December 21, 2022 Posted in Moving Tips

How to Move Out for the First Time?

Starting fresh for the first time can be an incredibly exciting experience. However, it can also leave you feeling overwhelmed. That’s why we’re here! If you wish to know how to move out for the first time, we will break down the necessary steps for a successful move. This blog post will help make sure that you are fully prepared – so read on.

A girl packing for cross-country moving
Follow our tips for moving out for the first time and prepare for success

There are a lot of things that you need to consider when relocating out of your parents’ house. First of all, you need to get your finances in order and ensure you’ve chosen the location that really suits you. Next, you should practice good habits while slowly start preparing for a move by decluttering and packing. Lastly, you should think about things you’ll need for your first independent home and make arrangements for it to be comfortable for you from day one.

How to Move Out for the First Time? For Starters, Make Sure You’re Financially Stable

Before you move to another city alone, you need to ensure you’ll be able to afford to live on your own, and in order to do so, you need to calculate your relocation budget. Whichever your reason to move may be, you first need to count the cost of living in another city – it’s not the same whether you plan to relocate to Los Angeles or choose to move to Eugene. However, there are a few more factors to consider, such as the distance of your move, the number of belongings being moved, and any additional services needed from cross-country movers, such as packing service.

At the same time, consider the condition of your credit score. If it’s low, and you don’t have a last-minute move coming up, take steps to improve it by paying off debts and making payments on time. A good credit score will help you get the perfect place or get better rates on loans.

Once you have a budget in place and know what kind of financial obligations you’ll have after the move, start saving up an emergency fund. This should be enough money to cover unexpected expenses such as medical bills or car repairs without having to rely on credit cards or loans. Aim for at least three months worth of living expenses saved up before the move. This will give you peace of mind knowing that if something comes up unexpectedly, you’ll be able to handle it without going into debt.

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Be Certain You’ve Chosen the Right Location

Where you live will have a huge impact on your quality of life, so it’s crucial that you make sure you’re making the right decision. Therefore, here are some things to consider when deciding where to live:

  • Living costs – You should take into account not only rent prices but also other living expenses such as utilities, groceries, transportation costs, and things alike. As mentioned earlier, researching these expenses before you move is essential if you want to ensure that you can afford to live in your chosen location without going over budget.
  • Safety – Use specially designed apps such as AreaVibes to research the crime rate in different areas and look at how safe people feel living in those places. It’s also a good idea to check local police reports and speak with current residents about their experiences with safety in the area.
  • Amenities – When choosing where to live, it’s also important to think about what amenities you wish to have close to you. Are there parks nearby? Grocery stores? Restaurants and cafes? These are all questions that can help you decide whether or not an area is right for you and your lifestyle needs.

Don’t neglect to research the climate when choosing the right place to move, either. Depending on your lifestyle and personal preferences, different types of weather may be more appealing than others. For example, if you enjoy spending time outdoors hiking or skiing, you may want to live somewhere with snowy winters and mild summers. On the other hand, If you like sunbathing and swimming, you’ll consider a move to San Diego or a similar place that offers beaches and sunny weather year-round.

A girl on a beach after long-distance moving
The preferable climate will support your chosen lifestyle

Know How to Be on Your Own

Before starting your relocation day preparations, you’ll need to make necessary lifestyle adjustments, which means relying much less on your parents for certain tasks. Start learning how to prepare home-cooked meals, clean up after yourself, learn how to change a tire, and so on. In general, you should start becoming more self-reliant in the weeks prior to the move.

Remember – once your relocation day comes, you’ll be on your own. Relocating out of state can be stressful, but not everything needs to change at once. By making tiny adjustments before leaving, the transition won’t feel as abrupt.

When Moving for the First Time, It’s Best to Get Help From Professional Long-Distance Movers

One part of becoming an adult is admitting when you need help, and relocation will most likely be one of those times – so don’t hesitate to reach for a long-distance moving company. Workers from a professional cross-country moving company have the expertise to handle all aspects of moving quickly and allow you to move efficiently. They know how to safely package fragile items for transport and have access to specialized equipment. Not only do these movers have the knowledge and experience necessary to make sure your move goes smoothly, but they also bring peace of mind by ensuring that your possessions arrive safely at their destination.

Besides that, many companies provide additional long-distance moving services such as professional car shipping or, for example, storage services – and they can save you time, money, and energy in the process. By hiring movers from Seattle to California or movers from California to Seattle, you’ll be able to relax knowing that everything is taken care of. This means less stress for you as well as fewer hassles down the line.

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Start Packing Early and Do a Bit Each Day

It might seem like packing can wait until the last minute but don’t fall into that trap! Starting early gives you plenty of time to organize your belongings and get rid of any unwanted items before the big day arrives. Plus, having everything ready to go beforehand makes the move much less stressful since there won’t be any last-minute scrambling around trying to get things done in a rush – and making many relocation mistakes along the way.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work involved, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family willing to lend a hand! You can even try to organize a packing party and make this process more fun. While you’re at it, be sure to use some of the amazing packing and relocation tips from the video below:

Take Some Time to Declutter

Before you start packing, take the time to plan out what needs to be done. This includes taking inventory of everything that needs to be moved and sorting through it all. Make sure you don’t forget any important documents or items that need to go with you during the move. Go through each room in your house and create an action plan for what needs to stay, what can be donated, and what needs to be discarded before relocation day arrives.

Decluttering is not something that can be done overnight. You may want to designate one day per area so that nothing gets forgotten in the process. Having this timeline also helps keep you accountable and motivated until everything is decluttered and packed away properly for the move! And once you’re done purging through your unwanted belongings, decide what to do with them – sell, donate, gift, or throw away.

A woman picking which clothes to keep
Decluttering will save your time and energy when packing for a move

Create a New Apartment Checklist

Once you decide what to keep, you’ll get a better picture of things you’ll need for your new place, and you’ll be able to create a new apartment checklist. Although it can be tempting to just focus on the big items like relocating furniture, there are lots of smaller things you need to do. To help make your transition easier, here are some relocation essentials that you should consider for your first apartment:

Living room essentials

When it comes to the living room, comfort is key. That means you’ll want things like a comfy sofa or couch, some chairs for additional seating, and an entertainment center for your TV and other electronics. Don’t forget about area rugs, curtains or blinds, shelving units for books and knick-knacks, and accent pieces like throw pillows or wall art.

Kitchen necessities

start with basics such as pots/pans/baking sheets/utensils/mixing bowls, then move on to appliances like a microwave and coffee maker. Then add furnishings,  such as cabinets/counters/shelves. Lastly, accessorize with decorations such as plants or colorful rugs. In terms of dishes and glassware, start with sets that have at least four place settings so that when friends visit for dinner parties, you won’t be scrambling for extra plates!

Bathroom basics

make sure you have towels, toiletries, storage baskets or bins (to keep everything organized!), cleaning supplies, a shower curtain liner, and maybe even a nice piece of wall art or two to give it some personality. Also, consider necessities such as toilet paper holders, soap dispensers, and trash cans!

Bedroom essentials

the first thing you’ll need is a bed, and that means more than just the mattress. Make sure you invest in comfortable sheets, blankets, and pillows so you can enjoy sweet dreams every night. Additionally, having sufficient storage space is key when it comes to keeping your bedroom organized and clutter-free. Invest in high-quality dressers, shelves, and closets so that everything has its place and easy access when needed.

Make Arrangements Before You Move

One of the things to know when moving out for the first time is that there are things that need to be set up once you move, so you can be comfortable right from the start. To ease this process, here are some things that should be on your first-time-moving-out checklist:

  • To avoid being without internet, compare broadband prices and make a reservation for the router’s delivery or installation when you arrive.
  • Change address and notify important subjects about the move, such as your bank, insurance providers, and so on.
  • Your driver’s license needs to be updated as well – it’s required by law for it to hold your current address, so you need to prepare all the necessary documentation.
  • Researching gas and electricity prices can help you be prepared when you move into your new house. The best part is that you can contact your chosen providers, and you can even schedule an installation before the relocation day comes.

Although your moving-out-for-the-first-time checklist will be already filled with tasks, note that these actions won’t take much of your time but can help you make this transition much smoother. Therefore, don’t let them be things you forget to do when you move.

Girl with sunglasses driving
If you plan on driving after the move, know which documents you'll need to gather to update your driver's license

Make Sure You’re Emotionally Ready for a Change

It’s normal (and actually quite healthy) to feel anxious when leaving home for the first time – after all, it’s a huge step towards independence! So how to prepare for it? Create a network of friends and family members whom you can reach out to when things get tough. Additionally, instead of dwelling on things you’re leaving behind, try focusing on all the relocation benefits and opportunities that come with living in a new place. In the end, remember – while there will be bumps along the way, there will also be moments where you find happiness in being able to enjoy life on your own terms!

Milly Andrews

Milly is a Portland prodigy of packing and relocating! She has been on the move her whole life, and she's got the moving boxes and stories to prove it. With her vast experience in the art of relocation, she's like a human GPS, always finding the most efficient way to navigate the moving process.

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