Moving From A House To An Apartment? 5 Steps To Make It Easier
For most people, moving to a new house is a challenge. But when you're moving from a house to an apartment, this challenge often grows even more. In addition to the actual move, you are usually changing from a larger space to a smaller one. You may also be losing a garage, storage space, or outdoor areas. What can make this move easier? Here are a few key things to do before the big day.
1. Measure Spaces. The last thing you want to do is move large items only to discover that they don't physically fit in the apartment. Avoid this problem by measuring the walls, marking locations of doors and outlets, and taking note of square footage in closets and bathrooms. Armed with this information, ensure that all your furnishings will, in fact, fit. Now you know what to get rid of.
2. Purge Unnecessary Items. If you're losing significant square footage and storage space, you'll likely need to get rid of things before moving day. Start with obvious things like duplicated items and things you haven't gotten out of storage in a while. This process can be difficult, both physically and emotionally, so start as early as possible.
3. Get a Storage Unit. Do you have a hard time purging your stuff? Don't have the time to go through everything before the move? Not sure whether or not to keep something? Consider renting a small storage unit before moving. Put your 'maybe' pile in this unit and revisit it once you've settled into the apartment. As you've lived in the new space for a while, you'll be in a better position to know what you realistically should or shouldn't keep.
4. Check Out Amenities. What shared amenities does your apartment complex offer? And how might these help you get rid of some furnishings? If the complex has outdoor grills available, for instance, you might feel more free to sell yours. Does it have a gym? Perhaps you can get rid of that treadmill or weight set. Does it come with a fully-stocked community room and kitchen you can reserve? Then consider using that space and its goods for entertaining.
5. Hire a Moving Company. Professional movers always make a house move less stressful and easier on everyone. They are doubly important if you aren't exactly sure how all your stuff will be laid out inside — especially if you have to move stuff up and down stairs. Also, if you do rent a storage space, movers can take things to both locations — saving you a lot of time and work.
If you follow these few steps before the day of the move, it will go better and faster, and your transition will be easier in the long term. Start today by talking with a moving company in your area, such as Above Average Moving.