If you’re moving out for the first time, you should know this process is going to be an emotional rollercoaster that will constantly swing between enthusiasm and uncertainty. Starting a new, independent life without parents is a stressful ordeal by itself and includes some financial planning, having a steady source of income, and last but not least, figuring out what to do with all your stuff.
We’ve put together some essential tips for a hassle-free rookie relocation that should provide you with crucial information necessary for a good start to your independent, adult life.
Before Moving Out for the First Time, Figure Out Your Finances
The most stressful and the most important part of this process is definitely the issue of money. You should know how you will finance your future life. Living in your parents’ house was comfortable and almost without any obligations, and tiny pleasures that didn’t take much cash were a common thing. That said, now you need to think about a lot of stuff, such as paying for rent, utilities, food, the Internet, clothes, etc.
So, whether you have student loans or want to get a new job, you should work out a realistic budget. Calculate your monthly income and then determine the rent amount you will be able to put aside. Your rent should take no more than about 30% of your income. After that, figure out how much you will have for bills and other daily necessities. That’s the best way to figure out what kind of lifestyle you can afford and whether you need a roommate or not.
Make a Lifestyle Budget and Follow It
Living on your own is an excellent opportunity to practice your own discipline. Limitations on the amount of money you spend on leisure activities should be a must since this kind of control will help you find a balance between your obligations and leisure.
Think About Practical Things, Such as Getting a Roommate and Finding a Job
After you have determined the amount of money you’ll have at your disposal, you’ll have to think practically and make certain compromises to be able to live the kind of life you want.
Getting a flatmate might be an excellent way to reduce your costs by dividing them with someone who may turn out to be a great person and a future best friend, as well. But, keep in mind that sharing a living space can be challenging and sometimes frustrating, too.
If your roommate is a smoker, and you can’t bear being around cigarette smoke, that might be a problem. The same goes if either you or your potential roommate have a dog or cat, and the other one has an allergy or simply doesn’t fancy living with pets.
Also, if you haven’t evenly split household chores such as cleaning the place or throwing out the trash, unpleasant scenarios are bound to happen. We’d like to show you how to figure out whether you need a roomie, and if you do, how to find the most suitable one.
How to Find a Roommate You Like
If you already have a job and a stable income, there’s no need to worry. You can plan your lifestyle to your liking, not being dependent on anyone. But, if you don’t have enough resources, then a roommate is an inevitable step. So, how can you balance desires and possibilities? There are a lot of options for finding a roommate:
- Online or through a friend – a recommendation is usually the best way to find someone who is reliable, trustworthy, and responsible when it comes to paying rent. But, there are plenty of roommate websites you should check out to help you with your search.
- Before you decide on your potential flatmate, you should make a selection – pick several people, speak with them, ask about their habits, financial possibilities, basic lifestyle choices. That can be an excellent way to choose a person with whom you will agree in the future.
Find a Job
You can count on your savings only if you have a job or some other source of income. Otherwise, what you saved will be gone in a matter of months in the best case. Especially if you’re relocating to a faraway location – finding appropriate employment is just as crucial as finding a place to live. Being financially independent and secure is one of the most important feelings when starting a life on your own.
Can You Handle Basic Lifestyle Tasks?
Keep in mind that leaving your family nest doesn’t mean just sitting on the couch all day, watching movies, and waiting for someone else to prepare you a decent meal. If you want to be satisfied with your new life, you should be familiar with some basics of maintaining a household, such as:
- Dusting and vacuuming
- Making a bed
- Bathroom cleaning
- Laundry chores
- Grocery shopping
- Cooking meals
When Choosing Your Future Home, Leave Nothing to Chance
You need to find a suitable place to live – this task shouldn’t be done in a rush. Here are some things you should do:
- Let your friends know you’re hunting for a new home; they might be able to help
- Go through listings on Rent Jungle, Zillow, or Craigslist
- Choose a location close to your workplace or college
- Check out your prospective new neighborhood – choose a safe area and make sure the crime rate is low
- The quality of public transportation should be one of the most vital factors to consider if you don’t have a car
Organize Your Relocation in Time
To make your move as easy as possible, consider getting professional services, such as packing, transporting, and auto shipping. If you choose to do it all yourself, keep in mind that it might last longer and take a lot of energy, especially when packing electronics or other sensitive and fragile items. Sometimes, it is better to pay a bit more and have top-notch services than pay less and bring damaged things into your future home.
Hire a Trustworthy Moving Company or Rent a Truck
That’s why getting reliable moving services should be at the top of your checklist. This step will mitigate stress and give you more space to undertake other things necessary for your relocation. A good idea is to shortlist several movers, ask for free quotes, and pick the most suitable bid. This way, you will both save money on your relocation and protect your belongings.
Declutter Your Belongings and Find Packing Supplies
Several weeks before relocation, start sorting your room, drawers, and tables, and make a selection. The more things you get rid of now, the more space in your boxes you will save. It’s needless to say that fewer items to transport mean less money. Also, find out what hazardous items are illegal to transport and what not to pack when moving.
You should do proper research about packing materials for moving and try to get free boxes or those that are discounted. That being said, you probably know someone who can give you boxes, tape, paper, bubble wrap, and other useful things for your packing process.
Have a Plan B
It’s always useful to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Define your options in case of losing your apartment or job. Talk with your parents, your friends, or relatives and make sure to have a choice if moving out for the first time simply fails.
Ask Your Parents for Help After Relocation to Your New Home
Your parents are always there for you, no matter what. Don’t hesitate to ask them for some help with moving expenses or for instructions on how to prepare your first lunch. Being much more experienced than you, they can probably provide you with plenty of words of advice – handy tips are always welcome, especially when they come from your loved ones.
It Will Be Challenging, But Also Rewarding
Being in the middle of the whirlpool called relocating for the first time can evoke different emotions. Don’t let them interfere with your goals. Feeling sad or confused is perfectly fine. Luckily, this process won’t last forever, and talking to your friends or family members can help you conquer it. Keep in mind that the question of how to adjust to a new environment is an integral part of growing up. As soon as you accept all the drawbacks and a bunch of advantages of independent life, you will realize that this was one of the best decisions you had ever made.
