Taperman articles

Moving into your First Apartmen

If you've finally made the decision to move out of your parent's home and into your first apartment, there are some tips which you should keep in mind to make your move go smoothly.  The first thing to remember is that when you move from your parents' home, you should in fairness to them take ALL your stuff.  It's hardly fair to prevent them from using the room that was your space into something that's going to benefit their new lifestyle.  If you're responsible enough to get your own place, you're responsible enough to deal with all of your possession.  Don't expect someone else to continue cleaning up after you.

THINGS TO DO PRIOR TO THE MOVE-IN DAY

It is assumed that you've already paid your necessary deposits for your rental unit.  These may include telephone, internet service, cable or satellite TV, cleaning or breakage deposits.

Depending on the type of service in your area, you may also need to pay electrical, sewer, water and garbage deposits.  Some utilities require a deposit plus a first month's fee. To activate some of these services, you may need to prove that you live there.  You can usually provide a copy of the rental agreement as proof that you reside at that address.

You will need to deal with change of address for several important things such as automobile insurance coverage.  If you will be purchasing your own policy, you should begin the paperwork to accomplish that task.  A change of address form for mail delivery is also necessary.

STOCK SUPPLIES AND NECESSITIES

Again, before the actual move, you may want to make a list of many of the small necessities which you will certainly need.  These are the things that you don't usually think about buying until you need them.  If you ask a parent or someone who already has their own space to help you make a list, you can probably remember most things.  One way to approach the list is to imagine yourself in various rooms in your apartment and think about what activities you might be doing and what things you would need in order to accomplish that activity.

For example, unless you plan to eat out of cans with your fingers, or live on fast food, you'll need to acquire a basic set of dinnerware, silverware, glassware and cookware.  Many times parents will have an unused set that they will give you so all of these things don't need to be purchased new.  Otherwise, you can make a trip to a local thrift shop to get some items at a pretty reasonable price.  Dollar stores often have basic household supplies at a good discount.

Don't forget basic food and seasoning supplies like salt, butter, eggs,  milk, and cereal.

MOVING DAY

Now is the time to call on friends, preferably those with vehicles large enough to haul larger items.  If you have planned ahead and packed your smaller items into boxes and bins which are labeled as to what is contained within and which room the contents will be in, you can easily have things moved and placed with the correct room in the apartment in a matter of hours.

Then you only have to order a pizza delivered to your new apartment and treat all your movers to a pizza party.  You'll have plenty of time to unpack later.