A Guide to Getting Your First Apartment
Settling into your first apartment can be a wonderful adventure, especially if this is your first. Maybe you grew up in a house and now it's time to get your own place. Perhaps your family has always lived in an apartment and you are setting out to find your own. Switching from a house to an apartment can be a big change...so can living without the support of your parents. If plan it correctly and use your head, you'll be comfortably sitting in a new apartment you can be proud to call home.
Locating Your First Apartment
In most major cities, there are rental agencies with access to information on the rental market. Few young people think to find out the percentage of vacant units in the area. This number is important because high vacancy levels create more flexibility for you when negotiating rent or terms of the lease. Agencies also have information on special deals in larger complexes, and they can sometimes offer more details on the general reputation of a particular complex.
Big or Small?
Keep in mind that agencies rarely represent properties from individual owners. There are advantages to both types of living spaces. Large complexes generally have on-site maintenance staff and special amenities rarely available at private rentals. However, private apartment may be more flexible in the damage deposit or letting you paint the walls whatever color you like.
Choosing Your First Apartment
You will get a different idea on how to choose an apartment from every person you talk to. In the end, it comes down to how much you can afford, and how much you can get for that monthly rent. For some, a pool is a necessity. Others must have a gym on site. Some people are all about building savings, so they choose the most affordable apartment they can find, so long as the location isn't dangerous to live in.
How Much Will it Cost?
Often the first and last month rents, as well half a month rent for the damage deposit, are all due to the property owner before moving in. Take care to write down even the smallest problems when filling out a damage report before moving in. This form records the apartment condition so that wear and tear from the previous tenant is not held against your deposit when you move out.
Tips on Acquiring Boxes
Free boxes are often available from liquor stores and grocery stores. Check with a local store to arrange to pick-up boxes. Sometimes they are available without prior arrangement, but there are only a few hours between unloading the trucks and tearing down the boxes. If you speak with the manager, he or she will often hold back a set number of boxes. A note from experience: avoid boxes that have contained smelly contents. The odor lingers on your things.
Making the Move
Whether you rely on friends or choose a moving company, organization is the key to a trouble-free moving day. Boxes that are clearly marked on all sides can save you from unpacking the bathroom in the kitchen. If enough people are available, have someone pull out essentials such as towels for the bath and set up the beds.
Unpacking
It may be tempting to set up the TV and compute, but get the bed set up first. Often it takes more than one person to put the frame together and get the mattresses in place. Move takes a lot of energy and if you leave the bed until last, you'll probably end up sleeping on the couch or the floor.
Instead of unpacking things as you find them, get one room complete so you have a haven in the chaos that inevitably lingers for a few days. It makes most sense to do the bedroom first, which will help you cope with the stress of packing and unpacking your life.
If you have enough help, assign a room to each person and get the basics unpacked before you order the pizza. The more tasks you finish before feeding everyone and resting, the easier it will be to transition from joking about who dropped what box to getting the smaller details done.
For your first day, try to set up the bedroom, bathroom towels and toilet paper, and basic breakfast needs in the fridge. That usually means cold pizza and soda after a moving party. If you want something healthier, plan for it. Don't worry yet about furniture arrangement or decorations. Changing things up is part of the fun and a great excuse for a housewarming party.
First Week of Food
A trip to the grocery store is in order on day two, and here is where you may face the challenges of managing your own budget. Setting up food for a new home can run your grocery bill much higher than anticipated. When you include all the small condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and chili spices, it can add up to the cost of a week's shopping.
A good "emergency" tactic that will hold you through the week is a box of your favorite cereal, half gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, peanut butter or deli-meat, some fruit and at least a few vegetables. Although this isn't recommended as a long-term diet, this list can get one person through nearly a week with a minimum of food preparation and at least a nod to staying healthy.
Keeping Organized
Establish some basic organization in the first week in your new home and you will be ever glad that you did. Create a specific place for things like mail, laundry and dirty dishes. These three items in particular tend to migrate and breed. Blink twice and the mail is spilling over the kitchen counter or table and onto the coffee table in the living room. In your first week, create a space for each of these and begin a habit of a daily round up for out of place items. This habit will make creating and keeping a cleaning routine much easier in the weeks ahead.
Save the Paperwork
First time apartment renters often fail to address the importance of paperwork. However, those who have been burned will tell you that you cannot skip this vital part of getting an apartment. Get a copy of the lease, documentation about the damage deposit, and keep receipts for any payments you make. Keep this paperwork in a safe place where you can always find them. You'll need them the next time you move.
Cleaning
One cannot underestimate the importance of good cleaning habits in an apartment. These living spaces are generally small, so it doesn't take long to tidy up. All you really need is vinegar and water, but you can buy brand name cleaners if you prefer. Search the Web for frugal cleaning tips and you'll learn more uses for these basic cleaners than you ever imagined. Vacuum regularly to keep the carpet and floors in good shape so you don't end up paying for damage when it is time to move again.
Where to get Stuff
Thrift stores can be great for a number of things, but be aware of the different kinds of thrift stores. Some are for-profit and some, like Salvation Army and Good Will, support the community in different ways. A great Saturday activity is to get up early and make the rounds at area yard sales, and then use the afternoon for thrift-store bargain hunting.
Put Your Feet Up
When the bulk of your move is complete, take a few minutes to admire your hard work. This is your place, your home. Have a seat, put your feet up and enjoy a moment in your very first apartment.
Locating Your First Apartment
In most major cities, there are rental agencies with access to information on the rental market. Few young people think to find out the percentage of vacant units in the area. This number is important because high vacancy levels create more flexibility for you when negotiating rent or terms of the lease. Agencies also have information on special deals in larger complexes, and they can sometimes offer more details on the general reputation of a particular complex.
Big or Small?
Keep in mind that agencies rarely represent properties from individual owners. There are advantages to both types of living spaces. Large complexes generally have on-site maintenance staff and special amenities rarely available at private rentals. However, private apartment may be more flexible in the damage deposit or letting you paint the walls whatever color you like.
Choosing Your First Apartment
You will get a different idea on how to choose an apartment from every person you talk to. In the end, it comes down to how much you can afford, and how much you can get for that monthly rent. For some, a pool is a necessity. Others must have a gym on site. Some people are all about building savings, so they choose the most affordable apartment they can find, so long as the location isn't dangerous to live in.
How Much Will it Cost?
Often the first and last month rents, as well half a month rent for the damage deposit, are all due to the property owner before moving in. Take care to write down even the smallest problems when filling out a damage report before moving in. This form records the apartment condition so that wear and tear from the previous tenant is not held against your deposit when you move out.
Tips on Acquiring Boxes
Free boxes are often available from liquor stores and grocery stores. Check with a local store to arrange to pick-up boxes. Sometimes they are available without prior arrangement, but there are only a few hours between unloading the trucks and tearing down the boxes. If you speak with the manager, he or she will often hold back a set number of boxes. A note from experience: avoid boxes that have contained smelly contents. The odor lingers on your things.
Making the Move
Whether you rely on friends or choose a moving company, organization is the key to a trouble-free moving day. Boxes that are clearly marked on all sides can save you from unpacking the bathroom in the kitchen. If enough people are available, have someone pull out essentials such as towels for the bath and set up the beds.
Unpacking
It may be tempting to set up the TV and compute, but get the bed set up first. Often it takes more than one person to put the frame together and get the mattresses in place. Move takes a lot of energy and if you leave the bed until last, you'll probably end up sleeping on the couch or the floor.
Instead of unpacking things as you find them, get one room complete so you have a haven in the chaos that inevitably lingers for a few days. It makes most sense to do the bedroom first, which will help you cope with the stress of packing and unpacking your life.
If you have enough help, assign a room to each person and get the basics unpacked before you order the pizza. The more tasks you finish before feeding everyone and resting, the easier it will be to transition from joking about who dropped what box to getting the smaller details done.
For your first day, try to set up the bedroom, bathroom towels and toilet paper, and basic breakfast needs in the fridge. That usually means cold pizza and soda after a moving party. If you want something healthier, plan for it. Don't worry yet about furniture arrangement or decorations. Changing things up is part of the fun and a great excuse for a housewarming party.
First Week of Food
A trip to the grocery store is in order on day two, and here is where you may face the challenges of managing your own budget. Setting up food for a new home can run your grocery bill much higher than anticipated. When you include all the small condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and chili spices, it can add up to the cost of a week's shopping.
A good "emergency" tactic that will hold you through the week is a box of your favorite cereal, half gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, peanut butter or deli-meat, some fruit and at least a few vegetables. Although this isn't recommended as a long-term diet, this list can get one person through nearly a week with a minimum of food preparation and at least a nod to staying healthy.
Keeping Organized
Establish some basic organization in the first week in your new home and you will be ever glad that you did. Create a specific place for things like mail, laundry and dirty dishes. These three items in particular tend to migrate and breed. Blink twice and the mail is spilling over the kitchen counter or table and onto the coffee table in the living room. In your first week, create a space for each of these and begin a habit of a daily round up for out of place items. This habit will make creating and keeping a cleaning routine much easier in the weeks ahead.
Save the Paperwork
First time apartment renters often fail to address the importance of paperwork. However, those who have been burned will tell you that you cannot skip this vital part of getting an apartment. Get a copy of the lease, documentation about the damage deposit, and keep receipts for any payments you make. Keep this paperwork in a safe place where you can always find them. You'll need them the next time you move.
Cleaning
One cannot underestimate the importance of good cleaning habits in an apartment. These living spaces are generally small, so it doesn't take long to tidy up. All you really need is vinegar and water, but you can buy brand name cleaners if you prefer. Search the Web for frugal cleaning tips and you'll learn more uses for these basic cleaners than you ever imagined. Vacuum regularly to keep the carpet and floors in good shape so you don't end up paying for damage when it is time to move again.
Where to get Stuff
Thrift stores can be great for a number of things, but be aware of the different kinds of thrift stores. Some are for-profit and some, like Salvation Army and Good Will, support the community in different ways. A great Saturday activity is to get up early and make the rounds at area yard sales, and then use the afternoon for thrift-store bargain hunting.
Put Your Feet Up
When the bulk of your move is complete, take a few minutes to admire your hard work. This is your place, your home. Have a seat, put your feet up and enjoy a moment in your very first apartment.