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Moving out for the first time can be an emotional rollercoaster, with major highs and lows as you embark on living on your own. It’s all well and good when you’re thinking of having no one around to tell you what to do, but then creeping thoughts like, “When is the rent due?” and “Do those look like termites to you?” can ruin your mood. Moving out of your parent’s house is a major life change, so it’s best to be prepared for it as best you can. Here are the top 10 tips for surviving and thriving in your own living space!
10. Get Your Finances In Order
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While living at home, you probably had some sort of financial safety net. Now that you’re moving out on your own, however, it’s your responsibility to budget wisely, especially if you plan to hire professional movers to help you. Your budget should include not only the moving-out process but necessities like gas money, groceries, and phone bill coverage as well.
9. Get A Steady Job
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Like many other young adults before you, you’ll probably start out your solo adventure in some sort of entry-level position. In most industries, these positions aren’t well-known for their hefty paychecks, assuming you’re being paid at all. Keep in mind, if your current job doesn’t cover rent, it might not be time to flee the nest yet.
8. Make Sure Your Space Is Habitable
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Although you might be tempted to move into the first place available, take the time to make sure that you’re new space is in one piece. A good idea to make sure that your new home is safe to live is by reading the listing carefully and looking for reviews on the building and realtors before settling on a purchase.
7. The Great Roommate Debate
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Moving in with someone is almost always a frugal choice. However, if you’re looking to move out, you might not be looking to jump into another shared living situation. One great option is to team up with a friend instead of hoping for the best on Craigslist, so you know what you’ll be getting yourself into.
6. Location, Location, Location
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Another major decision, similar to the roommate dilemma, is where to actually rent or buy your living space. It should be close enough to your workplace for a manageable commute, but it also should be in a safe area. Making sure that your living space is accessible to public transportation if you’re without a car is another important step.
5. Consider Hiring A Professional
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If the thought of packing up your entire life by yourself is intimidating, consider saving yourself some trouble by hiring professional movers to do it for you. You have enough to worry about with the rest of the small details, so it might be a good idea to invest in a team that will make your moving experience a good one.
4. Create A Chore Schedule
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A great way to keep yourself organized (and your living space clean) is by creating a chore schedule. It can be tempting to let everything get a little loose, especially since you’ll be on your own, but you don’t want a mess to start piling up. If you have a housemate, get them on board so you can both contribute to a clean home.
3. Practice Makes Perfect
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It’s important to practice good habits before you move out, so when the time comes to leave the nest you’ll be ready to do so. Pay close attention to your cleanliness habits, and step them up a notch. Start sticking to a budget now so you can get an accurate picture of your spending habits in the future. Lastly, consider in investing in a good alarm clock. Sorry.
2. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
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Your parents have likely moved out on their own before, so they know what to expect and give you some great advice. Ask them to help you lay out anticipated moving expenses, and to remind you of items that you might forget such as shower curtains.
1. Get The Party Started!
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Nothing says “I’ve moved out” like throwing your own house party! Celebrate this big step in your life by inviting over your closest friends and family. Make sure to provide good music and a refreshment table, and create the guest list ahead of time to avoid leaving anyone out.
Have any other tips for surviving your first time moving out? Tell us what you think in the comment section!
