Sarahritchie17 Sorry for leaving you hanging the past two Sundays. I’ve been putting all my energy and time into moving and getting settled in at my new apartment. I needed to make that the priority over blogging the past week. I’m back now, ready to go with loads of good content for the new year.
In light of things going on in my life, I wanted to dedicate this month of blog posts to moving. Most of my friends have either moved in the past year or are moving this year, so it feels like a relevant topic which could hopefully help others too.
I’ve moved 3 times in the past three and a half years, so I do have some experience, lessons learned, tips and tricks to offer. Hopefully you may find them useful for your own future move.
If you know me, you know I’m a planner. I love to make lists and check things off, I carry my planner almost everywhere with me, and I have 206 lists on my phone currently. I’m (normally) hyper-organized and a little OCD. Moving always feels pretty chaotic, though, no matter what you do. It’s hard to stay organized and keep your life all put-together when the majority of your stuff is boxed up and/or on a truck. The processes you’ll read about in this 4-part series are designed to help you keep your peace and manage your move successfully. Take what you want and leave what you don’t; these are just the things that work for me.
Let’s start at the beginning.
You’ve just been told by your boss that the company needs you to move, and by the way, you need to be there next month. Panic and excitement set in at the same time. Where are you going to live? How are you going to find the right apartment? You need to clean, organize, and pack. How will everything get done?
You realize that you’ll just have to take it one step at a time and that the first step is finding your new home. Then you start scrolling aimlessly through properties on Zillow or Apartments.com.
Tip #1 You can start online, but don’t end there.
While apartment hunting online may be fun and exciting, it won’t get you very far. Every property listed on these sites is designed to look appealing. You’re likely to find a lot of good options that catch your eye and seem to have everything you want. There are a lot of things you can’t see through the 20 best pictures they show you. Is it a safe area to live in? What’s actually included in the rent price? Will all your stuff actually fit in the space? Who lived in that apartment before you? Who are your neighbors? I highly caution you against making your decision and signing a lease online without seeing the property in person.
Side note: I don’t have experience buying property, so I won’t speak to that. The tips in this blog post are catered to apartment renting, though I’m sure some overlap well.
My first move out of college, was from Connecticut to Florida. I almost signed a lease without visiting the apartment because I didn’t want to spend money on a house-hunting trip. I made a list of 4 apartments that looked great on Zillow. My friend and I had decided we wanted to live in the South part of St. Petersburg to be closer to the beach, so all the properties were in that area. We decided, just to be safe, to check them out once we got there and pick the one that felt the best in person before signing the lease. I’m so glad we did. Little did we know, the apartments on our list were in a sketchy part of St. Pete. While we were on a tour of one of them, we saw a guy walk up to my car and peek in the windows. Driving around the area didn’t feel comfortable, and we read off-site reviews online about domestic abuse, lack of pest control, and poor management. We decided to start from square one and see where our friends that were also moving to St. Pete had decided to live and ended up going with one of those.
My boyfriend also moved recently and signed his lease before seeing the actual apartment he’d be living in. He had toured the property and seen the show rooms and everything had looked great. Then he unlocked his door, and the apartment smelt smokey. He gave them a chance to clean the apartment and replace the carpets, and even after that, it still smelt too gross to live in. Now they won’t let him out of the lease, so he’s out a few thousand dollars to break it.
Remember, this will be your place for the next however long, so be sure to ask all the questions and get what you need before you sign at the bottom of the page. You want to be comfortable in your home and happy there. It’s worth spending a little extra time and money up front to make sure it’s the right fit.
Tip #2 Make a needs and wants list.
I’ve done this in different formats – journal, phone notes, excel doc. You can choose what works for you. I’ve also made a couple downloadable graphics you can print or screenshot and use.
Making a list of your needs and wants provides you a clear picture of what you’re looking for. When you look at apartments, you want to be super clear on your must-haves. If the place doesn’t have everything you need that you’re not willing to compromise on, it’s not your place. Chances are you’ll be able to find somewhere else that does meet your expectations.
Here’s my list and an example of the template filled in for an apartment.
Also consider your timeline. Before you take a tour, make sure that complex has what you’re looking for. If what you need is a one-bedroom available next month, and all they have is a two-bedroom available now or a one-bedroom available in 4 months, don’t waste your time.
As you tour apartments, physically check off your list and make any notes you need. If you’re looking at 4 or more apartments in a few days, it can get confusing and they can blur together in your memory. Keeping notes and taking pictures is the best way to stay organized through the process.
Tip #3 Talk to a local.
If you have friends or family who live in the area you’re moving to or have lived there before, reach out to them and ask where they recommend living. I’ve found that to be the best and most efficient place to start. They may be unfamiliar with apartment complexes, but they can at least give you the lay of the land and let you know which areas are safe to live and where to steer clear of. If you don’t know anyone in the area, ask your employer to connect you with someone that you’ll be working with once you get there. You can also find a local real estate agent. In my second move, I learned that real estate agents are paid by the properties, so you don’t have to spend a cent on their services! They can provide you great perspective to help you find the right fit for your future home.
Tip #4 Don’t apply until you’re confident.
Apartment application fees are usually $50-$100. Leasing agents are salespeople and will push you to apply right after you tour. Take your time in making your decision and don’t be afraid to sleep on it. Tell them you’re considering other properties and will come back tomorrow if you decide on theirs. Unless it’s your dream place at the right price, and it’s in high demand, give yourself time and space to consider your options.
I hope you can use these tips to help you find your perfect new home and stay organized through the process! The next few weeks we’ll be digging more into budgeting for your move, deciding on movers or moving yourself, and things to remember on move day and the days that follow. Stay tuned!
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Cheers!
Sarah
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