Moving Out for the First Time List – All That You Should Think About Before Leaving the Nest

No matter your reasons for moving, if you’re trying to find a job after college out of your hometown, or maybe relocating for love, the steps you have to take are the same. Planning and organizing are key for a stress-free move. Follow the steps from our list, avoid some of the most common relocation mistakes people make and have the easiest transition ever.

How to Make Moving Out for the First Time List – Where to Start?

Like in any undertaking, making a financial plan is the first step to take. create an online sheet and write down all your monthly expenditures, just to get a picture of how much money you can put aside and to see if you have enough money to rent an apartment. Once you see how much you spend, you’ll know if you have to find another job and where to cut expenses. On the other hand, if you plan to relocate to another state alone, especially if you are relocating without a job, it would be advisable to get a job in a new city before you move. Either way, a good calculation of your expenditures will help you immensely once you include them in your savings plan.

Create a Budget and Save Some Money

Now that you know how much you spend while living at your parents’ house, you can make your relocation budget and plan where every cent will go. Create a financial plan at least six months before the move, so you can save some money. Here is what you need to put in your budget:

• Renting a home,
• Credit card,
• Car insurance and car payment,
• Utilities,
• Long-distance moving company,
• Buying things for a new place,
• Food and other everyday expenses.

So to get a picture of how to divide your salary monthly, here are the schematics – a third should be for an apartment, a third is for food and living expenses, and a third should go for utilities and other bills. And don’t forget that now you will have responsibilities you never had before, so make sure to stick to this plan once you move in.

Talk With Your Parents and See What They Can Bring to a Table

Create the first-time-moving-out list after you speak with your parents. Talk to them, tell them about your plan and see if they can help you in any way. For example, they will probably have to vouch for you at your landlord for an apartment. Maybe they have some savings on the side, especially for this occasion. Also, you can probably take a lot of their old furniture and other things. Double-check before you start making your new apartment checklist to see how they can contribute. Maybe they planned to donate old furniture and to buy more modern pieces. If you take their used furniture, you’ll save a lot of money.

Figure Out What Essentials You Will Need for Your Future Space

To complete your budget and figure out how much money you have to save, you will need to create a list of what you need to buy for your place. By now you should have some idea if your parents will contribute with some items so put them on a list and mark them as “equipped” or something similar. Go through your room and label each item you plan to bring with you. If the mattress and your bed are in good condition, mark them, and do the same for the desk.

Simultaneously, start making a checklist of all the things you need for a first apartment and create a plan of what you’ll buy first and what later on. Here are some of the items to think about:

• Couch or sofa,
• Chairs,
• TV,
• Desk,
• Bed and mattress,
• Dining table,
• Lamps,
• Nightstands,
• Vacuum cleaner,
• Coffee maker,
• Microwave and other appliances.

Make a Checklist of Essentials You Will Need Right Away

Aside from items you will pack in the truck, there are some relocation essentials that you need to have with you on the big day. Because there is a possibility that your stuff will arrive after you, you’ll need some stuff to settle in before your movers arrive. On the other hand, if you want to avoid looking for stuff through your boxes, pack some essentials to use for a couple of days until you’re unpacked. Here are some of the items you should think about:

• Pillows and bedding,
• Blankets,
• Light bulbs,
• Tools,
• Cleaning supplies,
• Clothing for a couple of days,
• Laptop and phone,
• Chargers,
• Important documents,
• Wifi router and cables,
• Some plates and mugs from your moms,
• Coffee and water,
• Snacks,
• Hygiene products and other bathroom items,
• Bucket and mop.

Don’t Forget About Your Kitchen Necessities

Once you settle in, you will soon realize that you’re missing a lot of kitchen items you always had at your parents’ house but didn’t think about during your shopping. Things like spaghetti strainer or wine opener are just some of those items. So if your budget allows it, create a list of items every kitchen must have. And of course, buy only those you think are necessary for you at this moment:

• Dishes,
• Pots and pans,
• Mugs,
• Spoons and forks,
• Bowls,
• Scoop,
• Ladle,
• Cutting board,
• Garbage can and bags,
• Knives,
• Salt shaker,
• Spices,
• Sponges,
• Dishwasher detergent.

Next Thing – Find a Place to Live

Scouting for a flat when relocating to another state can be tricky, and this process will last at least one month. One of the best tips for relocating out of state is to go to your city of choice and stay there for a couple of days, maybe weeks. This way, you will feel the city vibe, see how expensive living there is, and maybe even find a job (or at least get some idea where to apply.) And most importantly, you will find a place to live and see it in person before signing a lease.

Check Housing Options and Pick the Right Neighborhood

On the other hand, if you don’t have money and when to go to your city of choice, you can do a lot of research online. Numerous websites can help you find the best neighborhood and see the cost of living in that city. Go online and visit Niche, for example. On this website, you can see neighborhood rates in every city in America. Go through people’s reviews and see what they think about the neighborhood that caught your eye. On the other hand, for the cost of living data, the best website is Numbeo, which you can use when making a financial plan. And last but not least, you can search for apartments online through a couple of websites:

• Craigslist,
• Apartments,
• Zillow,
• For Rent,
• Homes.

Decide Will You Live Alone in Your New Home or With Roommate

Depending on your budget, city of choice, the neighborhood you pick, and the real estate market, you will have to decide if you want to live alone or find a roommate. If you want to live downtown in a major city, your rent will probably be higher than average. There are numerous websites where you can find someone in the same position as you. Just sign in and   start your search in advance.

And here are more tips on apartment hunting.

Move With the Best Cross-Country Moving Services

Once you’re done making a list for moving out for the first time, it’s the right moment to take action. Search online for “long-distance movers near me” and ask for a free quote from at least three companies. Do this before you start saving money, so you know approximately how much long-distance moving services cost, and who knows, you may save enough money to hire them for storage units and packing service and move without a single blister. If you have a plan to drive to your destination, think twice before doing so. You may think driving is one of the cheapest ways to move out of state, but in the end, it can cost you more than hiring an auto shipping service.

Pack Lightly and Take Only What You Need When Long-Distance Moving

If you hire movers for packing service, you will get free of charge high-quality packing materials, so consider this fact when making a budget. But no matter if you plan to do it yourself or with the help of professionals, you can still implement some packing tips and have the most efficient move ever. If possible, pack everything in medium size boxes since they are easier to carry.

When packing books and other heavy stuff, do not fill the box all the way. Put it on the ground, and try to lift it – if it is difficult for you, it will be hard for movers too. Put some cushioning on the bottom of your box and between each layer of stuff when packing fragile items, and wrap each piece individually in some bubble wrap or packing paper.

Now Is Time to Furnish the House as You Wish

Once you’re all settled in, it’s a moment to go through your list again and see what else you have to buy. Aside from essential items you already have, you will probably get some things from friends and family. Create a plan according to your salary and buy things at your own pace. So if right now you don’t have money for a dresser, leave it until you do. Buy only items you can not function without, like hairdryers and microwaves.

It’s Time for Shopping

Also, don’t hesitate to buy some things that will make you feel more comfortable. If a library is something you think is crucial to buy before the dining table, go for it. Indulge yourself and decorate your place the way you always wanted. Buy some plants or pictures and arrange your flat cozy and a real home. This way, your depression after relocating will be much easier to overcome.

Take a Deep Breath and Enjoy Your New Life

Once you decided on where to live and actually moved there, it’s time to learn to live on your own. Many responsibilities will now be on your shoulders, but if you calculate everything and make a plan, it will be easily manageable. The best advice is to pay all once you get a salary and see what’s left. With the rest of the salary, you will have to get through the month. Still, once you know that all the obligations are covered, you will enjoy the rest of your earnings without guilt.