If you’re planning an interstate move and have chosen to live in an apartment, know that there are a lot of things to take into consideration. This blog post will provide you with everything you need to know when moving from house to apartment. We’ll cover the basics, such as budgeting and packing tips, as well as some more specific but highly valuable advice. Let’s get started!
When Moving From House to Apartment, Start the Process Early
Relocating can be an incredibly overwhelming process, especially when you’re relocating to a new state for the first time. However, when you’re relocating to a smaller residence, such as an apartment, there are even more logistics to consider.
One of the vital things to keep in mind is the importance of starting the relocation process on time. The earlier you start, the better organized you’ll be – and trust us, you’ll need all the organization you can get. If you’re downsizing for a move significantly, there are a lot more things to do than with just a regular move. But by starting early, you’ll give yourself ample time to plan and execute a successful and stress-free move.
Ensure You Have a Detailed Moving List
If you’re in the process of planning a long-distance move, chances are you have a lot on your plate – even more when you plan to move to a new city. Fortunately, there’s one simple tool that can help make the process a whole lot easier – a relocating to-do list.
Relocation to another state checklist is a carefully created list of all the tasks you need to get done before your relocation. By creating a timetable and crossing each item off one by one, you’ll be able to stay organized, calm, and self-confident. Here are some of the most important tasks that should find a place on your list:
Hiring a cross-country moving company
If you wish to move efficiently, it makes sense to hire cross-country movers. However, you must familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of the relocation industry before choosing the long-distance moving company that will manage your stuff. The American Moving & Storage Association estimates that there are more than 7,000 relocation companies in the US. It provides you with a wide range of possibilities but also demands you do proper research in order to avoid common relocation scams.
Researching the city
You must ensure to educate yourself on living expenses in a new city, apartment prices, employment possibilities, climate, as well as different healthcare policies. Additionally, remember that it’s always a smart idea to begin your job search before you really move and possibly secure a stable position that will allow you to support yourself financially right away.
Updating your personal information
Although some of these tasks may be part of things to do after the move, it’s best you tackle them before the relocation date. Notifying others about the move as well as changing the address with all important subjects such as USPS, banks, and IRS is daunting but needs to be done in order to avoid inconveniences after the move.
Canceling utilities
If no one continues to live in your old home, you’ll need to cancel the utility services before the move and ask your new landlord how you should handle the utilities in your future residence. Of course, if you plan to live on your own and are relocating to a new city alone directly from your parents’ nest, you could probably forget about this task.
Organizing documents
Most households are cluttered with important papers. Passports and IDs in your bags, mortgage papers at the home office, and your bills on a bookshelf – it’s finally time to organize them all. Before you begin to pack everything up in boxes, organize the documents to ensure that nothing vital is forgotten or lost during the transfer.
Packing
If you’re not getting packing services, count on using proper packing materials like bubble wrap or packing paper for fragile items and learning a few valuable packing tricks and tips. At the same time, try to pack as efficiently as possible. This will make the move easier and less stressful, and it will also save you money on relocation costs.
Don’t Forget About the Finances
Making a relocation budget should be one of the first items on your checklist. Remember, relocation can be pricey if you don’t prepare ahead of time. However, the sum of money you’ll need will depend on many different things, including your living arrangements, the location you’re going to, and the cost of getting long-distance moving services (or renting a relocation truck).
Consider additional services you might need, and request a free quote from reputable companies to get an idea of how much your move will cost. Additionally, make sure to include the new city’s living costs and any additional expenses (like hiring a babysitter and pet sitter to watch over your children and pets).
Make an Inventory List Before You Start Packing
This may seem like a tedious task, but it has several benefits. First and foremost, it’s the best way to rest assured nothing is forgotten. At the same time, it will force you to go through all your belongings and start thinking about what to keep and what to leave behind. Additionally, it will allow you to take a big sigh of relief knowing that everything is documented if something goes missing during the move. This documentation is also useful for insurance purposes. In the event that something is lost or damaged, you’ll have a record of what needs to be replaced.
To make this list, start by walking through each room in your house and making notes of every single item. Once you’ve completed your walk-through, you can transcribe everything over to a digital spreadsheet or another type of document that can be easily sorted and searched.
When Moving From House to Apartment, Decluttering Is a Must
If you’re like most people, you probably have way more stuff than you need. When you’re relocating from a house to an apartment, that stuff can quickly start to feel like a burden. Not only do you have to move it all, but you also have to find a place to put it in your new, small residence. That’s why decluttering is a must when making the switch from house to apartment living. But decluttering isn’t just about getting rid of stuff – it also has some major advantages.
For one, it can help reduce stress and anxiety. A cluttered environment can be overwhelming and make it difficult to relax. Getting rid of unnecessary stuff can help create a sense of calm and order in your space. Decluttering can also give you a sense of accomplishment – it can be satisfying to look around your clean and organized home, knowing everything has its place. Of course, don’t neglect the fact that the fewer items you bring, the less expensive your move will be.
Your first step is identifying which items you want to keep and which ones you want to get rid of. You can do this by asking yourself a few questions about each item:
- Do I use this regularly?
- Do I love it?
- Does it serve a specific purpose?
- Is it easy to replace if I need it?
- Does it hold a high emotional value?
After answering these questions, you’ll be able to create piles with things you’ll bring and those you’ll throw away, gift, or donate.
Think About Putting Some Things in Storage or Selling
It can be really tough to move from a home or apartment that you’ve lived in for years into something smaller. You might not have the space for all of your stuff, but you may find it difficult to separate from them. One solution is to get storage services and store your belongings in professionally designed storage units. This way, you can keep your things safe and sound, but you won’t have to worry about them taking up too much space in your new place.
On the other hand, you can have use of those items you no longer need by choosing to sell them. With all the relocation expenses a long-distance move implies, a little extra money can be of great help. You can post unwanted items on online marketplaces or organize a garage sale if you have a last-minute move. If you’re in need of some valuable relocation tips on how to prepare for a successful garage sale, take a look at the video below:
Go to the New Place and Measure Everything
There is no other way to know if all of your belongings will fit into a new place without measuring rooms and furniture. When measuring living spaces, be sure to do it from wall to wall, including any molding or baseboards that may be present. Once you have all the room measurements, you can see what of your possessions will fit and start planning out where your furniture will go. If you can’t measure the place personally, ask your future landlord to provide you with the exact dimensions.
When you find out the dimensions of your rooms, it’s time to start measuring your furniture. For each piece, you’ll need to know the height, width, and depth. With those measurements in hand, it will be much easier to plan out where each piece will go in your new condo.
However, in addition to rooms and furniture, there are a few other things that you’ll want to measure in your new apartment. Be sure of the dimensions of doorways, hallways, and staircases to ensure that all your belongings will fit through them easily. Things that cannot fit must be left behind.
Ensure That Your Multifunctional Furniture Is in Your New Apartment
This type of furniture serves more than one purpose, which can help you save valuable space in your new home. Ottomans can act as extra seating, coffee tables, and storage units all at the same time. Similarly, daybeds can double as both a sofa and a guest bed. Other examples of multifunctional furniture include murphy beds, drop-leaf tables, and stackable chairs. As you can see, incorporating even just a few pieces of multifunctional furniture into your new apartment can help you make the most of your limited space.
In addition to saving space, incorporating multifunctional furniture into your decor can also help you save time and money. That’s because you won’t have to purchase multiple pieces of furniture to serve different purposes – one piece will suffice.
Focus on the Perks of Living in the Apartment
Focusing on relocation benefits can help you deal with the relocation stress each move brings. That being said, note that one of the biggest advantages of living in an apartment is that you won’t have to worry about maintaining the property. Apartment buildings have property managers, and they are typically responsible for making any necessary repairs – you can kick back and relax without having to lift a finger. Also, don’t forget that many people opt for renting an apartment, and rent prices tend to be much lower than monthly mortgage installments.
Additionally, when you live in an apartment complex, you’ll automatically become a part of a built-in community. This can be great if you’re new to an area and looking for ways to meet new friends and people with similar interests. If you’re planning a move and considering renting an apartment instead of buying a house, you might just be surprised at how much you love it!
Packing Services
Our professional packers have methods and techniques to ensure all your items are intact during and after the move.
Car Shipping Services
We can ship your vehicles using the best freight options available. Your car will be moved safely and securely and arrive as planned.
Corporate Relocation
Are you given the responsibility of the office move? It can be stressful but we can help you plan and get things rolling.
Get the Help of Long-Distance Movers and Move Without a Fuss
If you’re looking for an easy, hassle-free move to an apartment in a new city, your safest option is to hire professionals. By working with trustworthy movers from Seattle to California (or movers from California to Seattle), you can relax and enjoy your move while knowing that your belongings are in good hands. Let relocation experts deal with what they know best while you’re getting prepared to settle into your new home.
