You can’t wait to grow up when you’re a kid, and now that the time is here, you must act the part. Getting thrown into adulthood can be a tough transition. There are many firsts you need to discover and navigate your way through. One of those is getting your own place.
After college, moving out of your parent’s house is probably first on your list. You just spent four years living independently. So, moving back to your childhood room and resorting to your old ways might not sound too appealing. But before you move out of your parents’ home, you need to consider a few things.
Include Your Parents
Believe it or not, your parents sometimes know what they’re talking about. They’ve been in your exact shoes before. Sure, you have a generational divide, and times have changed since they were your age, but the essence of adulting is still the same.
Include your parents on your moving journey. Sit down together, tell them your plans and goals, and consider their input. You might be surprised to find they are ready for you to leave the nest and want to help you in any way they can. Come up with a plan together.
Check Your Finances
Can you afford to make this move? You need to ensure you are financially stable before you leave home. You’ll need to establish good credit to rent an apartment, and you often must supply the landlord with the first and last month’s rent. If you can’t do any of these things, all is not lost.
Save up enough money where you know you’ll be able to support yourself before you decide to move out. To lessen the financial burden, consider finding a roommate. Having a roommate does not mean you’re not independent. It just means you need a little extra help with the bills. Make sure you find someone compatible that you get along with.
Do Thorough Walk-Throughs
Before you move out, you will probably see a lot of different apartments. That is part of the process. You never want to say yes to the first place you visit. Treat this like a buffet. You want to sample as many apartments as possible before settling on one to call home.
On these trips, make sure you do thorough walk-throughs on them. You want to see every nook and cranny the place has to offer. After seeing between five to 10, narrow your choices down to three. Visit each spot during the day and at night to get a complete picture of your potential home and neighborhood.
Start Pricing and Buying the Essentials
You won’t be able to fully furnish your place immediately, but you can have the basics at least. Start looking at pieces you want in your home and pricing them. You can start to purchase essential kitchen and bathroom items now and save other things for later.
Also, look at couches and dining room sets because you need a place to sit and eat. And of course, you need a bed. If you don’t want to take your childhood one, start looking and saving up for a new mattress.
When you move out of your parents’ home, you want to be as prepared for adulthood as possible, and if you’ve decided on a place, congratulations on this big step!
