Blog April 7, 2022

Important Things to Know When Moving From Apartment To House

Posted in Moving 101
Eva Johnson

Digital nomad born in New York but currently living online, Eva knows everything there is to know about packing and moving.

Moving from an apartment to a house can be a huge undertaking. There are so many things to think about – from getting your belongings packed and transported to finding a place to live. It can be a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it in the end.

Advantages of Moving From Apartment To House

The answer to the question “Should I move from an apartment to a house” ultimately depends on you. While there are practical advantages and disadvantages to this, it all boils down to whether you’re ready to give up the building life for the suburban life. Perhaps you’re relocating as part of a relationship and want to  make room for yourself and your partner. Perhaps you’ve made a last-minute decision to relocate somewhere with more peace and quiet.

Whatever your motivation for relocation, the transition from a complex to a single-family estate might be intimidating at first. You can practice music and sing aloud without being interrupted by people banging on walls and doors. You may even turn your garage into a full-fledged gym with all of your fitness equipment.

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Having More Space Is The Best Perk

We all know that buildings can offer large apartments with plenty of space, but how frequently can you afford one? To compensate for the lack of square footage, most buildings provide shared amenities. Let’s say you live in a high-rise and you and your neighbors all use the gym or another amenity provided by the building. You have to schedule it around everyone else’s calendar, which is a pain.

While a suburban home won’t give you a spectacular perspective of the city like a high rise, it will allow you enough space to build your own private at-home comforts, so you won’t have to get rid of your items. Having children is another reason why moving into a house is preferable. There’s always the worry that they’ll wander off and fall; there’s not much room for their toys and other playthings. You’ll see that you made the right decision once you start packing toys for transfer.

room with plenty of space
You can make the place fit your lifestyle and needs.

Challenges of Switching From an Apartment to a House

One of the biggest challenges of relocation in general is packing everything up properly. You need to make sure that everything is packed securely and that you have enough boxes and packing material. If you’re not careful, you could easily end up with broken dishes or damaged furniture.

Another challenge is finding a place to live. Depending on your situation, you may need to look for a place that’s in the same area or in a different city. You also need to find a place that’s in your budget and meets your needs.

Regardless of the challenges involved, moving from an apartment to a house is definitely worth it. You get more space, more privacy, and a fresh start in a new home. So if you’re thinking about making the move, go for it! You won’t regret it.

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Having Utilities in Your Name Comes with a Lot of Responsibilities

The answer to the question “How is living in apartments better than living in houses?” is utilities. They’re lower in flats, and if you’re renting, your landlord usually takes care of them. When you move into your own place, you must apply for a new address and have utilities in your name. These are just a few of the responsibilities that come with owning a property.

Expect To Do More Work Than Usual

Consider what you should do initially when you move into a new home, even before unpacking and arranging all of your belongings. If you haven’t already, you’ll have to get used to doing a lot more cleaning and maintenance than you have in the past. Because houses are often larger than apartments, there is more room to clean and jobs to complete. This may appear to be a disadvantage at first, but you will grow accustomed to it.

There’s also lawn and yard maintenance, as well as pool and patio cleaning if you have them. Maintaining your own home is no easy task, but with a little forethought and organization, it will be a little price to pay for the independence you will gain over time.

couple preparing and adjusting to new place
You will spend time adjusting and setting up, but it will be worth it.

Reasons for Switching Your Home

Increased safety features are one of the reasons why most people prefer to live in a multi-unit building. Many buildings are equipped with security cameras, restricted access, and additional fire protection, and some are even located in gated communities. Your neighbor is directly behind the door next to yours, so if something happens, he can hear it and assist you. Even though you live close to your neighbors, you’ll never have to deal with someone peering through your window because you live in a high-rise where sneaking and peeking is impossible.

However, houses are not for you if you don’t have time to take care of all yard work, repairs, and preventative maintenance.  Additionally, if you’re used to a certain lifestyle, fitness centers, swimming pools, boutiques, pet spas, and underground heated parking are available in many residential complexes. Yes, these elements can be built into houses, but the cost might be very high.

woman thinking about her decision to move
Make sure you consider your decision before your relocation

Buying Items for Your House

When moving to a new house, you’ll almost certainly need to add some important items and furniture pieces, especially if you’re moving from a small apartment to a large house . You do not, however, have to complete everything at once. Keep in mind the essentials in the beginning, and keep in mind that not all of the furnishings from your prior residence will fit in your home. Here’s a rundown of the essential furniture you might need:

  • Living room – sofa, possibly some armchairs, a coffee table, a television stand, and shelves if you have a lot of books and souvenirs to display.
  • Bedrooms – bed and nightstands, a closet, and a vanity with a chair from the master bedroom and any beds, desks, wardrobes, and storage bins from children’s rooms.
  • Bathroom – in addition to the standard sanitary essentials such as a basin, shower cabin, or tub, you’ll need shelves and a mirror.
  • Kitchen – stove and oven, refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, dish rack, and microwave oven The kitchen isle isn’t necessary at first, but it could come in helpful later.
  • Dining room – table and chairs are required in the dining room. A cabinet is a nice addition.
  • Garage – You don’t have to have much in the garage, but a few shelves might be useful for storing tools and extra items, especially if you don’t have a shed.
  • Yard – although yard furniture is not required, having a table and chairs to relax in your lawn after a long day may be beneficial.
  • Shed – a wise investment that allows you to properly store and arrange all of your gardening and maintenance supplies in one location.

Choose a Neighborhood That Reflects Your Way Of Life

The first thing on the list of what to do before moving into a new house is searching for and selecting a desirable neighborhood, researching it, reading reviews and opinions from its occupants, and then going residence hunting and paying a visit. If every aspect checks all of your boxes, you’re ready to move out and begin learning how to acclimate to a new city. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, keep looking. Choosing means looking for a place to live where you can be yourself. If you’re outgoing, look for a region with plenty of opportunities to meet new people; if you prefer outdoor activities, look for parks and recreational facilities, and so on.

Nice and quiet neighborhood for a family
Choose the most suitable neighborhoo when moving interstate

Consider Hiring Professionals for Assistance for a Stres-Free Relocation

Costs of professional moving services depend on many factors, but the size and the distance of your move are the most important ones. The best state to state movers can offer you a free quote – an estimate of the final price, so you won’t be surprised at the end. This should also be included in your financial plan.

If you have some valuables and they get damaged, the emotional loss might feel bigger than the financial one. It is better to try changing the dates of your move – for example, prices of professional services are usually lower during the winter.

Organize Important Documents and Change Your Address

Another essential thing many people forget about is changing their address before they move and organizing important documents. It is vital to do this before the move – only that way, you will keep every important file by your side and avoid taking tons of unnecessary papers with you. Changing your address will help you stop getting mail from previous residents, and you will also avoid paying other people’s utilities.

Avoid Potential Scams

Unfortunately, in the era when people move often, scams are becoming more dangerous than ever. That’s why you have to learn how to discover them on time and protect yourself as well as your belongings. You have to check if the crew you are hiring has:

  • MC license and DOT number,
  • Legal contracts,
  • Professional team and equipment,
  • Professional website,
  • Reliable reviews.

If the company you plan on hiring lacks some of the mentioned things, you are a potential victim of fraud, so do not let yourself get dragged into this. This relocation mistake might lead you to lose all of your stuff and go through a lot of relocation stress and unexpected expenses.

When You Finally Get to Your New Home – Remember to Clean It First

What is the first thing to do when moving into a house? It’s cleaning. You’ll leave your old home after a move-out cleaning and enter the new one with cleaning as well. Be extra careful when it comes to the bathroom and kitchen. Once everything is sparkling clean, begin the unpacking process by sorting boxes in the right rooms. You can only unpack some of the tools if you need them for assembling furniture. The first thing you should unpack is the box with essentials, some toiletries, dishes, bedroom sheets, and clean towels.

Person worried about the upcoming interstate moving
Instead of handling everything on your own hire the best movers

Should You Move into a House or Stay in Your Apartment?

This question does not have a one-size-fits-all response. As you can see, your own feelings regarding your potential living space are a crucial factor, in addition to money. It’s important to analyze all factors and weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

But is living in an apartment better than a house? If you want a better, more modern home with more space in a safer, greener neighborhood, property ownership may be your best option. Moving from an apartment to a house is also a great step for you and your family if you’re tired of paying rent and want your own outdoor space to entertain guests.

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