Congratulations! If you're reading this, you must have survived your big move.
So, what's next?
Before you conquer your new town, you've got an apartment full of boxes to tame, and that takes time, elbow grease and a little bit of strategy.
Before setting up or unpacking (ideally, before anything has even been moved in) it's a good idea to take your phone or camera on a quick walkthrough. Take pictures of any damages you find, and send them to your landlord with a quick, friendly note. They'll likely appreciate the initiative, and it'll ensure the damage (or lack thereof) is documented, saving you money when it comes time to get your security deposit back.
Once the boxes and furniture are finally unloaded, resist the temptation to start unpacking the first thing you see. You're tired and hungry. Enjoy some local takeout or, better yet, eat out somewhere comfy nearby before you tackle the next phase of settling in.
Hopefully, for your first night in your new apartment, you've prepared a priority box with the items you need most urgently. Locate any medications you use daily and keep them clear of the unpacking chaos that will no doubt ensue in the coming days. Find your bedding, pajamas and alarm clock.
If you have to work tomorrow, unpack just those clothes you'll need in the morning and then find your breakfast foods and coffee maker, as well as your bathroom essentials. Necessities like toilet paper, soap, paper towels, basic kitchen supplies and bedding items are typically the first things people unpack. If it's late already, stop unpacking for the day and get a good night's sleep.
If your boxes found their way into the right rooms, your organization and labeling skills have served you well. If your belongings are nowhere near their target locations, sort them by room or area before unpacking anything. With everything in its target zone, you can prioritize what to unpack first and minimize the mess.
Over the next week, you can gradually begin to unpack things according to their priority. This means that the kitchen and bathroom are higher priorities than your books, wall hangings and hobby supplies. Keep in mind that, before unpacking, it may be a good idea to wash surfaces or hire a professional cleaning company, especially if the apartment was delivered to you “broom clean" only.
Although unpacking is of the utmost importance, it's not the only thing on your to-do list right now. Here are a few housekeeping items that will get you humming right along in your new place.
An important task after you move is to hit the local grocery store. Acquaint yourself with the setup and pick up at least a few essentials to get you through the first few days.
While you're there, it's a good idea to see if they have a membership card you can sign up for. Since you'll be shopping there for at least a year, having a discount or points-based card can only be beneficial for your bank account.
You probably already put utilities in your name at the new apartment, but if that's not the case, go ahead and set them up. Unless utilities are included in your rent and handled by the building, make sure to contact your energy, water, gas and cable providers.
You might be happy using your smartphone for now, but sometime during the first few days, you'll want to set up your apartment Wi-Fi, especially if you work from home!
You're excited about your new apartment, so naturally, you're going to want to let everybody know your new address. It's also a good idea to officially change your address with the post office as early as possible. They'll forward mail to your new apartment while you're in the process of making the change with individual organizations and companies (update your address with the post office online here).
Here is a rundown of other ultra-important contacts to notify about your move:
Once the grunt work is done, it's time to gradually add decorative touches and find the best furniture arrangements that may not have been immediately obvious on move-in day. This is the ideal time to do some painting, install a closet organizing system or take on other DIY projects. Just be sure that you have your landlord's blessing before making alterations to your apartment.
Make a list of all of the furniture and decor you need or want to buy after moving in. Decide where the new items will go, then take measurements of the areas where you'll be putting them. Don't forget to take note of the sizes of your windows and the height of your shower curtain rod. If the shower curtain rod is high enough off the ground, you may need to pick up an extra-long liner.
Now is also the time to settle into the neighborhood. Try out nearby services, like the gym, yoga studio, grocer and restaurants. Take advantage of free trial months to ensure you select the best exercise option for you!
Locate nearby parks for jogging or cycling routes, and don't forget to check out tourist attractions to share with friends and family when they visit. Most of all, enjoy the feeling of coming home to your own place as you settle in more and more each day.
Moving is never easy, but if you remained organized during the process, you should be able to unpack with ease. Remember, you don't have to get everything done at once — and try to enjoy the process of settling into your new place.