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30 Things People Wish They Knew Before Moving Out, As Shared By The Bored Panda Community
Interview
Me and my sister just got our first apartment away from home. We haven't even fully moved in yet but I'm at a point where I'm cursing my dad for not giving us a bit of advice on what we choose. For instance, I found out that if you're going to get an apartment, it's best to choose a lower floor if you've got heavy furniture. Because lugging it up two flights of stairs? Yeah, it sucks.
With that being said, I asked the Bored Panda community to share some tips when it comes to moving out, and people sure delivered!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
That it's ok to come back, to try again, to start over as many times as you need. You don't need to feel shame if things do not go as planned.
Final score:
150points
jolie laide 2 years ago
THIS, yes! And it's not just coming back home, either. Trying to have a good support system can really be a life saver for your mental health. Having relatives or friends to crash with for awhile, having some extra money to store your stuff in a storage facility or having friends who don't mind helping you move so you can save a ton instead of hiring movers, etc. So long as you're doing the best you can, there's no shame at all. Life is nothing if but a giant ball of uncertainty and learning as we go.
Bored Panda reached out to professional movers in Toronto, Canada to find out a little bit more about the process and how they work. First, we asked about what people should know before hiring movers.
"The better you prep, the better. Put everything in boxes that you can easily move by yourself. Anyone will become exhausted if they carry around too many heavy boxes. You can take your own stuff apart, but if it has any intricate mechanisms, like a crib, you should be ready to put it back together yourself. It would take a bit of time to figure out how someone took something apart and then figure out how to get it together, all on the clock."
#2
First time on your own you realize just how much your parents did for you. One thing that surprised me was just how much money it takes to buy normal things like toilet paper and dish soap. As someone else stated you have to have a budget but I never realized just how much of your money goes to just supporting yourself.
Final score:
145points
jolie laide 2 years ago
Not just that, but how much c**p you actually need! I think a lot of people move out just taking the bare minimum with them but they forget to budget or factor in for surprises. For example, you forgot you need a can opener or the 4 towels you brought really aren't enough or you buy some nice work clothes but forget to check the tags and suddenly find out that they all say "dry clean only", etc.
#3
The newest construction doesn’t mean the best. Sometimes finding an older apartment building will give you more space, a more sturdy foundation, and possibly less expensive rent.
Final score:
120points
jolie laide 2 years ago
Just wanted to add, do your homework on older buildings as best you can. If you're able, try and talk to people already living there, see what they have to say or what the rumors in the grapevine are. Older buildings can look okay from the outside but that doesn't mean much if you can't actually see the foundation (if they don't have basement access for extra storage or laundry facilities or they refuse you access). Same with the roof, how old the electrical system/wiring is when it comes to leaks or fires. 3 buildings in my area were just recently condemned for those kind of issues and the tenants were given 3 days to vacate while the city and the owners tried to figure out what to do next.
"Ask what insurance covers, how much would be reimbursed for valuables like your TV or antiques, and how they bill, such as to the nearest hour, quarter hour, etc. because every moving company is different. When do the bills start to arrive? Or once they go from home base, where? Try searching for the business name on Yelp and the BBB. Anyone who declines to visit your home for a quote should be avoided. Many states (in the US) provide a brochure with instructions on how to get ready for a relocation and questions to ask potential movers. It's worthwhile to look into."
#4
Use the time you're living for free with your parents to make sure you have everything first. All your furniture, kitchen appliances, electronics, etc. Because once you're on your own and you start to pay for the rent, electricity, cable, internet, phone, food, etc, you won't have a cent left to buy those.
Final score:
120points
#5
Your parents aren't being mean, we're trying to teach you life skills. Cooking dinner because Mom/Dad are tired that night? Life skill. Chores? Life skill. Paying Mom/Dad for that phone bill when you get your first job? Budgeting... life skill. Learn it and embrace it.
2. Pick your roommate(s) wisely. A friend of 20 years will still eff you over.
3. And this is the biggy.... remember the difference between WANT and NEED. You NEED a roof, you don't need 7 bedrooms. You NEED dishes, they can come from Goodwill. You NEED a bed, it doesn't have to be a sleep number right now. Get what you need not just what you WANT. WANTS can come slowly. Needs are right now. You don't NEED a TV. You don't NEED an Xbox / PS5. You don't NEED the loudest stereo system. You don't NEED matching everything and the best furniture right now.
Final score:
117points
Racheal Birdsong-Bradley 2 years ago
Just because your cousin is in need of a babysitter and offers you an amount per month (let's say $150 over your portion of rent) means they will actually pay you, but they will still expect you to pay your portion of rent. It ends badly, in my case, I couldn't pay my portion, she decided to attack me. Being a roommate isn't always ideal. My broken leg "healed" 20 years ago, but the titanium in it still hurts each winter.
With all of that being said, believe it or not, the movers usually have a lot of interesting stories to share, as the spokesperson for the Toronto movers told us the weirdest story on the job.
"When I initially began years ago, I relocated an elderly woman whose daughter had hired us. I didn't notice the truck reeked of urine until approximately a quarter of the way through the move. The elderly woman was insane and had been urinating everywhere for years. Particularly the mattress was a soggy, foul mess. For the record, the experience with the rental truck taught me to refuse to take some things."
#6
Buy some liquid drain unclogger right now! Do NOT wait until needed. Drains are evil. They know when the stores close, and that's when they choose to clog.
Final score:
106points
#7
Remember to visit and call your mother. This is a difficult phase for her. She deeply misses you.
Final score:
106points
Although movers are professionals not everything goes according to a plan at times. "Believe it or not, one time a $4000 50" Plasma screen was damaged while we were trying to move it. A plasma display is different from a TV in that it is a part of a high-end entertainment system and does not include speakers. We were unable to separate it from the base and place it in one of our TV boxes for transit because the man we were moving stripped the screws on the base. It was disgusting. All of it was covered by insurance, which was so generous that his friends all hired me and joked that I could break their TVs."
#8
Do not expect to have all the things your parent's home has, it took them years to accumulate it. Sometimes people think they are supposed to instantly have it all and go into debt. Get the basics and the rest will come a bit at a time.
Final score:
106points
MelFunction 2 years ago
When I was a teenager, my mom started buying me the odd house-hold item. A cutlery set here, a toaster there. Coffee mugs, wine glasses, serving plates etc. Once I moved out, I had a lot of the basics covered already. She really made it so much easier for me.
#9
Don't buy moving boxes; go to the local liquor store and ask to take some collapsed boxes. Alcohol is heavy and those boxes hold the weight very well.
Final score:
103points
Šimon Špaček 2 years ago
Or banana boxes from supermarket. Durable, easy to carry, easy to stack and about the right size for most things.
Lastly, the owner of the mover's company told us about the craziest thing that happened while on the clock.
"In the city, we move uprights, but nothing bigger. Just recently, I lifted a 1400-pound crate that was 7.5 feet tall, 6 feet wide, and 3 feet deep. When the stairs were taken out of a basement for construction, we once had to press a piano up over our heads to exit. The most absurd thing that happened was probably when I had to move myself and my 12 snakes. One of my guys would not approach them in any way. It's always entertaining to try to enter and exit apartments with a dozen snakes and their housing."
#10
The chores are never-ending. Dishes always need to be done. Laundry piles up. The bills keep on coming. If you get yourself into a schedule or a rhythm and do 2-3 chores a day, you'll be able to keep up.
Final score:
95points
Aisling Raye 2 years ago
Yes it's never ending but kind of no on the rest. Everyone has their own way of doing things and that's a big part of living alone for the first time. Getting to know how you personally like your home to run. You can do laundry every few days in small loads, do it once every two or three weeks in large ones, or just do it when you run out of clean underwear and towels. You can do a chore a day or choose a day to do chores. You can skip things if you don't have time for them and catch up later (with the exception being bills of course.)
#11
That no matter how good that budget looks on paper, add a few hundred dollars to it because life will always cost more than you think.
Final score:
95points
#12
Well, I was told many times but I didn't learn it until I was on my own--turn off the d*&! Lights!
Final score:
87points
Leslie Cookietown 2 years ago
And unplugging seldom used appliances or lamps can save substantial amount of money!!
#13
Keep track of your security deposit. I lived in an apartment for 30 years. It changed property managers five times. The money was supposed to be collected interest in an escrow account. They can't find any record of it, and I don't have a copy of the original lease. I will never know who stole it, or when.
Final score:
85points
#14
If you're buying a house, the sticker shock is real! Need to hire movers? Be prepared to spend thousands. Need to have the home inspected? Another thousand at least. Homeowners insurance? How bout another thousand, easy. That's not including lending fees, mortgage insurance, taxes, and every other closing cost.
Final score:
81points
#15
If you need to get furniture wait till you can get exactly what you need. The first purchase should be a bed with a good mattress and a sofa. The rest once you see how it looks and the e space you have for the rest of the things. Learned this the hard way and spent too much.
Final score:
80points
Laura Ketteridge 2 years ago (edited)
We were given hand-me down furniture, and bought second hand. Over time, we have replaced what we wanted to replace.
#16
Get home insurance even if you rent. Your landlord's insurance won't cover you in the event of a loss.
Final score:
79points
#17
Do the dishes now, when you are done cooking/eating. Don't wait. Very, very few things truly need to "soak". Wash them as you make them, especially if you don't have a dishwasher, because there will only be more later.
Final score:
73points
April Dancer 2 years ago
Don't wash them if you do have a dishwasher. Scrape yes, wash, no. It interferes with the sensors so you don't get a proper wash from your machine. At which time there's no point in having one.
#18
Utility bills are not a suggestion. You can't throw them in a drawer and pay them in a few months. They will shut your dumbass power off.
Final score:
73points
Lyone Fein 2 years ago
Also you will end up paying late fees for not paying by the due dates. These add up.
#19
Be careful to who you give your address and have the confidence to state your boundaries. Be prepared for some people to try and invite themselves over, aka the "friends" who want somewhere to crash after a night out or fight with their s/o. Don't let anyone treat your home like a hotel.
Final score:
72points
Aisling Raye 2 years ago
Or...do. It's an up to you thing. Your home, your rules. I've always had an "open door" policy with friends. I'm not going to let someone crash at my place long term without making proper arrangements but if you want to pop by I'm not stopping you (especially if you bring drinks and/or food.) Need a place to crash for a day or two because of a fight with your partner or just an unexpectedly over boozy night out? That's cool. Life kicked you in the gonads and you need a month to get yourself back on track? Let's have a chat about it. I don't expect anyone else to have the same rules. Everyone different. There's really not a right or wrong with guests. Now strangers...f no. Be safe!!!!
#20
Buy a set of basic tools (hammer, screwdriver, pliers, etc.) You may be moving into a place where repairs are handled by a maintenance crew, but even then, you often have to wait. Many home repairs are simple, and you can do them yourself. Just read up and take the necessary safety precautions. Some skills can save you serious cash once you become a homeowner (if that's something you aspire to.)
Final score:
72points
howdylee 2 years ago
i had an inexpensive basic tool set when i lived in college dorms (women's only side) and a can of WD-40. It was quicker to ask me to help with something small rather than wait for maintenance. No other girl on the floor knew how to do anything with tools. Fast forward 20 years, I still have those tools, and regularly have to hunt them down because my husband has used them for odd jobs around the house - never uses his big professional tools, likes my dainty girly tools :)
#21
Thieves. If you’re a college student, they are waiting for you like sharks in the water. Be suspicious and cautious of everyone in and around your place, hide your valuables, and don’t tell anyone where you keep your money.
Never allow anyone into your room that you don’t know and trust. Keep all valuables out of your car, even in the daytime. Never leave your moving truck unattended, and never leave your doors unlocked. I learned all of this the hard way. If possible, always lock your door if sharing a space. I wish when I moved out, I was warned of the predators around me.
Final score:
63points
#22
You should practice basic household chores, like laundry, vacuuming, bathroom cleaning, and cooking especially. Make sure to have these things in the bag. When you do, make sure you have a decent amount of money in a savings account. Start looking for places to stay BEFORE you move out. Make sure to really assess the places you check out. Ask yourself “Would I really enjoy living here?”. If all of these things are in the bag, you are ready to move out. Make sure to organize your stuff into boxes before calling the U-HAUL or before putting them in your car. Make sure to remember your new house address or apartment number. Good luck!
Final score:
57points
jolie laide 2 years ago
Another good tip is to double check in the lease before signing if subletting or having roommates is allowed. In some places, the only people legally allowed to be in the apartment are the people on the lease. Try to do as much homework as possible before signing anything official.
#23
Triple-tape the bottom of moving boxes. One down the middle and the other two in an X shape just to the outside edge of the first one. Then tape along the ends. I have moved many many times in my life and I have never had a single box give out on me.
Final score:
57points
Laura Ketteridge 2 years ago
Tape coloured printer paper to the top and two sides of boxes. The colour should correspond to a room (eg red=kitchen, blue=bathroom, green = sitting room, yellow = bedroom). And write on the paper what is contained within each box. It makes unpacking so much easier.
#24
Never move in with your best friend, you will hate each other by the time you move out!
I moved in with my best friend of 5 years about 12 years ago for a one-year lease. Once the lease was over we went our separate ways and never spoke again, we absolutely loathed each other by the end of it.
Final score:
56points
#25
Why my father chose my brother over me? I was living at home with my father. It was me, my husband, and my 1-year-old son at the time living there. My eldest brother had been living at my grandparent's house, but ended up in jail after he came home drunk one night, found out that my grandmother had accidentally opened an envelope addressed to him, and went off on her threatening her with physical violence....even going so far as to rip the phone out of the wall.
My father decided that my brother should move in with us so that he could keep an eye on him. My brother had been a raging alcoholic for most of his life...and very violent. I screamed at my father for putting me and my son in danger by letting him move in. "All he has to do is get drunk and hurt my son...I will never forgive you if that happens."
My father paid the cost of putting us into an apartment that we couldn't afford at that time. He tried helping us with rent...but we were also living in a neighborhood where gunshots outside weren't uncommon and someone was always getting beaten up in the parking lot every weekend.
My father finally realized it was an all-around bad situation and had my brother put into an alcohol rehab center while allowing us to move back in. Two years later and my husband and I secured jobs that allowed us to move out on our own without financial help.
Final score:
53points
jolie laide 2 years ago
Just up voted to remove the negative down vote. I agree with Reyna, I don't know why people are down voting this. I'm glad you (Carol) and your family are doing much better now!
#26
LOL that your landlord is not like your parents. They aren't going to help you with anything and everything, and might not even do what they SHOULD do.
Final score:
52points
jolie laide 2 years ago
And if they don't do what they should do, know what options for recourse you have. For example who to report issues to and what you might or might not be allowed to do to try and correct the problem yourself. Knowing your rights and your lease is SO important. You might still have to live with the problem/s for awhile but knowing your options at least allows you to try and do SOMETHING, get things documented, etc.
#27
Make a budget and stick to it. Include an emergency fund and retirement fund in your budget, and allocate money to them faithfully with every paycheck. Resolve not to raid either fund for beer runs, concert tickets, or a fancy night out on the town.
Final score:
48points
#28
Moving out doesn't mean you have to be alone. Still call home for help, hang out with your parents, and spend the night in your old bedroom. It's one hell of a shift so give yourself time to adjust especially if you move out as soon as you are 18.
Final score:
48points
#29
Never move into a place without all the utilities ALREADY ON. Water, power, gas, etc. should all be working perfectly already or don't move in. I once lived with no water for 3 months because the new landlord told me he would fix it, never did. I moved out over it.
Final score:
48points
roses are red 2 years ago
First night in my first rental was by candlelight and takeaway food, no one told me I had to get it all connected
#30
Look at Google reviews of the apartment you are considering as well as the management company that owns it.
Hire movers. For long distance moves it can cost significantly less than moving yourself.
What do you think ?
sturmwesen 2 years ago
How about "It's always more expensive then you think and each year it will be more expensive."...
ADHD McChick 2 years ago
Yeah. I'm wondering in what world these posters think 17-19 year olds can hire movers, put aside "extra" money for emergency funds, etc. At least in the US. I've been on my own for almost 15 YEARS now, and I still can't do that! And the way things are going here, it's only going to get worse...
Load More Replies...
Karen Doggett 2 years ago
If you are an adult reading this and you have a chance, help a young adult that is starting out, teach them, share with them and mostly listen to them
Kar Red Roses 2 years ago
Take ALL your stuff with you when you go, or arrange to have things picked up/donated. Don’t assume your parents will keep your room as a shrine to you, or that they’re keeping your baby/childhood stuff in the attic for future grandchildren.
Ginger Grumpybunny 2 years ago
Communication is the key here. Nobody should assume, if it's never been discussed, that their parents are happy to store their belongings indefinitely, but more importantly, nobody should ever dispose of their children's (or anyone else's) belongings without consulting them.
Load More Replies... sturmwesen 2 years ago
How about "It's always more expensive then you think and each year it will be more expensive."...
ADHD McChick 2 years ago
Yeah. I'm wondering in what world these posters think 17-19 year olds can hire movers, put aside "extra" money for emergency funds, etc. At least in the US. I've been on my own for almost 15 YEARS now, and I still can't do that! And the way things are going here, it's only going to get worse...
Load More Replies... Karen Doggett 2 years ago
If you are an adult reading this and you have a chance, help a young adult that is starting out, teach them, share with them and mostly listen to them
Kar Red Roses 2 years ago
Take ALL your stuff with you when you go, or arrange to have things picked up/donated. Don’t assume your parents will keep your room as a shrine to you, or that they’re keeping your baby/childhood stuff in the attic for future grandchildren.
Ginger Grumpybunny 2 years ago
Communication is the key here. Nobody should assume, if it's never been discussed, that their parents are happy to store their belongings indefinitely, but more importantly, nobody should ever dispose of their children's (or anyone else's) belongings without consulting them.
Load More Replies...
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