Key Takeaways
- Your moving budget should include moving expenses, rent, furnishings, and more.
- Preparing for your move by planning your packing & updating your address is essential.
- Our downloadable first apartment checklist is a great way to stay organized.
- You can save money moving into your first apartment by knowing where to shop.
Congratulations on moving into your first apartment! Whether this is your first time living away from your parents, you’re fresh off campus, or simply starting a new adventure, a first apartment move is a huge milestone. As with most milestones, you probably feel a mix of emotions—excitement, nervousness, stress, and so on.
One of the best ways to lean into the excitement of moving into your first apartment (and ease the stress) is to create a first apartment checklist. A first apartment checklist is a tool to help you plan your move. It is the key to getting organized, staying on budget, and settling in quickly.
At Two Guys And a Truck Moving, we have had the privilege of helping people move into their first apartments for over 30 years. We have seen countless times how invaluable a first apartment moving checklist is. Here are our top tips for creating a first apartment checklist, including advice on saving money, hiring movers, and more.
Before You Move – The Planning Stage
Most people think a move starts with packing, but there are a few steps to tackle before you begin boxing your belongings. This includes making a moving budget and scheduling your moving day.
Set a Budget
When creating a moving budget, your largest expense will typically be the first and last month’s rent. However, other moving expenses you need to budget for include:
- Rent & Insurance – Beyond first and last month’s rent, some rentals require a security deposit and/or a pet deposit. Furthermore, some landlords may require Renters’ Insurance as part of your lease agreement.
- Utilities – Unless you’re renting an all-inclusive apartment, you will need to set up your utilities. Some utility accounts may require a deposit from new renters, depending on your location and credit score.
- Furniture – The cost to furnish an apartment will vary significantly depending on the items you already have, whether you buy new or used furniture, and the size of your apartment. You don’t need to fully furnish your place immediately, but at the very least, you should have a bed to sleep on. A box spring and mattress typically cost between $500 and $1,200.
- Odds and Ends – Items like cleaning supplies, condiments, towels, and curtains add up. See the room-by-room checklist later in our guide.
- Moving Costs – This may include movers, moving trucks, packing supplies, moving blankets, storage, pet boarding, and parking. Doing a long-distance move? Don’t forget to budget food, hotels, gas, and vehicle rentals.
Schedule Your Move
For the best moving experience, it is essential to plan and schedule your move well in advance. Decide who is moving your belongings, what services you need to book, and plan your packing.
DIY Move or Hire Movers?
When hiring a moving company, ensure they’re insured, licensed, experienced, and have a good reputation. Two Guys And a Truck not only checks all these boxes, but we also offer everything from last-minute moves to full-service moves.
Book Moving Services Early
Moving services and trucks are often booked quickly, especially during peak seasons (typically spring and summer). Therefore, it is advisable to book as early as possible.
Want to save money hiring movers? If possible, book your move mid-week or in the winter months—most moving companies offer discounted rates for off-peak bookings.
Book Elevators & Parking
When moving into an apartment building, you may be required to book elevators and parking for your moving day. This is especially common when moving to New York, L.A., or other big cities.
Plan Your Packing
When packing for your move, give yourself enough time—we typically recommend 6 to 8 weeks before moving day. If you’re short on time, consider seeking assistance from family and friends or hiring professionals.
Address Change & Utilities
A new apartment means a new address. You will need to update your address with:
- USPS – Send a permanent change of address request to reroute your mail.
- Social Security Administration
- Department of Motor Vehicles for driver’s licenses
- IRS and any other tax agencies with whom you do business
- Bank and credit card company
- Pet microchip company
- Subscriptions (Amazon auto-delivery, food boxes, magazines, etc.)
- Online shopping sites
In addition to changing your address, you will also need to transfer or set up utilities for your new apartment. This may include:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Internet
- Cable
Apartment Essentials Room by Room
Knowing which apartment essentials you need before you move in can help you budget your move and allow you to get settled with less stress. The list below breaks down the essential apartment move-in items you need, room by room.
Living Room
- Sofa
- Coffee table
- End tables
- TV with mount or TV stand
- Lighting
- Curtains
Optional:
- Throw blankets
- Throw pillows
- Rug
- Wall art
- Plants
Pro Tip: For small spaces, consider a couch with a pull-out bed for guests or a coffee table with seating tucked underneath.
Bedroom
- Bed frame
- Mattress
- Bedding (pillowcases, pillows, sheets, duvet)
- Dresser
- Nightstand
- Lamp
- Laundry hamper
- Hangers
- Curtains or blinds
- Hangers
Optional:
- Mattress protector
- TV
- Throw blanket
- Throw pillows
- Rug
- Full-length mirror
- Alarm clock
- Organization tools (closet bins, hooks, baskets, under-bed storage)
Kitchen
- Dishes (plates, bowls, mugs, drinking cups)
- Cooking knives & cutting board
- Spatula and other cooking utensils
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups
- Food storage containers
- Can opener
- Oven mitts
- Dish towels
- Toaster
- Coffee maker
- Trash can
- Recycle Bin
- Spices
- Oils
- Canned goods
- Condiments
Optional:
- Microwave
- Blender
- Wine opener
- Bottle opener
- Compost bin
- Pot holders
- Placemats and coasters
Pro Tip: When moving to L.A. or other large cities, it’s common for apartments not to come with ovens or fridges. Ensure that if your apartment is missing these items, you budget for them.
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels and face cloths
- Shower curtain
- Bathmat
- Toilet brush
- Plunger
- Hand soap
- Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Toothbrush holder
- Deodorant/antiperspirant
- Trash can
- Storage
- Hooks for towels
Pro Tip: Dollar stores are budget-friendly and often carry everything you need for a bathroom.
Cleaning Supplies
- Broom
- Mop
- Vacuum
- Sponges
- Paper towels
- Trash bag
- All-purpose cleaner
- Rubber gloves
- Dish soap
- Laundry detergent
Miscellaneous Items
- First-aid kit
- Toolkit
- Extension cords
- Surge protectors
- Chargers
- Important documents binder/folder
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Light bulbs
- Flashlight
- Batteries
First Apartment on a Budget
If you have a small moving budget, getting everything you need for your first apartment can be a challenge. Remember that you don’t need to decorate right away, and it’s perfectly fine to start with just the bare essentials. If you want to save money on your first apartment, we suggest:
- Prioritizing Needs vs. Wants – While an air fryer is undoubtedly handy, you can do without it. On the other hand, a bed or a sofa is much harder to do without. Be honest with yourself about your needs vs. wants.
- Pick Where to Splurge – The best thing to splurge on is a mattress, as it is used daily, and poor sleep can significantly impact your quality of life. Another great item to splurge on is cookware. Quality cookware can last a lifetime, especially when made from materials like stainless steel or cast iron.
- Know Where the Deals Are – IKEA is a great place for new, affordable furniture and homeware. The dollar store is great for cleaning supplies and other small items.
- Go Secondhand – You can find great furniture and home décor at the ReStore, thrift stores, and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace. You may also want to see if your area has a Buy Nothing Group, where people post free items.
Packing & Moving Day Tips
If we were to pick our top moving day tips, they would be to pack an essentials box, label your boxes correctly, and ask for help.
- Essentials Box: This box or bag has the last items you pack and the first you unpack. It may include important documents, everyday toiletries, medication and vitamins, a first-aid kit, a roll of toilet paper, hand soap, a change of clothes, and basic tools.
- Label Boxes by Room: There are many ways to label boxes, but by labelling them by room, you know exactly where you should unpack them. Additionally, you may want to write 3 to 5 key items that the box contains to make finding items easier.
- Ask for Help: Moving is a significant undertaking, and it’s all too easy to underestimate the amount of work it entails. To avoid moving burnout, don’t be afraid to ask family & friends for help. Alternately, you can also let Two Guys And a Truck handle the heavy lifting—book your move today.
A First Apartment Essentials Checklist to Keep You on Track
Download our first apartment essentials checklist! It’s free and includes a room-by-room breakdown of what you need.
The Importance of a First Apartment Checklist
A first apartment checklist is the key to staying organized and staving off stress during your move. This list will help you prepare for moving into your first apartment so that you can settle into your new home with ease.
Want to add extra ease to your move? Book with Two Guys And a Truck. We can handle everything from the heavy lifting to unpacking, ensuring a simple and stress-free first apartment move!
