Steps to take when planning to move out?

Lamb

Well-known member
I figured some more experienced older members may be able to provide some good tips. Aside from making sure you have the money, what other steps should you take when trying to find your first place? (an apartment) and perhaps you can share some stories to make me feel comfortable..or not so comfortable. lol

I need to break this down in small steps so it seems more attainable.
 
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jaim38

Well-known member
1. Buy medicine and first aid kit (bandaids, cold medicine, etc)
2. Learn to clean bathrooms, kitchens, and the apartment in general
3. Learn to cook (unless you plan to eat out everyday).
4. Learn to wash dishes (unless you use disposables and don't cook at all)
5. Register with an electric company before moving to new apt
6. Plan out what you need to bring or buy

Have you found a place yet?
 

FallenFeathers

Well-known member
I figured some more experienced older members may be able to provide some good tips. Aside from making sure you have the money, what other steps should you take when trying to find your first place? (an apartment) and perhaps you can share some stories to make me feel comfortable..or not so comfortable. lol

I need to break this down in small steps so it seems more attainable.

Your situation might be really different from mine but I will try and give some tips. Feel free to ask if you want to know something specific.

Don't trust the housing/letting agents. They are only interested in getting your money and a commission. I'm sure there are decent ones out there, but I came across a few who actually tried ripping me off.

On a similar theme, housing associations and the such are a good idea (rather than private) they tend to me more accountable and professional in my experience at least.

Read the fine print on your tenancy agreement before you sign or part with money, find out if it's short hold or long term that sort of stuff and is the rent fixed for a time, or does it go up yearly.

Be careful with the gas electric companies, it's better if you can contact them before you actually move in. In my current place I had to pay off the last guys electric debt on the meter before I had functioning electric and I never got a refund.

I don't know where in the world you are Lamb, and your financial situation is none of my business. But if your in the UK, take into account the spare bedroom tax which is going to be implemented.

My biggest advice would be if you have the luxury, take your time looking for that perfect place. Don't be too eager to snap things up, it's a lot of work and stress so you want to try and make sure the efforts worth it :)
 

21NZ

Well-known member
i just did 4 days ago.... just find/rent the place you want to go then go.... (if you have the cash to support yourself while you find a job) once your there you can sort the rest out and you'll learn 10X faster... really depends on you :3 how you feel comfortable to go about it. i'm in new zealand so it's probably easier here to do
 

1BlackSheep

Well-known member
Also consider what floor of the apartment building you want to live on. I once lived in a 3rd floor apartment, which was nice for not having anyone making noise above but was a pain for having to haul up groceries, laundry, etc. Or make sure there's an elevator nearby! :)
 

hidwell

Well-known member
I think unless you are financially independent and can afford to live in a nice place and area then living on your own can be more stressful and more problematic than first expected.
 

jaim38

Well-known member
Hi Lamb,
I forgot to mention that you should be careful about the lease. Don't sign a long term lease (1+ years). Don't be afraid to ask if there's a 6 month lease (or shorter term lease) available. You don't want to sign a long term lease and then end up not liking the place at all and wanting to move out. When I was living in apts, I signed short term leases and I'm glad I did so because I lived in some bad neighborhoods where it didn't work out. If I had signed a 1 year lease, I would be stuck there for many more months (or end up paying more money to break out of the lease). Just a word of caution.
 

SoScared

Well-known member
Check transport links - bus/metro/train
Make sure you have clothes washing/laundrette close by
Is there enough space for friend(z) to stay over
Is it a nice safe place/area so that friends are willing to visit
Be prepared to host guests – will it be a fun house
 

Subpop

Well-known member
Hi Lamb,

Congratulations, moving out can be the beginning of a new era in your life.

I house sat for 12 months. The lease holder was travelling overseas and wanted someone to stay in the apartment to do a bit of maintenance. He was actually renting the apartment and didn't want to give up the lease as it was in a great location and he had been leasing for 6 years. He contributed to the rent per month, which meant we paid a nominal rent. The apartment owner was fully aware of this arrangement and had no problem with it.

House sitting may/may not be an option for you to explore. Sometimes, house sitting may require the sitter to look after a pet in return for zero or a nominal rent. House sitting also may mean that you don't have to provide your own furniture etc, which can be advantageous if you haven't accumulated a lot of 'stuff'. Obviously it is really crucial that any agreement is in writing, with expectations of each partyclearly spelt out (especially if a pet/pets are involved) You may be able to find a great place to live at a reduced financial cost to yourself

Aside from that, it may be worth you having a look on the web to find some information regarding renting/leasing/housesitting in the area/s that you think you may find really practical to live. From here you could start gathering information about services/transport etc that would be available. If possible, try to visit the area/s and see what you think/feel. It may be usefull to visit on more than one occassion, at different times of the week and day, to see how busy/noisy the place and surrounds are.

Good hunting!:)
 
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Flanscho

Well-known member
I never took a lot of steps in that matter.

Last time I moved, I just moved 10km to another part of the city. I renovated the flat (and in return got a discount on the rent). Made sure I got some people to help me transport my stuff there. Made sure that the internet works, I got keys for everything, what for neighbors there are, if I can keep pets, how expensive the heating is, internet connection, next atm and post office, what kinda shops nearby, where to put my bike and so on.
 

HH

Well-known member
If you're going to move out of your parents house and live on your own it's a good idea to learn how to cook (you don't need to become a masterchef, just the basics). This is what I did, its also good to know:-

1. How to manage your finances, make a spreadsheet of your incomings and outgoings. How much will things like electric, water, gas, food, petrol, rent/mortgage, insurance , additional costs etc be. Can you afford it etc, etc.

2. Some others have mention this-cleaning, no one enjoys it but you'll have to clean the house regularly.

3. Taking the bins out, always a pain in the bum-I hate doing this.
 

Lamb

Well-known member
Thank you all for sharing. To clarify, I don't think I will be moving out anytime soon (perhaps a year), but I'd like to keep this in mind so I can start preparing mentally, lol. I live in an expensive city so I would be only able to do this granted I have a couple of roommates. As for a neighborhood, it may be ok at best.

Housesitting sounds interesting, i'll look into it!
 
I wouldn't stress too much about it :) When I moved out I did everything arseways and I managed so you will too :) just make sure you have a bit of money in your pocket and you'll be grand, I see you're planning on having housemates, I'd recommend that too :) I hope you'll update us next year when the time comes
 

AGR

Well-known member
I was thinking about that also,I only live with my father,but I am afraid I will be terribly lonely if I move out,specially being in foreign country where its hard to socialise with people,thats one of the biggest thing that stops me from doing it.:sad:
 

Lamb

Well-known member
I was thinking about that also,I only live with my father,but I am afraid I will be terribly lonely if I move out,specially being in foreign country where its hard to socialise with people,thats one of the biggest thing that stops me from doing it.:sad:

I have that fear of being on my own too, but I think the reward (having a space to call my own and independence) will be well worth the struggle.

And thank you jewel!
 
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