Moving Out for The First Time Checklist

02.03.2023

Moving somewhere for the very first time is always exciting. Probably even more exciting than the first date, the first kiss, and the first visit to the dentist. Such an important event should be approached with all seriousness and prepared carefully. How to prepare for all this - and will be discussed in this article.

Mental preparation

This thing comes first but does not apply directly to preparations. Do not treat the move as an inevitable event. Treat the move as a new chapter in your life. A new chapter in life means new opportunities and new acquaintances. Perhaps it is in this new chapter of your life that you will be able to make your dreams come true. And if you still can’t get rid of obsessive thoughts - just don’t think about it! No matter how obvious it may sound. Get ready to move and once you realize how much work you have in front of you, you simply won't have time to think about anything else. But moving into the first home checklist will help you!

Make a checklist

Doing something can be easier if you know exactly what you need to do. The easiest way is to do everything according to the list. What should be included in this list? Everything you read next. It will also be useful to add to this list exactly what you consider necessary. The more detailed and complete the list you make, the easier it will be for you.

Calculate your budget

Perhaps this is the most important thing. The very first point of preparation. Make a checklist of what you have and what you might need. How much money do you need to rent a new home? Or maybe you are planning to buy it? This should be the first point.

Next - the expenses associated directly with the move and hiring a company that will help with this (more on this later in the article). Be sure to calculate the budget on which you can live for the first 2 months, even if a new job in a new place is already waiting for you. Separately calculate the money for the very first needs - food, household chemicals, hygiene products, and all other things you need for your first apartment. You’re planning to have dinner after you arrive, right? So it won’t hurt to make a short grocery list for the first apartment. 

It's time for revision

Tell yourself honestly, how long have you not looked into that huge closet? So, it's time to get absolutely everything out of it! And not only from it but from all cabinets, bedside tables, and other places for storing your things. Moving to a new home is a new page in your life, new opportunities, and new acquaintances! Don't take all those old things into your new life.

What to do with all those things you might not need? There are three possible solutions:

1. 1. Throw it out. Some things are just not worth saving. Be honest with yourself - something will have to be thrown out.




2. 2. Sell it. Some things are in good condition, but you don't want to take them with you. The easiest way is to sell them. And the fastest way is on the Internet. See how others are selling similar products, take high-quality photos, come up with a more interesting description, and set an average market price. If you need to sell something urgently, then the price can be set lower.




3. 3. Give it to charity. If you want to make your karma better, then donating unnecessary things to charity is the very thing!

To make it all easier, make lists of what you need, what to throw away, and what to sell or give away.

Hire professionals

Your move largely depends on which company you choose. Therefore, this issue should be given great attention. To get started, find the entire list of companies that provide services in your area. First of all, pay attention to the reputation of the company. Reputation will tell you if this company has lied to someone, if something bad happened to the things of clients during the move, and so on.

Next, look at what services you will be offered. It may be obvious, but not all companies offer the same services. When choosing, pay attention to the services of packing things and unpacking them in a new place, delivering furniture to the apartment right where you want, and so on. All this must be thought out in advance.

After that comes the conclusion of the contract. Read everything carefully! Pay special attention to what guarantees are provided to you in case something goes wrong and some of your things are lost or broken.

Choose the company that will meet all these quality criteria. As well as those that you can think of yourself. For example, Finch Moving Services is ready to offer you a full range of moving services, guarantees, and a flawless reputation. And also, for example, temporary storage services for your belongings and so on.

Prepare your new home

Before you move to a new apartment or house, you should prepare for it. First of all, decide whether you will transport old furniture with you, or buy new one. If you plan to take old furniture with you, then you need to measure all the furniture and think about where it will stand in the new apartment.

Or maybe new furniture just physically won't fit through the doorways of your new home? Where will you place it? Perhaps your furniture can be disassembled for easier transportation? In this case, you should agree to assemble it later. It's better to pay a little extra for furniture assembly than to sleep on the floor, isn't it? Also, think of essentials for your first apartment.

If you have a car, you should think about where you need to park it. Where is the nearest grocery store? Where is the nearest hospital? Perhaps you are used to going to the sauna, gym or cinema? In this case, you should study where all these and other places you need are located. Just think about what things, in general, you need for your first apartment.

Transporting your little friends

Do you have a beloved dog or cat? Or both, and even a parrot? As a separate item, discuss with the company the possibility of transporting your pets. If you have them of course. It would also be useful to discuss the future move with the veterinarian, perhaps your pet should be given a pill so that it sleeps peacefully all the time during the move.

Don't Forget the most valuable things

Cash, credit cards, documents, jewelry - all this must be packed by yourself. Where is the best place to put it all? Do as you see fit. The most reliable option is to pack everything in one bag that you will always have in your hands. Also, do not forget to buy snacks for the trip, this is also extremely important!

Resolve all financial issues

Before you move into a new house, you should resolve all your financial issues with the old one. If you are renting a property, discuss all issues with your landlord. All housing bills must also be paid. Perhaps you owe something to someone else? Like the shop around the corner? Or maybe you forgot to return books to your local library? Don't carry old debts into the new chapter of your life. 

What to do with your old home

If you are renting an apartment, then this issue does not apply to you - your landlord will decide this himself. But if the house or apartment belongs to you, you need to think about it. There are three most common options:

1. 1. Sell it. If you need a lot of money and you need all this money at once, the easiest way is to sell your home.




2. 2. Rent out. This option is for people with some patience. You will get less, but for longer - and over time, you can earn even more than if you just sold your home.




3. 3. Leave it for yourself. Perhaps you are still unsure about your move? Perhaps you need a place to return to? This of course will not bring you any profit but will serve as a kind of safety cushion.

Moving is a complex and quite stressful process. It is quite difficult to do everything quickly and smoothly. But by making a detailed plan and thinking through everything in advance, you will greatly facilitate your work. Do not forget the main thing - the more detailed the plan, the easier everything will go. Don’t forget to make a special checklist for the first apartment essentials.