A first move can be exciting and thrilling, but it doesn’t come without challenges. There are a lot of things to consider and do before you move and settle into your new home. For all relocation newbies, we prepared a complete moving out for the first time list – all you have to do is follow it to achieve complete success.
The First Item on Every Moving Out for the First Time List Is Researching Your Future Location
You want to make sure you’re relocating to a place you’ll be happy with. That is why you should find an area that has everything you need and want. Not giving enough thought to where your new house will be located is likely one of the most severe relocation mistakes you can make. Remember – there is nothing worse than relocating to a new city that doesn’t suit your ideal way of life.
You should also learn more about different neighborhoods, especially if you’re relocating to a big city. Here are some things to consider when you’re researching locations the most suitable destinations:
- Job opportunities – to support yourself financially, you should find a place that will provide you with plenty of job possibilities,
- The commute – if you’re going to be working, you need to consider how long it will take you to get to and from work,
- The amenities – if you want to be close to shopping, restaurants, and other conveniences, you should look for the areas that have them,
- The crime rate – knowing this will secure your safety and peace of mind,
- The cost of living – you need to ensure you can afford the area you’re considering. Use websites such as Numbeo to look at the cost of housing, food, transportation, and other expenses.
Think About Housing Options You’ll Have After You Leave Your Old Place
After you decide to move out of your parents’ home, it’s important to start thinking about what type of housing you want to live in next. One option, most common with younger generations, is to rent an apartment or house. This can be a great solution if you’re looking for a place that’s already furnished and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. It’s also usually more affordable than buying a home.
Another option is to buy a house or condo. This is a good choice if you’re planning on staying in one place for a while and want to build equity – but it brings a lot higher expenses. Additionally, if the cost of living in your future city is pretty high, you can look for a roommate to help you reduce expenses such as rent, utilities, or groceries.
If you’re relocating to college, on the other hand, you’ll need to think about whether you want to live in a college dorm or off-campus. Each has its own set of benefits and downsides. For example, college dorms are closer to campus and classes and are generally more affordable. On the other hand, off-campus housing provides greater independence and privacy, and more space but is typically more expensive than dorms.
Create Moving Out on Your Own for the First Time Budget and Stick To It
The first step in making a relocation budget is to gather all information about the cost of interstate relocation. You can choose to rent a truck and move by yourself, or get long-distance moving services and let professionals help you move efficiently. Still, note that travel and housing costs, as well as the cost of essentials like food, transportation, and utilities, should be calculated in this budget.
Another important thing to keep in mind when creating a relocation budget is to leave some room for unexpected expenses. This can include things like last-minute travel costs or unforeseen repairs. By budgeting for these potential expenses, you can help ensure your move goes smoothly and avoid any financial surprises along the way.
Once you have considered all the costs associated with your move, you can start creating a budget. There are a few different ways to do this, but one common method is to create a spreadsheet with all of the expected expenses listed. This can help you track your progress and ensure that you stay on budget.
Can You Move Cross-Country on a Low Budget?
Moving state-to-state isn’t cheap, but there are ways to reduce interstate moving costs if your funds are limited. For starters, when planning what to keep when relocating, make sure you bring only the items you need or use – the less stuff you bring, the less money you’ll spend on the move. You can have a garage sale, post them online or donate them to charity.
You can also check Craigslist, Freecycle, or your local grocery store for free boxes or ask your friends and family if they have any to spare. Additionally, when the time to pack comes, consider doing it yourself or getting partial packing services.
In the end, plan a move to another city during the off-season – avoid relocating in the summer. That is the time when movers have the most work, and higher demand affects higher prices.
Make a Timetable for All the Relocation Tasks
Making a schedule is an excellent way to ensure that your move goes as smoothly as possible. By planning ahead and determining the right time for each task, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. If you don’t have a last-minute move, ensure you start relocation day preparations around eight weeks in advance.
Since you’ll be leaving the parents’ house, you won’t have to deal with canceling utilities, draining the appliances, or going through a move-out cleaning. Still, you’ll have to choose a suitable relocation company, plan on changing the address, notify others about the move, schedule a trip, and pack.
Moving state to state can be a challenging and hectic process, especially if this is your first attempt to relocate to a new state. However, creating a to-do list of tasks that need to be completed and setting their deadlines will ensure that everything gets done in a timely and efficient manner.
Don’t Forget About the List of Things to Do After the Move-in Day
The first few days in your new home are bound to be hectic. There’s a lot to do, and it may seem like you’re never going to get everything done. However, all you have to do is stay organized, and all of the relocation-related tasks will soon be completed.
Unpacking after relocation, decorating, organizing closets, and cleaning your new place are all things you probably already count on. However, don’t forget to change your locks and set the utilities as soon as possible. Additionally, remember to make meeting neighbors and exploring new neighborhoods a part of this list.
Create a Checklist for Items You’re Going to Pack or Buy for the First Apartment
You will undoubtedly require a few things to make this new place livable. Count on taking several trips from the apartment to different retailers to complete everything on your checklist. You can do it even before the relocation, but keep in mind that more items increase the price of the move.
On the other hand, you can ask your parents to bring some of the essentials from your home, and avoid spending time and money on finding them.
Here are some of the relocation essentials you’ll need for your new home:
- Kitchen items – pots and pans, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, can opener, dish towels, dish soap, paper towels, trash bags, small appliances,
- Bathroom items – toilet paper, shampoo, soap, towels, washcloth, laundry basket,
- Bedroom items – bed, bedding (sheets and blankets), pillows, dresser, nightstand,
- Living room items – couch, coffee table, end table, lamps, television,
- Cleaning supplies – vacuum cleaner, broom, dustpan, mop,
- Miscellaneous – tools, iron and ironing board, hangers, power strips, extension cords, and the like.
Get as Much Help as You Can
There’s no shame in admitting that you need help with seemingly countless relocation tasks. In fact, it’s actually quite smart to enlist the assistance of friends, family, and even professional movers. After all, there’s a lot to do when organizing a move, and it can be tough to get everything done on your own. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your loved ones will likely be more than happy to pitch in. You can even throw a packing party, have fun, and spend more time with your friends and family while crossing this task off your list.
Hire State-To-State Movers and Move Worry-Free
When you’re planning a long-distance move, there’s a lot to think about and plan, so everything goes smoothly. However, one of the best ways to make sure your long-distance move goes without any problems is to hire movers. Skilled and experienced professionals can take care of logistics, heavy lifting, and other hard tasks while you can focus on a big change ahead of you.
Practice Being Self-Reliant
Being independent is the ability to provide for oneself without depending on others. It is a key principle of self-sufficiency and is often considered an important virtue. Self-reliance can apply to many different areas of life, from providing for one’s own needs to being financially independent. When you’re relocating to a new city alone, one of the most exciting and scariest things is having to rely only on yourself.
However, in order to reduce the anxiety about the relocation and avoid bigger problems after the move, you can practice being independent even before relocation day comes. Here is how to do it:
Learn proper ways of budgeting
For a few months, keep track of everything you spend money on. This will give you a good idea of where your money goes each month and where you may be able to cut back. It is also a good idea to set limits for yourself and include savings in your budget. Of course, your income and spending patterns may change over time, so it’s important to review your budget regularly.
Do your own chores
Set aside a bit of time each day to get things done, and you’ll soon find that your home (or room) is much more orderly and clean. Of course, some chores are more difficult than others, so you may want to start with the easier tasks first. Dusting, vacuuming, and taking out the trash are all fairly simple to do, and they can make a big difference in the appearance of your home. Once you’ve got the hang of those, you can move on to more challenging chores like ironing, doing laundry, or scrubbing toilets. Remember – once you move, these chores will all be your responsibilities.
Learn how to do basic repairs around the house
Basic repairs can include anything from changing a light bulb to fixing a leak. Knowing how to do these types of repairs can help you avoid having to call in a professional, which can be costly. Still, always use caution when working with tools and materials, and be sure to follow all safety instructions.
Take care of your own health
If you’re feeling ill and think you need to see a doctor, make your own appointments. It may sound odd, but you’d be amazed at how many people rely on their parents for this. Additionally, you can start exploring health insurance options in another state, as well as best-reviewed hospitals and doctors, so that you can be prepared in the case of an emergency.
Know how to do taxes
For some people, doing their taxes is relatively simple and straightforward. For others, however, it can be quite complicated and time-consuming. Whichever is your case, let your parents explain them to you before leaving the old home.
Prepare Emotionally for Moving Interstate
Planning a long-distance move is an emotionally demanding process. In addition to the logistical challenges of packing up your life and starting over in a new place, you have to say goodbye to the people and places you love. It’s normal to feel sad, anxious, and even scared about leaving everything familiar behind. However, focusing on relocation benefits and sharing your feelings with your loved ones can help positive emotions to prevail.
If you need some tips on how to live on your own (and love it), take a look at the video below:
Once You’ve Made It, Take Pride in Your Success
You have your checklist for your first move out, and you’re officially relocating to start something new and exciting. However, after the move, the first thing you need to do is take a deep breath and give yourself a pat on the back. Relocating far away from your loved ones and living on your own is a hard step to take, but it is one that will bring you plenty of benefits. Therefore, take a moment to be proud of yourself and everything you’ve achieved.
