As exciting as it is overwhelming, moving into your first Wauwatosa apartment is a great opportunity to begin a new chapter in your life, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility and challenges. Whether you’re signing a lease or buying a house, your new place will be uniquely yours when you’re finished with it. You’ll be able to decorate and furnish it to suit your preferences and make it a true reflection of who you are. However, it is not an easy task to find the right apartment for you and to organize a safe and smooth relocation. Then there’s the fear of the unknown and adjusting to a new way of life. For your big adventure to go well, you must be aware of all the obstacles and pitfalls you may encounter and have effective solutions for any problems that may arise. To put it another way, before you move into your first apartment, you should know exactly what to do and what not to do. Preparing for college is a task in and of itself, but renting your first apartment is something that should feel exciting and as a new start to your future, and where you will learn independence and how to succeed in the real world. In this article, we’ll discuss some dos and don’t of moving into your first college apartment at Watertown Housing.
Wauwatosa Rentals
Save Up Money
You must be financially secure before taking such a significant step in your life. You must be able to cover all of your living expenses for a few months after the move in order to avoid financial difficulties during your relocation and the first few months of your new life if you want to avoid financial difficulties. Moving costs, the first three months’ rent, utility bills, required security deposits, and a few months’ living expenses should be saved before you move into your first apartment. In addition, it’s a good idea to have a little extra cash saved up just in case.
Budget
To ensure that you have enough money to cover all the necessities of moving into your first apartment, you need to meticulously plan your finances.
- Calculate the cost of your move;
- Determine what you need to furnish your first apartment, including basic necessities like furniture and cleaning supplies.
- When moving to a new place, it’s important to know your net monthly income (the money you actually take home after taxes have been deducted) (consider the housing costs and costs of living in your new area, as well as your spending habits). Rent or mortgage payments should not exceed 30 percent of your disposable income when using these numbers as a guide (if utilities are included, it may be ok to pay as much as 40 percent in rent).
Location, Location, Location
Choosing a location to call home is an important first step before looking for an apartment to rent or buy. Consider the following crucial aspects:
- Proximity to your workplace and other places you need to visit on a daily basis;
- Transportation options – road infrastructure, traffic patterns, parking issues, availability of public transport, ;
- Amenities – local business, grocery stores, shopping centers, bars and restaurants, entertainment and recreational options, etc.;
- Landscape features and green areas;
- Safety and crime rates.
Know the Rules
The rules and regulations of your new apartment should be learned before you move in so that you can follow them to the letter when you move in. For example, you may be required to move within a specific time frame, to only use the freight elevator, or to pay parking fees for the moving truck. Knowing what is expected of you and acting accordingly is essential.
Moving preparations can begin once your finances are in order and you’ve found the right place to live.
Declutter
There are a few things to consider before deciding what to bring with you to your new apartment – and what to do with the rest of your belongings. Get rid of anything you don’t need or like, including old and outgrown items, duplicates, and things you won’t be able to use in your new location. Unnecessary belongings in good condition can be sold or given away; items that are damaged or unused should be disposed of properly.
Get Your Apartment Ready to Move in
Your first apartment moving checklist should include making sure that your new home will be ready to move in when the movers arrive. Take care of it!
- The sooner you take care of any repairs or renovations that may be necessary, the better (keep in mind that some buildings allow renovations only by licensed contractors and only during pre-defined hours and some landlords may not allow renovations at all). Repainting the walls and ceilings, refinishing the woodwork, and so on are all good ideas for making your new home look and feel its best.
- Arrange to have the most important services running on the day of your move-in. You’ll need electricity, gas, and water from the moment you move into your new apartment, even if you don’t use the Internet, cable TV, or other non-essential services.
- Thoroughly clean the apartment. In addition to making it easier to clean your new apartment before you bring in your belongings, a spotless and shining first apartment will make it appear more welcoming when you arrive.
- Immediately begin the process of finding a new residence (change the locks, install smoke detectors in every room, make sure you have a couple of working fire extinguishers in the apartment, etc.)
Make Your Apartment Feel Like Home
To truly feel at home in your new apartment, you need to bring your own personality to the space. ” When the boxes have been unpacked and the furniture has been set up in your new apartment, don’t forget to add a few finishing touches to make it feel like your own. These can include colorful curtains, unique area rugs, and soft pillows. You can also place plants throughout the apartment to add some life and vibrancy to the space. You can also hang up your favorite family photos and mementos. The most important thing is to make your new apartment feel like a safe haven and a place where you can relax and recharge your batteries.
Watertown Housing; Wauwatosa Rentals
In order to ensure a successful start to your new life in an apartment, it is imperative that you avoid some of the most common first-apartment-moving blunders. Moving to Wauwatosa for college can be a daunting experience, but Watertown Housing gives you the chance to get a taste of life on your own while still being close to campus.