Tips For Moving Out For The First Time

Moving out especially for the first time can be overwhelming! For most of us it’s our first time being fully independent so I’ve made some tips to help prepare you and hopefully make the process less stressful. These tips based on my own experience of moving out so may not be relevant to everyone but I hope at least some help!

1. Prepare financially💰

This first one is obvious but is so important! It’s not only rent you need to think about its bills, council tax, food, furniture etc. I’d recommend trying to save up a few months of rent before you plan to move, this helps for if you end up moving out sooner than expected or for example if you're waiting on a student loan it keeps you covered. I’d work out how much your rent and bills will be and when you get paid make sure you put that amount away, we have a bank account with sections for rent and different bills and we have direct debits come out when we get paid. If you’re a student you’ll be exempt for council tax but make sure to fill out exemption forms asap, also if you move out in the summer before you start uni you will have to pay council tax for the months before you start!(we learned this the hard way). Having savings will save you even if it’s just a few months rent it just means you’re not stuck until you can figure things out and make sure you don’t only think about rent! Remember Wi-Fi, electricity, food even things like how much you’ll spend on public transport/ petrol, budgeting is so important!

2. Decorate your space! 🎀

Personalising your space doesn’t have to be expensive! And most likely if you’re a student or young person you’ll be renting and wont be allowed to put things on the walls (even though we all do it) but here’s some things we’ve done that haven’t ruined the walls…

Cork boards are great for putting up pictures without damaging the wall and make use of shelves! Decorating your flat/ accommodation or anywhere you’re staying will help you settle in faster and makes you feel at home. 

3. Walk everywhere🌿

Okay not everywhere, it depends how far but walking around your new area even if it’s just to the shop 5 minutes away will help you get used to the area and you’ll discover new places. Just from walking places we’ve discovered lots of cute shops, cafes and pubs that if we didn’t walk by we might’ve never went to! Also walking places helps you adjust to your surroundings faster and will make you feel more comfortable.

4. Buy gradually⏳

When you move it’s easy to leave buying things until you move in even when you want to be prepared. I’d recommend every time you go to the shop picking up something you will need (cutlery, bin bags, toilet roll, washing powder, washing up liquid, tea towels etc) this saves you spending a lot of money at once and also means you have it all before you move in! For things like furniture if you need some extra things, buy second hand- facebook marketplace, eBay and charity shops are great for things like this and will save you a lot of money, I’d also suggest buying this over time before you move even if its only a few months. 

5. Live with roommates👩‍👩‍👧‍👧🏡

I know this isn’t an opportunity that everyone will have but if you do, take it! Especially if its with your friends, which is a controversial opinion but personally I love it and I’m so glad I done it! Even if it’s not your friends and for example student accommodation, you never know who you’ll meet, they might become your best friends. It is also cheaper to live with other people, living yourself is so expensive especially if you’re young and don’t have much of an income yet. I think its also good as you’re not lonely, going from staying at home to living yourself can be a big jump for a lot of people but living with roommates gives you company and you still experience being independent. 

6. Essentials❗️

This one isn’t very specific it’s just some things that I’d recommend from my experience that have helped!

🧼🧻Before you move make sure you’ve got cleaning products- washing up liquid, washing powder, fabric softener, cleaning sprays, bin bags etc. Get toilet roll asap, I went to Costco and bulk bought toilet roll and washing and cleaning product since it means you have one less thing to worry about while settling in. 

🔨🪛Mini toolkit! Especially a screwdriver, you will definitely need these at some point, definitely if you’re building new furniture. 

👖👚clothes horses are a need. You’re not gonna want to pay for your tumble dryer every time you do a wash so these are necessary, I love the little ones that clip to your radiator, there ideal for smaller items and when the heatings on everything drys so fast! ⬇️

📦If you’re in student accommodation or a flat most people have smaller rooms with not a lot of furniture so storage is essential. Make use of under bed boxes or boxes on top of wardrobes/ drawers to make the most of the space. Drawer organisers also help