Congratulations, you secured your first place. Whether you’re renting or buying a home, these tips will help you have a seamless transition. Moving of any sort can be stressful and nerve-wracking, but those emotions are heightened even more when you make your first big move.
Navigating the unknown in any situation can be daunting when you don’t know what to expect. But you’re not alone, this guide is here to help you manage every step of planning for your moving day, while helping set your expectations. From setting up your utilities — like water, electricity and internet — and stocking your place with essential items, below are a couple of strategic steps you can take to make your moving process simple and limit the stressors.
Read more: Make Your New Apartment Feel Like Home: Decor Tips and Tricks
Know your new address by heart; saving it to your phone helps
To have a seamless transition, memorizing and locking in a few pieces of vital information, specifically the address of your new place and your move-in date, makes all the difference. When you have this knowledge easily accessible, it’ll save you time and effort when planning the details of your move.
So unless you want to carry around your lease or dig it up each time, be sure to update your devices with the new address and mark your calendar with the move-in date.
Read more: Protecting Your Move: How Moving Insurance Works
Allow AI and apps to help manage your move
Instead of trying to guess or remember where you packed things, apps on your phone, tablet or laptop can help you effortlessly and conveniently track your belongings. Thanks to artificial intelligence, you can use ChatGPT, WeMove, HomeDesignsAI and many others to prompt moving plans, interior design inspiration and much more for your new pad.
The nifty inventory app Sortly lets you create detailed records of your stuff and can print QR codes that link to pictures of what’s in every box. Updater can make changing your address easier, and MagicPlan can help you decorate and design your new space.
Read more: This AI Startup Wants to Be the Kayak.com of Moving
Set up utilities before you move in
About two to three weeks prior to your official move-in date, you’ll want to set up accounts and schedule service for these utilities:
- Water
- Electricity
- Gas
- Internet
Cable or satellite TV is an optional service, but many people are cutting the cord and switching to streaming services or using a dedicated internet device like Roku.
You may be able to find your utility provider in your leasing agreement. If not, ask your landlord. If you decide to go with a different provider, make sure it services your area and is up to par with your community policy.
Your lease should also tell you which, if any, utilities are provided with your rent. Landlords may pay for water service, and some will even include gas and electricity.
Some utility companies may require a deposit to set up your account. Your deposit is usually determined by your credit score. If you can’t afford a deposit, your utility provider may let you make small extra payments each month to establish it.
Read more: Energy-Efficient Renters: Use Less Energy in Your Apartment and Save Money
Consider renting a truck or hiring movers
Whether you decide to use a moving service or coordinate the details and carry everything alone, here’s what you should know.
If there’s not a ton of stuff for you to move, it might be best to ask friends and family for help. With only 10 to 20 boxes, you can probably carpool your things and save money. Anything more than that and you’ll want to look into renting a truck.
Read more: How Big a Moving Truck Do I Need? Get the Right Size Rental Truck
If you decide it’s not worth the hassle to move on your own and feel overwhelmed, hiring professionals is an option as well. However, make sure to ask around and get quotes so that you can choose the most affordable and convenient arrangement.
Moving FAQs
Do I need to change my address?
Yes, when you move, it’s best to forward all your mail to your new address. Feel free to stop by your US Postal Service office to fill out a change-of-address form. You can fill this form out online, but if you have a community mailbox, you will have to go to the local post office anyway to verify your new address and pick up keys.
You’ll also want to change your address with your bank, doctors’ offices and any online retailers you shop with so you don’t accidentally send packages to your old address.
Read more: How (and When) to Change Your Address When You Move
Once you make your move you’ll need to update your driver’s license. Some states require it be done quickly — California has a deadline of 10 days. Check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles soon after your move to avoid being fined.
Do I need renter’s insurance?
Unlike owning a property, renting doesn’t always require insurance, since you don’t own the place. However, you do own all your stuff, and you don’t want to lose it to fire, flooding, theft or other disasters.
While renters’ insurance isn’t mandatory by law, some landlords may require you to have it. This is typically discussed before signing the lease, so you should know in advance. It’s generally cheap — $15 to $20 a month, per Nationwide, and online options like Lemonade have quotes as low as $5 a month. Ultimately, the peace of mind you have knowing that your possessions are covered could be worth it.
Read more: 5 Reasons You Should Get Renters Insurance
What items and tools do I need for a new rental?
The last thing you’ll want to do on moving day is have to go shopping for essentials and tools. Whether you are moving into a new or old unit things happen, so it’s best to have these items beforehand:
- Toilet paper
- Soap
- Paper towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Screwdriver
- Hammer
- Adjustable wrench
How do I meet my neighbors?
If your new place has a community area, use it to meet your neighbors and get a feel for the community. Keep an eye out for events like game nights, visit the pool or volunteer to fully immerse yourself in your new community. As an adult, making friends is not always easy, but here are a few ways to do so when moving to a new place.
Read more: 7 Tricks That Make Gaining New Friends After You Move Easy
Moving to your own place for the first time is something to be excited about and proud of. To ease the stress of it, give these tips and tricks a try. Moving may be much easier than you expect.