Moving to your first apartment is a grand adventure. Maybe you’ve just left your parent's house for the first time and moved to the big city, or maybe you’re moving from the countryside to the city as a family, no matter the reason, good luck on your adventure. Apartments have their pros and cons, but like anywhere can be tailored to fit your needs.
Apartment Madness: How to Plan it Out and How to Move Smartly
If you’re moving into your first apartment, this is the guide for you. From the major items needed to purchase and up to the tips and tricks, here is iMoving’s apartment guide.
Apartment Pros
- Apartment living usually involves less maintenance compared to owning a house. Property managers are responsible for repairs and maintenance upkeep, and sometimes even kitchen appliance maintenance. This is a huge reason many choose to live in apartments to avoid the headache.
- Many complexes offer amenities such as pools, gyms, community playrooms, and sometimes even laundry.
- Renting an apartment is more affordable than owning a house. Rent payments also include utilities and amenities, which makes things simpler.
- You can sign for different amounts of time if you don’t want to be tied down.
- Apartment complexes help forge a sense of community.
- Security features such as controlled access systems, security cameras, and door guards are a huge reason to go for apartment living.
Apartment Cons
- You may hear noise from adjacent units or have limited outdoor space for personal use and feel like you lack some privacy.
- Rent prices can increase over time making it challenging to budget for long-term costs.
- Apartments are usually more cramped and generally offer less living space compared to houses. This is usually a make-it-or-break-it point.
- Apartment living can be noisy since you will have neighbors in close proximity. Make friends with your neighbors and be considerate of each other.
- You have limited control over the space compared to if you move to a private house, there are usually rules and restrictions set by the property management company, such as laws about decor, pet ownership, or noise levels after certain hours.
- Landlords might prohibit making customizations such as painting, installing fixtures, or making true structural changes.
Apartment Items Checklist
With this comprehensive list at your fingertips, you’ll be sure to have everything you need for your first new apartment. Get excited, because we’re going shopping baby!
Bedroom Items
Your bedroom is your throne! Make it fully your holy space to get a good night’s sleep. The more comfortable your bedroom is, the better you will sleep. Try not to keep it cluttered so that this can truly be your space to wind down.
- Mattress
- Bed,
- Dresser
- Nightstand
- Multiple sheet sets
- Comforter or blanket
- Mattress topper
- Pillows galore
- Window curtains
- Clothes hangers/coat hangers
- Closet
- Bed frame
- Desk
- Desk chair
- Bedside lamp
- Laundry hamper
- Shoe rack
- Full-length mirror
- Rug
- Artwork and decor
Living Room Must Haves
The living room has all of the rooms. The way you style it sets the tone and vibe for the household. Try and put effort into your decor efforts and think about the space and what you will use it for.
If you are big into hosting, ensure enough sitting space and chairs and tables. If you are a homebody then cozy vibes are what you should go for.
- Comfy amazing couch
- Small table in front of the couch
- TV
- Lighting solutions for ambiance
- Decor
- Mirror
- Chair
Kitchen Essentials
Every kitchen is different and depending on what type of person you are, you might only need cereal bowls and milk, or a full-blown mixer and baking set. Buy according to what you will really use, and not who you hope to be.
- Mixer
- Coffee machine
- Chopping board
- Good quality knives
- Silverware set
- Plates and bowls
- Microwave
- Toaster oven
- Dish towels
- Kitchen trash can
- Containers to save leftovers for tomorrow’s meals
- Mixer, spatula, and other basic tools
- Strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pots and pans
Bathroom Sets
Your bathroom doesn’t have to be a fully blown-styled room, but with a little mix-and-match work of towels, the floor mat, and the shower curtain you can fool your friends into thinking you are a put-together human being.
- Towel Set
- Slippers for after-shower comfort
- Toilet Brush
- Toilet Paper
- Shower curtain
- Bath towels
- Hand towels
- Soap
- Shower curtain liner
- Shower curtain hooks
- Hamper
- First aid kit
Closing Up Shop
Renting an apartment is a great step towards freedom! While there are some setbacks, many people would agree that the pros outweigh the cons here. Consider everything and take our checklist to the store with you when planning your apartment layout. Make sure to plan ahead just as with every move to avoid stress.
FAQ
iMoving’s marketplace is the top answer for this. Yes, we are clearly a little biased, but honestly, if you ask a group of 10 people, at least 9 out of 10 would agree.
If it's trusted and vetted movers you want for your family, only iMoving offers such a wide range of moving companies that can be booked right here and now online.
Not only can you book their services and lock down your date and time, but you can also get a binding quote taking the guesswork out of moving homes.
Don’t fall for scammers who quote you one thing and then expect much more with hidden fees for made-up services.
Only book a trusted and vetted mover to make sure you don't fall for the bad guys. Use iMoving for all of this and more.
Ask them what they really need. It could be a few hours where you take the kids off their hands so they can pack up the house in peace or even go out for a date night, or it could be a helping hand at home with the actual packing that they need. Ask them directly and don’t take no for an answer.
Take the time with your family to sort through all your old objects while packing. Maybe you’ll want to get rid of some old items or give them away to family members to store. It's a shame to move more clutter into your new home and now is a perfect time to clean up.
Try to take care of all the paperwork ahead of time such as adding your name to all new utilities ahead of time with your credit card on auto withdrawals.
Signing and locking down the new home should be done well ahead of time to avoid added stress as well as booking your moving date.
Rachel Kaplan
Rachel Kaplan
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