Leaving Your Childhood Home for Your First Apartment
For many students, the beginning of summer means the start of relaxation from school and perhaps just focusing on an internship or job. This summer, however for me, will be different. This will be the last summer that I will be living in my childhood home because I will be moving into my first apartment with two of my roommates.
Being in your young 20’s is a weird transition period between balancing between being an adult and ready to leave the childhood you once had behind, while also still figuring out the rest of your life and who you are. Leaving your childhood home and moving into your first apartment is the next big leap in becoming an independent adult and learning more about yourself.
Although my apartment is only 45 minutes away from my home, a part of my brain still can’t completely wrap around the idea of not coming back to live here with my parents when I am done with my semester. Realistically, I know that I can come home anytime I want and there will be plenty of visits I will be making. But how do I begin to say goodbye to my room, my dog, my parents, and the place I’ve always thought to be my true home?
Although three of my older siblings have all left the house years ago, to me it always seemed like a far off thing that I would one day leave. Now, with only a little more than a month left, I still haven’t found the right way to start saying goodbye to the home I’ve always known.
Although I am still figuring out the tips and tricks to moving into your first apartment, here is a list of some do’s and don’ts and hacks that I have found to be helpful and have learned along the way.
Don'ts:
Don't forget your basics! Measure out the rooms before moving in so that way you can coordinate how big your furniture can be. Don’t wait until the last minute to get essentials for your living space. It will just make move-in that much harder and stressful. Check out detailed first apartment essentials to make sure you have everything you need prior to moving in.
Don't procrastinate. Moving in is no joke and it will be a long and exhausting process. Help out your future self by getting the things you need now, instead of waiting and stressing yourself out with deliveries or having to still buy things up until the day you move in.
Don't be afraid to ask for help! Moving in is a tough process, and having an extra set of hands to help move things or just for advice will go a long way. You don’t have to do it yourself and if you have friends or family to help you, it can make the process a lot less daunting and rather more fun.
Do’s:
Lists, boxes, and pens. Lists will be your best friend. My roommates and I printed out a sheet of essentials we needed to get for when we moved in and wrote our names down for who is getting what and to make sure it was all equal. This can be important if you are living with other people and want to make sure everyone is getting their share in decorating the apartment and also keeping costs as equal as possible. Know how to pack a box! Figuring out how to contain as much stuff as possible in an organized way can make the move-in so much easier. Lastly, always make sure there are pens around for labeling boxes in order to keep yourself organized.
Consider getting an extra pair of keys made. There were so many times when I was living on campus that I forgot my key and was locked out of my room. Having an extra pair of keys will help you from being locked out and always good to have in case of emergencies.
Meet your neighbors! My roommates and I are undergraduates, and for where we are living, it can be hard to find a place to rent to undergrads. That’s why our first step is to make sure we introduce ourselves to the people we are living next to to get off on the right foot.
Figure out trash pickup days. Trash pickup varies from city to city, so always double check when your trash and recycling are being picked up. After you move in, there will be a ton of trash and recycling you will have leftover, so it’s good to know right away the times for when you can put everything out on the street.
Tidy up your entryway and spruce it up! This is the place where everyone will be leaving and entering your home, so you want to make sure it's organized and clean to make a good impression. You can never go wrong with wall hooks for jackets and coats along with a basket or storage to fit your shoes.
This is not a comprehensive list nor a detailed one. But for me, even little bits of advice is helping me each day in terms of packing, organizing, and buying. It’s okay to be anxious, sad, and stressed about moving away from your first home, but there are so many resources readily available to make the process a little easier.
Not to be cheesy, but the biggest thing I’ve come to learn is that it’s not the place that makes it a home, but the people. I will miss my parents (and my dog), but I know they are expecting me for weekend visits. I am so excited and sad and nervous and anxious and so, so, so happy and all the other emotions I can’t even begin to convey on moving into my first apartment with my best friends.
