live in. Consider factors while choosing a location like;

• Transportation options i.e. road infrastructure, public transport availability, traffic patterns, etc.
• Amenities i.e. restaurants, salons, parks, grocery stores, educational institutions, etc.
• Safety and crime rates

4. Inspect Potential Apartments

Just like choosing the best location,explore all your potential apartments where you can live before selecting the final one. When you look at your potential apartments, make sure to assess the overall condition of the property, check pest infestation, building’s security issues, etc.

5. Be Careful with the Lease Agreement

Once you have selected your desired apartment, it’s time to sign the lease agreement. Before signing the documents, read all the terms and conditions and make sure you fully understand them to avoid any problems in the future.

6. Know the Rules

You should try to learn any laws and regulations your new place may have. The most important will be security and safety regulations, cleaning requirements, etc., and be sure to observe them to avoid any problems in the future.

7. Pack Items Safely

Packing all the items safely is very crucial while moving. Instead of getting damaged items, try to get them pack with appropriate packing supplies and label them.  

8. Make Your New Apartment’s Layout

Before bringing all the items to your new place, you need to know your apartment’s layout. The first thing to do is take all the measurements of your new apartment’s door and windows and other areas where you want to put furniture and other appliances. For this purpose, a detailed floor plan can help you to make the best decisions and create an elegant interior design for your apartment.

9. Sell or Donate Your Unneeded Items

It’s time to know what you need in your new apartment and what you don’t want to move there. Check all of the items you own and set aside all those items which are duplicated, outdated, or anything which you don’t need anymore. Donate or sell all the unneeded items that are still in good condition and recycle damaged items that cannot be used anymore.

10. Hire a Professional Moving Company

Moving into a new apartment is a very big step and takes a lot of time and energy. If you don’t have enough time, don’t worry, you can hire professionals to pack and move your items. They will do all the hard work of packing and moving and you can get some time to take care of other aspects.

11. Make Reservations

There are a lot of things to do while moving into a new apartment, therefore, try to save time where you can. Make all the necessary reservations like reserve parking space, freight elevators if necessary to move heavy items, etc. It will save you a lot of time and energy. 

12. Coordinate Deliveries

In case youneed to buy new furniture or other appliances, try to arrange them delivered at the time of moving in. That way, you will have all the items at the same time and can organize them in a better way.  

13. Get Everything Ready and Cleaned Before Moving

Oneof the important steps is to ensure that your new place is ready to live in. For this, consider the following aspects;

• Do any necessary repairs and renovations to make your new living place more enjoyable and beautiful
• Arrange all the essential utilities to avoid any difficulty
• Do a thorough cleaning by yourself or hire a professional home cleaning services to make a healthier living space

14. Make Your Apartment Feel Like Home

To make your new apartment feel like home, try to add a lot of plants, colorful curtains, artistic rugs, cozy pillows, etc. It is your heaven and will reflect your personality, so try to make it more comfortable for yourself.  

15. Get to Know Your New Area

When you move into your new apartment, don’t hide there, a whole new world is waiting for you. Explore your new area, meet your neighbors, and enjoy your life.

Things Not to Do When Moving into Your First Apartment

1. Don’t Splurge After the Move

Try not to splurge on unnecessary items when moving. You need to assess your finances and then arrange things according to your priorities. Don’t rush to buy everything and end up having loans and financial instability.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Moving into a new house is a big challenge. Don’t try to do all the things by yourself, ask for help from your family and friends to do things in a better and smooth way.

3. Don’t Forget to Inspect the Apartment Carefully

Before moving, make sure everything is in proper condition. Don’t forget to inspect all the lights, switches, water systems, ceilings, showers, cabinets, etc.

4. Don’t be a Bad Neighbor

Don’t hide at your apartment, try to meet your neighbors and make friends. There may come a time when you need their help.

5. Don’t Forget the Basics

Make a detailed list of all the essential items and don’t forget to add the basic items you cannot live without, but don’t include those items which are not so essentials for you at the time of moving, just to avoid extra expenses.