How To-58: "How to Move to a New Apartment"

How to Move to a New Apartment

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Moving can be a fun and exciting adventure. But it can also be lots of work--not to mention very stressful. Here are some suggestions that might make your transition a little easier.

Steps

1. Before you even decide on an apartment, go through everything you own. Do you really want to read that book again? Do you need that many commemorative coffee mugs? Get rid of everything you don't really want. It'll save the time, money and trouble of moving it, and your new place will have an uncluttered look.
   
2. Get boxes from grocery stores (or other stores) rather than buying them. Don't disregard the value of large plastic trash bags - just be careful not to throw them out!!
   
3. Choose boxes in sizes that will be easy for one person to carry, just in case you find yourself moving most of it on your own.
   
4. Start the moving process as soon as you can find time to. The more unessential items you can pack as early on as possible, the less you'll have to worry about when it gets down to the wire.
   
5. Make sure that you wrap breakable items (dishes, knick-knacks, pictures, et cetera) in old newspaper, towels, bedsheets, even clothing.
   
6. If you have a lot of books, pack a few in many boxes, rather than all in a few.
   
7. Label your boxes as you pack - kitchen, living room, bath, etc. Also make a list of contents on each box, to make it easier to find certain things when unpacking. This will save you loads of time and grief when you arrive at your new place (and label BREAKABLES as such so your movers will know to be careful--hopefully they will be). Color-coding can be a good idea too. Just get colored stickers, and slap a red one on the box for kitchen, blue for bedroom, green for living room, etc.
   
8. After you have securely packed all of your belongings... now you face the decision of hiring movers, and finding out who your real friends are or being a real friend (and saving $$$) and doing as much of it on your own as you can! (if you CAN afford it, hire a reputable, insured moving service listed with the BBB for the heavy stuff and transporting it all) (*save $ by doing your own packing!)
   
9. GOOD LUCK & GET MOVING!!

Tips

• Make sure you reward helpful friends with pizza and/or beverages for their efforts.
  
• Tip your movers accordingly--they work hard. (Just make sure that any damaged items are accounted for and returned at no cost to you.)
  
• Clean your old place as well as or better than when you moved in - you will likely get a nice and much-needed deposit in return for your efforts, not to mention a good future reference.
  
• Keep a number of rolls of tape, trash bags, and markers around.
  
• VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE: drive by your potential new place at night, especially on the weekends, to see if the atmosphere is suitable to your lifestyle. (Is it too noisy? too much traffic? too quiet?)
  
• Make sure the last tenant of your new place does not still have the keys to your doors.
  
• If you have the opportunity to meet anyone who lives in your potential new residence, ask them what they think, but remember that is just their opinion.
  
• Always be aware of all aspects of your new manager-tennant contract, and know your rights--and don't abuse them!
  
• Your new landlord/manager will let you know what utility options are available to you.
  
• make sure you have given your previous apt. mgr. the required notice regarding your anticipated move--but only after you have found your new place
  
• If you're not sure where to move, ask friends, fellow employees, local real estate agencies, and of course your local Sunday paper.
  
• Get your utilities disconnected at your older home and connected at your new home - Gas, Electricity, Water, Internet, Cable, Telephone. Remember to keep track of any deposits you pay so that you can ensure that they are reimbursed at the time of your next move.
  
• Update your address information with any relevant institutions - Cellphone, Insurance, Loans, Financial (Credit Cards, Banks), Government (USPS address change, Car Registration, Drivers license), Employer
  
• When looking for a new apartment, be sure to look at the apartment and not a model. This way you can point out issues to the manager that should be addressed prior to your move-in date.

Warnings

• While all floors are suspect, ground floor apartments and basement levels are the easiest targets for burglars.
  
• Moving companies are regulated by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/) and are required by law to provide you with a brochure on your rights and responsibilities when moving. Make sure you get one from your mover.

Related wikiHows

• How to Survive Moving
  
• How to Deal With Moving Related Loneliness
  
• How to Say Goodbye to Your Best Friend That Is Moving
  
• How to Pack Your Possessions When Moving

Sources and Citations

• http://www.uship.com/
  
• http://www.movex.com/
  
• http://www.allmovinghelp.com/
  
• http://www.allmovingquotes.com/

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