Getting Your First Apartment
Moving into your first apartment after college can feel exciting, but it can get expensive fast if you don’t plan ahead. You may be leaving a dorm, splitting rent with roommates, starting a new job, or figuring out how to furnish a place on a tight budget.
Before move-in day, make a short list of what you need right away: a bed, basic kitchen items, cleaning supplies, utilities, renters’ insurance, and a way to get your boxes and furniture into the apartment. A simple checklist can help you avoid last-minute trips, surprise costs, and the stress of realizing you forgot something you need on the first night.
Here’s what to think through before moving into your first apartment after college, from budgeting and dorm furniture to packing, decorating, and deciding whether to ask friends for help or hire professional movers.
Dorm Living vs. Apartment Living
There are many differences between dorm living and apartment living. In a dorm, you must share a small space with at least one roommate, including areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. This can be inconvenient for cooking, showering, and personal grooming, as your private time is limited in this type of living arrangement. In an apartment, you will enjoy much more privacy and the freedom to use whatever room and its services you wish.
On the other hand, living in a dorm does have its advantages. Being on campus means you have little to no gas expense or travel time. Also, it automatically expands your social horizons, since it means living at the center of the school’s social hub. Both of these reasons are compelling enough to persuade many students to choose dorm living over moving into a private apartment.
College Apartment Decor
If you’ve made the decision to get your own place, congratulations! Now it is time to think about how you will personalize it and make it your own. It is likely that you have some college dorm furniture that you can bring over to the new apartment, which will cut down on some of your immediate move-in costs. Many college students are on a budget, so an especially effective way of making sure you don’t go over budget is to commit to a simple, easy-to-assemble college apartment decor. Focus on what you need first, not what you want, and you won’t stretch yourself too thin. Once you’ve moved in and had time to adjust to the cost of your new life, then you will have a better idea of how much extra funds you have to spend on decor for your new place.
Moving into Your First Apartment
Before the big day approaches, figure out how you will get all of your belongings from your dorm to the new apartment. If you are fortunate enough to have friends or family who can help, this will also reduce your spending. For a professional job in which your belongings would be moved with care and precision, you might consider hiring a moving and storage company to take care of this physically demanding job for you.
If you need help moving into your new place, call Liberty Moving & Storage at 1-800-640-4487. We are a full-service moving and storage team equipped to handle any move. Our team of professional movers can get you packed, moved, and unloaded in no time. We take pride in delivering unbeatable service to our customers, so you don’t have to worry about your belongings being in good hands!
Whether you’re attending school or moving in Manhattan, or moving to the Brooklyn, get in touch with us for your free moving quote today!
What should I do first when moving into my first apartment after college?
Start with the basics: confirm your lease details, set up utilities, create a moving budget, and decide how you’ll move your furniture and boxes. If you’re moving from a dorm or shared housing, sort your belongings before packing so you don’t pay to move items you no longer need. It also helps to pack a first-night bag with clothes, toiletries, chargers, medications, basic cleaning supplies, and anything else you’ll want before every box is unpacked.
